Show ContentsMeekes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient Scottish name Meekes is carried by the descendents of the Pictish people. It was a name for a timid person. Meekes 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 Meekes comes from the Old English word meek, which means humble or merciful. [1] [2] [3]

Early Origins of the Meekes family

The surname Meekes 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 Meekes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meekes 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 Meekes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meekes Spelling Variations

Translation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Meekes has appeared Meek, Meeke, Meeks, Meik, Meech, Meach, Mekie and others.

Early Notables of the Meekes family

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

Ireland Migration of the Meekes family to Ireland

Some of the Meekes 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.


United States Meekes migration to the United States +

Many Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Meekes name:

Meekes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Meekes, who arrived in New Haven, Connecticut in 1643 [6]
  • John Meekes, who arrived in Maryland in 1663 [6]
  • John Meekes, who arrived in Virginia in 1665 [6]
Meekes Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Jon Meekes, who landed in Virginia in 1714 [6]


The Meekes 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.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. 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)
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. 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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