NameCensus.

UK surname

Medcalf

A habitational surname referring to someone who lived near a meadow or pasture.

In the 1881 census there were 1,171 people recorded with the Medcalf surname, ranking it #3,443 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,138, ranked #5,177, down from #3,443 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Riding of Yorkshire, South Lakeland and South Kesteven.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Medcalf is 1,242 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.8%.

1881 census count

1,171

Ranked #3,443

Modern count

1,138

2016, ranked #5,177

Peak year

1911

1,242 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Medcalf had 1,171 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,443 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,138 in 2016, ranked #5,177.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,242 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Medcalf surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Medcalf surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Medcalf 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 950 #2,924
1861 historical 878 #3,161
1881 historical 1,171 #3,443
1891 historical 1,074 #3,916
1901 historical 1,202 #4,099
1911 historical 1,242 #3,816
1997 modern 1,193 #4,731
1998 modern 1,237 #4,759
1999 modern 1,240 #4,781
2000 modern 1,238 #4,776
2001 modern 1,218 #4,743
2002 modern 1,238 #4,767
2003 modern 1,239 #4,678
2004 modern 1,225 #4,723
2005 modern 1,192 #4,786
2006 modern 1,143 #4,962
2007 modern 1,148 #4,991
2008 modern 1,152 #5,009
2009 modern 1,159 #5,099
2010 modern 1,191 #5,080
2011 modern 1,161 #5,134
2012 modern 1,105 #5,271
2013 modern 1,143 #5,203
2014 modern 1,148 #5,210
2015 modern 1,156 #5,129
2016 modern 1,138 #5,177

Geography

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Where Medcalfs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes, Manchester, Ware (Ware). Hertford St John, Hertford All Saints and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Riding of Yorkshire, South Lakeland, South Kesteven and Aylesbury Vale. 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 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
2 London parishes London 3
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Ware (Ware). Hertford St John, Hertford All Saints Hertfordshire
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Riding of Yorkshire 039 East Riding of Yorkshire
2 South Lakeland 006 South Lakeland
3 East Riding of Yorkshire 012 East Riding of Yorkshire
4 South Kesteven 009 South Kesteven
5 Aylesbury Vale 010 Aylesbury Vale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Medcalf

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Medcalf

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Medcalf is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Medcalf is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Medcalf falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Medcalf

The surname MEDCALF originated in England, with its earliest known recordings dating back to the late 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "mæd" meaning meadow and "calf" referring to a young cow or bull. This suggests that the name may have initially been used to identify someone who lived near a meadow where calves grazed.

One of the earliest documented instances of the surname MEDCALF can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1273, which mentions a Robert Medcalve. The Hundred Rolls were administrative records compiled in England during the reign of King Edward I, providing valuable insights into surnames and their origins during that time period.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as Medcalfe, Medcalf, and Medcalve, reflecting the inconsistencies in spelling and pronunciation common in earlier times. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of record-keepers.

The MEDCALF surname is also linked to certain place names in England. For example, there are references to a hamlet called Medcalf in the parish of Wensley, Yorkshire, which may have been named after an early bearer of the surname or vice versa.

Notable historical figures with the MEDCALF surname include John Medcalf (born around 1520), who was a wealthy merchant and benefactor in the city of York. Another prominent individual was Sir William Medcalf (1598-1672), a successful businessman and Member of Parliament for the City of London in the mid-17th century.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the MEDCALF name gained recognition through individuals such as Thomas Medcalf (1555-1624), a respected clergyman and author, and Richard Medcalf (1628-1703), a renowned physician and writer on medical topics.

In the 18th century, the name was associated with notable figures like James Medcalf (1737-1813), a successful entrepreneur and landowner in Yorkshire, and William Medcalf (1760-1828), a prominent architect who designed various buildings in London.

As the MEDCALF surname spread across England and beyond, it continued to be represented by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scholars, and professionals, further contributing to its historical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Medcalf families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Medcalf 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 231 Medcalfs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.03x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 231 2.03x
Lancashire 151 1.12x
Westmorland 116 46.36x
Suffolk 108 7.79x
Yorkshire 104 0.92x
Essex 76 3.38x
Lincolnshire 57 3.13x
Hertfordshire 53 6.75x
Cheshire 38 1.51x
Kent 37 0.95x
Surrey 36 0.65x
Cambridgeshire 24 3.33x
Durham 19 0.56x
Cumberland 16 1.63x
Northumberland 13 0.77x
Berkshire 12 1.40x
Flintshire 9 2.94x
Derbyshire 8 0.45x
Buckinghamshire 7 1.02x
Dorset 7 0.94x
Sussex 7 0.36x
Bedfordshire 5 0.85x
Staffordshire 5 0.13x
Devon 4 0.17x
Norfolk 4 0.23x
Leicestershire 3 0.24x
Carmarthenshire 2 0.42x
Dumfriesshire 2 0.80x
Gloucestershire 2 0.09x
Hampshire 2 0.09x
Lanarkshire 2 0.05x
Northamptonshire 2 0.19x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.13x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.22x
Shropshire 1 0.10x
Worcestershire 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kendal in Westmorland leads with 53 Medcalfs recorded in 1881 and an index of 115.72x.

