The name Meredith is of Welsh origin, derived from the Welsh words "mor" meaning "sea" and "rhyddhau" meaning "to free" or "to spread out." It was initially used as a Welsh surname before being adopted as a given name.

The name is believed to have originated in the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century, when Welsh surnames first began to emerge. The earliest recorded use of the name Meredith as a surname dates back to the late 13th century, found in records from the county of Herefordshire, England.

One of the earliest known historical references to the name Meredith is in the Welsh manuscript "Llyfr Baglan" (The Book of Baglan), dating back to the late 14th century. This manuscript contains a collection of Welsh poetry and mentions a poet named Meredith ap Rhys.

In the 16th century, the name Meredith gained popularity as a given name, primarily among the Welsh gentry and nobility. One notable figure with this name was Meredith Hanmer (c. 1543-1604), a Welsh clergyman and historian who wrote the influential work "The Chronicle of Ireland."

During the 17th century, the name Meredith began to spread beyond Wales and into other parts of Britain. One famous bearer of this name was Meredith Frampton (1589-1664), an English politician and member of the Long Parliament during the English Civil War.

In the 18th century, the name Meredith was further popularized by the works of the English writer and playwright George Meredith (1828-1909), who is considered one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era. His most famous works include "The Egoist" and "The Ordeal of Richard Feverel."

Another prominent figure with the name Meredith was Meredith Wilson (1902-1984), an American composer and playwright best known for writing the popular musical "The Music Man."

Other notable individuals with the name Meredith throughout history include:

Meredith Kline (1922-2007), an American Christian theologian and Old Testament scholar. Meredith Vieira (born 1953), an American journalist and television host. Meredith Brooks (born 1958), an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. Meredith Willson (1902-1984), an American composer and playwright. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (born 1969), a German showjumper and equestrian.