Richard Amerike

Richard ap Meryk was a wealthy Anglo-Welsh merchant, royal customs officer and sheriff of Bristol.

Originating from Meryk Court, Amerike moved to Bristol as a young man eager to succeed in business. Bristol was at that time the second port in England that attracted merchants and adventurers from all over the country. Richard rose to prominence serving as the royal customs officer three times, and the High Sheriff of Bristol in 1497.

After the interference of the Hanseatic League on the market, Amerike and other Bristol merchants began to seek new sources of fish and other commodities. They funded an expedition beyond Iceland under the leadership of John Cabot, an Italian explorer and navigator who led the voyage to North America. Allegedly, Amerike was a main sponsor of that exploration voyage and donor of logs necessary for building a ship named Matthew. Because Amerike's coat of arms was similar to the flag later adopted by the independent United States, a legend grew that the North American continent had been named for him rather than for Amerigo Vespucci. However, that theory has many opponents.