NameCensus.

UK surname

Mear

An English surname derived from an old occupational term for a land-measurer or surveyor.

In the 1881 census there were 556 people recorded with the Mear surname, ranking it #6,212 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 461, ranked #10,625, down from #6,212 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tutbury, London parishes and Almondbury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Derbyshire, South Somerset and Newark and Sherwood.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mear is 758 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 17.1%.

1881 census count

556

Ranked #6,212

Modern count

461

2016, ranked #10,625

Peak year

1911

758 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mear had 556 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,212 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 461 in 2016, ranked #10,625.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 758 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Mear surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mear surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mear 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 376 #6,343
1861 historical 353 #7,242
1881 historical 556 #6,212
1891 historical 544 #6,940
1901 historical 662 #6,550
1911 historical 758 #5,699
1997 modern 427 #10,476
1998 modern 477 #9,955
1999 modern 483 #9,932
2000 modern 488 #9,800
2001 modern 475 #9,827
2002 modern 477 #9,981
2003 modern 463 #10,026
2004 modern 468 #10,005
2005 modern 451 #10,197
2006 modern 463 #10,015
2007 modern 461 #10,153
2008 modern 459 #10,265
2009 modern 471 #10,304
2010 modern 480 #10,353
2011 modern 473 #10,376
2012 modern 473 #10,279
2013 modern 481 #10,315
2014 modern 481 #10,387
2015 modern 470 #10,480
2016 modern 461 #10,625

Geography

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Where Mears are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tutbury, London parishes, Almondbury, Staple Fitzpaine, Bickenhall, Curland,Hatch Beauchamp, Isle Abbots, Isle Brewers, Bredon, Puckington and Kirkburton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Derbyshire, South Somerset, Newark and Sherwood and Pembrokeshire. 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 Tutbury Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Almondbury Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Staple Fitzpaine, Bickenhall, Curland,Hatch Beauchamp, Isle Abbots, Isle Brewers, Bredon, Puckington Somerset
5 Kirkburton Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Derbyshire 007 South Derbyshire
2 South Somerset 024 South Somerset
3 South Derbyshire 001 South Derbyshire
4 Newark and Sherwood 003 Newark and Sherwood
5 Pembrokeshire 007 Pembrokeshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mear

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mear

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Mear is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Mear 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

Mear falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mear is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Mear

The surname MEAR is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is likely derived from the Old English word "mere," which referred to a boundary or border, suggesting that the name may have initially been used to describe someone who lived near a territorial boundary or border region.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname MEAR can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1195, where a person named William Mear is listed as a landowner. This indicates that the name was in use by the late 12th century in the southwestern region of England.

During the 13th century, the MEAR surname appears to have spread to other parts of England, with records showing individuals bearing the name in counties such as Wiltshire and Dorset. Some variations in spelling, such as "Mere" and "Meere," were also documented during this period.

In the 14th century, the MEAR surname gained further recognition when a prominent individual named John Mear was appointed as the Sheriff of London in 1378. This appointment suggests that the MEAR family had achieved a certain level of status and prominence by that time.

Notable individuals with the surname MEAR throughout history include:

1. William Mear (c. 1550 - 1623), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Winwick, Lancashire. 2. John Mear (1624 - 1696), an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Dorchester. 3. Thomas Mear (1674 - 1742), an English clockmaker and inventor known for his contributions to the development of the pendulum clock. 4. Elizabeth Mear (1695 - 1768), an English writer and poet who published several works during the 18th century. 5. Robert Mear (1819 - 1886), a British architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

While the MEAR surname may have originated from a particular geographical location or border region in England, it eventually spread across the country and became associated with individuals from various backgrounds and professions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mear families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mear 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. Staffordshire leads with 129 Mears recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.03x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 129 7.03x
Yorkshire 84 1.56x
Somerset 76 8.69x
Derbyshire 52 6.11x
Devon 41 3.63x
Middlesex 25 0.46x
Surrey 25 0.94x
Lancashire 24 0.37x
Leicestershire 18 2.99x
Hampshire 16 1.44x
Nottinghamshire 15 2.05x
Norfolk 10 1.20x
Monmouthshire 8 2.04x
Cornwall 6 0.98x
Denbighshire 4 1.95x
Shropshire 4 0.85x
Cheshire 3 0.25x
Sussex 3 0.33x
Berkshire 2 0.49x
Carmarthenshire 2 0.87x
Cumberland 2 0.43x
Bedfordshire 1 0.36x
Essex 1 0.09x
Glamorgan 1 0.11x
Gloucestershire 1 0.09x
Kent 1 0.05x
Lincolnshire 1 0.12x
Northamptonshire 1 0.20x
Worcestershire 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Thurstonland in Yorkshire leads with 48 Mears recorded in 1881 and an index of 2580.65x.

