Show ContentsMyers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Myers finds its origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxons of England. It was given to one who worked as a person who held the office of mayor. The surname was originally derived from the Old English word maire, which referred to the officer who was in charge of executing summonses and other legal matters. Therefore, the original bearer of the surname Myers held the office of Mayor. [1]

Early Origins of the Myers family

The surname Myers was first found in Cheshire at Mere, a township, in the parish of Rosthern, union of Altrincham, hundred of Bucklow. The place name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was first listed as Mera. [2]

Literally, the place name means "(place at) the pool or lake," from the Old English word "mere." [3] Alternatively, the surname could have originated at Mere in Wiltshire, a market-town and parish, and the head of a union, in the hundred of Mere. This parish was listed in the Domesday Book, but with the current spelling of Mere. [2]

In this case, "the name of this place is derived from the Saxon word Mæra, signifying bounds or limits, and indicates its situation on the borders of the counties of Wilts, Somerset, and Dorset. In 1253, permission was given by Henry III. to Richard, Earl of Cornwall, to build and fortify a castle on his manor of Mere, and the manor has ever since been attached to the duchy of Cornwall. " [4]

The family was listed in the Roll of Battle Abbey as companions to William the Conqueror. "The descendants of this Norman knight occupied a prominent position in Staffordshire, in the time of the early Plantagenets. William de Mere occurs as High Sheriff of that county, temp. Edward II., and in the next reign, Peter de la Mere filled the Speaker's chair in the House of Commons. At an early period, the family possessed the manor of Maer, co. Stafford, and are also found resident at Norton, in the Moors. The name is spelt, in ancient deeds, de Mere, de Mare, but the more recent orthography is Mayer. " [5]

For centuries the township of Lartington in the North Riding of Yorkshire belonged to the Maire family until the 16th century when it was passed by marriage to the Lawsons, of Brough. [4]

Early History of the Myers family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Myers research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1379, 1453, 1467, 1477, 1544, 1550 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Myers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Myers Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Myers has been recorded under many different variations, including Maire, Myer, Myers, Mair, Maires, Mayers, Meyers, Meire, Meir, Mere and many more.

Early Notables of the Myers family

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

Myers World Ranking

In the United States, the name Myers is the 101st most popular surname with an estimated 206,421 people with that name. [6] However, in Canada, the name Myers is ranked the 459th most popular surname with an estimated 10,429 people with that name. [7] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Myers is the 620th popular surname with an estimated 73 people with that name. [8] Australia ranks Myers as 476th with 7,931 people. [9] The United Kingdom ranks Myers as 527th with 12,517 people. [10]

Ireland Migration of the Myers family to Ireland

Some of the Myers family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 85 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Myers migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Myers or a variant listed above:

Myers Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Myers, who landed in Maryland in 1740 [11]
  • Manuel Myers, who settled in New York in 1741
  • Manuel Myers, who landed in New York in 1759 [11]
  • Hyam Myers, who arrived in New York in 1759 [11]
Myers Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Johan Myers, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1813 [11]
  • Michael Myers, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1815 [11]
  • Exsavery Myers, who arrived in Maryland in 1825 [11]
  • George Myers, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1836 [11]
  • Godfrey Myers, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1837 [11]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Myers migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Myers Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Andrew Myers U.E. who settled in Ontario c. 1784 [12]
  • Mr. Jacob Myers U.E. who settled in Parr Town, Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 [12]
  • Mr. Michael Myers U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 [12]
  • Mr. Reuben Myers U.E. who settled in Carleton, [Saint John West] New Brunswick c. 1784 [12]
  • Mr. Samuel Myers U.E. who settled in Parr Town, Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 [12]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Myers Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Andrew Myers, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1835
  • David Myers, who arrived in Canada in 1841
  • Miss. Catherine Myers, aged 3 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Nerio" departing 5th August 1847 from Limerick, Ireland; the ship arrived on 28th September 1847 but she died on board [13]

