Surname Meryll - Meaning and Origin

Meryll: What does the surname Meryll mean?

The last name Meryll is an Anglicized version of the French surname Merille, which is derived from a Latin name that means "blackbird". The name has been documented in England since the Middle Ages, and its various spellings of Marill, Merill, Myrille, Mirill, and Meryll all suggest the same bird-related origin.

Meryll is a surname that can be traced back to the Norman Conquest of Britain in the 11th century. During this time, the Normans brought with them French words and names that became incorporated into English. At one point, Meryll was even a given name, as attested by the birth of a John Meryll in 1490 in England.

Meryll now belongs to an extensive family of surnames of French origin in the UK and elsewhere. It is most often encountered in the United States, particularly in the Midwest, but can be found in various parts of the world.

Though the name lacks a clear, direct meaning today, it was once intended to evoke an image of a blackbird — or more generally, a bird of deep blue or black plumage —which could symbolize many things. In traditional folklore, blackbirds represent good fortune, mystery, and an otherworldly force beyond human control. To many, it represents a reminder of the natural beauty and splendor of the world before urbanization overtook it.

In a broader sense, the name Meryll can be thus seen to represent resilience, freedom, and the connection between humanity and nature.

Meryll: Where does the name Meryll come from?

The surname Meryll is most commonly found in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It has been most frequently found in the United States, where it is the 6,484th most common surname according to the 2000 census.

The Meryll surname has some interesting roots, as it is an Anglicization of the personal name Carolus, or Charles. Most Meryll surnames are believed to have been adopted in the 17th century when Charles was an extremely popular name. The name typically had a Norman pronunciation, although it was also spelled Maril, Marill, Meryle, Merryl, and Merel.

The Meryll surname may have originated in the southern counties of England, specifically in Berkshire and Dorset, before it spread to other parts of the English-speaking world. Ireland and Scotland may also hold some roots of the surname, although some of the Meryll families could have come from Germany and France.

The Meryll surname is found commonly in the United States, especially in the states of California, Texas, Florida, and New York. It is also seen in smaller numbers in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. With the availability of genealogical resources online, it is now easier than ever to trace the usage of a particular surname and to learn more about your family heritage.

Variations of the surname Meryll

Meryll is an ancient surname of English origin. Records of the name trace back to the 14th century, when it was first recorded with manor house evidence in Northumberland. The name is thought to have come from the personal name, Meryll.

Variants of Meryll include Merill, Merrell, Meriall, Merrill, Marrill, Merirll and Merryll. All of these variants are derived from the same personal name, Meryll, which can also be seen in surnames such as Merriall, Merrilees, Merrin, Merrills, Merring, Merryl, Merrylee, and Merryman.

There are many spellings of Meryll, which are often a product of transcribers imperfectly interpreting handwriting. Common spellings include Merrll, Marrell, Merial, Meriel, Merril, and Merrel.

Early records indicate that the surname was primarily localised to Northumberland but spread further throughout the English speaking world. Records of the name have been found in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

It should be noted that while the variants of the surname share the same origin in the personal name Meryll, they are all considered distinct surnames.

Famous people with the name Meryll

• Brooke Meryll: Actress known for her roles in Ray Donovan, Days of our Lives, and General Hospital.
• Jon Meryll: Actor and voiceover artist, known for The Ballad of Juice and Freeze, Driftwood, and The Ignorance.
• Jay Merill: British singer, songwriter and producer, best known for her single "Phoenix Rising".
• Mark Meryll: American rock guitarist, composer, and producer, best known for his solo albums "Crank It Up" and "Dreams".
• Stewart Meryll: British actor, voice actor, and comedian, best known for his roles in School of Rock, The Inbetweeners 2, and The Goodies.
• Zane Meryll: American pop singer, best known for singles such as "Shake It Off" and "Dance to the Beat".
• Paul Meryll: Film and television producer, known for productions such as The Hunger Games, The Wiz 1 & 2, and the TV series One Life to Live.
• Yvonne Meryll: French-born American TV actress, best known for her roles in A House Divided and Major Dad.
• Tyler Meryll: Based in Nashville, he is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his debut EP "Good Times".
• Tommy Meryll: British-born American jazz drummer, best known for his various projects such as the Tommy Meryll Quartet and Stoners.

Other surnames

Meryl