Place Total Index
Thurstonland 48 2580.65x
Stoke Upon Trent 37 19.02x
Isle Abbotts 19 2923.08x
Tutbury 17 380.31x
Newington 16 7.97x
Stone 16 68.20x
Manchester 12 4.14x
Melbourne 12 206.54x
Radford 11 29.56x
East Teignmouth 10 215.98x
Lindley Cum Quarmby 10 73.64x
Stapenhill 10 78.99x
Portsea 9 4.12x
Trentham 9 57.69x
Cheddleton 8 208.33x
Isle Brewers 8 1355.93x
Kingston 8 454.55x
Mynyddyslwyn 8 51.65x
Thulbear 8 5000.00x
Almondbury 7 26.89x
Beer Crocombe 7 2800.00x
Burslem 7 13.32x
Caverswall 7 73.45x
Church Gresley 7 51.74x
Curry Mallet 7 769.23x
Derby St Peter 7 25.83x
Lakenham 7 58.97x
Plymouth Charles The 7 14.05x
Wolstanton 7 12.57x
Acton 6 18.84x
Ashill 6 689.66x
Breedon 6 451.13x
Everton 6 2.92x
Lockwood 6 30.98x
Staunton Harold 6 1363.64x
Tottenham 6 6.93x
Audley Talk O Th Hill 5 151.52x
Litchurch 5 14.61x
St Decumans 5 595.24x
Ticknall 5 287.36x
Tiverton 5 25.67x
Arnold 4 37.42x
Barrow 4 625.00x
Blackburn 4 2.33x
Cheadle 4 45.40x
Cleckheaton 4 20.17x
Lambeth 4 0.84x
Poplar London 4 3.90x
Ruabon 4 14.17x
Westminster St James 4 7.16x
Whitwick 4 52.22x
Wolstanton Chesterton 4 42.69x
Wortley In Bramley 4 9.38x
Audlem 3 106.01x
Battersea 3 1.50x
Exeter St Sidwell 3 11.58x
Madron Penzance 3 13.41x
Newington 3 20.23x
Old Buckenham 3 140.19x
Camberwell 2 0.58x
Derby St Werburgh 2 4.07x
Exeter Heavitree 2 23.72x
Exeter St Mary Major 2 29.33x
Hastings St Mary In The 2 10.24x
Ilminster 2 32.73x
Kibblestone 2 512.82x
Llanelly 2 3.88x
New Windsor 2 14.59x
Pilkington 2 8.17x
St Cuthbert W O 2 8.77x
St Minver 2 106.95x
St Pancras London 2 0.46x
Staple Fitzpaine 2 571.43x
Tatenhill 2 161.29x
West Teignmouth 2 23.12x
Westminster St John 2 3.02x
Wirksworth 2 25.87x
Withycombe Rawleigh 2 33.96x
Wolborough 2 13.99x
Tewkesbury 1 10.52x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 38
John 30
James 22
George 16
Thomas 16
Samuel 11
Charles 10
Arthur 9
Alfred 8
Henry 8
Frederick 6
Joseph 6
Edward 5
Francis 5
Albert 4
Harry 4
Stephen 4
Edwin 3
Richard 3
Walter 3
Benjamin 2
Daniel 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Herbert 2
Leonard 2
Lewis 2
Mathew 2
Norman 2
Robert 2
Tom 2
Wm. 2
Alfd.Henry 1
Anthony 1
Cullum 1
Dan 1
David 1
Enos 1
Eugene 1
Fern 1
Foster 1
Fredrick 1
Joe 1
Jos.Pat. 1
Luther 1
Mark 1
Martin 1
Matthew 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Mear surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mear surname in 1881?

In 1881, 556 people were recorded with the Mear surname. That placed it at #6,212 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mear surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 461 in 2016. That gives Mear a modern rank of #10,625.

What does the Mear surname mean?

An English surname derived from an old occupational term for a land-measurer or surveyor.

What does the Mear map show?

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