Surname Meirle - Meaning and Origin
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Meirle: What does the surname Meirle mean?
The last name Meirle is believed to be of Belgian and Dutch origin and is derived from the Dutch word “meer” meaning “lake” or “moor”. In the Netherlands, Meirle is associated with a variety of towns in the provinces of Gelderland and Noord-Brabant. Alternatively, the name may have derived from a particular terrain in Flanders that was previously marshland or perhaps even connected to the Dutch families of that region who settled in Belgium.
The name Meirle often appeared with various suffixes to acquire the spelling of Marle, Marl(e), Mirle, and Meerle. Regional variant spellings, suffixes, and homonyms further account for other versions of this surname in present day, such as Meerl(e), Meijerl(e), Meerloo, Merl(e), Marla, Marlen, and Merlen.
As written in archives of the past, the name Meirle is linked to influential clerical and noble families of Belgium and is a name frequently found in Antwerp and the Limburg area, where it is listed in records as far back as 1609. In the 19th century, Meirle families went on to locate around the world, primarily in countries of the Netherlands.
Today, the name Meirle is still prominent in Belgium and retainers of this moniker around the world have a vibrant piece of their family’s past.
Order DNA origin analysisMeirle: Where does the name Meirle come from?
The last name Meirle is most commonly found today in the Netherlands, where it is listed as one of the top 100 surnames. It is believed to have originated in the 13th century, possibly as a patronymic based on the Dutch De Meerle, a field name derived from the Middle Dutch mare, meaning “lake”. It is also found in other parts of Europe, including Belgium, Germany, and France.
The pronunciation of Meirle varies depending on the country. In Dutch, it is pronounced "MAY-er-lay" while in German, it is pronounced "MARE-lay" and in French, it is "MYAIR-lay".
Outside Europe, the surname Meirle can also be found in some parts of the United States, where it is thought to be related to the same Dutch origin but with a different spelling. Records of Meirle in the US date back to the late 19th century and it is believed to have been brought by Dutch immigrants.
In addition, the surname Meirle can be found in some parts of South America and Africa, where it likely stemmed from Dutch settlers who immigrated there in the 18th and 19th centuries.
In modern times, the last name Meirle is relatively uncommon, particularly outside the Netherlands. However, it is still present in some parts of Europe, the United States, Africa, and South America.
Variations of the surname Meirle
The surname Meirle can be spelled in several ways, including Merle, Mairle, Merel, Merrel, and Meryle. These are all variants of the surname, which is of German origin and also found in France and Belgium.
The surname originated from Merle, a given name. Merle or Meril is derived from Mary, meaning 'star of the sea.' It is likely reflected in the Latin given name Maria, French Marie and Spanish Maria, and is also found as a surname.
In Medieval Germany, the name was found as Merle, and then later as Meirle or Merrele. In France, the name was primarily found as Marle or Marele. In Belgium, it is mostly found as Merrele.
Variant spellings of the surname Meirle include Mairle, Merle, Merel, Merrel, and Meryle. All of these spellings have derived from a common source, and are related in origin.
Famous people with the name Meirle
- Golda Meir: Former Prime Minister of Israel (1969-1974), also known as the “Iron Lady of the Middle East.”
- Meir Dizengoff: Zionist, politician, and Mayor of Tel Aviv from 1936-1953.
- Ezra Meir Feld: Israeli pianist and conductor.
- Tamar Meir: Actress and model from Israel.
- Ilan Meir: Israeli-American biologist and academic.
- Moshe Meir: Israeli-American rabbi and director of American Jewish Congress: Western Region.
- Noa Meir: Israeli mathematician and professor at Technion: Israel Institute of Technology.
- Miri Meir: Israeli-American singer, composer, and pianist.
- Avner Meir: Israeli-American historian, scholar, and professor at Tel Aviv University.
- Aharon Meir: Israeli-American electrical engineer and mathematician.