Meirian / Meirion / Meiriona
unisex / masculine / feminine; pr. mɛirian / mɛiriɔn / mɛiriɔna
detailed pronunciation
m = as in me
ei (ɛi) = ai, as in pain
r = as in right
i = e, as in be
a = as in sat / o (ɔ) = as in off
n = as in no
/ a = as in sat
There is almost no information available on the origin and usage of the name Meirian. Although, it appears to have been a predominantly masculine name traditionally, and a more feminine name today.
One source suggests it is a Welsh form of [name_f]Marian[/name_f], which either derives from [name_m]Mars[/name_m] or Latin maris (male). However, most sources indicate that Meirian is a form of Meirion, which comes from the name of the county Meirionnydd (Merionethshire).
The meaning of Meirion is most commonly regarded as “dairyman”, but has also been suggested to mean “green”, or derive from the Latin name [name_m]Marianus[/name_m].
Meiriona is a feminisation of Meirion, and therefore may mean “dairywoman” or “green”, or be the Welsh form of [name_f]Mariana[/name_f].
The first official recorded use of Meirian as a given name is 1741, in the Anglesey Marriages & Banns index, and the most recent recorded use is 2002. Meirian has not appeared in official statistics since records began.
The first official recorded use of Meirion as a given name is 1837, according to the 1871 [name_f]England[/name_f], [name_m]Wales[/name_m] & [name_f]Scotland[/name_f] Census, and the most recent recorded use is 2006. Meirion has appeared in official statistics for a few years, including the most recent recorded year, 2021, where it was recorded as being used for 3 baby boys. The most popular year for Meirion was 1999, when it was given to 5 baby boys.
The first official recorded use of Meiriona as a given name is 1893, and the most recent recorded use is 1990. Meiriona has not appeared in official statistics since records began.
Notable People
Meirian
Daughter of [name_m]Richard[/name_m] [name_m]Morris[/name_m] (1703-1779), a scholar from Anglesey who became a leading figure within Welsh [name_f]London[/name_f] communities. Her name was rendered as [name_f]Marian[/name_f] in [name_f]English[/name_f].
St. Meirian (or possibly Meirion)
[name_f]An[/name_f] Orthodox Welsh saint connected to St Meirian [name_m]Church[/name_m] in Llanfeirian, Anglesey – a medieval church or chapel believed to have been in use up until c.1750. St. Meirian’s feast day is celebrated on 4th [name_f]February[/name_f].
Merion ab [name_m]Owain[/name_m] Danwyn (c.470)
Named in Bonedd y [name_m]Saint[/name_m]. This is believed to be the birth name of St. Meirian.
Meirion ap Tybion
Meirion ap Tybion is said to have slain [name_m]Beli[/name_m] ap Benlli Gawr.
Meirion had migrated to [name_m]Wales[/name_m] with his brothers and grandfather before the death of his father, Tybion ap Cunedda. Following his father’s death, Meirion distributed his father’s possessions.
In the Harleian genealogies, Meirion’s name is recorded with the Latinised spelling Meriaun. This book is a collection of manuscripts regarding the line of princes of Meirionydd. In the text [name_m]Early[/name_m] Welsh genealogical tract, it states: Meriaun filius eius diuisit possessiones inter fratres suos (“Meirion his son divided the possessions among his brothers”). The text suggested that Meirion did not take his own share, but this was later deemed incorrect as it was discovered that Meirion’s lineage was inaccurate. He had been recorded as the son of Cunedda, with no mention of Tybion.
The error was later corrected in the Hanesyn [name_f]Hen[/name_f] tract, which stated: “Meirion Meirionnydd ap Tybion ap Cunedda distributed [the possessions] among his uncles, and the cantref which is called from his name, that is Meirionnydd, came as his own portion”.