UK surname
A surname derived from the Old English word "māl" meaning "payment" or "fee".
In the 1881 census there were 264 people recorded with the Meal surname, ranking it #10,655 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 65, ranked #34,017, down from #10,655 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Almondbury, Dunrossness and Huddersfield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Meal is 422 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 75.4%.
1881 census count
264
Ranked #10,655
Modern count
65
2016, ranked #34,017
Peak year
1891
422 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Meal surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Meal surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 319 | #7,273 |
| 1861 | historical | 391 | #6,549 |
| 1881 | historical | 264 | #10,655 |
| 1891 | historical | 422 | #8,483 |
| 1901 | historical | 242 | #13,392 |
| 1911 | historical | 251 | #12,870 |
| 1997 | modern | 87 | #28,749 |
| 1998 | modern | 80 | #29,966 |
| 1999 | modern | 82 | #29,933 |
| 2000 | modern | 75 | #30,668 |
| 2001 | modern | 79 | #30,065 |
| 2002 | modern | 81 | #30,294 |
| 2003 | modern | 77 | #30,762 |
| 2004 | modern | 72 | #31,488 |
| 2005 | modern | 67 | #32,196 |
| 2006 | modern | 68 | #32,441 |
| 2007 | modern | 69 | #32,662 |
| 2008 | modern | 65 | #33,303 |
| 2009 | modern | 66 | #33,538 |
| 2010 | modern | 70 | #33,480 |
| 2011 | modern | 66 | #33,768 |
| 2012 | modern | 66 | #33,901 |
| 2013 | modern | 69 | #33,808 |
| 2014 | modern | 67 | #33,959 |
| 2015 | modern | 65 | #34,036 |
| 2016 | modern | 65 | #34,017 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Almondbury, Dunrossness, Huddersfield, Foxley and Billingford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Almondbury | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 2 | Dunrossness | Shetland |
| 3 | Huddersfield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 4 | Foxley | Norfolk |
| 5 | Billingford | Norfolk |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Meal surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Meal, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Meal surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Meal household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Meal is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Meal is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Meal, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MEAL is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, specifically in the county of Yorkshire. It is thought to have derived from an Old English word "mæl," which meant "meal" or "portion of food." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who worked as a miller or was involved in the production or distribution of meal or flour.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the MEAL surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and their holdings in England. This suggests that the name was already established by the late 11th century.
In the 13th century, records from the village of Meal Hill in Yorkshire mention individuals with the surname MEAL, indicating a potential connection between the name and this particular location. The name may have evolved from a place name or been adopted by residents of the area.
During the 14th century, a notable figure named John MEAL (c. 1320 - 1390) was a prominent landowner and farmer in the village of Mealham, Yorkshire. His descendants continued to use the MEAL surname in the region for several generations.
In the 16th century, a wealthy merchant named William MEAL (1525 - 1598) was a prominent figure in the city of York. He was known for his successful trading business and charitable contributions to the local community.
Another notable individual with the MEAL surname was Sir Thomas MEAL (1635 - 1712), who was a prominent lawyer and judge during the reign of King Charles II. He played a significant role in the legal system of his time and was widely respected for his knowledge and expertise.
During the 18th century, the MEAL surname spread beyond Yorkshire as individuals migrated to other parts of England and even to the American colonies. One notable figure from this era was Captain John MEAL (1720 - 1789), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War.
