NameCensus.

UK surname

Merryman

An English occupational surname referring to a professional entertainer, such as a singer, musician, or jester.

In the 1881 census there were 291 people recorded with the Merryman surname, ranking it #9,931 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 98, ranked #31,470, down from #9,931 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Ecclesfield and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North East Derbyshire, Birmingham and Sutton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Merryman is 334 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 66.3%.

1881 census count

291

Ranked #9,931

Modern count

98

2016, ranked #31,470

Peak year

1891

334 bearers

Map years

7

1851 to 1998

Key insights

  • Merryman had 291 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,931 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 98 in 2016, ranked #31,470.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 334 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Merryman surname distribution map

The map shows where the Merryman surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Merryman surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Merryman over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 239 #9,092
1861 historical 231 #10,572
1881 historical 291 #9,931
1891 historical 334 #10,198
1901 historical 174 #16,520
1911 historical 175 #16,246
1997 modern 126 #23,461
1998 modern 130 #23,603
1999 modern 133 #23,487
2000 modern 112 #25,978
2001 modern 108 #26,184
2002 modern 101 #27,766
2003 modern 103 #27,234
2004 modern 105 #27,181
2005 modern 100 #28,025
2006 modern 98 #28,621
2007 modern 106 #27,722
2008 modern 105 #28,180
2009 modern 106 #28,666
2010 modern 108 #28,996
2011 modern 108 #28,811
2012 modern 98 #30,612
2013 modern 102 #30,415
2014 modern 104 #30,365
2015 modern 98 #31,342
2016 modern 98 #31,470

Geography

Back to top

Where Merrymans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Ecclesfield, London parishes, Kings Norton and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North East Derbyshire, Birmingham, Sutton, Sheffield and Barking and Dagenham. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Ecclesfield Yorkshire, West Riding
3 London parishes London 3
4 Kings Norton Worcestershire
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North East Derbyshire 005 North East Derbyshire
2 Birmingham 127 Birmingham
3 Sutton 009 Sutton
4 Sheffield 001 Sheffield
5 Barking and Dagenham 003 Barking and Dagenham

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Merryman

These lists show first names that appear often with the Merryman surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Merryman

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Merryman, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Merryman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Merryman household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Merryman is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Merryman is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Merryman falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Merryman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Merryman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Merryman

The surname MERRYMAN is of English origin, and it traces its roots back to the medieval period. This name is thought to have derived from the Old English words "myrige" and "man," which together translate to "merry man" or "joyful person." The earliest records indicate that the name was first used as a descriptive nickname for someone with a cheerful or mirthful disposition.

The name MERRYMAN can be found in various historical documents, including the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which recorded landowners and taxpayers in England. One notable entry from this period is Willelmus le Meryman, who was listed as a resident of Norfolk.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in the Calendarium Genealogicum, a record of English families and their heraldic arms. This document mentions a John Merryman, born around 1320, who hailed from Warwickshire.

During the Tudor period, the MERRYMAN name appeared in several parish records and court rolls. One such example is Richard Merryman, born in 1546 in Gloucestershire, who was mentioned in the Manor Court Rolls of Campden.

In the 17th century, the name MERRYMAN was associated with several notable individuals. One was John Merryman, a merchant and landowner from Yorkshire, who lived from 1612 to 1685. Another was William Merryman, born in 1638 in Lincolnshire, who served as a magistrate and was involved in local politics.

The 18th century saw the rise of a prominent MERRYMAN family in Maryland, United States. John Merryman, born in 1741, was a wealthy landowner and businessman who played a role in the American Revolutionary War. His descendants continued to be influential in the state for generations.

In the 19th century, the MERRYMAN name was associated with several literary figures. One was James Merryman, an English poet and novelist born in 1820 in Staffordshire, who wrote several works exploring themes of love and nature. Another was Henry Merryman, born in 1845 in Oxfordshire, who was a renowned playwright and essayist known for his witty satirical works.

Throughout its history, the surname MERRYMAN has been found in various locations across England, including Norfolk, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Staffordshire, and Oxfordshire, as well as in the United States, particularly in Maryland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Merryman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Merryman surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Glamorgan leads with 44 Merrymans recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.93x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 44 8.93x
Gloucestershire 44 7.93x
Worcestershire 37 10.02x
Yorkshire 31 1.11x
Middlesex 26 0.92x
Berkshire 16 7.54x
Leicestershire 13 4.14x
Pembrokeshire 12 13.35x
Surrey 12 0.87x
Kent 8 0.83x
Monmouthshire 7 3.42x
Derbyshire 6 1.35x
Lancashire 6 0.18x
Orkney 6 19.28x
Nottinghamshire 5 1.31x
Staffordshire 4 0.42x
Midlothian 3 0.79x
Shropshire 2 0.82x
Stirlingshire 2 1.92x
Warwickshire 2 0.28x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.58x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.84x
Northamptonshire 1 0.38x
Suffolk 1 0.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ystradyfodwg in Glamorgan leads with 28 Merrymans recorded in 1881 and an index of 64.80x.

