Does anyone know the origin of the surname Merica? I'm in the process of getting some tombstones replaced, one being for Duane Merica in Scott City, Kansas. He's one of Doc Merica's sons. Anyway, the funeral director told me that the story passed to him was that when the family came through Ellis Island, the person who checked them in could not understand what they gave for their name. He reportedly said, "Speak English. You're American now," and the immigrant said, "Merica," in an attempt to repeat the word. So the clerk wrote down "Merica" as the surname. Does this story have any truth? It sounds a bit wild to me. However, if it did happen, maybe that's why there's a brick wall in following the Merica line.