Meyrick Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Meyrick Origin:

Wales, Scotland

Origins of Meyrick:

This ancient surname was listed with the spellings of Meyric, Meyrick, Merrick and the American Myrick, is of Anglo-Welsh and possibly Scottish origins. The first is Welsh, and acquires from “Meyric, the Prince of Cardigan,” and an administrator of the North Wales tribe based upon Bodorgan, on the Island of Anglesey. It said that the Welsh origin is of Norman descent, being a form of “Maurice,” and dating back to King John of England in 1199. The second origin is Norman and may be the similar source as the first. It acquires from the Old French particular name “Maurice” brought into England after the Invasion of 1066. This name is a combination of the Germanic components “meri” or “mari,” which means “fame”, and “ric,” meaning “power.” The third possible origin is Scottish, and as such a locational surname from the place called “Merrick” located near Minigaff in Dumfries and Galloway. This place name was acquired from the Gaelic word “meurach” which means “a section or fork of a road or river.” Early examples of the surname records contain Henrye Merriche in the Census Tax rolls of Yorkshire in 1379, David Meyrick of Bodorgan, North Wales in the year 1415 and Richard Merrick, who married Martha Tither in London in 1610. One of the earliest travelers in the New world was, John Merrick Esq., who in 1678 noted in the church of St. Andrew’s the Island of Barbados, as having 266 acres of land and six servants.

Variations:

More common variations are: Meyricke, Meyerick, Merick, Myrick, Meyric, Meyrck, Merrick, Mayrick, Meryick, Meyriek.

Wales:

The surname Meyrick first appeared in Anglesey, a Welsh-speaking island, and present day Division of Island of Anglesey found at the northwestern extremity of Wales, where they held a family seat from early times.

England:

The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of Meuric de Hope, dated about 1272, in the “Charter rolls of Testa de Neville,” It was during the time of King Edward I, who was known to be the “The Hammer of the Scots,” dated 1272-1307. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.

Ireland:

Many of the people with surname Meyrick had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

Australia:

Some of the people with the surname Meyrick who landed in Australia in the 19th century included Charles Meyrick, English convict from Middlesex, who shifted aboard the “Ann” in August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia. William Meyrick arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Salacia” in 1850. Maria Meyrick, Welsh convict from Cardiff, Glamorganshire, who shifted aboard the “Anna Maria” in October 1851, settling in Van Diemen‘s Land, Australia.

New-Zealand:

Some of the individuals with the surname Meyrick who landed in New Zealand in the 19th century included Henry Meyrick, James Meyrick and Eliza Meyrick, all arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Alma” in the same year 1857.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Meyrick: England 1,129; Wales 373; United States 260; South Africa 164; Australia 156; New Zealand 140; Canada 57; United Arab Emirates 54; Hong Kong 47; Scotland 26.

Notable People:

Rowland Meyrick (1505–1566), was a Welsh priest.

Samuel Rush Meyrick (1783–1848), was an English inventor.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (co. Hereford; descended from Rowland Meyrick, Bishop of Bangor, 1558-66, second son of Meuric Ap Llewelyn, of Bodorgan, Esquire of the Body to Henry VII.). Motto—Stemmata quid faciunt. Az. a fesse wavy erminois betw. three mullets pierced or. Crest—A tower per pale ar. and erminois.
2) (Bush, co. Pembroke; descended from Sir Francis Meyrick, Knt., of Monkton, co. Pembroke, second son of Rowland Meyrick, Bishop of Bangor). Sa. on a chev. ar. betw. three staves raguly of the last inflamed ppr. a fleur-de-lis betw. two Cornish choughs gu. (another, the fleur-de-lis and choughs sa.).
3) (Woodlands, co. Wilts). Sa. on a chev. betw. three staves raguly ar. fired at the top ppr. a fleur-de-lis gu. betw. two Cornish choughs ppr. Crest—On a tower ar. a Cornish chough ppr. the dexter claw supporting a fleur-de-lis gu.