NameCensus.

UK surname

Meade

Derived from the Irish Gaelic "Miadhaigh," meaning "honorable" or "proud," or referring to a meadow-dweller.

In the 1881 census there were 852 people recorded with the Meade surname, ranking it #4,437 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,451, ranked #2,688, up from #4,437 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Manchester and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Calderdale, Caerphilly and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Meade is 2,506 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 187.7%.

1881 census count

852

Ranked #4,437

Modern count

2,451

2016, ranked #2,688

Peak year

2010

2,506 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Meade had 852 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,437 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,451 in 2016, ranked #2,688.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,334 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Meade surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Meade surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Meade 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 333 #7,015
1861 historical 424 #6,061
1881 historical 852 #4,437
1891 historical 1,016 #4,094
1901 historical 1,293 #3,854
1911 historical 1,334 #3,584
1997 modern 2,106 #2,930
1998 modern 2,240 #2,874
1999 modern 2,312 #2,816
2000 modern 2,242 #2,875
2001 modern 2,223 #2,845
2002 modern 2,312 #2,792
2003 modern 2,261 #2,794
2004 modern 2,246 #2,811
2005 modern 2,206 #2,831
2006 modern 2,251 #2,772
2007 modern 2,314 #2,739
2008 modern 2,320 #2,745
2009 modern 2,422 #2,712
2010 modern 2,506 #2,691
2011 modern 2,472 #2,698
2012 modern 2,395 #2,716
2013 modern 2,455 #2,708
2014 modern 2,444 #2,732
2015 modern 2,480 #2,669
2016 modern 2,451 #2,688

Geography

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Where Meades are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Manchester, Portsmouth, Portsea and Bray, Maidenhead, Cookham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Calderdale, Caerphilly, Birmingham, Windsor and Maidenhead and Wellingborough. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 Bray, Maidenhead, Cookham Berkshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Calderdale 006 Calderdale
2 Caerphilly 001 Caerphilly
3 Birmingham 049 Birmingham
4 Windsor and Maidenhead 008 Windsor and Maidenhead
5 Wellingborough 002 Wellingborough

Forenames

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First names often paired with Meade

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Meade

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Meade, 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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Meade surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Meade household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Meade is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Meade 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

Meade falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Meade is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Meade

The surname Meade is of English origin, deriving from an Old English word "mæd" meaning meadow or grassland. It is thought to have originated as a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near or worked on a meadow.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Mede" in various counties across England, including Essex, Hertfordshire, and Wiltshire.

In the 13th century, the name was often spelled "Mede" or "Meade," and it was commonly found in areas such as Norfolk, Suffolk, and Kent. During this period, the name was also associated with various place names, such as Meade's Farm in Essex and Meadow Court in Kent.

Notable individuals throughout history who have borne the surname Meade include George Meade (1815-1872), a Union general during the American Civil War who commanded the Army of the Potomac and led the victory at the Battle of Gettysburg. Another prominent figure was Edward Meade (1629-1705), an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works.

In the 16th century, Robert Meade (1553-1633) was an English merchant and member of the Virginia Company, playing a significant role in the early colonization of America. Meanwhile, Richard Meade (1670-1730) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Maryland from 1720 to 1726.

The name Meade has also been associated with various noble families throughout British history. For instance, the Earls of Clanwilliam trace their lineage back to Sir John Meade (1615-1683), a prominent soldier and landowner in Ireland.

While the spelling "Meade" is the most common form of the surname today, variations such as "Mead," "Meed," and "Mede" have also been documented historically. Regardless of the spelling, the name continues to hold a strong connection to its Old English roots and its association with meadows and grasslands.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Meade families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Meade 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. Middlesex leads with 136 Meades recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.63x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 136 1.63x
Lancashire 133 1.34x
Somerset 92 6.84x
Hampshire 40 2.34x
Essex 36 2.18x
Kent 36 1.26x
Surrey 36 0.88x
Yorkshire 33 0.40x
Wiltshire 28 3.79x
Monmouthshire 24 3.98x
Buckinghamshire 18 3.57x
Glamorgan 18 1.24x
Berkshire 15 2.39x
Leicestershire 15 1.62x
Derbyshire 14 1.07x
Cheshire 13 0.71x
Durham 13 0.52x
Warwickshire 13 0.62x
Dorset 11 2.01x
Staffordshire 11 0.39x
Sussex 11 0.78x
Gloucestershire 10 0.61x
Lanarkshire 9 0.33x
Midlothian 9 0.80x
Northumberland 9 0.72x
Oxfordshire 8 1.55x
Devon 7 0.40x
Huntingdonshire 7 4.22x
Perthshire 7 1.87x
Caernarfonshire 6 1.78x
Flintshire 6 2.67x
Hertfordshire 4 0.70x
Northamptonshire 4 0.51x
Royal Navy 4 4.02x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.38x
Carmarthenshire 2 0.57x
Cumberland 2 0.28x
Dunbartonshire 2 0.89x
Montgomeryshire 2 1.05x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.18x
Worcestershire 2 0.18x
Angus 1 0.13x
Brecknockshire 1 0.60x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.54x
Norfolk 1 0.08x
Renfrewshire 1 0.15x
Shropshire 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chorlton On Medlock in Lancashire leads with 19 Meades recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.07x.

