Merovech (
Latin:
Meroveus or
Merovius) (d. 453/457) is the semi-legendary founder of the
Merovingian dynasty of the
Salian Franks (although
Chlodio may in fact be the founder), which later became the dominant
Frankish tribe. His name is close to
Marwig, lit. "famed fight" (cf.
mari "famous" +
wig "fight") compare modern
Dutch mare "news, rumour",
vermaard "famous" and
vecht "fight". He is said to be one of several barbarian warlords and kings that joined forces with the Roman general
Aetius against the
Huns under
Attila on the
Catalaunian fields in
Gaul. The first Frankish royal dynasty called themselves
Merovingians ("descendants of Meroveus") after him, although no other historical evidence exists that Merovech ever lived.