NameCensus.

UK surname

Meakin

A surname derived from the Old English word "mæccan", meaning "to make or construct".

In the 1881 census there were 2,343 people recorded with the Meakin surname, ranking it #1,895 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,055, ranked #1,671, up from #1,895 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stockport, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and St Werburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Amber Valley and Broxtowe.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Meakin is 4,249 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 73.1%.

1881 census count

2,343

Ranked #1,895

Modern count

4,055

2016, ranked #1,671

Peak year

1999

4,249 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Meakin had 2,343 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,895 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,055 in 2016, ranked #1,671.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,554 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Meakin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Meakin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Meakin 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 1,251 #2,281
1861 historical 1,120 #2,505
1881 historical 2,343 #1,895
1891 historical 2,519 #1,879
1901 historical 3,255 #1,711
1911 historical 3,554 #1,469
1997 modern 3,800 #1,709
1998 modern 4,234 #1,590
1999 modern 4,249 #1,596
2000 modern 4,234 #1,588
2001 modern 4,171 #1,572
2002 modern 4,218 #1,586
2003 modern 4,080 #1,613
2004 modern 4,072 #1,613
2005 modern 3,996 #1,628
2006 modern 3,974 #1,635
2007 modern 4,008 #1,641
2008 modern 4,036 #1,639
2009 modern 4,137 #1,640
2010 modern 4,217 #1,641
2011 modern 4,132 #1,655
2012 modern 4,045 #1,661
2013 modern 4,080 #1,685
2014 modern 4,112 #1,673
2015 modern 4,066 #1,676
2016 modern 4,055 #1,671

Geography

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Where Meakins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stockport, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, St Werburgh, Ilkeston and Heanor. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Amber Valley and Broxtowe. 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 Stockport Cheshire
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 St Werburgh Derbyshire
4 Ilkeston Nottinghamshire
5 Heanor Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Amber Valley 012 Amber Valley
2 Amber Valley 013 Amber Valley
3 Broxtowe 001 Broxtowe
4 Amber Valley 017 Amber Valley
5 Broxtowe 002 Broxtowe

Forenames

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First names often paired with Meakin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Meakin

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Meakin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Meakin 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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, Meakin 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

Meakin 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

Meakin falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Meakin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Meakin

The surname Meakin originated in England, and its earliest known roots can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "mæcin," which means "a maker or craftsman." This suggests that the name was initially given to someone who worked as a skilled artisan or tradesman.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Meakin name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where it is spelled as "Makun." This document lists individuals by their surnames and locations, providing valuable insights into the name's historical distribution.

During the 14th century, variations of the name, such as "Makyn" and "Mekyn," emerged in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire and the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire. These early spellings reflect the evolution of the name over time and across different regions.

The Meakin surname is also linked to several place names in England, such as Meakin in Staffordshire and Meakin Park in Derbyshire. These place names likely derived from the same linguistic roots as the surname, indicating a connection between the name and specific geographical locations.

One notable historical figure with the Meakin surname was John Meakin (1655-1721), an English Quaker from Staffordshire who was imprisoned for his religious beliefs during the late 17th century. His steadfast commitment to his faith and willingness to endure persecution shed light on the experiences of Quakers in that era.

Another prominent individual was Charles Meakin (1838-1903), a successful industrialist and entrepreneur from Staffordshire. He founded the Meakin Pottery Company, which became renowned for producing high-quality ceramics and played a significant role in the region's pottery industry.

Sir Edward James Meakin (1866-1919) was a British civil servant and diplomat who served as the Consul-General in Barcelona, Spain, during the early 20th century. His diplomatic career highlights the international reach and influence of individuals with the Meakin surname.

In the realm of literature, Alfred Meakin (1877-1953) was a writer and translator who gained recognition for his works on Spanish and Portuguese literature. His contributions helped bridge cultural gaps and promote cross-cultural understanding through his literary translations.

Furthermore, the artist Walter Meakin (1904-1985) was a notable figure in the art world, known for his landscape paintings that captured the beauty of the English countryside. His works are celebrated for their vivid depictions of rural scenes and their ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Meakin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Meakin 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. Derbyshire leads with 497 Meakins recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.94x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 497 13.94x
Staffordshire 468 6.09x
Nottinghamshire 384 12.51x
Lancashire 266 0.98x
Cheshire 195 3.88x
Warwickshire 134 2.33x
Yorkshire 86 0.38x
Middlesex 64 0.28x
Shropshire 56 2.85x
Leicestershire 55 2.18x
Surrey 34 0.31x
Durham 15 0.22x
Kent 15 0.19x
Northamptonshire 12 0.56x
Aberdeenshire 6 0.28x
Suffolk 6 0.22x
Sussex 6 0.16x
Devon 5 0.11x
Midlothian 5 0.16x
Essex 4 0.09x
Worcestershire 4 0.13x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.21x
Lanarkshire 3 0.04x
Gloucestershire 2 0.04x
Herefordshire 2 0.21x
Berkshire 1 0.06x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.07x
Cumberland 1 0.05x
Flintshire 1 0.16x
Hertfordshire 1 0.06x
Lincolnshire 1 0.03x
Oxfordshire 1 0.07x
Royal Navy 1 0.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Greasley in Nottinghamshire leads with 95 Meakins recorded in 1881 and an index of 137.14x.

