Merriman

Merriman as a place name can refer to:

• Merriman, Nebraska, a village in Cherry County, Nebraska (USA)
• Merriman, Northern Cape, a village in the Karoo region, South Africa

Merriman is an ancient surname originating in parts of the British Isles. It is a derivative of the Old English pre 7th century personal name 'Myrige', meaning merry, which in the medieval period became a nickname surname given either to a person of 'honest' character, or a professional clown, one who took part in the theatres of the day. The suffix ending "man(n)" was in the context of a surname, a form of endearment meaning "friend of". An early example of the exact spelling is that of Alice Merriman, who got married at St James church, Clerkenwell, London, on October 9th 1563. People with the surname Merriman include:

• Arthur Douglas Merriman (1892-1972), English officer of the Royal Engineers and recipient of George Cross.
• Brian Merriman (1749-1805), Irish poet and teacher.
• Edgar C. Merriman (1840-1894), American military official.
• Frederick Merriman (1818-1865), New Zealand politician.
• Gregory Merriman (1988-), Australian ice dancer.
• Henry Seton Merriman, pen name of English author Hugh Stowell Scott (1862-1903).
• John X. Merriman (1841-1926), South African politician and last Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, 1908-1910.
• King Merriman (?-1904), Australian Aboriginal elder.
• Marcus Merriman (1940-2006), American historian of 16th century British history.
• Nan Merriman (1920-), American opera singer.
• Paul A. Merriman (1943-), American financial advisor.
• Ryan Merriman (1983-), American actor.
• Shawne Merriman (1984-) American football defensive end/linebacker for the Buffalo Bills.
• Stefan Merriman (1973-), New Zealand-born Australian four-times enduro motorcycling world champion.