NameCensus.

UK surname

Meades

An English surname possibly derived from a place name or topographic feature.

In the 1881 census there were 368 people recorded with the Meades surname, ranking it #8,454 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 605, ranked #8,661, down from #8,454 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Heston, Tunbridge, Bidborough and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Maidstone, Bolsover and Waveney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Meades is 722 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 64.4%.

1881 census count

368

Ranked #8,454

Modern count

605

2016, ranked #8,661

Peak year

2002

722 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Meades had 368 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,454 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 605 in 2016, ranked #8,661.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 614 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Meades surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Meades surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Meades 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 163 #12,156
1861 historical 177 #13,265
1881 historical 368 #8,454
1891 historical 366 #9,508
1901 historical 537 #7,652
1911 historical 614 #6,717
1997 modern 682 #7,394
1998 modern 705 #7,437
1999 modern 698 #7,533
2000 modern 693 #7,545
2001 modern 685 #7,485
2002 modern 722 #7,336
2003 modern 676 #7,608
2004 modern 664 #7,716
2005 modern 654 #7,734
2006 modern 662 #7,707
2007 modern 648 #7,883
2008 modern 644 #7,967
2009 modern 646 #8,121
2010 modern 662 #8,125
2011 modern 649 #8,164
2012 modern 649 #8,084
2013 modern 643 #8,285
2014 modern 648 #8,274
2015 modern 628 #8,417
2016 modern 605 #8,661

Geography

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Where Meades' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Heston, Tunbridge, Bidborough, London parishes, Ealing, Chiswick and Maidstone, Linton, Loddington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Maidstone, Bolsover, Waveney and Tunbridge Wells. 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 Heston Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
3 London parishes London 3
4 Ealing, Chiswick Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
5 Maidstone, Linton, Loddington Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Maidstone 013 Maidstone
2 Bolsover 005 Bolsover
3 Waveney 008 Waveney
4 Bolsover 004 Bolsover
5 Tunbridge Wells 002 Tunbridge Wells

Forenames

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First names often paired with Meades

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Meades

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Meades surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Meades household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Meades is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Meades is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Meades falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Meades 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 Meades, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Meades

The surname Meades originated in England, likely derived from the Old English word "mæd," meaning meadow or grassland. It was initially a topographic name given to someone who lived near or worked on a meadow.

The earliest known record of the Meades surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Mede." This suggests that the name was already well-established in various parts of England by the late 11th century.

During the Middle Ages, the surname was commonly spelled as "Mede," "Meade," or "Meed." It was particularly prevalent in counties such as Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Wiltshire, where many meadows and grasslands were located.

One notable early bearer of the Meades surname was John Mede (c. 1585-1638), an English biblical scholar and Puritan theologian. He was born in Essex and is best known for his contributions to the study of the Book of Revelation and his work on the interpretation of prophetic scriptures.

Another prominent figure was Joseph Mede (1586-1638), an English scholar and theologian who served as a fellow at Christ's College, Cambridge. He was a contemporary of John Mede and is recognized for his works on apocalyptic literature and biblical chronology.

In the 17th century, Robert Mead (1608-1653) was an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament during the English Civil War. He was a supporter of the Parliamentarian cause and played a role in the trial and execution of King Charles I.

During the 18th century, Richard Mead (1673-1754) was a renowned English physician and philanthropist. He served as a personal physician to King George II and made significant contributions to the study of smallpox and other infectious diseases.

In the realm of literature, George Walter Meadows (1851-1933) was an English author and illustrator who wrote under the pen name "G. W. Meades." He is best known for his children's books and illustrations, including "Jack's Alive" and "Uncle Oojah's Xmas Story."

These examples demonstrate the long and varied history of the Meades surname, which has been carried by scholars, politicians, physicians, and authors throughout the centuries, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of those who bear this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Meades families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Meades 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. Kent leads with 62 Meades' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.08x.

