Meredith History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales
Ireland

Etymology of Meredith

What does the name Meredith mean?

The Meredith surname comes from the Welsh personal name Meredydd or Maredudd. The Old Welsh form of the name is Morgetiud; experts state that the first portion of this name may mean pomp or splendor, while the second portion is "udd," which means "lord."

Early Origins of the Meredith family

The surname Meredith was first found in Denbighshire (Welsh: Sir Ddinbych), a historic county in Northeast Wales created by the Laws in Wales Act 1536, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Meredith family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meredith research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1529, 1558, 1559, 1589, 1597, 1600, 1656, 1659, 1666, 1679 and 1701 are included under the topic Early Meredith History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meredith Spelling Variations

Welsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person's name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welsh names into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Meredith has occasionally been spelled Meredith, Meradith, Meredeth, Meridith and others.

Early Notables of the Meredith family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was

Richard Meredith (sometimes Meredyth) (died 1597), Church of Ireland Bishop of Leighlin from 1589 until his death
Sir William Meredith, 1st Baronet of Leeds Abbey, Kent
Sir Richard Meredith, 2nd Baronet (died 1679), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1656 to 1659

Meredith World Ranking

In the United States, the name Meredith is the 1,366^th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 1 However, in Australia, the name Meredith is ranked the 758^th most popular surname with an estimated 5,161 people with that name. 2 And in New Zealand, the name Meredith is the 594^th popular surname with an estimated 1,209 people with that name. 3 The United Kingdom ranks Meredith as 691^st with 9,639 people. 4

Migration of the Meredith family to Ireland

Some of the Meredith family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meredith migration to the United States +

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in search of land, work, and freedom. These immigrants greatly contributed to the rapid development of the new nations of Canada and the United States. They also added a rich and lasting cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. Investigation of immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Meredith:

Meredith Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Phillip Meredith, (Meridith), aged 12, who settled in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Globe"
David Meredith, who landed in Virginia in 1650 5
Elizabeth Meredith who settled in New England in 1654
John Meredith, who settled in Virginia in 1654
Love Meredith, who arrived in Virginia in 1660 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Meredith Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Sampson Meredith, who arrived in Virginia in 1711 5
James Meredith, who arrived in Maryland in 1740 5
Edward Meredith, who arrived in America in 1760-1763 5
Jane Meredith, who landed in America in 1765 5

Meredith Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hugh Meredith, aged 52, who landed in New York, NY in 1812 5
Richard Meredith, aged 36, who landed in New York, NY in 1812 5
Gilmor Meredith, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 5
Emily Meredith, aged 29, who landed in New York in 1862 5
John Meredith, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1872 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Meredith Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Florence Meredith, aged 23, who settled in America from Liverpool, in 1900
Caroline Meredith, aged 56, who immigrated to the United States from London, in 1903
Fanny Meredith, aged 30, who landed in America from Liverpool, in 1905
Henry Meredith, aged 61, who immigrated to the United States from Brandon, Manitoba, in 1907
Clara Meredith, aged 18, who landed in America from Shareshill, England, in 1907
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Meredith migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Meredith Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Annie Meredith, aged 35, who settled in Montreal, Canada, in 1903
Charles Meredith, aged 38, who immigrated to Montreal, Canada in 1905
Blanche W. Meredith, aged 30, who settled in Toronto, Onto, in 1908
Ada Walsingham Meredith, aged 55, who immigrated to London, Ontario, Canada, in 1908
Frederick Edmund Meredith, aged 46, who immigrated to Montreal, Canada, in 1908
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Meredith migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Meredith Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Elizabeth Meredith, (Hare), British Convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 6
Mr. Samuel Benjamin Meredith who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Dick" on 2nd October 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
Mr. William Meredith, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Camden" on 21st September 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
Mr. Zachariah Meredith, English convict who was convicted in Shorpshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Camden" on 21st September 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
Mr. John Meredith, (b. 1809), aged 25, English wheel wright who was convicted in Shropshire, England for life for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 27th September 1834, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Meredith migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Meredith Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Meredith, Australian settler travelling from Port of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on board the ship "Defiance" arriving in New Zealand in 1832 10
Mary Meredith, aged 14, a servant, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 11
Mr. John Meredith, (b. 1792), aged 64, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 24th October 1856 10
Mrs. Marian Meredith, (b. 1798), aged 58, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 24th October 1856 10
Mr. Thomas Meredith, (b. 1838), aged 18, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 24th October 1856 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Meredith (post 1700) +

Richard Otis Meredith (1932-2025), American gold and silver medalist ice hockey player from South Bend, Indiana
Kay Frances Meredith (1936-2022), née Huggins, an American equestrian and writer, National Grand Prix Champion in 1982, American Horse Show Association Horsewoman of the Year in 1979
Jonathan Meredith (1772-1805), United States Marine during the First Barbary War, eponym of the USS Meredith (DD-165), a Wickes-class destroyer, USS Meredith (DD-434), a Gleaves-class destroyer USS Meredith (DD-726), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, and the USS Meredith (DD-890), a Gearing-class destroyer
William Morris Meredith (1799-1873), American lawyer and politician, 19th United States Secretary of the Treasury (1849-1850), eponym of the USCS Meredith, an American schooner used as a survey ship
Samuel Meredith (1741-1817), American merchant from Philadelphia, delegate for Pennsylvania to the Continental Congress from 1786 to 1788
Private James Meredith (1872-1915), American marine during the Spanishâ€“American War, recipient of the Medal of Honor for bravery
Edwin Thomas Meredith (1876-1928), American founder of the Meredith Corporation, United States Secretary of Agriculture
Olise Claiborne "The Claw" Meredith III (b. 1983), American Major League Baseball relief pitcher
Charles Meredith (1894-1964), American film and television actor
Donald "Don" Meredith (1938-2010), American football player and sportscaster, quarterback for Dallas Cowboys
... (Another 24 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Meredith family +

Prince of Wales colliery

Mr. Henry Meredith (b. 1862), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 12
Mr. George Meredith (b. 1842), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 12

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. Thomas Meredith (b. 1870), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 13

USS Indianapolis

Charles Everett Meredith (1922-1978), American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he survived the sinking 14

Victoria steamboat disaster

John W. C. Meredith, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881

The Meredith Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Heb Dduw heb ddim, a Duw a digon
Motto Translation: Without God there is nothing.

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Dick
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/camden
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 4th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Entombed in flood and flame (retrieved 3rd August 2021). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20120603025705/http://www.crosskeys.me.uk/history/prince.htm
Universal Colliery Senghenydd 1913 disaster retrieved 21st September 2019, retrieved from http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/deathrolls/SenghenyddDead1913.htm
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew