Surname Merill - Meaning and Origin

Merill: What does the surname Merill mean?

The last name Merill is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derived from the medieval English personal name 'Meriel', which can be seen as an amalgamation of the words 'Merry' and 'Hill'. Thus, it essentially means 'Joyful hill' or 'Bright as the sea'. It was historically used to denote a cheerful or exuberant person living near a hill. The surname has many variants including Merrill, Meryl, and Merril. Like many other surnames, the spelling evolved over centuries and was often influenced by local dialects and the discretion of officials recording the names. In literature and history, several notable personalities have borne the surname Merrill, further establishing its recognition.

Merill: Where does the name Merill come from?

The surname Merill, also spelled Merrill, is of English origin. It is derived from the medieval English personal name Meriel, which was a diminutive of the name Mary. In certain cases, it may also be derived from the medieval English female personal name Muriel, the latter of which stems from Celtic elements meaning "sea" and "bright".

In terms of its geographic distribution, the Merill surname is most common in the United States, particularly in the Northeast. Places such as Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont have higher concentrations of individuals bearing this surname. The presence of the surname in these areas can be traced back to the early periods of English emigration to North America, with individuals bearing the surname Merill being among the earliest settlers in the New England region.

In terms of English-speaking countries, the name is also found, though less frequently, in England and Australia. Keep in mind, however, that generational changes and migration movements can impact the distribution of a surname in today's globalized world.

Variations of the surname Merill

The surname Merill can have several other variants and spellings. Some include Merrill, Merril, Merill, Meril, Meryll, Merryl and Merrille.

It's worth noting that these variations often arise due to regional differences, families immigrating and changing their names to fit local dialect or language, or simple spelling errors. This can often make it difficult to track genealogy or family histories, as the same family can have several different spellings of the same surname across different documents and records.

Furthermore, Merrill, Merril and the other variations of the name can also be traced back to multiple roots depending of the region. For instance, the surname can be found in English and Welsh lineages. The English origin of the name is likely to be from "Merrill", a habitational name from Merill in Leicestershire, named in Old English with m?re 'boundary' + hyll 'hill'. The Welsh origin of the name derives from Meriol, a pet form of the personal name Muriel.

In terms of surnames of a similar origin, names such as Merritt, Merton, and Murrell could be considered.

Famous people with the name Merill

• Brooke Merrill: An American reality television star and beauty pageant titleholder who competed in Miss USA.
• James Merrill:An American poet and Pulitzer Prize winner.
• Joseph Merrill: An American physician and former Mayor of Worcester, Massachusetts.
• Jean Merrill:An American author who wrote children's books and plays.
• Connie Merrill:An American actress who starred in Johnny Belinda, Wagon Train, & Rhubarb.
• Sam Merrill:A Major League Baseball pitcher who played with the Chicago Cubs.
• Paul Merrill: A Major League Baseball catcher who played with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Hilary Merrill:An American painter and multimedia artist whose work is often focused on her experiences of the natural world.
• Brice Merrill:A professional cyclist from the United States who has raced with the Indie racing team.
• William Merill:The United States Marine Corps Major General who was the first commanding officer of the Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command.

Other surnames

MerilMerileesMerils