Surname Meril - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Meril: What does the surname Meril mean?
The origin of the surname "Meril" is not entirely clear. It is possibly derived from several roots and could hold different meanings depending on its country of origin. It could be an alteration of the surname "Merrill", an English name taken from an Old French personal name, derived from the Germanic elements "meri" or "mari", meaning "fame" and "ril", meaning "stream". On the other hand, in some cultures, "Meril" may also be derived from "Mary" and "El", meaning "bitter" and "God" respectively, thus forming a meaning of "bitter to God". However, without clear evidence, these theories remain speculative. It's also noteworthy that in Modern Hebrew, "Meril" translates to "my song". As with any name or surname, the meaning can significantly vary based on its historical and cultural context. As it's less common, the exact connotation might be personal or unique to individual families.
Order DNA origin analysisMeril: Where does the name Meril come from?
The surname Meril is considered to be of Old French origin. The name may originate from the Old French term "merle", which translates to "blackbird". It is frequently found in surnames that appeared during the Middle Ages in regions where Old French was commonly spoken, such as Normandy. However, it's not confirmed as this name could have multiple origins from different cultures.
Meril is a less commonly used surname, thus pinpointing a specific region where it is most prevalent today is challenging. However, research shows sporadic occurrences of the name in various countries, including the USA, France, India, and others. Its usage globally suggests that while it may not be a common surname in any particular region, it is shared by individuals or families scattered across many different countries.
Variations of the surname Meril
The surname Meril might have varied spellings such as Merril, Merill, Meryll, Merryl, Merrill, or even Merrill, which is a common English surname. The surname variations could be a result of regional dialects, phonetics, and transliteration between different languages and alphabets throughout history.
The surname Merrill derives from the Old French elements "merle", indicating a blackbird, and the diminutive suffix "-el", which means little. Thus, the original holder of the name might have been someone small in stature or who was identified by their cheerful, birdlike personality.
However, this surname might also be rooted in Welsh, derived from the elements "Mawr", meaning large or great and "Hywel", translating to eminent or conspicuous. Here, the original holder might have been a prosperous or highly-regarded individual.
There can also be instances of deviations like Merral, Merrel, Merell, Merell, Myrril, or even Myrill. Nevertheless, they all likely originate from the same root. These names could also be related to the Merle family, a variant spelling, particularly familiar in French-speaking territories. In conclusion, the surname Meril manifests in various forms due to different languages, regions, and personal preferences.
Famous people with the name Meril
- Meret Becker: German actress, singer, and musician.
- Robert Meril: 20th-century French philosopher, psychoanalyst, and writer.
- Jean-François Merchier: French actor, film director, and playwright.
- Pierre Meril: French actor, screenwriter, and comedian.
- Mathieu Meril: French actor and director.
- Marilou Meril: American curator, theorist, and lawyer.
- Pierre Merillet: French medalist and artist.
- Thomas Meril: French Classical scholar and philosopher of the Enlightenment.
- George Meril: English actor, singer, and comedian.
- Guillaume Meril: 16th-century French poet.