Surname Merrells - Meaning and Origin

Merrells: What does the surname Merrells mean?

The last name Merrells is derived from the old French word mirel, meaning 'beloved'. The name also has Germanic roots; merl meaning 'shining light' and hilt meaning 'battle'. The English meaning of the name is thought to be derived from the Latin mensura, meaning to measure.

The Merrells surname first appeared in England around the 1200s, referring to a person who was a steward, or a manager in charge of a manor or estate. The steward would ensure that all of the tenants were taken care of and the lands were in good shape.

The coat of arms associated with the Merrells name is a blue shield with three gold chevronel shaped like a V. This symbol originated from the Latin word chevron, meaning 'roof beam'. It is thought to be indicative of the holders of the name being builders and protectors.

Merrells is a fairly rare surname, with only a handful of independent family lines currently in existence. Individuals with the last name Merrells are seen as strong individuals with a protective nature, who are great at managing resources and taking care of others.

Merrells: Where does the name Merrells come from?

The last name Merrells is most commonly found in the United States. Merrells is one of the most popular surnames in the United States, ranking at number 986 out of the top 8,000 surnames in the 1990 census. Merrells can be found across the entire country, although the majority of the population is concentrated in the Southern region.

The Merrells surname is believed to originate from the Middle English word maurel, which refers to a dark-coloured hawthorn tree. This surname is normally taken from a toponym (the name of a place), or describing where a person or family lived. As such, many of the Merrells surname can be found clustered around a specific area. In the United States, this area is mainly in Southern and Eastern states. States with a significant population of Merrells include Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia.

The name may also appear as Marrell and Merril. Variations of the name can be found all over the world, with Merrellslfs being more or less concentrated in the United States. Other countries where Merrells can be found include England, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Merrells live in many parts of the United States and around the world. The surname is popular, having been passed on from generations dating as far back as the Middle Ages. It is therefore likely that the Merrells family continue to thrive and prosper into the future.

Variations of the surname Merrells

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Merrells is Merrell, Merrill, Merrel, Merrill, Murrell, Murrel, Murril, Muriel, Merril, Merril, Merrial, Merrall, and Mirelle. The surname Merrells was derived from the Old French personal name Meraüld, which in turn derives from the Germanic name Māriwald, composed of the elements māri, meaning "famous" and wald, meaning "power". The spelling variations of the surname Merrells reflect the diversity of languages and dialects in different parts of Britain.

In the Middle Ages the variants and spellings of the surname Merrells were common in Britain. Merrell came into common usage along the English coast and is thought to be derivatives of the Old German name Māriwald. It was primarily a trade surname and in some cases was adopted by merchants who may have found business in the family name. The surname Merrill was also common and denoted someone who may have worked with meadows or pastures, or was a keeper of such animals and plants. The surname Murrell is a combination of the names Muriel, Maura and Mirelle, thought to have been derived from the Old English name Moorewala, meaning a great moorland.

The spelling variation Merriel derived from the French personal name Meraüld, meaning ‘famed ruler’. There have been variations of the name throughout the world and in some cases has been adopted with other family names in the United States, Germany, Holland and Australia.

In some instances the surname Merrells has been adopted in combination with other surnames, and has also been recorded as Murrells-Merrills, Mirelle-Merriel and Muriels. Depending on where the surname is used, there are slight modifications in spelling. For instance, in the United States, the surname is often spelled as Merrills, while in Australia, it is often spelled as Murells.

Thus, depending on the cultural background of the family, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Merrells may vary.

Famous people with the name Merrells

• Dr. Stephen Merrells: A consultant pediatric endocrinologist in the United Kingdom.
• Garrett Merrells: member of the country music group The Lost Trailers.
• Jim Merrells: An American competitive shooter and Olympic sport shooter who has won multiple world championships.
• Sylvia Merrells: A Canadian actor from Toronto.
• Don Merrells: An American voice actor for Marvel, DC comics, and Star Wars.
• Baker Merrells: An American real estate businessman and entrepreneur.
• Ella Merrells: An American dancer, choreographer, and actress who has performed in many Broadway shows and movies.
• Jack Merrells: An American actor, best known for his portrayal of Jasper Hale in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 & 2.
• Mark Merrells: English actor best known for his role as Sergeant George Miller on the BBC One police drama serial Ashes to Ashes.
• Lou Merrells: A British actor, best known for his role as Ray Bissell in EastEnders.

Other surnames

MerrelMerrell