Surname Meris - Meaning and Origin
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Meris: What does the surname Meris mean?
The last name Meris is of Italian origin, and is believed to be derived from the personal name Merisio or Merisi. It may also have started as a topographic name, referring to someone who lived by a lake or a marsh.
The most commonly accepted meaning of the name Meris is “the meridian” or “the high road”, which suggests a sense of ambition and strength of character. This could refer to someone who is brave, innovative and determined to succeed; someone who sets themselves high expectations on their road to success.
In recent years, Meris has also been used as a shortened version of the name Maris. This could be derived from the popular Welsh female name Mair, which translates to “star of the sea”, suggesting good fortune and a kind heart.
The last name Meris is still relatively rare today and is still usually found in its native Italy. However, it has been currently spreading rapidly around the world. It could be indicative of someone with a wide range of skills, ambition and courage - someone who is ready to take on the world!
Order DNA origin analysisMeris: Where does the name Meris come from?
The last name Meris is most commonly seen in Central and Eastern European countries, such as Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. It is also popular in some Asian countries such as Thailand, as well as certain countries in southern Africa, such as Zimbabwe.
The most commonly seen namesake in the Americas is a variant of the last name, known as Meraz – a relatively popular Hispanic version of ‘Meris’. Meraz and other variants of the name can be found in various regions of the United States, South America, Mexico, and Spain.
Although exact origin of the name Meris is uncertain, some French-Canadian and Spanish families may have adopted it from the French word ‘merise’ - which refers to an ancient flowering plant. The French ‘merise’ is similar to the Spanish ‘merisa’ and ‘merisio’, which have been linked to the Dutch name ‘Merende’.
The last name Meris has a long and varied history, and due to its continued presence in various parts of the world, the name is likely to stand the test of time.
Variations of the surname Meris
The Meris surname has a variety of different variants, spellings, and surnames all with the same origin. The most recognisable variants of Meris are Maris, Merris, Marris, Merys, Marys, and even sometimes Mars or Marice. It has been suggested that the surname may have derived from a personal name, possibly from the Old French “Marescal” or the Latin “Mariscalcus”, which both equate to “master of the horse”.
The spellings of Meris include Mereis, Merrie, Meree, Merri, Merre, Meri, Merii, Merrie, and Merdi. These spellings further exist in some very slight variations such as Meredith, Merik, Merian, or Merriman.
The Meris surname has quite a few glaringly different surnames that may appear to have nothing to do with each other, such as Meratch, Meroth, Miraglia, Maraglia, and impactful Marra. All of these spellings and variants have one thing in common- they are all derived from the Private Name Meris.
In addition to their similar origins, there is other evidence that these names are all related. For example, there are several places with the same root names that have close links to members of the Meris family, such as Marassel in France, Marazza in Italy and Merrittsville located in Illinois.
To sum up, it can be said that the Meris surname has a wealth of related variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. This demonstrates how the Meris surname has evolved over the last few centuries to generate such a wide, yet related group of different surnames.
Famous people with the name Meris
- Paschalis Meris: a Greek actor, director, and screenwriter
- Zureta Meris: a Brazilian musical composer, singer, and record producer
- Oscar Meris: a former American football player
- Philippe Meris: a renowned Mexican cinematographer
- Dimitris Meris: a Greek contemporary artist
- Stephanie Meris: a French actress
- Felix Meris: a German conductor and harpsichordist
- Sonia Meris: a French poet and playwright
- Eryk Meris: a Polish composer and musical producer
- Jennifer Meris: an American film producer and director