NameCensus.

UK surname

Meaker

A surname derived from the Old English word "macan" meaning "to make" or "maker".

In the 1881 census there were 255 people recorded with the Meaker surname, ranking it #10,924 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 373, ranked #12,515, down from #10,924 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Puriton with Woollavington and Shapwick (pt), Huntspill. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sedgemoor, East Devon and Purbeck.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Meaker is 374 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 46.3%.

1881 census count

255

Ranked #10,924

Modern count

373

2016, ranked #12,515

Peak year

2011

374 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Meaker had 255 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,924 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 373 in 2016, ranked #12,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 343 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Meaker surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Meaker surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Meaker 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 153 #12,721
1861 historical 213 #11,419
1881 historical 255 #10,924
1891 historical 257 #12,476
1901 historical 294 #11,805
1911 historical 343 #10,416
1997 modern 330 #12,701
1998 modern 347 #12,607
1999 modern 341 #12,851
2000 modern 356 #12,408
2001 modern 336 #12,721
2002 modern 340 #12,884
2003 modern 350 #12,417
2004 modern 366 #12,053
2005 modern 360 #12,112
2006 modern 355 #12,316
2007 modern 343 #12,773
2008 modern 352 #12,631
2009 modern 357 #12,766
2010 modern 371 #12,679
2011 modern 374 #12,464
2012 modern 374 #12,324
2013 modern 370 #12,626
2014 modern 368 #12,770
2015 modern 371 #12,567
2016 modern 373 #12,515

Geography

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Where Meakers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Puriton with Woollavington, Shapwick (pt), Huntspill, Middlezoy, Weston Zoyland, Woolavington and Limington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sedgemoor, East Devon, Purbeck and New Forest. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Puriton with Woollavington Somerset
3 Shapwick (pt), Huntspill Somerset
4 Middlezoy, Weston Zoyland, Woolavington Somerset
5 Limington Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sedgemoor 008 Sedgemoor
2 East Devon 005 East Devon
3 Purbeck 004 Purbeck
4 Sedgemoor 012 Sedgemoor
5 New Forest 015 New Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Meaker

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Meaker

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Meaker, 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 Meaker surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Meaker 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Meaker is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Meaker is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Meaker falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Meaker

The surname Meaker is of English origin, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "mæcere," which meant "maker" or "builder." This occupational surname was likely given to an individual whose profession involved crafting or constructing various items.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Meaker can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Hertfordshire, a census-like document compiled in 1273. The entry mentions a person named William le Makere, suggesting that the surname had already taken on a more modern spelling at that time.

During the Middle Ages, the name appeared in various forms, such as Makeor, Makere, and Makar, reflecting the diverse dialects and regional variations in spelling. These variations can be found in historical records, including the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1327 and the Poll Tax Returns of 1379.

In the 16th century, the surname Meaker gained prominence in the county of Somerset, England. Notable individuals bearing this name include John Meaker, a prominent landowner and merchant who lived in the town of Taunton during the late 1500s.

Another significant figure was Robert Meaker, a member of the English gentry born in 1624 in Somersetshire. He served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Bridgwater during the reign of King Charles II.

Moving into the 18th century, the name Meaker spread across various parts of England, with records indicating families in counties such as Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Dorset. One noteworthy individual was William Meaker, a renowned clockmaker born in 1734 in the village of Chilcompton, Somerset. His exquisitely crafted timepieces were highly sought after by the nobility and gentry of the time.

In the 19th century, the Meaker family continued to leave their mark on various fields. Thomas Meaker, born in 1812 in Gloucestershire, was a prominent architect known for his distinctive Gothic Revival designs. His works included several churches and public buildings across the West Country region of England.

As the surname Meaker evolved, it also gave rise to variations such as Meakin and Mekin, which can be found in historical records and genealogical sources.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Meaker families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Meaker 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 131 Meakers recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.72x.

County Total Index
Somerset 131 32.72x
Gloucestershire 25 5.12x
Monmouthshire 22 12.24x
Surrey 22 1.82x
Middlesex 16 0.64x
Hampshire 12 2.35x
Lancashire 11 0.37x
Dorset 7 4.29x
Glamorgan 3 0.69x
Sussex 3 0.72x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.95x
Essex 1 0.20x
Wiltshire 1 0.45x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Puriton in Somerset leads with 29 Meakers recorded in 1881 and an index of 4531.25x.

Place Total Index
Puriton 29 4531.25x
Limington 12 4800.00x
Chilton Trinity 11 7857.14x
Newport 11 128.21x
Bawdrip 10 2941.18x
Lambeth 10 4.61x
Bridgewater 9 82.80x
Huntspill 8 487.80x
Newington 8 8.71x
St George Martyr 8 190.93x
Bristol St George 7 31.03x
Fiddington 7 3333.33x
Hook 7 5384.62x
Southampton St Mary 7 21.83x
Toxteth Park 7 7.00x
Woolavington 7 2333.33x
Bristol St Nicholas 6 681.82x
High Ham 6 631.58x
St Woollos 6 29.90x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 5 10.89x
Christchurch 5 89.93x
Middlezoy 5 1020.41x
Paddington London 5 5.47x
Shapwick 5 1315.79x
Bristol St James St Paul 4 24.59x
Cossington 4 2105.26x
Eling 4 77.52x
Kingston On Thames 4 13.74x
Pendleton In Salford 4 11.38x
Weston Super Mare 4 39.56x
Burwash 3 153.85x
Cardiff St Mary 3 12.57x
Moorlinch Stawell 3 2000.00x
Ashcott 2 327.87x
Bruton 2 126.58x
Winford 2 246.91x
Acton 1 6.86x
Amesbury 1 104.17x
Bristol St Michael 1 23.92x
Bristol Temple 1 31.15x
Clerkenwell London 1 1.70x
Llanelly 1 4.24x
Long Ashton 1 50.25x
Long Sutton 1 133.33x
Odcombe 1 188.68x
Portsea 1 1.00x
Stoke St Gregory 1 81.97x
Walthamstow 1 5.66x
West Monkton 1 113.64x
Westbury On Trym 1 6.05x
Westminster St James 1 3.91x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 16
Elizabeth 9
Sarah 8
Edith 7
Emily 7
Eliza 5
Emma 5
Hannah 5
Annie 4
Caroline 4
Florence 4
Louisa 3
Ada 2
Alice 2
Amelia 2
Anna 2
Bertha 2
Ellen 2
Fanny 2
Gertrude 2
Kate 2
Lucy 2
Susan 2
Anne 1
Beatrice 1
Bessie 1
Blanche 1
Charlotte 1
Christina 1
Dorcas 1
Eava 1
Elizb.Parminter 1
Florance 1
Frederick 1
Hester 1
Jane 1
Jemimer 1
Julia 1
Lillie 1
Lucretia 1
Mabel 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Merriam 1
Rebbecca 1
Rebecca 1
Rossanna 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Meaker surname: questions and answers

How common was the Meaker surname in 1881?

In 1881, 255 people were recorded with the Meaker surname. That placed it at #10,924 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Meaker surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 373 in 2016. That gives Meaker a modern rank of #12,515.

What does the Meaker surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English word "macan" meaning "to make" or "maker".

What does the Meaker map show?

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