NameCensus.

UK surname

Mean

A surname derived from the Old English term for "brave" or "strong".

In the 1881 census there were 207 people recorded with the Mean surname, ranking it #12,555 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 132, ranked #25,882, down from #12,555 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Acton, St Leonard Shoreditch and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Copeland, Ealing and Runnymede.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mean is 376 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 36.2%.

1881 census count

207

Ranked #12,555

Modern count

132

2016, ranked #25,882

Peak year

1861

376 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mean had 207 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,555 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 132 in 2016, ranked #25,882.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 376 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Mean surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mean surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mean 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 240 #9,068
1861 historical 376 #6,792
1881 historical 207 #12,555
1891 historical 284 #11,542
1901 historical 185 #15,892
1911 historical 193 #15,294
1997 modern 175 #19,161
1998 modern 173 #19,821
1999 modern 175 #19,798
2000 modern 165 #20,501
2001 modern 155 #21,047
2002 modern 167 #20,457
2003 modern 152 #21,486
2004 modern 149 #21,905
2005 modern 137 #23,110
2006 modern 129 #24,165
2007 modern 122 #25,353
2008 modern 125 #25,249
2009 modern 135 #24,594
2010 modern 140 #24,569
2011 modern 130 #25,547
2012 modern 125 #26,298
2013 modern 136 #25,252
2014 modern 138 #25,218
2015 modern 134 #25,607
2016 modern 132 #25,882

Geography

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Where Means are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Acton, St Leonard Shoreditch, St Pancras, Hartlepool and Ickleton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Copeland, Ealing, Runnymede, Crawley and Wiltshire. 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 Acton Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Hartlepool Durham
5 Ickleton Cambridgeshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Copeland 005 Copeland
2 Ealing 033 Ealing
3 Runnymede 002 Runnymede
4 Crawley 002 Crawley
5 Wiltshire 047 Wiltshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mean

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mean

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

Mean 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

Mean falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mean

The surname MEAN is believed to have its origins in the Scottish Highlands, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word 'mèinn', which means 'a kid' or 'a young goat'. This suggests that the name may have originally been a descriptive nickname for someone who had some resemblance or association with these animals.

In the early 13th century, there are records of the name appearing in the form 'Mene' in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland. This is considered one of the earliest written references to the surname. Over time, the spelling evolved to its current form, 'MEAN'.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Sir John MEAN, a Scottish nobleman who lived in the late 14th century. He was a prominent figure in the court of King Robert III and was granted lands in Argyll for his loyal service.

Another notable individual was William MEAN, a scholar and theologian who was born in Aberdeen in 1512. He studied at the University of Paris and later became a professor of divinity at the University of Glasgow.

In the 16th century, the name MEAN was found in various parts of Scotland, including the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, and the Borders region. It is believed that the name may have originated in the area around Loch Lomond, where the village of Rowardennan was once known as 'Meanok' or 'Meanach'.

During the 17th century, the MEAN family established themselves as landowners in Aberdeenshire. One member of this family, Alexander MEAN, was a prominent figure in the Scottish Covenanting movement and was imprisoned for his religious beliefs.

In the 19th century, James MEAN (1801-1879) was a notable Scottish painter and engraver, known for his landscapes and portraits. He was a member of the Royal Scottish Academy and his works can be found in several museums and galleries across Scotland.

Throughout history, the surname MEAN has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergy, scholars, soldiers, and artists. While it may have originated as a descriptive nickname, the name has endured and continues to be a part of Scotland's rich cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mean families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mean 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 58 Means recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.87x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 58 2.87x
Cambridgeshire 29 22.67x
Hertfordshire 25 17.96x
Kent 16 2.32x
Northumberland 14 4.66x
Durham 12 2.00x
Lancashire 9 0.38x
Cumberland 7 4.03x
Surrey 7 0.71x
Midlothian 6 2.22x
Kirkcudbrightshire 4 13.68x
Angus 3 1.60x
Dumfriesshire 3 6.72x
Norfolk 3 0.97x
Suffolk 3 1.22x
Essex 2 0.50x
Bedfordshire 1 0.96x
Cornwall 1 0.44x
Devon 1 0.24x
Roxburghshire 1 2.73x
Sussex 1 0.29x
Yorkshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Duxford in Cambridgeshire leads with 12 Means recorded in 1881 and an index of 2264.15x.

