Surname Merrell - Meaning and Origin
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A. Merrell
read moreMerrell: What does the surname Merrell mean?
The surname Merrell is derived from the ancient English given name Muriel, which originated from the Celtic personal name Muirgheal. The name is a compound of two Celtic elements: "muir", meaning "sea", and "geal", meaning "bright". The name likely was originally used to denote someone who lived near the sea or had a bright, cheerful personality. The surname came into existence during medieval times, when it became necessary for people to adopt family names for tax and census purposes. Over the centuries, the spelling of the name evolved in various regions and thus there are several variations of it such as Merrell, Murrell, Mirrel, Merrile, etc. The surname is widespread in English-speaking countries, especially the United States and the United Kingdom.
Order DNA origin analysisMerrell: Where does the name Merrell come from?
The surname Merrell is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and it is derived from the medieval English given name "Muriel," which is in turn derived from the Old French names "Meriel" and "Muriel". These names are composed of elements meaning "bright" and "sea," likely used metaphorically to refer to a bright, shining personality.
After the Norman Conquest, the given name came into more common usage, and as surnames became more established, children were often named after respected elders, which is how Merrell became a surname. Later, many British emigrated to the new world, taking the name with them.
Today, the surname is most common in the United States, with a particularly high occurrence in the states of Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. According to WorldNames PublicProfiler, the surname is also relatively common in the United Kingdom, specifically in the East Midlands. The surname can also be found, to a lesser extent, in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, these distributions are not necessarily reflective of the surname's place of origin.
Variations of the surname Merrell
The surname Merrell has several different variants and spellings, which can trace their lineage back to the same origin. These spellings have evolved over centuries, with differences arising from regional dialects, translations, and alterations made for simplicity.
Some of the common variant spellings include: Merrill, Merill, Meryll, Meryl, and Meryell. These primarily stem from English or Welsh roots and may have been altered when families migrated to different countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
There's also a possibility of names that sound similar, but originate from different roots, for example, Merle, Marrell, or Marell from Germanic or French beginnings.
Surname variations can often be linked to the same family at some point in their genealogical history. In the case of the surname Merrell, the various spellings can tell the story of family migration, regional influence, and personal preference throughout the centuries. Depending on cultural or regional contexts, some spellings may be more prevalent in certain areas than others.
It's always important to consider these variations when researching genealogical history or tracing family roots, as differing spellings can still indicate a common ancestry.
Famous people with the name Merrell
- 1.Wes Merrell: baseball player in the Spanish National League. 2.Aaron Merrell: professional wheelchair basketball player. 3.Jacob Merrell: professional bridge player. 4.Heather Merrell: early Math education expert. 5.Lizzy Merrell: singer/songwriter and founder of the independent record label Lizzy Decibel Music. 6.Jacob Merrell: multi-instrumentalist and composer. 7.Thomas Merrell: early American artist. 8.Harrison Merrell: professional surfer from Hawaii. 9.Lewis Merrell: World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Navy. 10.Lone Merrell– Olympic swimmer from Australia. 11.Elias Merrell: two-time NFL Pro Bowl player. 12.Trent Merrell: country music singer and songwriter.
- A.D. Merrell: early American illustrator and cartoonist. 14.Emily Merrell: modern dancer. 15.Cecil Merrell: early 20th century vaudeville star. 16.Elizabeth Merrell: African American civil rights activist. 17.Robb Merrell: American composer and songwriter. 18.Jay Merrell: jazz musician. 19.Troy Merrell: professional golfer. 20.John Merrell: film director and screenwriter.