Surname Melroy - Meaning and Origin
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Melroy: What does the surname Melroy mean?
The surname Melroy is a Scottish origin surname, it has also seen usage in English-speaking cultures. The name is a variant of Melville, which is from a place-name in Normandy. It is derived from the medieval French words 'mal' and 'ville', which mean 'bad' and 'town' respectively. So the original meaning might suggest a town with a bad reputation or bad town. Yet, the true original significance could be specific and applied to local conditions of the town named such. Often, surnames evolve and alter their meanings, so it may not have a current meaning beyond being a family name. It’s crucial to remember how the meanings and usage of surnames change over time and can often mirror cultural or societal changes. This is a general meaning and the significance of the name can differ in different cultures and countries.
Order DNA origin analysisMelroy: Where does the name Melroy come from?
The last name Melroy is commonly found in the United States today. It is most common in the Northeastern states, including New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. It is relatively rare in the rest of the United States, though there have been scattered appearances in California, Texas, and other states. In terms of ethnic origin, Melroy is associated with Irish, British, Dutch, and German backgrounds.
The Melroy surname has been around for centuries. It is believed to have originated as a patronymic, derived from the Hebrew name Elroi as a nod to the all-seeing God, or as a variation of the French surname Merlot.
The Melroy surname is not limited to American origins. It is also found in other countries, including England, Ireland, Canada, Scotland, and Germany. In England, for instance, the Melroy name can be traced back to the mid-15th century.
In terms of modern day Melroys, it is hard to tell exactly how many people bear this surname. It could be that there are many Americans today descended from the original Melroys who later assimilated into the American mainstream. Many of these Melroys likely kept their family name as they scattered across the country.
Variations of the surname Melroy
The surname Melroy has various spellings and variants. These include Mallory, Malorey, Mallarey, Mallary, Malleri, Malroy, Malary, Maleroy, Malri, Mallowry, Mauleroy, Mallowrey, Mallery, Malorie, Mallorie, Mallorey, Maleri and Mollery. Many of these versions imply descent from nobility or nobility-dwellers, with the prefix “mal” meaning “bad” or “ill” in various languages.
The origin of the surname Melroy lies in England, and old records of the name date back to the 12th century when the spelling was Maleri. It is a combination of the old French words “maal” or “mal” meaning “bad” or “ill”, and “roi” meaning “king”. Thus, the surname means “bad king”. This could be a reference to someone with a rebellious or problematic behavior, or to someone working in law enforcement.
The variants of Melroy, such as Mallory, Malory, Mallarey, Mallary, Malleri, Malroy, Malary, Maleroy, Malri, Mallowry, Mauleroy, Mallowrey, Mallery, Malorie, Mallorie, Mallorey, Maleri and Mollery can be found primarily amongst British and Irish families. In the United States, Melroy has been found in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Texas, California, Virginia and New York.
The name Melroy most likely descended from various distinct families with the same name, which could explain the variety of spellings. Some of the other spellings and variants of the surname appear to originate from the local dialects, while others might have evolved from attempts to Anglicize the old French spelling.
Famous people with the name Melroy
- Giancarlo Melroy: Brazilian actor
- Geno Melroy: Professional football player
- Steve Melroy: Artist and sculptor
- Mohammad Melroy: Islamic scholar and commentator
- Joe Melroy: American film producer
- Chauneice Melroy: Jamaican beauty pageant contestant
- Jacob Melroy: British YouTuber and Twitch streamer
- Savannah Melroy: Actress and writer
- Nicky Melroy: Professional athlete
- Reada Melroy: Environmentalist and former politician