Surname Merrideth - Meaning and Origin
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Merrideth: What does the surname Merrideth mean?
Merrideth is a variant of the surname Meredith, which is of Welsh origin. It is derived from the Welsh personal name Meredydd or Meredudd, that has roots in the old Celtic words “mór-dith” meaning 'great lord' or 'sea lord'. Over time, the name evolved to its modern form. It's important to note that there are many variations of spelling due to the shifts in language over time and geography, with Merrideth being one such example. Like many surnames, it was originally used to identify individuals from a particular lineage or familial group. Today, it is used worldwide as both a first name and surname. Although widespread, it is more commonly found in regions with historical Welsh influence. It is unisex, being used for both males and females, but was traditionally a male name in Wales.
Order DNA origin analysisMerrideth: Where does the name Merrideth come from?
The surname Merrideth is believed to have originated from Wales in the United Kingdom. It is a variant of the Welsh name "Meredudd" or "Meredith" which is derived from two Welsh elements: "maredu" meaning "great" or "eminent", and "udd" meaning "lord" or "prince". Therefore, the name can be translated as "great lord" or "eminent prince".
The original form of the name belonged to an early Welsh prince, but over the years and through orthographic variations, it became Meredith and other forms like Merrideth. The name started as a male first name but over time has also been used as a last name and a female first name.
Today, it is not particularly common but can be found in English speaking countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. It is also occasionally found in New Zealand. More specifically, within the United States, individuals bearing the surname Merrideth are mostly concentrated in the states of Missouri, Kentucky, and Ohio. However, the name's presence is quite scant overall.
Variations of the surname Merrideth
The surname Merrideth originates from Wales and is considered a derivation of the Welsh personal name Meredydd or Meredith. It has undergone several spellings and pronunciation alterations over the centuries.
Common variant spellings are: Meredith, Meredyth, Meridith, Merredith, Merideth, Meredith, Meradith, Merydeth, Meradeth, Meredeth and Merideth. Some more unusual variations may also include Merradeth, Meredythe, or Merridith.
Despite the spelling variations, these names are all believed to share the same Welsh roots. It should be noted that sometimes spelling variations arose due to transcription errors in historical documents, illiteracy or dialectal differences.
All these versions are used both as surnames and first names, which is quite common for Celtic-origin names. As a surname, it is moderately common in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
Famous people with the name Merrideth
- Christina Merrideth: an American author, adjunct professor, and speaker.
- Rebecca Merrideth: a Canadian film producer.
- Brandi Merrideth: a professional wrestler.
- Erica Merrideth: a sideshow performer, artist, and motivational speaker.
- Steve Merrideth: a former MLB pitcher.
- Tom Merrideth: an American lawyer, civil servant and businessman.
- Barbie Merrideth: a former American female bodybuilder.
- Casey Merrideth: a former American football player and coach.
- Alicia Merrideth: a former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player.
- Rebecca Merrideth Curry: an American Triathlete.