Merman

Merman
This distinguished British surname recorded in a wide range of spellings including: More, Mores, Moor, Moores, Moors, Merman, Moreman, Morman, Moorman, and in Scotland Muir, has a number of possible origins. The first is a topographical name for someone who lived on a moor or in a fen, both of which were denoted by the Olde English pre 7th Century word "mor", or from one of the various villages so named such as Moore in the county of Cheshire, or More in Shropshire. Secondly it may have been a nickname for someone of dark or swarthy complexion. In this case the derivation is from the Old French "more", meaning dark-skinned. There was also a personal name of the same origin, which was borne by several early saints. The given name was introduced into England by the Normans, but was never as popular in England as on the Continent. In Ireland the surname originated as a form of the Gaelic O'Mordha, composed of the elements O', meaning descendant of, and Mordha, a byname translating as proud or stately. In Scotland and Wales the origination was as a nickname for a large man, from the Gaelic word mor or the Welsh mowr, both meaning great. The surname was first recorded in the late 11th Century (see below), and early examples of the surname recording include: William Mor, tax register known as the Feet of Fines for the county of Essex in the year 1198, Matthew del More in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, Yorkshire, in 1275, and Ralph le Morman of Suffolk in 1287. One of the earliest settlers in the New World was Leonard Moore, who is recorded as "living at Elizabeth Cittee, Virginea" in 1624, having arrived on the ship "Bona Nova" in 1619. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William de More. This was dated 1086, in the Domesday Book of Suffolk, during the reign of King William 1st of England, 1066 - 1087.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • Merman — A representation of a Merman from the 17th century Mythology World mythology Grouping Mythological Sub grouping Water spirit Country …   Wikipedia

  • Merman — Mer man, n.; pl. {Mermen}. The male corresponding to {mermaid}; a sea man, or man fish. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • merman — (n.) c.1600, lit. man of the sea, from first element in MERMAID (Cf. mermaid) (q.v.) + MAN (Cf. man) (n.) …   Etymology dictionary

  • merman — [mʉr′man΄] n. pl. mermen [mʉr′men΄] [ME mereman: see MERE2 + MAN] 1. an imaginary sea creature with the head and upper body of a man and the tail of a fish 2. a man or boy who swims well …   English World dictionary

  • Merman — Ethel Merman Ethel Merman (* 16. Januar 1908 in Astoria (Queens, New York City); † 15. Februar 1984 in New York City) war eine US amerikanische Schauspielerin und Sängerin …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • merman — /ˈmɜmæn/ (say merman) noun (plural mermen) an imaginary man of the sea, corresponding to a mermaid. {earlier mere man, from mere2 + man} …  

  • Merman (album) — Merman Studio album by Emilíana Torrini Released 1996 …   Wikipedia

  • Merman (disambiguation) — Merman can refer to: A merman; a half man/half fish from world mythology Mer Man, a character from the Masters of the Universe toy line Ethel Merman, a singer Merman, a song by Tori Amos on the benefit album No Boundaries: A Benefit for the… …   Wikipedia

  • Merman, Ethel — orig. Ethel Agnes Zimmerman born Jan. 16, 1909, Astoria, N.Y., U.S. died Feb. 15, 1984, New York, N.Y. U.S. singer and actress. Merman, who had never taken voice lessons, worked as a secretary before her first professional singing engagement in… …   Universalium

  • Merman, Ethel — orig. Ethel Agnes Zimmerman (16 ene. 1909, Astoria, N.Y., EE.UU.–15 feb. 1984, Nueva York, N.Y.). Cantante y actriz estadounidense. Nunca tomó lecciones de canto, y trabajó como secretaria antes de su primera labor profesional como cantante en… …   Enciclopedia Universal

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