Mercle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The surname Mercle is a name of ancient Norman origin. It comes from the Old French "mareschal," which is in turn derived from the Germanic elements "marah," meaning "horse" and "scalc," or "servant." Thus the name was originally used for a person who tended horses. Around the same time that surnames were being formed, the marshall was one of the most important servants in the houses of the nobility. 1

"This being a name of office (the Marshal being a feudal officer of eminence appointed by each great baron) includes a number of different families." 2

Early Origins of the Mercle family

The surname Mercle was first found in Lothian, where the Clan is said to be descended from Robert, an early Chieftain of the Catti tribe, and possibly one of the earliest settlers in Scotland. Robert joined King Malcolm II at the battle of Panbridge, in 1006, against Camus, leader of the Danes. Robert slew Camus for which King Malcolm granted Robert the hereditary title of Marshall of Scotland, with a barony in Lothian and the island of Inskeith in the gulf of Edinburgh. It is for this title that the Keiths are sometimes known as the Marshalls, and many Clansmen adopted that name.

"Maledoni Marescal is witness to gift of the lands of Perdeyc (Partick) to the church of Glasgow, 1136. About 1170 Symon Mare-scall witnessed a charter by Walter de Berkeley, and between 1178-80 Gillecolm Merescald witnessed a charter by William the Lion of Kinbethach to Gilbert, earl of Strathern. Guldone marescaldus witnessed a charter by Robert, bishop of St. Andrews before 1173 and Robert Merescaldus de Molle witnessed EsChina de London's gift of the church of Molle to Kelso, c. 1185-1190. Philip Merescallus, a charter witness between 1187-c. 1202, married the heiress of Keith-Humbie, and thus became ancestor of the Keiths, Earls Marischal. Adam, merescallus of the bishop of Glasgow, witnessed sale of lands of Scrogges to the church of Glasgow, c. 1208-1213." 3

Early History of the Mercle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mercle research. Another 441 words (32 lines of text) covering the years 1304, 1438, 1464, 1748, 1775, 1796, 1833, 1851, 1855 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Mercle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mercle Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Marshall, Marshal, Marescal, Marescall, Merchel, Mercial, Mershell, Mersell, Marshale and many more.

Early Notables of the Mercle family

Notable among the family at this time was Richard Marshal, 13th century knight; Andrew Marshal, 18th century physician born in Fife; Henry Marshall (1775-1851), physician and Inspector-General of army hospitals born in Stirlingshire; James Marshall (1796-1855)...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mercle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Mercle family to Ireland

Some of the Mercle family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mercle migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mercle Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John David Mercle, who landed in South Carolina in 1749 4

Mercle migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mercle Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Jacob Mercle Sr., U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 he served in the Royal Regiment of New York 5
Mr. Henry Mercle U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 5
Mr. Henry Mercle U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1786 he served in the Royal Regiment of New York 5
Mr. John Mercle U.E. who settled in Eastern District, Williamsburgh, South Dundas, Ontario c. 1786 he served in the Royal Regimnet of New York 5
Sgt. John Mercle U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1786 he served in Butlers Rangers 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Mercle 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: Semper virescit virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue always flourishes.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
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)
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X