Place Total Index
Chorlton On Medlock 19 12.07x
St George Hanover 14 12.85x
St Marylebone London 14 3.14x
Merthyr Tydfil 13 9.30x
Kelvedon 12 273.35x
Kensington London 12 2.58x
Liverpool 12 1.99x
Wigan 12 8.67x
Barnsley 11 12.89x
Islington London 11 1.36x
Manchester 11 2.47x
Paddington London 11 3.58x
West Derby 11 3.79x
Alverstoke 10 16.14x
Handsworth 10 14.39x
Levenshulme 10 98.04x
Bedwellty 9 8.44x
Birmingham 9 1.28x
Bradford 9 4.49x
Camberwell 9 1.69x
Denham 9 250.00x
Portsea 9 2.68x
Woolwich 9 8.55x
Hulme 8 3.87x
Isle Brewers 8 888.89x
Puriton 8 370.37x
Shackerstone 8 975.61x
St Luke London 8 5.97x
Upavon 8 575.54x
Byker 7 11.40x
Chelsea London 7 2.78x
Cookham 7 35.82x
Eling 7 40.37x
Finchley 7 21.87x
Great Baddow 7 119.45x
Hemington 7 419.16x
Rochester St Nicholas 7 79.01x
St Neots 7 77.69x
Auchterarder 6 57.36x
Bangor 6 18.43x
Binegar 6 789.47x
Chertsey 6 22.82x
Claylane 6 33.02x
Clerkenwell London 6 3.04x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 6 1.33x
Ewelme 6 352.94x
Hamilton 6 7.97x
Heston 6 21.64x
Kirkdale 6 3.60x
Long Eaton 6 34.76x
Lydeard St Lawrence 6 397.35x
Middlezoy 6 363.64x
Nannerch 6 606.06x
Pendleton In Salford 6 5.08x
South Stoke 6 540.54x
Taunton St Mary 6 24.32x
Abergavenny 5 22.11x
Chesham 5 26.88x
Clapham 5 4.79x
Colchester St Botolph 5 35.66x
Crossgate 5 46.04x
Everton 5 1.58x
Norwood 5 26.19x
Othery 5 303.03x
Painswick 5 43.18x
Radipole 5 132.28x
Runcorn 5 11.76x
St George In East 5 8.80x
Tur Langton 5 625.00x
Usk 5 100.00x
Winfrith Newburgh 5 181.82x
Yeovil 5 18.31x
Buckingham 4 38.95x
Caerleon 4 126.98x
Denton 4 18.21x
Feering 4 184.33x
North Curry 4 87.53x
Pudsey 4 9.04x
Wardour 4 185.19x
Wokingham 4 27.95x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 63
Elizabeth 27
Sarah 25
Ellen 21
Emma 17
Alice 15
Ann 15
Catherine 14
Margaret 14
Emily 12
Eliza 11
Jane 11
Ada 9
Annie 8
Edith 7
Harriet 7
Caroline 6
Fanny 6
Kate 6
Agnes 5
Florence 5
Julia 5
Louisa 5
Lucy 5
Martha 5
Bridget 4
Clara 4
Eleanor 4
Helen 4
Rose 4
Anna 3
Beatrice 3
Elizth. 3
Frances 3
Laura 3
Maria 3
Rebecca 3
Susan 3
Amy 2
Bertha 2
Catharine 2
Charlotte 2
Elvira 2
Esther 2
Eva 2
Francis 2
Harriett 2
Jessie 2
Johanna 2
Margareat 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 46
William 41
James 25
George 22
Thomas 18
Edward 16
Charles 13
Henry 11
Frederick 9
Robert 9
Alfred 8
Arthur 7
Francis 7
Harry 7
Patrick 7
Frank 6
Joseph 6
Michael 6
Walter 5
David 4
Richard 4
Samuel 4
Stephen 4
Wm. 4
Edmund 3
Ernest 3
Albert 2
Chas. 2
Edwin 2
Felix 2
H. 2
Herbert 2
Isaac 2
Jeremiah 2
Mark 2
Martin 2
Patric 2
Peter 2
Warren 2
Barnard 1
Barry 1
Claud 1
Clifford 1
Daniel 1
Frederic 1
Fredk.H. 1
Geo.P. 1
Levi 1
Lewis 1
Wm.B. 1

FAQ

Meade surname: questions and answers

How common was the Meade surname in 1881?

In 1881, 852 people were recorded with the Meade surname. That placed it at #4,437 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Meade surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,451 in 2016. That gives Meade a modern rank of #2,688.

What does the Meade surname mean?

Derived from the Irish Gaelic "Miadhaigh," meaning "honorable" or "proud," or referring to a meadow-dweller.

What does the Meade map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Meade 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.