Surname Merten - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Finding Multifaceted Heritage in a Single Surname: A Personal Account of My iGENEA DNA Test and the Merten Lineage
As an exploration of connectedness and self-understanding, my iGENEA DNA test has influenced my perception of my family surname Merten, highlighting my ethnic diversity and reshaping my sense of family identity. The test has uncovered a history rich with multicultural heritage, changing the way I identify with my Germanic surname, unexpectedly weaving in Celtic and Balkan strands into my personal narrative.
K. Merten
read moreMerten: What does the surname Merten mean?
Merten is a surname of German origin. Its direct translation is not apparent as it is likely derived from a place, occupation, or ancestor's name - common sources for German surnames. Some sources suggest it may come from the Middle High German "merthin," meaning "falcon", hinting at a possible occupational link to falconry. Others mention a derivation from "Martin" or "Merten," variants of the name "Martin" that were popular in Medieval Germany. If this is the case, the surname Merten could be a patronymic surname, meaning it was used to identify individuals as "son of Martin.” It's important to note that without a detailed family history, it’s hard to determine the specific meaning of the surname Merten. Like many surnames, it could have multiple origins and meanings across different regions and branches of the family.
Order DNA origin analysisMerten: Where does the name Merten come from?
The last name Merten originated from Germany and it is a variant of the name Martin. The name Martin is derived from the Latin "Martinus," which is a derivative of "Mars," the Roman god of fertility and war. The popularity of the name Martin was greatly increased in Europe during the Middle Ages due to the fame of a fourth-century bishop, St. Martin of Tours.
In terms of distribution, Merten is most common in Germany. It is also quite prevalent in the United States, Belgium, and France. Despite its German origins, it's found all over the world due to historical emigration patterns, particularly those from Germany in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, anyone bearing the surname Merten has likely descended from these German emigrants or is of German ancestry. The surname Merten also appears, though not extensively, in some regions of the Netherlands and Turkey. The surname Merten is less common and has fewer bearers in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Variations of the surname Merten
The surname Merten is a name of English, German, Dutch, and French origins. It's thought to originally be a variant of the personal name Martin, meaning "warlike".
In English, variants include Merton, Marten, Martin, Martyn, and Marton. In Germany, Merten is primarily found in the Rhineland region and similar surnames include Meerten, Marten, Maurten, Mertens, and Mertin. In Holland, varieties are Meerten, Maarten, Marten, and Mertens. In France, variations could be Marten, Martain, Martenot, Martignon, or Martinais.
Additional spellings can depend on regional dialects and include Marttin, Maertens, Mertan, Mertin, Mertyn, Marthen, and Martten. Some associated names could be derived from the Latin version of Martin, such as Martinus, Martyne, Martines, or Martini.
Lastly, many surnames also derive from locations, such as Merton in England, Mertens in Flanders, or Merten in the Eifel region in Germany. The Dutch surname Van Merten, for example, indicates origin from a place called Merten.
It's important to note that surnames can be influenced by a multitude of factors including spelling mistakes, translations, geographical locations, and professions, leading to a vast array of possible variations.
Famous people with the name Merten
- Matt Merten: American producer and writer for the award-winning Amazon comedy series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
- Rupert Mertens: Austrian professional footballer who currently plays for SC Rheindorf Altach.
- Axel Mertens: German footballer who plays for Rot-Weiss Essen.
- Steve Merten: Australian actor best known for his roles in The Lost World, McLeod's Daughters and The Water Diviner.
- Dr. Warren Merten: Research Scientist at the National Institute for Medical Research in London and a member of the Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Society.
- Dean Merten: American businessman and former Apple executive who served as senior vice president of operations.
- Rolf Merten: German Olympic fencer, winner of a silver medal in the Modern Fencing team event at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
- Sebastiaan Mertens: Dutch painter known for his landscape and still life oil painting and book illustrations.
- August Merten: German Romantic painter, born in Gottesgabe.
- Jakub Merten: Czech professional football player who currently plays for FK Senica.