Throughout history, the MEAL surname has been associated with various occupations, including millers, farmers, merchants, lawyers, and military personnel. While the name originated in a specific region of England, it has since spread to many parts of the world, reflecting the migration and movement of people over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Meal surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 139 Meals recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.47x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 139 | 5.47x |
| Norfolk | 41 | 10.39x |
| Lancashire | 32 | 1.05x |
| Surrey | 10 | 0.80x |
| Shetland | 8 | 30.53x |
| Suffolk | 8 | 2.56x |
| Middlesex | 7 | 0.27x |
| Durham | 4 | 0.52x |
| Aberdeenshire | 2 | 0.84x |
| Angus | 1 | 0.42x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.18x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.25x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.20x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.20x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.19x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.11x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.24x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 0.54x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.26x |
| Radnorshire | 1 | 4.83x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.23x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Slaithwaite in Yorkshire leads with 43 Meals recorded in 1881 and an index of 1622.64x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Meal surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Sarah | 17 |
| Elizabeth | 13 |
| Hannah | 9 |
| Mary | 9 |
| Eliza | 7 |
| Ann | 6 |
| Emma | 5 |
| Jane | 5 |
| Anna | 4 |
| Annie | 3 |
| Ellen | 3 |
| Emily | 3 |
| Martha | 3 |
| Ada | 2 |
| Alice | 2 |
| Betty | 2 |
| Caroline | 2 |
| Edith | 2 |
| Frances | 2 |
| Grace | 2 |
| Harriet | 2 |
| Isabella | 2 |
| Lucy | 2 |
| A. | 1 |
| Adaline | 1 |
| Anne | 1 |
| Charlotte | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Diana | 1 |
| Elienor | 1 |
| Elisabeth | 1 |
| Emeline | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Gorgeanna | 1 |
| Harriett | 1 |
| Helena | 1 |
| Henrietta | 1 |
| Jessie | 1 |
| Judith | 1 |
| Lily | 1 |
| Louisa | 1 |
| Margarett | 1 |
| Margt. | 1 |
| Maria | 1 |
| Pamela | 1 |
| Rachel | 1 |
| Rhoda | 1 |
| Susannah | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Meal surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| John | 20 |
| William | 13 |
| David | 9 |
| James | 8 |
| Joseph | 7 |
| George | 5 |
| Dan | 3 |
| Thomas | 3 |
| Arthur | 2 |
| Charles | 2 |
| Daniel | 2 |
| Herbert | 2 |
| Joe | 2 |
| Peter | 2 |
| Richard | 2 |
| Robert | 2 |
| Alfred | 1 |
| Arnold | 1 |
| Benjamin | 1 |
| Edgar | 1 |
| Edward | 1 |
| Elijah | 1 |
| Ellis | 1 |
| Emanuel | 1 |
| Ephraim | 1 |
| Ezra | 1 |
| Frank | 1 |
| Fred | 1 |
| Henry | 1 |
| Horato | 1 |
| Infant | 1 |
| J. | 1 |
| Jabez | 1 |
| Jonathan | 1 |
| Josiah | 1 |
| Lewis | 1 |
| Mathew | 1 |
| Milton | 1 |
| Percy | 1 |
| Philip | 1 |
| Ralph | 1 |
| Reuben | 1 |
| Rowland | 1 |
| Sam | 1 |
| Samuel | 1 |
| Shaw | 1 |
| Vincent | 1 |
| Wall | 1 |
| Willie | 1 |
| Wright | 1 |
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Meal households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 48 |
| Woollen Weaver | 18 |
| Woollen Piecer | 5 |
| Ag Lab | 4 |
| Cotton Piecer | 3 |
| Cotton Twiner | 3 |
| Labourer | 3 |
| Woollen Spinner | 3 |
| Ag Labourer | 2 |
| Annuitant | 2 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Cotton Dyers Labourer | 2 |
| Cotton Frame Tenter | 2 |
| Cotton Winder | 2 |
| Dress Maker | 2 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Gen Lab | 2 |
| House Work | 2 |
| Housekeeper | 2 |
| Laundress | 2 |
| Operative Cotton Spinner | 2 |
| Railway Labourer | 2 |
| Scholer | 2 |
| Stone Mason | 2 |
| Tailor | 2 |
| Agricultural Labour | 1 |
| Assistant Schoolmaster | 1 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Coal Merchant & General Dealer | 1 |
| Cotton Doffer Scholar | 1 |
| Dom S Nursemaid | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Domestic Servt | 1 |
| Drapers Assistant | 1 |
| Excavator | 1 |
| Gen Serv Domest Cook | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Serv (Domestic) | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Goods Porter | 1 |
| Groom | 1 |
| House Keeper | 1 |
| Housekeeper Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Insurance Agent | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Worsted Weaver | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 264 people were recorded with the Meal surname. That placed it at #10,655 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 65 in 2016. That gives Meal a modern rank of #34,017.
A surname derived from the Old English word "māl" meaning "payment" or "fee".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Meal bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.