Mergel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The surname Mergel is a name of ancient Norman origin. It comes from the Old French "mareschal," which is in turn derived from the Germanic elements "marah," meaning "horse" and "scalc," or "servant." Thus the name was originally used for a person who tended horses. Around the same time that surnames were being formed, the marshall was one of the most important servants in the houses of the nobility. 1

"This being a name of office (the Marshal being a feudal officer of eminence appointed by each great baron) includes a number of different families." 2

Early Origins of the Mergel family

The surname Mergel was first found in Lothian, where the Clan is said to be descended from Robert, an early Chieftain of the Catti tribe, and possibly one of the earliest settlers in Scotland. Robert joined King Malcolm II at the battle of Panbridge, in 1006, against Camus, leader of the Danes. Robert slew Camus for which King Malcolm granted Robert the hereditary title of Marshall of Scotland, with a barony in Lothian and the island of Inskeith in the gulf of Edinburgh. It is for this title that the Keiths are sometimes known as the Marshalls, and many Clansmen adopted that name.

"Maledoni Marescal is witness to gift of the lands of Perdeyc (Partick) to the church of Glasgow, 1136. About 1170 Symon Mare-scall witnessed a charter by Walter de Berkeley, and between 1178-80 Gillecolm Merescald witnessed a charter by William the Lion of Kinbethach to Gilbert, earl of Strathern. Guldone marescaldus witnessed a charter by Robert, bishop of St. Andrews before 1173 and Robert Merescaldus de Molle witnessed EsChina de London's gift of the church of Molle to Kelso, c. 1185-1190. Philip Merescallus, a charter witness between 1187-c. 1202, married the heiress of Keith-Humbie, and thus became ancestor of the Keiths, Earls Marischal. Adam, merescallus of the bishop of Glasgow, witnessed sale of lands of Scrogges to the church of Glasgow, c. 1208-1213." 3

Early History of the Mergel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mergel research. Another 441 words (32 lines of text) covering the years 1304, 1438, 1464, 1748, 1775, 1796, 1833, 1851, 1855 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Mergel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mergel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Marshall, Marshal, Marescal, Marescall, Merchel, Mercial, Mershell, Mersell, Marshale and many more.

Early Notables of the Mergel family

Notable among the family at this time was Richard Marshal, 13th century knight; Andrew Marshal, 18th century physician born in Fife; Henry Marshall (1775-1851), physician and Inspector-General of army hospitals born in Stirlingshire; James Marshall (1796-1855)...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mergel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Mergel family to Ireland

Some of the Mergel family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mergel migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mergel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johan Mergel, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1743 4
Friederich Mergel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1753 4

Mergel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Conrad Mergel, aged 20, who arrived in New York, NY in 1876 4

The Mergel Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Semper virescit virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue always flourishes.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)