Surname Meredeth - Meaning and Origin
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Meredeth: What does the surname Meredeth mean?
The surname Meredeth has Welsh origins and derives from the Welsh personal name Meurig, which is equivalent to Maurice in English. The name Maurice has its roots in the Latin "Mauritius," meaning "dark-skinned" or "Moorish," a term used to describe people from North Africa. The surname Meredeth may have evolved from the name Maredudd or Meredydd in Welsh, which implies "great lord" or "sea lord." This surname has multiple variations in spelling including Meredith, Meridith, and Merridith. The name has a close association with Welsh history and culture, and it bears the spirit of the ancient clans of Wales. Its bearers might have been mighty lords or sea warriors, and they still carry that powerful legacy in their name today.
Order DNA origin analysisMeredeth: Where does the name Meredeth come from?
The surname Meredeth is of Welsh origin. It is derived from the ancient Welsh personal name "Meredudd" or "Maredudd", and it was initially used as a first name before transitioning into a surname. The name translates to "great lord" or "sea lord", deriving from the combination of ‘mór’ meaning great or sea, and ‘iudd’ meaning lord.
The surname is most common in English-speaking countries with a considerable percentage of individuals of Welsh descent. Countries such as England, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada have a significant number of people carrying the Meredeth surname. In Wales itself, surnames only began to be generally inherited by the late 18th and early 19th centuries so it is also common there. It can be found in various forms including Meredith, Meridith, Merredith, and Meredeth. The spread of the surname was significantly influenced by the migration of people over centuries, although the largest concentration remains in the countries mentioned above.
Variations of the surname Meredeth
The name Meredeth may have different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. This may include Meredith, Merideth, Meridith, Marideth, Maredyth, Merrideth, and Meredyth. Originally, it is a Welsh surname derived from the Welsh male given name Maredudd or Meredydd, showing the possible meaning as "great lord" or "sea lord". Therefore, on a broader perspective, the surnames that may have the same origin from Welsh roots such as Lloyd, Davies, Evans, Jones, Hughes, and Williams, may have indirect relations. As surnames often suggest the geographical, occupational, or ancestral meanings, other Welsh surnames indicating lordship or leadership might be considered having the same symbolic origin. However, the direct surname variants remain those derived from Maredudd or Meredydd. It's also important to mention that over time and in different geographical locations, the spelling variation could occur based on phonetic interpretations. Hence, even if the spelling differs, it might still refer to the same surname. In modern times, Meredith is often used as a female first name, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Famous people with the name Meredeth
- Patrick Meredith: British entrepreneur, co-founder of Freshii and former professional soccer player.
- Paul Meredith: English rugby union player.
- Joanna Meredith: British actress best known for playing Clare Gilbert in Byker Grove.
- Davie Meredith: Scottish football manager and former player.
- Vince Meredith: American actor, most well known for his roles on My Three Sons and Beverly Hillbillies.
- Matthew Meredeth: American actor best known for appearing in Thunderheart and TV series such as Grey’s Anatomy.
- Charles Meredeth: English actor known for his roles in Doctor Who, Locke and Sense and Sensibility.
- William Meredeth: English actor, best known for his roles in The Fortunes of Nigel, The Thirty Nine Steps and SOS Pacific.
- Gruff Meredith: Welsh rugby union player, captain for the Newport RFC.
- Glyn Meredeth: Welsh football player, most well known for his stints at The Saints, Hull City and Swansea City.