|
![Show Contents]() Merced History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Merced surname derives from the Old French "mercier," in turn from the Late Latin "mercarius," both meaning merchandise. In Middle English, Merced was an occupational name for a trader who dealt in textiles. Interestingly, not all of the family emigrated to England during the Conquest or shortly thereafter as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists "Hubert, Hugh, Richard, Odo Mercer or Mercier [in] Normandy 1180-95. Bertin and Buno le Mercier [were also found in] Normandy [at that time.]" 1 Early Origins of the Merced familyThe surname Merced was first found in Northumberland but as a frequent occupational name, many records were found in various parts of ancient England. In fact, Serio le Mercer as Lord Mayor of London in 1215 and again from 1218 to 1221. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Jordan de Mercer, Lincolnshire; Adelard le Mercer, Oxfordshire; and Ketel le Mercer, Cambridgeshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 have only one listing of the name: Thomas Mercer. 2 Without a doubt, Scotland holds the most history for this family. One of the first records there was William Mercer or le Mercer who witnessed two charters in favor of the Abbey of Kelso, c. 1200. A few years later, "Aleumnus Mercer was party with twenty-three others to a bond given by Alexander 11 to Henry III in 1244 to keep the peace. He had a grant of Tillicoultry from Walter, son of Alan. His son and successor of the same name resigned his lands into the king's hands in 1261. A curious story of two Mercers appears in English records, which throws an interesting sidelight on the law of the period. In 1279 'a man unknown was housed at Morpathe (Morpeth) with Geoffrey and William, the mercers of Scotland. The stranger rose through the night and stole their goods to the value of 30s., and instantly fled to Cotinwode, followed by William, who slew him in his flight. Both withdrew themselves and are not discredited. They may return if they will, but their chattels are confiscated for flight' (Apparently it was lawful to pursue a thief with hue and cry and do summary justice on him if found with the goods in his possession. The Mercers erred in not pursuing the thief in the recognized way.) " 3 Early History of the Merced familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Merced research. Another 251 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1272, 1281, 1296, 1332, 1541, 1557, 1605, 1675, 1730, 1790, 1791, 1866 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Merced History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Merced Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Mercer, Mercier, Merser, Marcer and others. Early Notables of the Merced familyNotable amongst the family name during their early history was William Mercer (c.1605-1675), a Scottish poet and army officer in the Engagers army; and John Mercer (1791-1866) English dye chemist who is best remembered...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Merced Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Merced RankingIn the United States, the name Merced is the 10,045th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4  Migration of the Merced family to Ireland
Some of the Merced family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Merced migration to the United States | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Merced Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Jose Merced, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1842 5
| Contemporary Notables of the name Merced (post 1700) | + |
- Nelson Merced (b. 1947), American activist and politician, Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1989-1993)
- Gabrielle Dela "Gaby" Merced (b. 1982), Filipina Formula Three racecar driver, model and TV personality
- Wilnelia Merced (b. 1957), birth name of Lady Forsyth-Johnson, Puerto Rican actress, model and beauty queen, Miss World (1975)
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: Crux Christi nostra corona
Motto Translation: The cross of Christ is our crown.
- 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)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- 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)
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- 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)
|
Merced migration to the United States 
Scotland/England
France
Ireland
Scotland