County Total Index
Kent 62 5.08x
Middlesex 57 1.59x
Hampshire 52 7.09x
Sussex 32 5.30x
Oxfordshire 25 11.31x
Surrey 21 1.20x
Derbyshire 20 3.57x
Warwickshire 14 1.55x
Essex 13 1.84x
Buckinghamshire 11 5.08x
Staffordshire 11 0.91x
Lincolnshire 9 1.57x
Nottinghamshire 9 1.87x
Shropshire 6 1.94x
Worcestershire 5 1.07x
Yorkshire 5 0.14x
Glamorgan 4 0.64x
Durham 3 0.28x
Wiltshire 2 0.63x
Berkshire 1 0.37x
Monmouthshire 1 0.39x
Northamptonshire 1 0.30x
Royal Navy 1 2.34x
Somerset 1 0.17x
Suffolk 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Maidstone in Kent leads with 20 Meades' recorded in 1881 and an index of 54.98x.

Place Total Index
Maidstone 20 54.98x
Portsea 18 12.52x
Tonbridge 15 34.05x
Alverstoke 13 48.95x
Chipping Norton 12 234.83x
Portsmouth 12 71.05x
Camberwell 11 4.81x
Lamberhurst 9 592.11x
Laughton 9 1011.24x
Shoreditch London 9 5.80x
Aston 8 3.22x
Iver 8 286.74x
Penshurst 8 390.24x
Sutton Cum Duckmanton 8 1379.31x
Titchfield 8 144.67x
Islington London 7 2.02x
Mile End Old Town 7 12.39x
West Ham 7 4.49x
Bolsover 6 213.52x
Ealing 6 18.76x
Hammersmith London 6 6.80x
Kingham 6 789.47x
Marden 6 209.79x
Newport 6 160.86x
Prittlewell 6 61.29x
East Grinstead 5 58.55x
Harrow On The Hill 5 69.93x
Henley On Thames 5 110.38x
Ramsgate 5 25.08x
Witham On Hill 5 2083.33x
Godstone 4 128.21x
Llanfabon 4 122.70x
Sittingbourne 4 41.45x
Sunbury 4 93.02x
Wednesfield 4 22.50x
West Bromwich 4 5.78x
Westdean 4 2500.00x
Worcester St Martin 4 63.39x
Ashford 3 106.01x
Chesterfield 3 14.28x
Ecclesall Bierlow 3 4.16x
Newark Upon Trent 3 17.30x
Taplow 3 230.77x
Whitworth 3 38.46x
Wolverhampton 3 3.23x
Bermondsey 2 1.88x
Britford 2 95.69x
Caunton 2 400.00x
Creeton 2 3333.33x
Dunkirk 2 219.78x
Ewelme 2 273.97x
Fishtoft 2 178.57x
Harlington 2 105.82x
Hillingdon 2 17.53x
Mansfield Woodhouse 2 62.31x
Norwood 2 24.42x
Pulborough 2 90.09x
Rugby 2 16.38x
Shadwell 2 148.15x
Stanmer 2 1250.00x
Aldeburgh 1 38.76x
Beausale 1 416.67x
Birmingham 1 0.33x
Bishops Hull 1 53.76x
Coulsdon 1 31.55x
Derby St Peter 1 5.60x
Edingley 1 277.78x
Hampstead London 1 1.79x
Kettering 1 7.34x
Lancing 1 60.24x
Lingfield 1 29.41x
Litchurch 1 4.43x
Nottingham St Mary 1 0.80x
Owslebury 1 96.15x
Putney 1 6.13x
Reading St Giles 1 3.79x
Royal Navy 1 2.74x
St Pancras London 1 0.35x
Swanscombe 1 18.21x
Twickenham 1 6.51x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Meades surname: questions and answers

How common was the Meades surname in 1881?

In 1881, 368 people were recorded with the Meades surname. That placed it at #8,454 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Meades surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 605 in 2016. That gives Meades a modern rank of #8,661.

What does the Meades surname mean?

An English surname possibly derived from a place name or topographic feature.

What does the Meades map show?

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