MERCER
Mercer is a surname of both English and Scottish origin, deriving from the Middle English word mercer, which means a merchant or trader. It was originally an occupational name for a person who dealt in textiles, with a particular emphasis on fine silks, satins and velvets.
The etymology of the name can be traced back to the Old French word mercier or merchier, itself derived from the Latin mercarius, a agent form of merx or mercis, meaning merchandise. The terminology was introduced into the English tongue by the Normans after the conquest of 1066 and became established in England and Scotland during the medieval period.
In the early Middle Ages the term Mercers was employed primarily of those involved in the trading of luxurious cloth. The occupation was highly regarded, and the surname soon became hereditary even after the trade had ceased to be the bearer’s profession. The first recorded use of the name in formal documents dates to 1168, when Gamel Mercer is mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire during the reign of King Henry IV, who was known as the builder of churches.
The surname appears in early Scottish records as well. In 1205 William Mercer witnessed two charters on behalf of the Abbey of Melrose. In 1244 the name is recorded again when Aleumnus Mercer was bound over to keep the peace as part of a bond between King Alexander I of Scotland and King Henry I of England. These instances demonstrate the early presence and social standing of Mercers in both England and Scotland.
Variant forms of the surname have emerged over time, including Mercies, Marker and Merchier, Merchiers. A family carrying the surname Merces claims descent from Thomas Mercer, who in 1341 received permission from Edward I to obtain funds from the Constable of Bordeaux for raising troops in Aquitaine. In the 17th century Dorcas Mercer, aged thirty, was one of the earliest settlers to the New World, embarking from London on the *Assurance* bound for Virginia in July 1635.
Throughout its history the Mercer surname has retained its association with commerce and the textile trade. Its spread across the British Isles and into colonial America reflects both the migration of individuals and the enduring legacy of an occupational name that once denoted a specialist in fine fabric trading.
Typical given names associated with the Mercer surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Jane
- Janet
- Joanne
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Mercer in...
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Mercer are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Hobnob.
There are approximately 14,024 people named Mercer in the UK. That makes it the 639th most common surname in Britain. Around 215 in a million people in Britain are named Mercer.
Surname type: Occupational name
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Mercer
- Johnny Mercer - Politician
- Christopher William Mercer - Musician
- Joe Mercer - Football player and manager (1914 to 1990)
- Patrick Mercer - Historian, politician and British Army officer
- Mabel Mercer - Singer (1900 to 1984)
- David Mercer - Playwright and screenwriter (1928 to 1980)
- Hugh Mercer - American general (1726 to 1777)
- Zach Mercer - Rugby union player
- Joe Mercer - Jockey
- Ian Mercer - Cricketer (1930 to 2004)
- Billy Mercer - Football player
- James Mercer - Mathematician (1883 to 1932)
- Jack Mercer - Cricketer (1893 to 1987)
- Cavalié Mercer - Army general (1783 to 1868)
- David Mercer - Olympic alpine skier
- Richard Mercer - Cricketer (1951 to 1996)
- William Mercer - Cricketer active from 1942 to 1956 (1922 to 1989)
- Sarah Mercer - Linguist
- John Mercer - Chemist and fabric printer (1791 to 1866)
- Manny Mercer - Jockey (1928 to 1959)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.