Surname Merrow - Meaning and Origin

Merrow: What does the surname Merrow mean?

The surname Merrow is an English occupational name from the Old English word 'merewif' which means 'a person who fishes in the sea'. In some cases, the surname may also be an Anglicised form of the Gaelic 'Muirbheatha', which historically was the name for someone who lived near the sea or a river. The Merrow surname is an ancient one, with records dating back to the 12th century, when the lands east of the River Derwent were under Anglo-Saxon rule.

The Merrow surname is found most commonly in the south of England, particularly in the areas of Devon and Cornwall, where it is likely to have been adopted in the 14th and 15th centuries when Ireland was under English rule. The surname is also found in parts of the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, where it appears to be a variant of the Irish surname Merritt.

The Merrow surname is often associated with the sea, suggested by the fact that it is an occupational name. During the Middle Ages, the Merrow family likely enjoyed a living by fishing in the waters around South England, and perhaps were associated with the fishing fleets off the coast of Ireland. It is possible also that the name was adopted in the 14th/15th centuries when English rule extended to the isles of Ireland, as the Merrow surname is also found there.

Ultimately, the Merrow surname is an ancient one, likely originating from an occupational name and strongly associated with the sea or coastal areas, a connection that has been carried through to the present day.

Merrow: Where does the name Merrow come from?

The last name Merrow is most common in the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, it is most prevalent in the Midwest, with the highest concentrations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Indiana. Merrow is also found in the other regions of the U.S., such as California, Florida, and even Hawaii.

In Canada, Merrow is found mainly in Ontario and Quebec, but researching back further, one may find family ties to the Maritimes provinces and the Prairies provinces.

Globally, Merrow is a relatively uncommon name. It is most common in Ireland and Northern England, which is not surprising given its origin as an old English surname. Interestingly, Merrow is also found in Germany, which may indicate a connection to European settlement in the U.S.

Outside of the western hemisphere, Merrow is seen in Australia and New Zealand, mostly as a result of the British colonization. South Africa is another area with a notable concentration of the surname Merrow.

In summary, the Merrow surname is primarily a British and American name and is characterized as being most common in the North and Midwest of the United States, as well as Ontario and Quebec in Canada. It is also found in various places throughout Europe, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Variations of the surname Merrow

The surname Merrow is of English origin and is usually spelled with two "r"s, as "Merrow". Other variants of this spelling include Mearow, Merowe, Merrowe, Marrow, Marrowe, Marro, and Marowe.

Mearow is a variant of Merrow in which the "r" and "e" have been transposed. Merrowe, Marrow, Marrowe, Marro, and Marowe are all variations of Merrow in which some of the letters have been dropped. These variations are usually attributed to changes in accent and pronunciation over time.

In addition to the aforementioned variants, Merrow has also been known to appear in other variants of spelling such as Merowe, Marou, Merrill, Merrall, Merril, Merill, Merrille, Mirill, Mirrall, Murrill, Murrell, Murrel, Muriel, Murel, Murielle, Murieler, Merila, Mariela, and Marlo.

These variations of the surname Merrow can be found in records all over the world, including in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Poland. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word mearh, which has the meaning of 'a close relative or associate'.

Famous people with the name Merrow

• Tracee Merrow: Canadian actress from Toronto.
• Jay Merrow: English actor and comedian.
• Alice Merrow: British model and actress from Gloucestershire.
• Tom Merrow: British professional rugby union player who plays for London Wasps.
• Justin Merrow: Canadian soccer player who currently plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
• Gordon Merrow: New Zealand composer, guitarist, and violinist.
• Jonathan Merrow: British musician, songwriter, and producer.
• Jonathan Merrow-Smith: British stage and screen actor.
• James Merrow: Author, film maker, and software developer from the United States.
• Don Merrow: American Hall of Fame baseball player.

Other surnames

Merrott