Australia Myers migration to Australia +

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

Myers Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Gabriel Myers, (b. 1795), aged 20, English labourer who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [14]
  • Mr. Peter Myers, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [15]
  • David Myers, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia [16]
  • Samuel Myers, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Agamemnon" on April 22, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia [17]
  • John Myers, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia [18]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Myers migration to New Zealand +

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:

Myers Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • G. H. Myers, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Mandarin" in 1841
  • Mr. Myers, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Mandarin" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 21st May 1841 [19]
  • M. Myers, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mermaid" in 1861 [20]
  • John Myers, aged 35, a labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alfred" in 1864 [21]
  • Catherine Myers, aged 33, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alfred" in 1864 [21]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Myers (post 1700) +

  • John Ripley Myers (1864-1899), American co-founder of Bristol-Myers Squibb in 1887 from Cleveland, Ohio
  • Michael John "Mike" Myers OC (b. 1963), Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film producer from Scarborough, Ontario, known for his starring roles in the Wayne's World, Austin Powers, and the Shrek films
  • Walter Dean Myers (1937-2014), American author of young adult books, winner of the Margaret Edwards Award (1994) and Michael L. Printz Award (2000)
  • Erik Myers (1980-2021), American comedian, actor, and writer from Columbia, Maryland
  • Samuel Lloyd Myers Sr. (1919-2021), American economist, university president, education adviser and civil rights advocate who oversaw Bowie State protests
  • William James "Jim" Myers (1937-2017), known by his ring name George "The Animal" Steele, an American professional wrestler, school teacher, author and actor
  • Leonard Bernard Myers Jr. (1978-2017), American NFL football cornerback who played from 2001 to 2005
  • Hardy Myers (1939-2016), American lawyer and Democratic politician, 15th Attorney General of Oregon (1997-2009), 55th Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives (1979-1983)
  • Ernie Myers (1930-2016), American horse racing broadcaster at Del Mar racetrack
  • James A. "Jim" Myers (1921-2014), American football line coach and associated head coach with the Dallas Cowboys under Tom Landry
  • ... (Another 28 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. John Jameson Myers (d. 1914), British Assistant Saloon Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking [22]
  • Mr. Frank Myers (d. 1914), British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking [22]
  • Captain James Patterson Myers (1885-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking [22]
Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. James  Myers (1851-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) [23]
  • Mr. Simon David  Myers (1879-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) [23]
  • Mr. Asa Howard  Myers (1887-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) [23]
  • Mr. Levi A.  Myers (1892-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) [23]
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Henry William Myers (1923-1941), Australian Stoker 2nd Class from Bentleight, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking [24]
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Sidney C S Myers (b. 1921), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Twickenham, Middlesex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [25]
  • Mr. Gordon W Myers (b. 1923), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Knutsford, Cheshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [25]
HMS Royal Oak
  • George Edward Myers (d. 1939), British Marine with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking [26]
RMS Lusitania
  • Master William Ellason G. Myers, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Stratford, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking [27]
  • Mr. Herman Abraham Myers, American 1st Class Passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking [27]
  • Mr. Joseph Laurence Myers, American 1st Class Passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking [27]
SS Atlantic
  • John Myers, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
USS Arizona
  • Mr. James Gernie Myers, American Storekeeper First Class from Missouri, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking [28]


Suggested Readings for the name Myers +

  • A Tale of Two Families: a Biographical Genealogy of the Meyers and Sparhawk Families by Dorothy Hermanne Brathwaite.
  • Sam Myers, 1805-1883 and Lydia Horner, 1833-1907: their Ancestors and Descendants by Forrest D. Myers.

  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  10. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  11. 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)
  12. 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
  13. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 91)
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  16. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
  17. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Agamemnon voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1820 with 179 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/agamemnon/1820
  18. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 190 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1822
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  21. Archives New Zealand Micro 5019. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Alfred. Retrieved from http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ourstuff/Alfred1864.htm
  22. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  23. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  24. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  25. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  26. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  27. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  28. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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