Meere History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
England
Ireland

The Meere 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 Meere family

The surname Meere 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 Meere family

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

Meere Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Meere family

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

Migration of the Meere family to Ireland

Some of the Meere 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.

Meere migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Meere Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Meere, who landed in Virginia in 1649 4

Meere Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Henrietta J. Meere, who immigrated to America in 1852
B. I. W. Vanselm Meere and his family, who sailed for America in 1855

Meere migration to Australia +

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

Meere Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Ann Meere, aged 24, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Northern Light" 5
Bridget Meere, aged 21, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Northern Light" 5
Mary Meere, aged 24, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Sea Park"
Mary Meere, aged 27, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Sea Park"

Contemporary Notables of the name Meere (post 1700) +

Matthew Charles Meere (1890-1961), English-born artist who studied art in England and France and eventually emigrated to Australia in 1932
Sir Francis Anthony "Frank" Meere (1895-1985), senior Australian public servant, Comptroller-General of the Department of Trade and Customs (1952-1956), Comptroller-General of the Department of Customs and Excise (1956-1960)

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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)
South Australian Register Monday 9th April 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Norther Light 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/northernlight1855.shtml