Meriwether — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #15,171 in the US 1,942 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#15,171
▼ Down 836 since 2000
People in the US
1,942
0.66 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Meriwether Surname

What does the last name Meriwether mean?

The surname Meriwether carries the meaning "One who does." It is derived from the Old English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 1,942 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Meriwether ranks as the #15,171 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Meriwether come from?

The Meriwether surname has its roots in English heritage. Names of English origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Meriwether name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Meriwether trace back to Old English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

English Old English

Quick Facts

Surname Meriwether
Meaning One who does
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #15,171
US Count (2010) 1,942
Per 100K People 0.66
First Letter M

Ethnic Distribution of Meriwether

According to the US Census, the Meriwether surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 1,942 Americans with the Meriwether last name.

White 61.17%
Black 33.99%
Hispanic 2.06%
Two+ Races 2.01%
Ethnic distribution of the Meriwether surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White61.17%
Black33.99%
Hispanic2.06%
Two or More Races2.01%

Popularity of Meriwether Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Meriwether surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#14,335
1,916 people
Down 836
Census 2010
#15,171
1,942 people

The number of Americans with the Meriwether surname increased by 26 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Meriwether Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Meriwether ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Similar Surnames to Meriwether

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Meriwether.

Other English Surnames

Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Meriwether.

Frequently Asked Questions About Meriwether

The surname Meriwether is of English origin. One who does
The surname Meriwether is ranked #15,171 in the United States with approximately 1,942 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
One who does. The name has English roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Meriwether surname is distributed as: 61.2% White, 34.0% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Meriwether ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

People searching for information about the Meriwether surname also look for:

Share this page:

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn