The surname Merrilees was first found in West Lothian, where they held a family seat in their territories. The Pictish influence on Scottish history diminished after Kenneth Macalpine became King of all Scotland. But those east coast families still played an important role in government and were more accessible to Government than their western highland counterparts. The family name became associated as a sept of the Clan Muir. Allegiances were important to Scottish middle age survival. The name, believed to be originally Mureleis, has been corrupted in many forms.
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Early History of the Merrilees family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Merrilees research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1529, 1533, 1545 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Merrilees History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Merrilees Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Mureleis, Merilees, Merryless, Merrilees, Mireylees, Mirrieless, Merrylees, Merrlees, Murless, Mirrilees and many more.
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Early Notables of the Merrilees family
More information is included under the topic Early Merrilees Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Merrilees migration to New Zealand
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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:
Merrilees Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
Mr. Alexander Merrilees, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Rajah" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 6th October 1853 1
Mr. William Merrilees, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Sevilla" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd December 1859 1
Contemporary Notables of the name Merrilees (post 1700)
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William Merrilees OBE, KPM (1898-1984), Scottish Chief Constable of the Lothians and Peebles Constabulary from 1950 to 1968
Merrilees migration to New Zealand 
Scotland
