Surname Merritt - Meaning and Origin
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An Exploration of Self and Surname: An Accurate DNA Test Unearths Merritt's Origins through iGENEA
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P. Merritt
read moreMerritt: What does the surname Merritt mean?
Merritt is an English surname that is derived from the Old French word "merite," which translates to "reward" or "deserving," and it is used to denote a person of notable merit. It is also occasionally given as a personal name. The term Merritt is often interpreted as 'boundary gate' in the medieval era. This last name was first found in various counties in England and later spread across the English-speaking world during the waves of migration in the late middle ages. Over time, various spellings of the surname have been used. Some of the popular variations include Merit, Meritt, and Merrett. It is a fairly common surname and is most prevalent in the United States. Notable people with the last name Merritt include the American musician, Stephin Merritt, and various athletes such as Aries Merritt and LaShawn Merritt.
Order DNA origin analysisMerritt: Where does the name Merritt come from?
Merritt is a surname of English origin derived from the medieval personal name "Merry", meaning merry or joyful, and the Old English word "rætt", meaning counsel or advice. Hence, Merritt could be interpreted as ‘merry counsel’ or 'joyful advice'. The name is considered to have originated in Devonshire, a county in South West England.
Merritt found its way to America during the early periods of colonization and gradually spread across the continent. Some of the earliest settlers bearing this name include Hugh Merritt who arrived in Virginia in 1635 and Nathaniel Merritt who arrived in Massachusetts in 1636. Today, the surname is common in the United States, particularly concentrated in the region of the southeast but is fairly spread throughout the country. While it's mostly found in English-speaking nations like Canada and the United Kingdom, it is less common in other parts of the world. According to the distribution of the Merritt surname data in 2014, the name is most prevalent in the United States and highest density in Bermuda.
Variations of the surname Merritt
The surname Merritt has British origins, notably from England and Wales. It evolved from the Old English name "Mairyghreade", which signifies "boundary gate". Different spellings and variants of Merritt have been documented over centuries. These include Merrett, Meriot, Merrit, Meryet, Meriet, Merit, Marriot, Marriott, Merritts, Meryett, and Merriott among others.
Another similar spelling used mainly in America is Merrit. Alternative spellings may have been a result of pronunciation variations, differing regional dialects, or even clerical errors in written records.
Surnames like Marriot or Marriott can also be traced back to Merritt as they origin from Old French personal name "Maurice". These surnames were likely influenced by phonetic and regional shifts, evolving into the various forms we have today.
Due to immigration and name anglicization, more variations of the name Merritt might be found throughout the globe. Always remember that spelling variations might represent branches of the same familial line or could be distinct families. The history of a surname's evolution might shed a light on the family's historical journey, migration pathways, socio-political influences, and more.
Famous people with the name Merritt
- Stephen Merritt: Singer-songwriter and frontman of the American indie pop band, The Magnetic Fields.
- Monét X Change: Drag performer and winner of the 10th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
- Caleb Merritt: American professional skateboarder and member of the For The deeper skate collective.
- Olive Merritt: American film actress who starred in the 1932 animated short film The Ugly Duckling.
- William Merritt: Co-founder of the Regency period furniture-making firm, Maple & Co.
- Ted Merritt: American professional golfer who competed in and won two PGA Tour events.
- Tori Merritt: Professional beach volleyball player who has made numerous appearances on the AVP Tour.
- Geoffrey Merritt: American jazz composer and musician from The University of North Texas.
- Jauchem Merritt: American cartoonist and illustrator, best known for his comic strip, Don’t Take It Personal.
- Max Merritt: New Zealand-born, Australian-based singer-songwriter and rock musician, best known for his hit song “Slipping Away.”