Surname Merte - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Merte: What does the surname Merte mean?
The last name Merte is derived from the Germanic personal name Mercedes, which counterparted further into the Old French word Aurmerti and ultimately came to mean “dedicated to God”. It is believed to have initially referred to someone who was devoted to a deity, and so was aptly given to identities of high moral character.
The term “Merte” is also considered to be an archaic form of Mercier, which in turn comes from the Latin word “mercatorem” or a merchant. This meaning implies someone who traded goods or services for a fair price. The associations with both faith and business imply that people bearing the surname Merte were considered to have qualities such as reverence for the divine and trustworthiness in their dealings.
This established family name first emerged in the Duchy of Bavaria during the Middle Ages and grew in popularity in the centuries to follow. It continues to be found in many parts of Europe, with Germany being the most common host region. Those bearing the name of Merte are believed to still hold the qualities traditionally attributed to them, being renowned for their honest and honourable characteristics.
In a quest to define their soul, many people search for their family heritage. Those bearing the surname Merte can be assured they come from a long trusted and respected legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisMerte: Where does the name Merte come from?
The last name Merte can be found mostly in Germany in the 21st century. Although it is relatively uncommon throughout Europe, Merte is most concentrated in Germany, with a documented family tree tracing back to the early 18th century in the northern part of the country. Alternative spellings of the name, such as Merten or Marte, are also known to exist.
The first mention of the Merte surname can be found in records kept by the Treichel family of East Prussia in 1710. The family established themselves in the town of Insterburg, located in what is now northeastern Poland. Since then, Merte families have been found in many parts of Germany, including Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Berlin.
In the United States, Merte is considered an uncommon last name. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, only 141 people with the Merte surname were living across the country at the time. The largest concentration of Merte families can be found in the states of Arizona and California, with smaller numbers in other states such as Texas, Florida, and New York.
It's clear that the Merte last name is still relatively rare today, even within Germany. In a global context, the Merte surname is even harder to encounter, making it all the more special for those fortunate enough to be a part of this ancient and distinguished family.
Variations of the surname Merte
The surname Merte has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of Merte include the spellings Merté, Mertee, Mertey, and Mertie. Other variants include Merty, Mertye, Mertea, and Mertay.
Surnames of similar origin include Mertz, Meerts, Merts, Maerz and Meerz. These related surnames are of German origin, from the word, "meriz", and have traditionall y been associated with the term "mercenary".
The earliest known bearer of the name was Johann Merté, an Austrian merchant who married and had children in the mid-1600s. This family, and their descendants, probably provided the basis for most of the variants of the Merte name.
In some cases, the surname was likely adapted to other languages. For example, in some Spanish-speaking countries, the name may be rendered as Herte or Hertes. In French-speaking countries, it is more likely to be Mertee or Merti.
Overall, there is a great deal of variety among the forms of the Merte surname, reflecting its evolution as the surname was adopted and adapted by different countries and cultures.
Famous people with the name Merte
- 1.Matthias Merte: Matthias Merte is a German professional footballer who currently plays as a central midfielder for SV Waldhof Mannheim in the 3. Liga.
- Chapin Mercedes Alba Merte: Chapin Mercedes Alba Merte is a world-renowned flamenco dancer from Spain. 3.Katrin Merte: Katrin Merte is an award-winning German musician, film composer, and arranger.
- Bernd Mertes: Bernd Mertes is a former German footballer and manager. During his playing career, he played for the likes of Hannover 96 and Werder Bremen.
- Natalia Merte: Natalia Merte is a German abstract painter known for her colorful and symbolic works. 6.Wolfgang Merte: Wolfgang Merte is a highly decorated German World War I veteran and member of the Order Pour le Merite. 7.Günther Mertes: Günther Mertes is a German journalist and television presenter. He is well known for his expert knowledge of several areas of popular music and culture, including the music of the 1980s.
- Susanne Merte: Susanne Merte is a German business owner who runs a number of successful fashion boutiques in the Berlin area.
- Reinhard Merte: Reinhard Merte is a German philosopher and author best known for his book The Question of Being.
- Johannes Mertes: Johannes Mertes is a German ski jumper and Olympic silver medalist from the 1998 Winter Olympics.