Surname Meharg - Meaning and Origin
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Meharg: What does the surname Meharg mean?
The last name Meharg has its roots in Irish culture, originating as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Ó Meachair," which means "descendant of Meachar." The personal name Meachar is derived from the Gaelic word "mear," meaning "lively" or "quick." Thus, the name essentially indicates one who is a descendent of a lively or quick person. This surname is not very common and is found mostly in Northern Ireland. Like many surnames, the spelling of Meharg has changed over time due to variations in phonetic translations from the original Gaelic, resulting in several versions of the name such as Meagher, Maher, and Meagor among others. Surnames like Meharg offer a unique insight into the individual's ancestry and familial history, particularly within Irish lineages.
Order DNA origin analysisMeharg: Where does the name Meharg come from?
The last name Meharg is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "O'Meachair" which means "innocent" or "harmless." The majority of people with the Meharg surname were found in County Armagh, Ireland during the 19th century. Today, the surname is less common globally, but it still retains a relative frequency in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Powys in Wales has the highest incidence of the Meharg surname in the UK, while in the United States, it is most frequently found in Texas. However, the surname is most prevalent in Canada and highest in density in Australia. Changes in spellings and variations of the surname occurred over time with emigration and due to illiteracy, as clerks and church officials often spelled names as they sounded. Therefore, Mehearg and Meharry are amongst the variant forms. It's also worth noting that many Irish families migrated during the Great Famine of the late 1840s, which may have led to a wider distribution of the name.
Variations of the surname Meharg
The surname Meharg originated from Ireland. Other variants and spellings of Meharg include Mehigan, Meighan, Maharg, Mehegan, Mehigan, Mehegan, Meegan, Meehan, and Moharg. These variations occurred often due to how Irish names were Anglicized, as many could not have been directly translated.
Many Gaelic names were also 'Americanized' upon immigration to the United States during the Irish famine in the 1840s. Due to errors in transcription, lack of literacy, or even just the dialectal differences, various spellings of the same original surname emerged.
These individuals bearing different surnames can trace their origins to a common source, either through a paternal line, maternal line or a combination of both.
Surname spelling isn't definitive evidence of a particular lineage, as variations occurred frequently. Thus, understanding the common base origin of these surnames can broaden the scope of genealogical research.
In general, the regional composition of Ireland influenced the spelling and dialect of these surnames, hence the diverse variety we see today.
Famous people with the name Meharg
- Alastair Mehrag: British theatre director and actor.
- Andrew Meharg: Scottish academic and Professor of Biogeochemistry.
- Janice Meharg: Canadian children’s author and illustrator based in Ottawa.
- Evelyn Meharg: British tennis player and former chairperson of Wimbledon's AELTC.
- Craig Meharg: South African cricketer.
- Ross Meharg: Canadian president of Impakt Media and an expert in digital marketing and communications.
- Jamie Meharg: Canadian provincial politician.
- Pat Meharg: Scottish football player and manager.
- Coventry Meharg: Canadian lawyer and author.
- Rob Meharg: British Rugby Union referee.
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Comments or additions to the name "Meharg"
02.03.2024
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