UK surname
Derived from a place name meaning "homestead by a river" in Old English.
In the 1881 census there were 132 people recorded with the Mecham surname, ranking it #16,744 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 41, ranked #35,388, down from #16,744 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Edmonton, London parishes and St Philip and Jacob. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mecham is 132 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 68.9%.
1881 census count
132
Ranked #16,744
Modern count
41
2016, ranked #35,388
Peak year
1881
132 bearers
Map years
4
1881 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mecham surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mecham 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 | 78 | #19,840 |
| 1861 | historical | 73 | #24,492 |
| 1881 | historical | 132 | #16,744 |
| 1891 | historical | 100 | #24,045 |
| 1901 | historical | 105 | #22,179 |
| 1911 | historical | 116 | #20,850 |
| 1997 | modern | 54 | #32,210 |
| 1998 | modern | 55 | #32,399 |
| 1999 | modern | 58 | #32,268 |
| 2000 | modern | 58 | #32,317 |
| 2001 | modern | 53 | #32,674 |
| 2002 | modern | 52 | #33,110 |
| 2003 | modern | 51 | #33,266 |
| 2004 | modern | 54 | #33,248 |
| 2005 | modern | 51 | #33,701 |
| 2006 | modern | 51 | #33,992 |
| 2007 | modern | 47 | #34,558 |
| 2008 | modern | 44 | #34,865 |
| 2009 | modern | 44 | #35,028 |
| 2010 | modern | 41 | #35,358 |
| 2011 | modern | 43 | #35,228 |
| 2012 | modern | 41 | #35,328 |
| 2013 | modern | 45 | #35,167 |
| 2014 | modern | 42 | #35,350 |
| 2015 | modern | 40 | #35,422 |
| 2016 | modern | 41 | #35,388 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Edmonton, London parishes, St Philip and Jacob, St Dunstan Stepney and St John Hackney. 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 | Edmonton | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | St Philip and Jacob | Gloucestershire |
| 4 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 5 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mecham 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 Mecham, 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 Mecham surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mecham 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, Mecham 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 Mecham is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mecham, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Mecham has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period, specifically the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from an Old English word "mece," which meant a sword or a weapon. This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with a swordsmith or someone skilled in the art of weaponry.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This historical document mentions a landowner named Mecham residing in the county of Gloucestershire.
As the name spread across England, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Mecham, Mechambe, and Mechamps. These variations were common during the Middle Ages due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions and the influence of regional dialects.
In the 13th century, records indicate a Sir William Mecham, a knight who fought alongside King Edward I in the Scottish Wars of Independence. He was born around 1260 and gained recognition for his military prowess and loyalty to the crown.
The Mecham family established roots in various regions of England, including Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Shropshire. Place names like Mecham's Farm and Mecham's Manor can still be found in these areas, reflecting the historical presence of the surname.
Another notable figure was John Mecham, born in 1548 in Staffordshire. He was a renowned scholar and theologian who served as the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in London during the late 16th century.
In the 17th century, a branch of the Mecham family settled in the American colonies. One of the earliest recorded individuals was Thomas Mecham, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 and became a prominent landowner and farmer.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Mecham surname continued to spread across the United States, with several individuals achieving prominence in various fields. For instance, William Mecham (1789-1864) was a successful businessman and politician who served as a member of the Ohio State Legislature.
It is worth noting that the surname Mecham has also been associated with influential figures in more recent history, though the focus of this report remains on the historical origins and early records of the name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mecham 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. Middlesex leads with 39 Mechams recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.03x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 39 | 3.03x |
| Surrey | 17 | 2.71x |
| Gloucestershire | 16 | 6.34x |
| Warwickshire | 13 | 4.00x |
| Lancashire | 12 | 0.79x |
| Midlothian | 9 | 5.22x |
| Staffordshire | 6 | 1.38x |
| Durham | 5 | 1.31x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.24x |
| Essex | 2 | 0.79x |
| Isle of Man | 2 | 8.36x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.35x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 1.13x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.23x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.24x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 0.83x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 1.26x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 0.64x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.46x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 12 Mechams recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.63x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hackney London | 12 | 16.63x |
| Aston | 10 | 11.19x |
| Camberwell | 10 | 12.16x |
| Bristol St Philip Jacob | 9 | 37.86x |
| Kirkdale | 9 | 35.02x |
| Southwark St Saviour | 7 | 105.74x |
| Edinburgh Old Church | 6 | 434.78x |
| Bromley London | 5 | 17.66x |
| Limehouse London | 5 | 35.39x |
| Mile End Old Town | 5 | 24.61x |
| Wednesfield | 5 | 78.13x |
| Westminster St James | 5 | 37.76x |
| Horfield | 4 | 157.48x |
| Edinburgh Tron Church | 3 | 370.37x |
| Chorley | 2 | 23.34x |
| Clifton | 2 | 15.66x |
| Dawdon | 2 | 42.46x |
| Islington London | 2 | 1.60x |
| Onchan | 2 | 29.03x |
| Shoreditch London | 2 | 3.58x |
| St Giles In Fields | 2 | 45.05x |
| West Ham | 2 | 3.56x |
| Whitworth | 2 | 71.43x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 0.92x |
| Bowling | 1 | 7.91x |
| Cheltenham | 1 | 5.13x |
| Cheshunt | 1 | 32.26x |
| Churchill | 1 | 454.55x |
| Eastbourne | 1 | 10.01x |
| Framlingham | 1 | 90.09x |
| Gateshead | 1 | 3.49x |
| Govan | 1 | 0.97x |
| Leamington Priors | 1 | 12.52x |
| Mancetter | 1 | 107.53x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 6.02x |
| Northampton Priory St | 1 | 13.76x |
| Ramsgate | 1 | 13.95x |
| Runcorn | 1 | 15.27x |
| Sheffield | 1 | 2.46x |
| St Martin In Fields | 1 | 12.97x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 1.93x |
| Wolverhampton | 1 | 2.99x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mecham surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Margaret | 6 |
| Mary | 6 |
| Annie | 4 |
| Eliza | 3 |
| Alice | 2 |
| Ann | 2 |
| Anne | 2 |
| Elizabeth | 2 |
| Frances | 2 |
| Jane | 2 |
| Julia | 2 |
| Louisa | 2 |
| Rose | 2 |
| Rosina | 2 |
| Blanche | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Elizth.M. | 1 |
| Emily | 1 |
| Flora | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Georgina | 1 |
| Gertrude | 1 |
| Hanah | 1 |
| Hannah | 1 |
| Harriet | 1 |
| Jessie | 1 |
| Kathrine | 1 |
| Lucretia | 1 |
| Maggie | 1 |
| Marion | 1 |
| Norah | 1 |
| Phoebe | 1 |
| Polly | 1 |
| Rosemond | 1 |
| Sophia | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mecham surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Mecham households.
FAQ
In 1881, 132 people were recorded with the Mecham surname. That placed it at #16,744 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 41 in 2016. That gives Mecham a modern rank of #35,388.
Derived from a place name meaning "homestead by a river" in Old English.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mecham 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.