Mirtle is a Scottish surname (also rarely used as a feminine given name) of 17th century origin, most likely derived from the French surname Martel. Alternative spellings are Myrtle and Martle. The surname Mirtle has large concentrations in Canada (mainly in Western Canada), the United Kingdom (mainly in Scotland), the United States, and South Africa.

History

Historian George Fraser Black noted that the surname was extant in Galashiels, probably evolving from the French surname Martel. It was recorded in England in 1273 as Mertel, Martyll in 1379, and Martill in 1574. The spelling continued to be fluid into the early 18th century, when William Mirtle of Boon Farm adopted the current spelling. He married Janet Watherston in 1707, and his five sons all adopted the Mirtle spelling. It is through his son Peter Mirtle (1731 – 1788) that all current Mirtle family members descend.

Diaspora

Many Mirtle emigrants from the lowlands of Scotland and settled around the world, starting in the 19th century.

People named Mirtle

Surname

• William Mirtle (born 1739), mariner and explorer.
• James Mirtle, former sportswriter for The Globe and Mail, currently Editor-in-chief of the NHL with The Athletic

References

Name list

This page or section lists people that share the same given name or the same family name.
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Category:Scottish surnames Category:English given names