Merriword History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Merriword family

The surname Merriword was first found in Kent at Mereworth, a parish, in the union of Malling, hundred of Littlefield, lathe of Aylesford. This ancient Saxon village dates back to 843 when it was first listed as Meranworth. By the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, the parish was known as Marovrde. [1] Literally the place name means "enclosure of a man called Maera" from the Old English personal name + "worth." [2] The name is often referred to as a nickname for someone who is a happy, genial or a sunshiny fellow. Some of the first listings of the name were found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Andrew Muriweder in Oxfordshire; and Thomas Murweder in Cambridgeshire. There is also an undated listing of Henry Muriweder in the Issues of the Exchequer. [3]

Early History of the Merriword family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Merriword research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1674, 1718, 1701, 1703 and 1705 are included under the topic Early Merriword History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Merriword Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Merriweather, Merreweather, Mereweather, Mereworth, Merworth and many more.

Early Notables of the Merriword family (pre 1700)

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Merriword Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Merriword family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Jane Merewether settled in Virginia in 1654 with her husband; John Merriweather arrived in Barbados in 1654; John Merriwether settled in Virginia in 1663.

The Merriword 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: Vi et consilio
Motto Translation: By force and counsels.

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)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)