Surname Mervin - Meaning and Origin
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Mervin: What does the surname Mervin mean?
Mervin is a surname of Germanic and Old Norse origin. The first recorded use of the name was as "Mervinus," by a Saxon king in the year 627AD. The name likely derives from either the Old High German words "mǣr" or "meri" meaning famous, or from the Old Norse word "verr" meaning warrior.
The original meaning of Mervin is therefore one of great reputation or high stature, and suggests the bearer of this name was a brave and noble individual. The bearer may have also been awarded great honors or distinctions for their strength of character and leadership.
The surname Mervin can be found in Europe, the United States, Canada and other parts of the world where this surname is popular. Over time, the spelling of the surname has varied, such as Marven, Mervine and Mervyn, which only furthers its reputation as a strong, distinct and recognizable name.
To this day, Mervin remains a surname of strength, courage and greatness. The person who bears it is seen to be independent and strong-willed, and is someone who is capable of achieving great things.
Order DNA origin analysisMervin: Where does the name Mervin come from?
The last name Mervin is most commonly found in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, the last name Mervin was most popular in the states of New York (7th), Pennsylvania (34th), and Massachusetts (40th) in 2020. In states like Texas and California, the last name was found to be much less common.
Though Mervin is not a particularly common surname, it does have a long history in the US. The name is found in records going back centuries, with the earliest documented ancestor being William Mervin who arrived in America in 1740 from County Kilkenny, Ireland. The name is believed to have originated from the Old Norse name Merfinn or the Anglo-Saxon name Mearfaen.
The Mervin family has since spread out across the US. There are now concentrations of Mervin families in Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Upstate New York, and Delaware. However, the highest concentration of Merving families today can be found in the New England area.
The Mervin name may also still be found in other countries, such as Canada, Australia, India, and Ireland. In addition, the name has likely spread to other countries and areas of the world as Mervin family members moved abroad.
Overall, the name Mervin is found in many different places around the world. Though it is not as common as some other last names, Mervin is still well represented in the US and in other countries.
Variations of the surname Mervin
The surname Mervin can have numerous variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Generally, all of these variations can be traced back to the name ‘Merwin’, which is of English and French origin with root in Old German. The spellings of this surname, and its variants, are as follows: Mervin, Merwin, Marwin, Merwyn, Marwyn, Merven, Marven, and Merwen.
Other surnames of similar origin include Mervyn, Mervan, Merwan, Marwan, Mervon, Marvon, Mervene, and Marvene. Variations of these spellings are also seen, such as Merwinn, Mervynn, Mervinn, and Mervenne.
The root of this name connects to the Old German word ‘merwin’, which translates as “famous friend”. Thus, several other surnames related to Mervin are also taken from this word – Merwenn, Merwenne, Merwines, and Merwynes.
Additionally, some other surnames derived from Mervin include Mervelle, Mervie, Merveyl, Mervough, Mervaugh, Mervel, and Merveill. There is also a Scottish variation of the surname, “Mervyn”, which is derived from the 1929 Scots Gaelic version of the name.
In conclusion, the surname Mervin has numerous variant spellings and roots which can be traced back to an Old German root word which translates as “famous friend”. These variants have several additional spellings, and also create various alternate surnames from the same origin.
Famous people with the name Mervin
- Ray Mervin: American actor, director, writer, comedian, and producer
- Lenny Mervin: American actor, best known for his recurring role as Chad on the hit TV series, Friends
- Jason Mervin: British actor, known for roles in Coronation Street and Hollyoaks
- Christian Mervin: American dancer and choreographer
- Jordana Mervin: Canadian actress, known for roles in 2017's Wonder and 2018's The Hate U Give
- Ali Mervin: American basketball player who won the NBA championship in 2006
- Mariko Mervin: Japanese model and actress
- Maurice Mervin: Australian composer and singer
- Rupert Mervin: English cricketer
- Alice Mervin: American actress, known for roles in A Star Is Born and Little Women