NameCensus.

UK surname

Maine

A locational surname referring to someone who lived in or came from the French province of Maine.

In the 1881 census there were 427 people recorded with the Maine surname, ranking it #7,608 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 430, ranked #11,195, down from #7,608 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bedminster, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Clifton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stratford-on-Avon, Harborough and Bridgend.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Maine is 430 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 0.7%.

1881 census count

427

Ranked #7,608

Modern count

430

2016, ranked #11,195

Peak year

2016

430 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Maine had 427 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,608 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 430 in 2016, ranked #11,195.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 427 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Maine surname distribution map

The map shows where the Maine surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Maine surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Maine over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 356 #6,636
1861 historical 313 #8,103
1881 historical 427 #7,608
1891 historical 337 #10,133
1901 historical 399 #9,495
1911 historical 421 #8,950
1997 modern 389 #11,238
1998 modern 391 #11,539
1999 modern 399 #11,463
2000 modern 387 #11,692
2001 modern 390 #11,420
2002 modern 391 #11,627
2003 modern 382 #11,642
2004 modern 368 #12,001
2005 modern 349 #12,390
2006 modern 356 #12,284
2007 modern 365 #12,205
2008 modern 378 #11,993
2009 modern 390 #11,950
2010 modern 400 #11,992
2011 modern 377 #12,392
2012 modern 384 #12,088
2013 modern 411 #11,669
2014 modern 424 #11,463
2015 modern 424 #11,364
2016 modern 430 #11,195

Geography

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Where Maines are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bedminster, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Clifton, Gateshead and Axbridge. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stratford-on-Avon, Harborough, Bridgend, Oadby and Wigston and Sunderland. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Bedminster Somerset
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Clifton Gloucestershire
4 Gateshead Durham
5 Axbridge Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stratford-on-Avon 002 Stratford-on-Avon
2 Harborough 004 Harborough
3 Bridgend 018 Bridgend
4 Oadby and Wigston 007 Oadby and Wigston
5 Sunderland 019 Sunderland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Maine

These lists show first names that appear often with the Maine surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Maine

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Maine, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Maine surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Maine household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Maine is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Maine is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Maine falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Maine is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Maine, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Maine

The surname Maine originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "maene," which means "common" or "shared." This suggests that the name likely referred to a person who lived on commonly held or shared land.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Maine dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de Meine." This entry indicates that the name was already established in England by the time of the Norman Conquest.

In the 12th century, the name was also recorded in various forms, such as "de la Meyne" and "de Mayne." These variations suggest that the name may have been influenced by the Norman French language, which was prevalent in England at the time.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Maine was Roger de Meine, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Berkshire in 1195. Another notable early bearer of the name was William de la Meyne, who was recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls of Wiltshire in 1205.

The surname Maine has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Maine in Dorset and Maine in Hampshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as "Mayn," "Mayne," and "Meyne." One notable individual from this period was John Mayn, who was born in 1310 and served as a member of the English Parliament.

During the 16th century, the spelling of the surname became more standardized as "Maine." One notable bearer of the name from this period was Sir Henry Maine (1522-1596), who was an English soldier and politician.

In the 17th century, the surname Maine was also found in Scotland, where it was likely introduced through English settlers. One notable Scottish individual with the name was Alexander Maine (1625-1697), who was a minister and author.

Throughout history, the surname Maine has been borne by various individuals of note, including the English philosopher and historian Sir Henry Maine (1822-1888), the American politician and diplomat John D. Maine (1836-1901), and the Canadian actor and filmmaker Rae Maine (1932-2018).

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Maine families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Maine surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Somerset leads with 69 Maines recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.24x.

County Total Index
Somerset 69 10.24x
Lancashire 47 0.95x
Middlesex 40 0.96x
Yorkshire 28 0.68x
Devon 24 2.76x
Gloucestershire 24 2.92x
Leicestershire 24 5.17x
Dorset 14 5.10x
Surrey 14 0.69x
Staffordshire 13 0.92x
Glamorgan 12 1.65x
Hampshire 12 1.40x
Norfolk 12 1.87x
Lanarkshire 10 0.74x
Northumberland 9 1.45x
Warwickshire 8 0.76x
Berkshire 7 2.23x
Buckinghamshire 7 2.77x
Northamptonshire 7 1.78x
Oxfordshire 6 2.32x
Channel Islands 5 4.03x
Durham 5 0.40x
Midlothian 5 0.89x
Kent 4 0.28x
Essex 3 0.36x
Huntingdonshire 3 3.61x
Sussex 3 0.43x
Bedfordshire 2 0.92x
Cheshire 2 0.22x
Cumberland 2 0.56x
Renfrewshire 2 0.62x
Angus 1 0.26x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.38x
Cornwall 1 0.21x
Fife 1 0.40x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.18x
Wiltshire 1 0.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bedminster in Somerset leads with 21 Maines recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.18x.