Place Total Index
Duxford 12 2264.15x
Sandon 11 2075.47x
Bethnal Green London 9 10.26x
Shoreditch London 9 10.28x
Newcastle On Tyne St 8 51.38x
St Pancras London 8 4.92x
Hartlepool 7 81.97x
Chiswick 6 54.40x
Cottered 6 2307.69x
Hammersmith London 6 12.06x
Lewisham 6 16.33x
Sawston 6 487.80x
Borthwick 5 413.22x
Bow London 5 19.45x
Paddington London 5 6.73x
Balmaghie 4 625.00x
Lambeth 4 2.27x
St Anne Soho London 4 34.69x
Swavesey 4 487.80x
Teynham 4 322.58x
West Derby 4 5.71x
Bury 3 10.96x
Camberwell 3 2.33x
Cheshunt 3 61.60x
Dumfries 3 68.18x
Flimby 3 204.08x
Liff Benvie 3 10.56x
St Andrewthe Less 3 20.53x
Westgate 3 16.12x
Wyverstone 3 1666.67x
Hatfield Broad Oak 2 148.15x
Monkwearmouth 2 34.78x
St Botolph Aldgate 2 72.46x
St Marythe Less 2 256.41x
Stanwix 2 141.84x
Throcking 2 4000.00x
Woolwich 2 7.86x
Ardeley 1 294.12x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 1.91x
Beckenham 1 11.10x
Biggleswade 1 29.24x
Bishopwearmouth 1 1.94x
Bowden 1 188.68x
Bromley 1 9.52x
Bromley London 1 2.25x
Buckland 1 400.00x
Cowfold 1 138.89x
Cramlington 1 25.19x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.88x
Edmonton 1 6.15x
Folkestone 1 7.49x
Great Yarmouth 1 3.89x
Haile 1 500.00x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 1 3.84x
Horton 1 67.57x
Ickleton 1 217.39x
Ideford 1 500.00x
Layston 1 135.14x
Leeds 1 0.89x
March 1 23.36x
Norwich St Saviour 1 91.74x
Oldham 1 1.29x
Penicuik 1 27.17x
Penrith 1 15.58x
Phillack 1 33.90x
St George Hanover 1 3.79x
St Sepulchre London 1 33.78x
Stockton On Tees 1 3.45x
Wooler 1 94.34x
Wroxham 1 384.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jane 10
Sarah 7
Mary 6
Elizabeth 5
Ann 4
Eliza 4
Emma 4
Margaret 4
Agnes 3
Annie 3
Clara 3
Ellen 3
Emily 3
Maria 3
Amy 2
Harriett 2
Kate 2
Laura 2
Winifred 2
Alice 1
Augusta 1
C.F.D. 1
Caroline 1
Cecilia 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Emaline 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Isabella 1
Julia 1
Lizer 1
Maggie 1
Martha 1
Minnie 1
Naomi 1
Phillis 1
Rebecca 1
Rosalie 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 17
William 14
George 8
Thomas 6
James 5
Robert 4
Walter 4
Alfred 3
Charles 3
Stephen 3
Edward 2
Henry 2
Albert 1
Alex 1
Alexander 1
Amans 1
Dominic 1
Edgar 1
Edwin 1
Ellis 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fredc. 1
Frederick 1
Harry 1
Joseph 1
Leo. 1
M. 1
Nicholas 1
Owen 1
Pat. 1
Ralph 1
Richard 1
Sidney 1
Tom 1
Willm.T. 1

FAQ

Mean surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mean surname in 1881?

In 1881, 207 people were recorded with the Mean surname. That placed it at #12,555 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mean surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 132 in 2016. That gives Mean a modern rank of #25,882.

What does the Mean surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English term for "brave" or "strong".

What does the Mean map show?

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