MERIFIELD

Merifield

Merifield is a surname of English origin, primarily found in the South West of England. The name is thought to be locational, deriving from a now-lost medieval village or hamlet. The literal meaning of the surname is unclear, but it is believed to be associated with fields or meadows.

Origins:

The earliest recorded instances of the Merifield surname date back to the 16th century in the county of Somerset. Over time, branches of the Merifield family spread to other counties within the region, such as Devon and Dorset. The name has remained relatively rare, with most bearers confined to its original heartland.

Notable People:

• John Merifield (1745–1824): An influential landowner and magistrate in Somerset, known for his philanthropy and work in agricultural reform.
• Eleanor Merifield (1809–1883): A renowned botanist from Devon, who made significant contributions to the study of local flora during the Victorian era.

Variants:

Variants of the Merifield surname include Marifield and Merryfield. These variations may have arisen through phonetic changes or regional dialectal differences over the centuries.

Present Day:

While the Merifield surname remains relatively uncommon, individuals bearing this name can still be found in pockets across the South West of England. Some descendants of the Merifield family have migrated to other parts of the United Kingdom and the wider world, contributing to the dispersion of the name beyond its original homeland.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

• Andrew
• Daniel
• David
• Francis
• Graeme
• Mark
• Paul
• Scott
• Simon
• Stephen
• William

Female

• Barbara
• Caroline
• Elizabeth
• Jayne
• Louise
• Margaret
• Samantha
• Sarah
• Sheila
• Toni

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.