Place Total Index
Bedminster 21 33.18x
Portsea 12 7.14x
Leicester St Mary 11 29.35x
Clifton 10 24.10x
Hackney London 10 4.26x
Axbridge 9 1384.62x
Liverpool 9 2.98x
Wolverhampton 9 8.29x
Bideford 8 85.74x
Bothal Demesne 8 268.46x
Coppull 8 301.89x
Hinckley 8 72.66x
Kinson 8 148.98x
Swansea Town 8 13.39x
Toxteth Park 8 4.76x
Wells St Cuthbert 8 173.91x
Bothwell 7 19.07x
Easton In Gordano 7 258.30x
Islington London 7 1.73x
Kirkdale 7 8.38x
Norwich St George Colegate 7 299.15x
Wintringham 7 1521.74x
Batley 6 15.22x
Bristol St Paul In 6 27.45x
Caversham 6 116.05x
Finedon 6 173.91x
Huddersfield 6 9.93x
Kensington London 6 2.58x
Shoreditch London 6 3.31x
Bodney 5 3333.33x
Hurley 5 306.75x
Lambeth 5 1.37x
Leicester St Margaret 5 4.42x
Northam 5 78.74x
Puddletown 5 297.62x
Salford 5 3.42x
St Helier 5 12.39x
Stoke St Mary 5 1515.15x
Weston Super Mare 5 29.39x
Battersea 4 2.60x
Birmingham 4 1.14x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 4 53.48x
Broughton In Salford 4 8.81x
Dalkeith 4 36.17x
Great Marlow 4 58.57x
Horninglow 4 60.15x
Tormoham 4 10.85x
Barony 3 0.88x
Compton Bishop 3 379.75x
Great Clacton 3 106.76x
Marwood 3 258.62x
Milverton 3 97.09x
Westoe 3 4.25x
Wycombe 3 15.91x
East Harptree 2 210.53x
Middlesbrough 2 3.70x
Paisley Middle Church 2 10.59x
Roath 2 6.04x
Ruishton 2 294.12x
Southwark St John 2 15.63x
Sowerby In Thirsk 2 80.00x
Toseland 2 833.33x
Westminster St James 2 4.65x
Whitchurch 2 155.04x
Wigton 2 555.56x
Wilton 2 114.29x
Yatton 2 76.34x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 1 1.29x
Bromley 1 4.60x
Chatteris 1 14.79x
Cheetham 1 2.70x
Croydon 1 0.88x
Cupar 1 9.29x
Gillingham 1 3.40x
Jesmond 1 11.42x
Limehouse London 1 2.18x
Reigate Foreign 1 4.53x
St Bartholomew Great 1 26.25x
Urpeth 1 41.15x
Whitechapel London 1 2.42x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Maine surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Maine surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 24
James 18
John 18
Thomas 13
George 10
Henry 10
Charles 7
Alfred 6
Philip 5
Edward 4
Joseph 4
Robert 4
Albert 3
Arthur 3
Harry 3
Edwin 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Richard 2
Sidney 2
Tom 2
Arch.J. 1
Chas.Thos. 1
David 1
Dyson 1
Eugene 1
Francis 1
Fred.Jas. 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Geo.C. 1
Geo.Chas. 1
Geo.Hy. 1
Ginseppe 1
Harerd 1
Herbert 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1
Lewin 1
Lewis 1
Matthew 1
Michael 1
Paolo 1
Samuel 1
Steven 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1
Willey 1

FAQ

Maine surname: questions and answers

How common was the Maine surname in 1881?

In 1881, 427 people were recorded with the Maine surname. That placed it at #7,608 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Maine surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 430 in 2016. That gives Maine a modern rank of #11,195.

What does the Maine surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone who lived in or came from the French province of Maine.

What does the Maine map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Maine bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.