Show ContentsMear History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Mear surname is thought to derive from either the Old English word "mere," meaning "pond," or from "maere," which meant "boundary." In either case, the name was probably topographic, taken on by someone who lived near one these features.

Early Origins of the Mear family

The surname Mear was first found in Somerset at Meare, a village and civil parish in the union of Wells, hundred of Glaston-Twelve-Hides, north west of Glastonbury. Nearby is Meare Lake Village, the site of an Iron Age settlement. The Abbot's Fish House was built in the 14th century when Adam of Sodbury was the abbot of Glastonbury Abbey. One of the first records of the place name was as Mere, which was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. [1] The place name literally means "place at the pool or lake." [2]

Ancient rolls include various early spellings: Robert atte Mere was listed in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1269 and Adam del Mere was recorded in Yorkshire in 1307. [3]

Early History of the Mear family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mear research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1634, 1659 and 1715 are included under the topic Early Mear History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mear Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Meares, Mear, Mears, Meer, Meere and others.

Early Notables of the Mear family

More information is included under the topic Early Mear Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mear Ranking

In France, the name Mear is the 6,828th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. [4]

Ireland Migration of the Mear family to Ireland

Some of the Mear family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Mear migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mear Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Sandy Mear, who settled in New Hampshire in 1718

Australia Mear migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Mear Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Michael Mear, aged 28, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Storm Cloud"
  • Patrick Mear, aged 26, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Storm Cloud"
  • Catherine Mear, aged 16, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Storm Cloud"


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/


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