The Welsh surname Merrick is derived from the Welsh personal name Meurig, a form of Maurice, ultimately from the Latin Mauritius.  Meyric, the Prince of Cardigan, was  head of the North Wales tribe based upon Bodorgan, in the Isle of Anglesey. David Meyrick of Bodorgan, North Wales is recorded in Poll Tax records from the year 1415. An early record of the name in the New World occurs in 1678 when John Merrick arrived in Barbados. Today there are approximately 8,500 bearers of the name Merrick living in the US.