| ![Show Contents]() Merke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany The German state of Prussia, which reached the zenith of its power in the late 19th century, is the glorious birthplace of the distinguished surname Merke. In the medieval era, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the German lands were inhabited by a variety of barbarian tribes. The borders of the barbarian kingdoms changed frequently, but the region that became known in Prussia was roughly divided between the areas of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia, and East Prussia. The colorful history of Brandenburg-Prussia, provides a glimpse at the oldest origins of the Merke family. Early Origins of the Merke familyThe surname Merke was first found in Prussia, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. The famous German noble Merck family rose to fame in Hammelburg, Bavaria in the 15th century. This family had a long history in pharmacy going back to the 17th century and it is from this branch that the famous pharmaceutical Merck Group was established in 1668. Early History of the Merke familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Merke research. Another 203 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1361, 1397, 1398, 1399, 1400, 1408, 1409, 1485, 1559, 1621, 1668, 1678, 1724, 1786, 1807 and 1819 are included under the topic Early Merke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Merke Spelling VariationsMany cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Merke include Mark, Marck, Marcker, Marckert, Marquart, Marquard, Marque, Markert, Marker, Marcart, Marcard, Marquart, Marquard and many more. Early Notables of the Merke familyNotable figures of the time with the name Merke were - Thomas Merke (Merks) (died 1409), an English priest and Bishop of Carlisle (1397-1400), Educated at Oxford University, be became a Benedictine monk at Westminster Abbey, consecrated bishop about 1397...
 Merke migration to the United States | + |
The state of Prussia was a great influence on the shape of modern Germany. After the Second World War, Prussia's land was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany and the state was abolished. Some Prussians remained in those countries after the war, while many others migrated to North America in search of a new start. Philadelphia was their primary point of entry to the United States, after which many of them moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. A large number of Prussians also migrated to Ontario and the prairie provinces as United Empire Loyalists. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Merkes to arrive in North America, and among them were:
Merke Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- B Merke, aged 32, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1849 1
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: Fortitudine et fidelitate
Motto Translation: By fortitude and fidelity.
- 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)
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Merke migration to the United States 
