Surname Meyrick - Meaning and Origin
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Meyrick: What does the surname Meyrick mean?
The last name Meyrick has an interesting and varied origin. It can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon language, where it means "powerful and mighty ruler". This surname was often taken by those who held positions of power or authority in their community.
In Welsh, the last name Meyrick has a different meaning. It can be translated as "great king" or "high king". This could be seen as a reference to the Monarch's power and authority in Wales, which was particularly important in the Middle Ages.
In Irish, the last name Meyrick has a similar meaning to its Welsh counterpart, as it is derived from the Gaelic words "mey" or "meyrick", both of which mean "great king". This could be a reference to powerful ancient chieftains or kings.
The last name Meyrick is also recorded in Germany, where it is associated with the medieval feudal system. In this case, it is derived from the German words "meirigk" or "meyrick" which mean "a man who held the power to rule over a large area".
Finally, the last name Meyrick is also found in France, where it derives from the Old French word "meure", meaning "king's messenger". This could be a reference to someone who served as a royal messenger in the courts of French kings.
No matter the origin, the last name Meyrick symbolizes power and authority and can be found in various parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMeyrick: Where does the name Meyrick come from?
Today, the surname Meyrick is most commonly found throughout the United Kingdom and countries in the British Commonwealth, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is also common in other areas of Europe, including Germany, Italy, and France. In the United States, it is mainly found in the southeastern states, such as Georgia and Florida.
Meyrick is a patronymic last name, which means it is derived from a personal name, typically the father's or ancestor's name. It is derived from the Old German name Meuric, which is a variation of the given name Maurice. The given name is likely derived from the Latin Mauritius, meaning “dark-skinned” or “Moor”.
Meyrick is an ancient and noble surname with ancestral roots tracing back to the 11th century. It was historically prominent in the county of Brecknockshire, Wales from before the Norman Conquest of 1066 until the late 15th century. During the 16th century, many spellings of the surname derived, including Merrick, Mericke, Merricke, and Meuricke.
Today, descendants of the ancient Meyrick surname can be found all over the world, although its prevalence is highest in countries with extensive British ancestry.
Variations of the surname Meyrick
The name Meyrick is believed to have originated in Wales and is believed to derive from the Welsh personal name 'Meurig'. Variants of the Meyrick surname include, 'Meyrig', 'Meyricks', 'Meyrix', 'Meirick', 'Meyrickes', 'Meyricks', 'Meyrix', 'Meyrick' and 'Meyrig'.
The Meyrick surname can also be found spelled as 'Myricke', 'Myrike', 'Myrycke' and 'Myryk'. Similarly, Meurig, which is the Welsh origin of the surname, has spelling variations such as 'Mawrig', 'Mawrige', 'Mawrigus' and 'Mauricius'.
More recently, varied spellings of Meyrick have been proven by genealogists to be of the same origin. Variations such as Meyrick, Meurick, Mearick, Meericke, Meyrig, Meredith and Merrick can all be traced to the same, original Welsh root.
Surnames derived from the Meyrick or Meurig root include the spellings - Mirick, Mirricke, Meryk, Merrick, Merricke, Merick, Mirick and Mericke.
The 'Meredith' variation of the Meyrick surname is also believed to have Welsh origins and is claimed to have originated with the gentry of Meirion, which was a region in Wales. Additionally, 'Meredyth' is a patronymic, based off the old Welsh personal name.
Moreover, there is a variation of the Meyrick name - 'Mayrick' - which is believed to be of Norman ancestry and originated from the given name Meuell. This was thought to be used in honour of Lord Meuell de Braose - a Norman lord who was believed to have served in King William's court during the rule of William the Conqueror.
In summary, the Meyrick surname has many spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is believed to have its roots in Wales, and has several variations from the Welsh, Normans and other cultures, which have evolved it to the modern day surname.
Famous people with the name Meyrick
- Chas Meyrick: a best-selling Welsh crime novelist
- Percy Meyrick: an Australian cricketer
- Neil Meyrick: a British professor of popular music
- Major John Meyrick: a British Royal Army Officer who served during WWI
- Wilfred Meyrick: an Australian officer and Victoria Cross recipient
- Juanita Meyrick: a Chilean actress and singer
- George Meyrick: a Welsh soldier killed in action during WWI
- Arthur Leslie Meyrick: a Welsh politician
- Edward Meyrick: an English entomologist and clergyman
- Robert Meyrick: a Welsh modern artist and political activist.