Contents [hide]

Meech History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Meech History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland-Alt
Scotland
Ireland
England

The people known in ancient Scotland as the Picts were the ancestors of the first to use Meech as a name. It was a name for a timid person. Meech is a nickname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Nicknames form a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, and can refer directly or indirectly to one's personality, physical attributes, mannerisms, or even their habits of dress. The surname Meech comes from the Old English word meek, which means humble or merciful. 1 2 3

Early Origins of the Meech family

The surname Meech was first found in Fife, where "a family of this name held lands from the abbots of Cupar from the middle of the fifteenth century. William Mek had a tack of part, of Cowbyr in 1457, Will Meyk was tenant of Coupergrgange in 1468, and William Meyk was tenant of Balmyl in 1485." 4

Further south in England, Richard Mek was registered in Somerset in 1299 and later, Robert le Meke was listed as a Freeman of York in 1300. 5

Early History of the Meech family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meech research. Another 157 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1545, 1549, 1584, 1676, 1680, 1684, 1695, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Meech History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meech Spelling Variations

In medieval Scotland, names were more often spelled according to sound than any regular set of rules. An enormous number of spelling variations were the result. Over the years, the name Meech has been spelled Meek, Meeke, Meeks, Meik, Meech, Meach, Mekie and others.

Early Notables of the Meech family

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

Migration of the Meech family to Ireland

Some of the Meech family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 76 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meech migration to the United States +

In such difficult times, Ireland, Australia, and North America looked like better homes for many Scots. The trips were expensive and grueling, but also rewarding, as the colonies were havens for those unwelcome in the old country. That legacy did not die easily, though, and many were forced to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. The Scottish legacy has resurface in more recent times, though, through Clan societies, highland games, and other organizations. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the old Scottish name of Meech:

Meech Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Meech, who settled in Salem in 1629
John Meech, who settled in Charles Town Massachusetts in 1635

Meech Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Jessie Hannah Meech, aged 47, originally from Beaminster, England, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Adriatic" from Southampton, England 6
Harry Meech, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Caronia" from London, England 6
Samuel W. Meech, aged 28, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Mystic" from Marseilles, France 6

Meech migration to Australia +

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

Meech Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Matthew Meech, aged 28, a sawyer, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Lady Macdonald" 7
Robert Meech, aged 35, a sawyer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Confiance" 8

Meech migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Meech Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Henry Meech, aged 28, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Oriental" in 1840
Mary Ann Meech, aged 25, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Oriental" in 1840
Mr. Henry Meech, (b. 1811), aged 28, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in Port Nicholson, Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1840 9
Mrs. Meech, (b. 1814), aged 25, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in Port Nicholson, Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1840 9
William Meech, aged 21, a cabinet maker, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Catherine Stewart Forbes" in 1841
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Meech (post 1700) +

Karen Jean Meech, American astronomer at the Institute for Astronomy in the University of Hawaii. Asteroid 4367 Meech, discovered by Schelte J. Bus on March 2, 1981, is named in her honor 10
William B. Meech, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County 7th District, 1848 11
Stephen Meech, American politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Preston, 1823 11
Harold M. Meech, American Republican politician, Mayor of Middletown, Connecticut, 1917; Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Middletown; Elected 1918 11
H. P. Meech, American Republican politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from West Hartford; Elected 1920 11
Ezra Meech (1773-1856), American politician, Member of Vermont State Legislature; U.S. Representative from Vermont, 1819-21, 1825-27; Presidential Elector for Vermont, 1840 11
Athol Charles Meech (1907-1981), Canadian rower who won the Bronze in the 1928 Summer Olympics
Thomas Cox Meech (1868-1940), English journalist, author and lawyer
Derek Meech (b. 1984), Canadian ice hockey defenceman and winger for the Detroit Red Wings

The Meech 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: Jungor ut implear
Motto Translation: I am joined that I may become full.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
South Australian Register Monday 9th April 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Lady Macdonald 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/ladymacdonald1855.shtml
South Australian Register Tuesday 30th November 1858. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Confiance 1858. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/confiance1858.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Karen Meech. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Karen Meech. Retrieved from http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~meech/
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 4) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html