Map of England showing where the Merrill arms are recorded
The Merrill arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Merrill arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Merrill Family in England
The surname Merrill has ancient roots that trace back to the Old French and Latin languages, often associated with the name Muriel, which means bright sea. By the time the family established a presence in York around 1620, the name had already evolved through several centuries of regional use in England. Families bearing this name were typically part of the emerging middle class, often working as skilled tradespeople or landowners who played active roles in their local communities. As the seventeenth century progressed, members of the Merrill family were among the many English settlers who crossed the Atlantic to seek new opportunities in the American colonies. Their early history is defined by this transition from established life in historic English cities like York to the demanding environment of the New World, where they helped build the foundations of early colonial society.
Merrill Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Meryl
Derived from the Old French name Meril, meaning famous or bright.
This name
MerrillA locational surname originating from various places in England, often associated with the sea-bright or famous hill.
also spelled
Meryll
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Banks, Charles Edward, The Planters of the Commonwealth: A Study of the Emigrants and Emigration in Colonial Times, 1930
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
