Explore the Family Name Merriweather
The meaning of Merriweather
English: nickname for someone of a sunny disposition, from Middle English mirie, merie, murie ‘merry, pleasant’ (see Merry) + wether ‘weather’. Compare Fairweather.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Merriweather in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Merriweather saw minor fluctuations between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked the 6,931st most common name in the United States, slipping slightly to the 6,989th position in 2010 - a marginal decrease of 0.84%. However, the actual count of individuals bearing the surname increased by 7.39% during this time period, from 4,463 to 4,793. The proportion of people named Merriweather per 100,000 decreased by 1.82%, from 1.65 to 1.62.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #6,931 | #6,989 | -0.84% |
| Count | 4,463 | 4,793 | 7.39% |
| Proportion per 100k | 1.65 | 1.62 | -1.82% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Merriweather
Examining the ethnic identity associated with the Merriweather surname again using the Decennial U.S. Census data, we find a diverse mix. The majority identify as Black, though this decreased slightly from 89.58% in 2000 to 88.52% in 2010. Those identifying as White made up 6.3% in 2000, dropping to 5.24% in 2010. Individuals of Hispanic ethnicity rose from 1.08% to 1.82%, marking a significant 68.52% increase. There was also an increase amongst those identifying as two or more races (51.94%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (15%). The percentage of American Indian and Alaskan Native remained constant at 0.27%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 89.58% | 88.52% | -1.18% |
| White | 6.3% | 5.24% | -16.83% |
| Two or More Races | 2.58% | 3.92% | 51.94% |
| Hispanic | 1.08% | 1.82% | 68.52% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.27% | 0.27% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.2% | 0.23% | 15% |