Explore the Family Name Merton
The meaning of Merton
English: habitational name from one or more of the many places called Merton, such as found in Surrey, Kent, Devon, Oxfordshire, and Norfolk. The placename derives from Old English mere ‘pool’ + tūn ‘farmstead, estate’. There has probably been some confusion with both Marton and Murton.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Merton in the United States?
Based on data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Merton has slightly decreased over a decade. In 2000, Merton ranked as the 45,735th most popular surname in the United States, while it dropped to the 50,196th position in 2010, marking a 9.75% decrease in rank. The count of individuals with the Merton name also declined from 440 in 2000 to 417 in 2010, reflecting a decrease of 5.23%. Consequently, the proportion of Mertons per 100,000 people fell by 12.5% during this period.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #45,735 | #50,196 | -9.75% |
| Count | 440 | 417 | -5.23% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.16 | 0.14 | -12.5% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Merton
In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census data shows a slight shift in the ethnic identity associated with the Merton surname between 2000 and 2010. The majority of individuals identified as White, though the percentage slightly dropped from 85.45% in 2000 to 84.89% in 2010. During the same period, the percentage of individuals identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander decreased by 29.54%, falling from 5.45% to 3.84%. Interestingly, no Mertons identified as being of two or more races in 2010 compared to 2.5% in 2000. The Hispanic representation among Mertons grew from nonexistent in 2000 to 3.36% in 2010. There was a modest increase in Black individuals with the surname, from 4.77% in 2000 to 5.04% in 2010. No individuals identified as American Indian or Alaskan Native in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 85.45% | 84.89% | -0.66% |
| Black | 4.77% | 5.04% | 5.66% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 5.45% | 3.84% | -29.54% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 3.36% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 2.5% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |