| Merian | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Earlier spellings | Merillate, Merylat, Miregla, Mureglat, Mariatte |
| Place of origin | Basel, Switzerland |
| Members | Matthäus Merian, Maria Sibylla Merian, Christoph Merian, Andreas Merian-Iselin |
The Merian family is a patrician family of Basel, Switzerland. It consists of two branches (an 'elder Basel line' and a 'younger' one) who were citizens of Basel from 1498 and from 1549/1553. The family were represented in the Grand Council of Basel-Stadt in 1532 and grew to become distinguished aldermen. Its notable members include the 18th century politician Andreas Merian-Iselin and the 19th century banker Christoph Merian, who founded the renowned Basel charity Christoph Merian Stiftung.
The younger Basel line includes a Frankfurt sub-branch founded by the engraver Matthäus Merian the Elder (1593-1650), whose descendants became artists during the Baroque period and ran what became one of Europe's largest publishers in the 17th century. Matthäus Merian's daughter was the naturalist and artist Maria Sibylla Merian.