Place Total Index
Ystradyfodwg 28 64.80x
Bradfield 18 166.51x
Clewer 15 172.41x
Kings Norton 14 42.27x
Cheltenham 11 25.70x
Down Hatherley 10 5263.16x
St Pancras London 9 3.95x
Coedfrank 8 234.60x
Batley 7 26.28x
Swansea Town 7 17.34x
Tewkesbury 7 141.41x
Bethnal Green London 6 4.88x
Holy Trinity 6 8.90x
Plumstead 6 18.65x
Putney 6 46.55x
Redditch 6 80.11x
Stromness 6 257.51x
Quorndon 5 284.09x
Slebech 5 1428.57x
Barrow Upon Soar 4 154.44x
Eckington 4 37.17x
Kensington London 4 2.54x
Sileby 4 202.02x
Stoke Upon Trent 4 3.95x
Battersea 3 2.88x
Droitwich St Nicholas 3 218.98x
Dudley 3 6.68x
Gloucester St John Baptist 3 83.80x
Newent 3 106.38x
Widnes 3 12.39x
Abergavenny 2 26.11x
Atherton 2 16.37x
Boddington 2 500.00x
Camberwell 2 1.11x
Edinburgh St Marys 2 27.14x
Flaxley 2 160.00x
Gloucester St Michael 2 157.48x
Larbert 2 32.05x
Lenton 2 22.27x
Llanbaddock 2 526.32x
Llanvihangel Nigh Usk 2 2000.00x
Ludchurch 2 952.38x
Ludlow St Lawrence 2 41.15x
Ripple 2 285.71x
Shoreditch London 2 1.63x
Snenton 2 13.35x
Welland 2 235.29x
Winchcomb 2 72.73x
Worcester St Martin 2 40.16x
Worcester St Michael 2 465.12x
Basford 1 5.69x
Blackrod 1 23.98x
Claines 1 9.86x
Dale 1 312.50x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.34x
Edgbaston 1 4.52x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 0.66x
Greenwich 1 2.22x
Ipswich St Clement 1 11.42x
Islington London 1 0.36x
Kingstanley 1 48.78x
Lampeter Velfrey 1 105.26x
Llangadock 1 30.40x
New Windsor 1 14.01x
Northampton All Sts 1 11.07x
Northfield 1 14.27x
Norwood 1 15.46x
Ockbrook 1 53.19x
Paddington London 1 0.96x
St Bartholomew Great 1 38.91x
St Issells 1 52.63x
St Marylebone London 1 0.66x
Tanworth 1 52.91x
Tenby St Mary In 1 21.83x
Tooting Graveney 1 26.04x
Totley 1 153.85x
Trevethin 1 5.18x
Tythegston Higher 1 66.67x
Whistones 1 37.45x
Wiston 1 142.86x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Merryman surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 24
Sarah 10
Ann 8
Elizabeth 8
Annie 7
Charlotte 7
Eliza 6
Ellen 6
Emma 5
Jane 5
Fanny 4
Hannah 4
Martha 4
Alice 3
Caroline 3
Harriet 3
Louisa 3
Anna 2
Jennet 2
Margaret 2
Rachel 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Amanda 1
Barbara 1
Bridget 1
Cathrine 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth. 1
Emily 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Evelyn 1
Gwenny 1
Hagar 1
Harriett 1
Irena 1
Isabelle 1
Jake 1
Kate 1
Katie 1
Keturah 1
Lizzie 1
Maria 1
Olive 1
Roda 1
Rosa 1
Susannana 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Merryman surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 18
William 18
James 13
Thomas 11
Charles 9
George 9
Henry 8
Joseph 5
Alfred 4
Edwin 4
Edward 3
Michael 3
Arthur 2
Patrick 2
Richard 2
Thos. 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Augustus 1
D.D. 1
David 1
Francis 1
Frederick 1
Herbert 1
Jessie 1
Jno. 1
Joe 1
Johnny 1
Josiah 1
Morgan 1
Reuben 1
Sirus 1
Tomas 1
Tommy 1
Vivian 1

FAQ

Merryman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Merryman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 291 people were recorded with the Merryman surname. That placed it at #9,931 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Merryman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 98 in 2016. That gives Merryman a modern rank of #31,470.

What does the Merryman surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a professional entertainer, such as a singer, musician, or jester.

What does the Merryman map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Merryman bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.