Surname Merkley - Meaning and Origin
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Merkley: What does the surname Merkley mean?
The surname Merkley is of Anglo-Saxon origin that means a 'boundary field' or 'town on the border'. It is a topographical surname derived from someone who lived near the boundary of a region. The surname was first found in Buckinghamshire, England. Over time, various spellings of Merkley have been used including Markeley, Markley, Marklee, Markly and others. The name is more commonly found in the United States, Canada, and England. Like many surnames, actual meaning can vary globally due to migrations and alterations over time. Noteworthy people with the surname Merkley include Jeff Merkley, an American politician serving as the junior United States Senator from Oregon, and Eric Merkley, a noted political scientist.
Order DNA origin analysisMerkley: Where does the name Merkley come from?
The surname Merkley originates from England, specifically from a place named Merkhill in Lancashire. More so, it is believed to have derived from a geographical locality 'at the markhills', a name for someone residing near boundary hills. It is an Anglo-Saxon pre 7th century origin name that's a blend of Old English words "mearc", meaning boundary, and "hyll", meaning hill.
Today, the Merkley surname is not exceedingly common, but it is found with higher frequency in regions populated by those of English descent. In the United States, specifically in the western states of Utah and Oregon, the Merkley surname is notably significant. It is also present in Canada, and relatively common in certain parts of Ontario. However, this surname is not among the most common surnames in these regions and is considered relatively less common overall.
Variations of the surname Merkley
The surname Merkley has German origins and several variants and spellings generated over time due to migration and changes in language. These include Merkle, Merckle, Merckel, Merkell, Merkli, Mercklin, and Markle.
It is worth noting that Markle, as in Meghan Markle, former American actress and wife of Prince Harry, is one well-known variation.
The surname's German roots stem from "Merckel", which itself could have been created from the given name Markolf, "marka" meaning boundary or frontier and "wulf" meaning wolf.
The alteration of surnames happened frequently in history due to literacy levels: names were often written down as they sounded, creating variations. As families migrated, their names would be changed to fit into the new culture, resulting in further variations.
Some families also chose to 'Americanize' their surnames upon arrival in the United States; for instance, Merklin could have been changed to Merkley for ease of pronunciation and integration. These variations make it difficult to trace exact parallels, but they point to the rich and multi-faceted history of this surname.
Famous people with the name Merkley
- Zach Merkley: Canadian professional ice hockey player.
- Oldrich Merkley: Retired professional ice hockey player who spent parts of four seasons in the National Hockey League.
- Gordon Merkley: Canadian Paralympian and world record holder for the Paralympic marathon.
- Lois Merkley: Canadian artist and sculptor who has exhibitions in many galleries and museums.
- Braden Merkley: Canadian professional basketball player.
- Thomas Merkley: Member of the Provincial Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
- Kory Merkley: Former American professional basketball player.
- Tim Merkley: Canadian actor, known for his appearances on Canadian TV shows and movies.
- Mia Merkley: American child actress, best known for her portrayal of ‘Elizabeth Huston’ in the movie adaptation of ‘Grace and Frankie.’
- Blaine Merkley: Former Major League Soccer player.