NameCensus.

UK surname

Means

An English surname derived from the Old English word "mene," meaning "moderate" or "average" in size or quality.

In the 1881 census there were 98 people recorded with the Means surname, ranking it #19,999 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 128, ranked #26,401, down from #19,999 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Gateshead and Earsdon. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Fenland and East Lindsey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Means is 252 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 30.6%.

1881 census count

98

Ranked #19,999

Modern count

128

2016, ranked #26,401

Peak year

1861

252 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Means had 98 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,999 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 128 in 2016, ranked #26,401.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 252 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Means surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Means surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Means 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 102 #16,933
1861 historical 252 #9,804
1881 historical 98 #19,999
1891 historical 195 #15,211
1901 historical 132 #19,469
1911 historical 202 #14,871
1997 modern 123 #23,792
1998 modern 128 #23,828
1999 modern 124 #24,508
2000 modern 117 #25,324
2001 modern 111 #25,767
2002 modern 111 #26,291
2003 modern 107 #26,617
2004 modern 107 #26,899
2005 modern 104 #27,369
2006 modern 106 #27,332
2007 modern 104 #28,020
2008 modern 105 #28,180
2009 modern 108 #28,311
2010 modern 115 #27,874
2011 modern 121 #26,789
2012 modern 124 #26,432
2013 modern 125 #26,695
2014 modern 128 #26,490
2015 modern 127 #26,494
2016 modern 128 #26,401

Geography

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Where Means' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Gateshead, Earsdon, Manchester and Long Benton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Fenland and East Lindsey. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Earsdon Northumberland
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Long Benton Northumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 008 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
2 Fenland 002 Fenland
3 Fenland 003 Fenland
4 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 016 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
5 East Lindsey 016 East Lindsey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Means

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Means

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Means 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

Means is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Means 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 Means 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 Means, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Means

The surname "MEANS" is of English origin and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "mænan," which means "to intend" or "to signify." This name was initially used as a descriptive nickname for someone who was perceived as being intentional or purposeful in their actions.

The surname "MEANS" first appeared in historical records in the late 13th century. One of the earliest recorded instances of this name was in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, dated 1273, which mentioned a person named Robert Mennes. This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

In the 14th century, the surname "MEANS" was documented in various locations across England, including in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1310, which recorded a John Menes, and in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327, which listed a William Menne.

The name "MEANS" has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such person was John Means (1583-1644), an English clergyman who served as the rector of St. Andrew's Church in Cambridgeshire. Another was Thomas Means (1718-1799), a Scottish-born merchant and plantation owner who settled in Virginia, USA, and played a role in the American Revolutionary War.

In the literary realm, Robert Means (1808-1888), an American educator and writer, published several works on grammar and language. Additionally, David Means (born 1961) is a contemporary American author known for his short stories and novels.

Historically, the surname "MEANS" has also been linked to various place names, such as Meanwood in Leeds, England, and Meansteed in Suffolk, England. These place names may have influenced the development of the surname or vice versa, reflecting the close relationship between surnames and geographical locations.

Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the surname "MEANS," including Robert Means (1808-1891), a Scottish-born American businessman and philanthropist; James Means (1853-1920), an American sculptor and educator; and Gardner Means (1896-1988), an American economist and author.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Means families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Means 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. Norfolk leads with 35 Means' recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.58x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 35 23.58x
Northumberland 17 11.83x
Yorkshire 12 1.25x
Cambridgeshire 6 9.81x
Essex 6 3.15x
Middlesex 5 0.52x
Cumberland 3 3.61x
Suffolk 3 2.55x
Sussex 3 1.84x
Northamptonshire 2 2.20x
Surrey 2 0.43x
Aberdeenshire 1 1.12x
Gloucestershire 1 0.53x
Kent 1 0.30x
Lancashire 1 0.09x
Royal Navy 1 8.69x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Outwell in Norfolk leads with 30 Means' recorded in 1881 and an index of 10344.83x.

Place Total Index
Outwell 30 10344.83x
Burradon In Tynemouth 13 3513.51x
Upwell 5 724.64x
Elm 4 666.67x
Longbenton 4 65.79x
Barking 3 53.76x
Southcoates 3 56.50x
St Cuthbert W O 3 74.07x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 3 67.57x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 2 90.50x
Croydon 2 7.66x
Outwell 2 1818.18x
Paddington London 2 5.63x
Peterborough 2 30.44x
Sculcoates 2 13.18x
Sheffield 2 6.57x
Thornaby 2 55.87x
Wanstead 2 59.88x
Worthing 2 1111.11x
Aberdeen Old Machar 1 5.36x
Brighton 1 3.05x
Bury St Edmunds St James 1 31.85x
Cirencester 1 39.06x
Kensington London 1 1.86x
Poplar London 1 5.49x
Toxteth Park 1 2.58x
West Ham 1 2.38x
Whitechapel London 1 10.50x
Woolwich 1 8.22x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 6
Mary 5
Margaret 4
Sarah 4
Ellen 3
Emma 3
Rebecca 3
Beatrice 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Alise 1
Annie 1
Cathrine 1
Elisabeth 1
Elizabeth 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Gramillie 1
Harriett 1
Hellen 1
Isabella 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
Louisa 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
S.M. 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Means surname: questions and answers

How common was the Means surname in 1881?

In 1881, 98 people were recorded with the Means surname. That placed it at #19,999 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Means surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 128 in 2016. That gives Means a modern rank of #26,401.

What does the Means surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old English word "mene," meaning "moderate" or "average" in size or quality.

What does the Means map show?

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