Surname Meryl - Meaning and Origin
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Meryl: What does the surname Meryl mean?
The last name Meryl doesn't have a specific meaning as it is a given name, not a traditional surname. As a first name, Meryl is of English origin, and the meaning is said to be "shining sea". It is derived from the name Muriel that comes from “muirgheal” in Irish Gaelic, which combines the elements "muir" meaning sea and "gheal" meaning bright. The name has been made popular by American actress Meryl Streep. However, as a last name, Meryl does not hold a specific meaning and may have been adopted or adapted for various reasons, such as immigration, or may be a patronymic, metronymic, occupational, or topographic surname.
Order DNA origin analysisMeryl: Where does the name Meryl come from?
The last name Meryl is not common and it doesn't appear to be associated with a specific culture or country of origin. Instead, Meryl is more often found as a first name. Most notably, it is the first name of the Oscar-winning American actress Meryl Streep. The first name Meryl has origins in both English and Celtic languages and typically is a female name. The meaning of Meryl is "shining sea" or "sea-bright".
Data from genealogy resources does not show a significant number of people with Meryl as a last name. Therefore, it is not possible to pinpoint where it would be common today. Even globally, its use as a surname is very rare, hence its origin as a family name isn’t clearly defined. To sum up, Meryl is more well-known as a first name rather than a last name. As a surname, it's so rare that it doesn't seem to have a particular country of origin or a significant presence in any part of the world.
Variations of the surname Meryl
The surname Meryl is believed to be of Welsh origin. In different regions it has seen variants due to local pronunciations, customs, and spellings. Some common variants of the surname Meryl are Merrell, Merrill, Merel, Merill, Merroll, and Meryll.
In fact, Meryl is often considered to be more commonly used as a first name than a surname. For example, acclaimed actress Meryl Streep is a well-known figure who bears this name.
The surname Meryl can also be encountered under different spellings such as Merila, Merile, Merille, Meeril, or Mhairil, depending on regional phonetics and dialects used.
Historically, the practice of spelling names phonetically, coupled with changes in language and the mixing of cultures, has caused many surnames to have various spellings over time. Therefore, looking at Meryl and its different spelling variants, it's clear that this name shares its origins with many other surnames or first names, often varying by region and culture.
However, it's important to note that the variations of the surname Meryl could also be etymologically unrelated, sharing only phonetic similarities rather than historical or familial connections.
Famous people with the name Meryl
- Meryl Streep: She is an acclaimed Hollywood actress, considered one of the greatest of all time. Her films have earned over $3 billion at the global box office, and she has won two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, and eight Screen Actors Guild Awards.
- Meryl Cassie: She is an actress and singer best known for her role in the Power Rangers RPM series.
- Meryl Davis: She is an ice dancer who is the 2014 Olympic champion in the ice dancing event. She is also a two-time world champion, a five-time Grand Prix Final champion, and a six-time U.S. national champion.
- Meryl Schnieder: She is a New Zealand actress, screenwriter, and director. She is best known for her roles in the film Heavenly Creatures, and the TV show The Strip.
- Meryl Jones Williams: She is a former English member of Parliament and is currently the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Unconventional Oil & Gas.
- Meryl Tankard: She is an Australian dancer and choreographer best known for her works including Four Saints in Three Acts in Australia, and Maddening Cloud in Japan.