Place Total Index
Greasley 95 137.14x
Birmingham 79 4.13x
Heanor 75 140.63x
Stoke Upon Trent 65 7.97x
Stockport 62 23.96x
Liverpool 55 3.35x
Derby St Werburgh 47 22.83x
Leek Lowe 47 45.94x
Nottingham St Mary 46 5.79x
Radford 40 25.65x
Basford 39 27.56x
Ilkeston 38 38.01x
Eastwood 35 127.50x
Wolverhampton 31 5.24x
Wolstanton 30 12.85x
Repton 29 215.13x
Stone 28 28.47x
Litchurch 26 18.12x
Swepstone 25 609.76x
Derby St Alkmund 24 22.46x
Walton On Hill 23 15.71x
Aston 22 1.39x
Derby St Peter 22 19.37x
Nuthall 22 190.97x
Belper 19 27.48x
Onecote 19 652.92x
Pendleton In Salford 19 5.90x
Audley 18 23.66x
Horninglow 18 49.70x
Oldham 18 2.06x
Mucklestone 17 230.35x
Newcastle Under Lyme 17 12.50x
Tibshelf 15 85.71x
Claylane 14 28.24x
Coventry Holy Trinity 14 8.16x
Salford 14 1.76x
Stowe 14 486.11x
Bolsover 13 72.71x
Chellaston 13 335.05x
Essington 13 128.21x
Hucknall Torkard 13 16.70x
Tranmere 13 7.04x
Broughton In Salford 12 4.86x
Drayton In Hales 12 29.58x
Hinstock 12 178.04x
Monks Coppenhall 12 6.32x
St Pancras London 12 0.65x
Sutton In Ashfield 12 18.01x
Alvaston 11 108.27x
Barlaston 11 171.61x
Chelsea London 11 1.60x
Spondon 11 80.17x
St Marylebone London 11 0.90x
Bedworth 10 23.86x
Bollington In 10 22.35x
Burslem 10 4.54x
Chesterfield 10 7.48x
Church Gresley 10 17.62x
Derby All Sts 10 33.58x
Duffield 10 35.57x
Everton 10 1.16x
Shavington Cum Gresty 10 120.19x
Carlton In Barnsley 9 106.38x
Didsbury 9 25.08x
Edgmond 9 41.55x
Kimberworth 9 7.18x
Pentrich 9 44.84x
Wilford 9 104.29x
Wombwell 9 13.68x
Biddulph 8 18.44x
Burton Upon Trent 8 4.45x
Chorley 8 5.27x
Gotham 8 100.00x
Harborne 8 3.25x
Lambeth 8 0.40x
Saddleworth 8 4.60x
Snenton 8 6.63x
Staveley 8 12.64x
Wednesbury 8 4.16x
Little Chester 7 156.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 172
Sarah 97
Elizabeth 92
Ann 53
Emma 44
Annie 41
Hannah 40
Catherine 29
Jane 28
Eliza 27
Fanny 26
Martha 24
Ellen 20
Emily 20
Margaret 18
Alice 16
Florence 14
Harriet 14
Charlotte 13
Harriett 12
Kate 12
Bridget 11
Clara 11
Louisa 11
Agnes 10
Edith 10
Frances 9
Rose 9
Anne 8
Susan 8
Gertrude 7
Lucy 7
Bertha 6
Caroline 6
Elizth. 5
Jessie 5
Rebecca 5
Ruth 5
Selina 5
Ada 4
Betsy 4
Eleanor 4
Ethel 4
Isabella 4
Lydia 4
Maria 4
Matilda 4
Phoebe 4
Lilly 3
Maud 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 134
William 131
Thomas 110
James 95
George 72
Joseph 54
Charles 49
Henry 46
Samuel 39
Arthur 25
Edward 25
Alfred 20
Frederick 19
Walter 19
Robert 15
Herbert 14
Albert 13
Harry 13
Isaac 11
Richard 11
Patrick 10
Thos. 9
Edwin 7
Fredrick 7
Wm. 7
Benjamin 6
Francis 6
Frank 5
Fred 4
Geo. 4
Job 4
Lewis 4
Luke 4
Michael 4
Timothy 4
Adam 3
Eli 3
Ernest 3
Harold 3
Hiram 3
Louis 3
Ralph 3
Reuben 3
Sidney 3
Stanley 3
Abraham 2
Martin 2
Mary 2
Matthew 2
Moses 2

FAQ

Meakin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Meakin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,343 people were recorded with the Meakin surname. That placed it at #1,895 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Meakin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,055 in 2016. That gives Meakin a modern rank of #1,671.

What does the Meakin surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English word "mæccan", meaning "to make or construct".

What does the Meakin map show?

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