Surname Merrett - Meaning and Origin
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Merrett: What does the surname Merrett mean?
The surname Merrett, primarily found in England, originates from the Middle English term "maret," meaning "a small horse" or "nag." This origin suggests that the initial bearers of the name may have been horse trainers or breeders. The name Merrett could also be of Welsh origin, derived from "Meredith" (meredith in Welsh language signifies "great lord"), suggesting the first people with this name may have had a high rank or status in society. Like most surnames, the exact meaning can be difficult to pinpoint due to regional variations and changes over time. However, it is largely believed to be occupational or status-based. It's also worth noting that the surname's spelling variations include Merritt, Meriot, Merriott, and others. In summary, the Merrett surname has possible roots in horse breeding, high social status, or associations with great lordship, primarily in the regions of England and Wales.
Order DNA origin analysisMerrett: Where does the name Merrett come from?
The surname Merrett is of English origin, principally from the West Country. It is derived from an ancient female personal name "Merry", with the suffix "-ett", denoting "little" or "kin". The name implies "relative or descendant of Merry". It was first recorded in the 13th century in the form of "Meryet".
The early recordings of this surname from church registers include the marriage of Edeth Merrett and Edward Wilfery in July 1539, and the christening of Judocus, daughter of Roberte Merrett, in January 1543, both at St. Michael Cornhill, London.
Today, the Merrett surname is most common in England, with the highest concentration in Gloucestershire. Some of the Merrett families moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Significant populations of the Merrett family also exist in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Merrett
The surname Merrett has several variants and alternate spellings that are believed to come from the same origin. These include Meritt, Merritt, Merit, Merrit, Merratt, Meret, Merete, Mered, Merrid, Merrott and Merrot. It’s important to note that surnames often changed over time due to factors such as migration, regional dialect and phonetic spelling.
The surname Merrett is of Anglo-Saxon origin and was first found in Somerset where they held a family seat. Over time, the family branched into other counties, each branch acquiring distinct spellings of the surname. The surname also has variations in other languages, such as "Meredith" in Welsh and "Meritet" in French.
There are three theories about the original meaning of this surname. Some suggest it's derived from the personal name "Meredith", meaning "great lord". Others believe the name denotes a "boundary gate", referring to an individual who lived by such a gate. The third theory is that it's a nickname derived from the Middle English word "meret", meaning "deserving".
Thus, the variant surnames depend on the region, language, and interpretation of the original meaning.
Famous people with the name Merrett
- Will Merrett: actor and filmmaker known for his work in Red Dust, What Lies Beneath and The Musician's Daughter.
- Stephen Merrett: British millionaire entrepreneur and owner of UK-based IT company Merrett Group.
- Paul Merrett: celebrity chef who is well-known for appearing on numerous TV shows.
- Joanne Merrett: Canadian curler who represented her country in three World Curling Championships.
- Aldon Merrett: former Canadian professional ice hockey player, who played in the NHL for eight seasons.
- Stuart Merrett: former English footballer and England international who played during the 1970's.
- Andy Merrett: English professional footballer who currently plays for Hereford United F.C.
- Richard Merrett: Australian politician who served in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland.
- Geoki Merrett: American drag queen, comedian, and celebrity makeup artist.
- David Merrett: British barrister who is a High Court Judge of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of England and Wales.