Mear

Mear is a name that can refer to multiple, distinct uses, including geographic locations, a surname, and occasional organizational names. The specific meaning and origin of the term vary with language and context.

The origin of Mear is not uniform. In English toponymy, resemblance to the Old English mere or the Norse-influenced maer has been proposed to denote a lake, pool, or boundary, but this connection is not universal and may reflect separate developments in different regions. In Gaelic or Norse-influenced areas, Mear may have arisen as a place-name element or surname independent of the English term.

In several regions, especially across the British Isles, forms containing Mear appear in place names. Individual local histories determine the precise geography and significance, and dedicated articles should be consulted for each location.

Mear is also found as a surname in genealogical records. As with other short surnames, it can originate from a place name, a descriptive term, or a given-name-derived form, and it can appear across different cultures and periods.

Related terms include Mere, Mair, Meir, and Mare.