A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Merriweather family of England.
Reg. 4499 · English, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Or, three martlets sa. (another, az.) on a chief az. a sun in splendour ppr., for MEREWETHER (quartering ALLWORTH, or, a saltire engr. betw. twelve billets sa.)”
WiltsCalne · Wilts, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Merriweather arms are recorded
The Merriweather arms were recorded in Wilts, c. 1620.
Wiltshire was sheep country, and wool made money steadily for hundreds of years. Families who made it bought manors on the downs, and holding a manor was the usual reason to take 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 Merriweather 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 Wilts.
Origin & History of the Merriweather Family in England
The surname Merriweather is an English locative and descriptive name that likely originated as a nickname for a person with a cheerful or sunny disposition. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Wiltshire. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were living in this region, where they were often involved in local agriculture and trade. During this era, the name was frequently spelled in various ways, such as Merryweather or Merywether, reflecting the phonetic nature of record-keeping at the time. As the family grew, they became integrated into the social and economic life of the Wiltshire countryside, contributing to the local communities through their work as yeomen and tradespeople. This early history highlights a family that was well-settled in the English landscape long before the name spread to other parts of the world.
Merriweather Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mery-weder
Middle English words for pleasant and weather.
This name
MerriweatherA descriptive nickname for a person with a cheerful or sunny disposition.
also spelled
Meriwether
Merryweather
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., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Wiltshire Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
