Surname Mereddig - Meaning and Origin
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Mereddig: What does the surname Mereddig mean?
The last name Mereddig, is derived from the Welsh word mered, meaning "sea-lord" or "lord of the sea". It is of Welsh origin and is often found in parts of Wales where the sea was an integral part of the local economy.
The Welsh twice held sway over the sea with King Arthur's kingdom of Rheged extending along the western and northern coasts of Britain during the 5th and 6th centuries. Mereddig could therefore represent a ruler of the sea under the auspices of the Welsh.
Mereddig is also a popular Welsh surname, adopted by many families of Welsh heritage of the same name. In Wales, even today, going to sea was a way of life, and the rich maritime heritage can still be seen. Coastal towns passed down the family tradition of sailing and seafaring for generations and many people adopted the surname Mereddig to commemorate this part of their heritage.
Mereddig is often said to be an Anglicized form of the Welsh name Meredig, or Merddyn, which means "sea lord" and could be translated literally as "sea lord". This could very well mean that members of the Mereddig family were originally of noble status with a distinguished lineage.
Today, many Mereddig people have retained their Welsh ancestry and the surname is still found throughout Wales and in other parts of the UK and the world. The name Mereddig creates a sense of nobility and strength, representing people with a proud lineage and holding a place of honour in Welsh history.
Order DNA origin analysisMereddig: Where does the name Mereddig come from?
The surname Mereddig is commonly found in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada today. In the US, the greatest concentration of the last name is found in the Midwest and West Coast, particularly in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Oregon, Utah and California. In the United Kingdom, it is most common in Wales, along with other parts of England and Scotland. In Canada, it is strongly associated with the Ontario province.
The origin of the Mereddig surname can be traced back to the Môr-Eiddig family, which appears in Welsh records as early as the 12th century. The name likely comes from the Welsh words Môr (meaning "sea" or "ocean") and Eiddig (meaning "supporter). It also has connections with a Welsh place name, Mereddig, which is located in central Wales.
The Mereddig surname was first introduced to the US with an influx of Welsh immigrants in the mid 1700s, and spread across the country with other waves of Welsh immigrants over the following decades and centuries.
The name Mereddig is still very much alive today, and can be found across the US, UK, and Canada. Its strong Welsh roots make it an important part of Welsh culture even in 2020.
Variations of the surname Mereddig
Mereddig is an old Welsh surname. Depending on the era and region, it may be spelled and pronounced in a variety of ways, including Meredig, Meredith, Meyrick, Meredithe, Meredyth, Meridith, Meredid, and even Meyrig.
Mereddig is believed to be derived from the Welsh personal name Meuric or Meurig, which is believed to be an old Welsh form of Maurice. This name was derived from the Latin root Maurus, meaning “Moor” or “Dark-Skinned.”
In the English spelling, other forms of the surname Mereddig are Meridith, Meredith, Meredyth, and Merideth. The spelling can also be found as Maddix, Meddicks, Merrideth, Meredick, Meredyths, Merredith, and Merridith.
In Ireland, the name is most commonly encountered as Meredith or Merideth. The Irish form of the name is believed to be derived from a Gaelic personal name based on the word meirge, which means “sea-born” or “seafarer.”
In other parts of the United Kingdom, some variants that have been encountered are Meyrick, Miretick, Medrick, and Myrick.
Mereddig can also be found in its original form in Wales and some Celtic-influenced parts of England. The spelling can be found as Meredig, as well as Mawr, Maure, and Maury.
Overall, there is a wide range of variations of the surname Mereddig, each with its own unique history and evolution. Despite the differences in spelling, the surname is of one common origin and is believed to have evolved from the Welsh personal name Meuric.
Famous people with the name Mereddig
- Craig Merideth: An American actor, director, and screenwriter.
- Sienna Miller: An English-American actress, model, and fashion designer.
- Nick Meredith: A British Olympic swimmer.
- Joseph Merideth: An American actor and comedian.
- Glynis Johns: A Welsh actress, dancer, and singer.
- Kenneth Merideth: An American musician and composer.
- Richard G. Mendez Jr.: An American filmmaker and artist.
- David Merideth Jr.: An American basketball player.
- Samantha Meredig: An Australian actress and composer.
- Diana Meredith: An American actress and playwright.