Place Total Index
Kendal 53 115.72x
Hundon 35 1011.56x
Islington London 30 2.72x
Shoreditch London 29 5.88x
Enfield 20 26.78x
Clerkenwell London 17 6.33x
Rochester St Margaret 17 41.50x
Toxteth Park 17 3.72x
Ware 15 66.70x
Hackney London 14 2.19x
Haverhill 14 113.64x
Kirkland 14 262.66x
Partney 14 813.95x
Withersfield 14 625.00x
Beckenham 13 25.60x
Sale 13 42.17x
Stansfield 13 802.47x
West Ham 13 2.62x
Camberwell 12 1.65x
Hertford St John 12 102.65x
Limehouse London 12 9.60x
Stoke Newington London 12 13.53x
Hempstead 11 447.15x
Oldham 11 2.52x
Blackrod 10 59.56x
Hurst 10 89.45x
Balsham 9 228.43x
Bermondsey 9 2.66x
Halton Holegate 9 463.92x
Little Amwell 9 328.47x
Preston 9 2.49x
Rivenhall 9 334.57x
Seaton Wassand 9 548.78x
St Pancras London 9 0.98x
Bilbrough 8 1025.64x
Bromley London 8 3.19x
Dunnington In York 8 275.86x
Kirkdale 8 3.52x
Ratcliffe London 8 12.72x
Rhuddlan 8 29.70x
St Luke London 8 4.38x
Thornton In Bradford 8 21.30x
Waltham 8 275.86x
Carlton 7 530.30x
Chalfont St Giles 7 141.99x
Chelsea London 7 2.04x
Chorlton On Medlock 7 3.26x
Derby St Werburgh 7 6.80x
Habergham Eaves 7 5.67x
Nether Graveship 7 292.89x
New Hutton 7 1489.36x
Romford 7 19.71x
Scalthwaiterigg 7 551.18x
St Marylebone London 7 1.15x
Barley 6 247.93x
Boxford 6 233.46x
Colton 6 85.23x
Crosscanonby 6 18.51x
Dalton In Furness 6 11.51x
Edmonton 6 6.54x
Heversham With Milnthorpe 6 99.67x
Lambeth 6 0.60x
Liverpool 6 0.73x
Macclesfield 6 5.37x
Paddington London 6 1.43x
Preston Patrick 6 283.02x
St George Hanover 6 4.04x
St George In East 6 7.75x
Tottenham 6 3.31x
Bedlington 5 8.84x
Beswick 5 14.47x
Bingley 5 6.96x
Birkenhead 5 2.50x
Bradford 5 1.83x
Brighton 5 1.29x
Dawdon 5 12.00x
Hunslet 5 2.84x
Market Deeping 5 105.93x
Newington 5 1.19x
Walthamstow 5 6.18x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 80
William 74
James 44
Thomas 38
George 29
Charles 25
Henry 23
Robert 19
Joseph 17
Alfred 15
Arthur 13
Walter 13
Albert 10
Edward 10
Richard 10
Edwin 8
Frederick 8
Harry 8
Samuel 8
Frank 7
David 6
Benjamin 5
Herbert 5
Isaac 5
Stephen 5
Christopher 4
Francis 4
Caleb 3
Josiah 3
Mark 3
Ralph 3
Daniel 2
Ebenezer 2
Ernest 2
Fred 2
Fredk. 2
Harold 2
Joshua 2
Matthew 2
Michael 2
Percy 2
Roger 2
Sidney 2
Sydney 2
Townley 2
Willie 2
Clement 1
Evan 1
Everard 1
Florence 1

FAQ

Medcalf surname: questions and answers

How common was the Medcalf surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,171 people were recorded with the Medcalf surname. That placed it at #3,443 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Medcalf surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,138 in 2016. That gives Medcalf a modern rank of #5,177.

What does the Medcalf surname mean?

A habitational surname referring to someone who lived near a meadow or pasture.

What does the Medcalf map show?

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