Map of England showing where the Merritt arms are recorded
The Merritt arms were recorded in London, c. 1666.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Merritt 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 Merritt Family in England
The surname Merritt has roots that trace back to early medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive name for someone who lived near a specific boundary or a pleasant meadow. By the time the Great Fire of London devastated the city in 1666, families bearing the Merritt name were already well-established residents of the capital. During this period, the name appeared in various parish registers and legal documents, reflecting the family's involvement in the rebuilding of London and the city's growing trade networks. Many individuals with this surname were artisans or merchants who contributed to the economic life of the city during the seventeenth century. As the family grew, members spread from the urban center into surrounding counties, carrying the name across different regions of England and eventually overseas.
Merritt Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mearc-geat
Old English for boundary gate or marker.
This name
MerrittDerived from a topographic location near a boundary gate or a person living by a landmark.
also spelled
Merritt
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, London Metropolitan Archives: Parish Registers, 1666
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
