Find out how popular the first name Merrell has been for the last 42 years (from 1974 to 2015) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Merrell by gender

Based on the last 42 years of data, Merrell is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 97% of people named Merrell being male.

For the most recent data in 2015, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Merrell.

The history of the first name Merrell

The name Merrell is believed to have originated from the Old English language, with roots dating back to the 5th century AD. It is thought to be derived from the words "mere," meaning a boundary or border, and "hill," referring to a small hill or mound. Thus, the name Merrell may have originally been used to describe someone who lived near a boundary hill or marker.

During the Anglo-Saxon period in Britain, the name Merrell was likely used as a descriptive surname or place name before becoming a given name. It was common practice at the time to identify individuals by their location or physical characteristics.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Merrell can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and tenants commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Merrill," possibly referring to a person or a place.

Throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance period, the name Merrell remained in use, though its popularity varied across different regions of Europe. Notable individuals bearing this name include Merrell Vore (1576-1649), a Dutch explorer and navigator who charted parts of the Caribbean and South America.

In the 17th century, the name gained traction in England and Scotland. Merrell Livingston (1623-1688) was a Scottish merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the establishment of the Hudson's Bay Company.

As the British Empire expanded, the name Merrell traveled to various colonies and territories. Merrell Wilcox (1756-1819) was an American soldier who fought in the Revolutionary War, while Merrell Jameson (1802-1879) was a British explorer and surveyor who mapped parts of Africa and India.

In more recent times, the name Merrell has been associated with various fields, including sports and entertainment. Merrell Neville (1885-1935) was an English cricketer who played for Surrey and England, while Merrell Fankhauser (1936-2019) was an American singer and musician best known for his work with the surf rock band The Trashmen.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Merrell was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Merrell, please contact us.

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