NameCensus.

UK surname

Meddings

A surname referring to someone who lived in a meadow or grassland area.

In the 1881 census there were 262 people recorded with the Meddings surname, ranking it #10,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 603, ranked #8,687, up from #10,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Blymhill with Brincton and Sedgley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tendring, Lichfield and Wychavon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Meddings is 652 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 130.2%.

1881 census count

262

Ranked #10,721

Modern count

603

2016, ranked #8,687

Peak year

2010

652 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Meddings had 262 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 603 in 2016, ranked #8,687.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 494 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Meddings surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Meddings surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Meddings 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 176 #11,489
1861 historical 159 #14,553
1881 historical 262 #10,721
1891 historical 315 #10,669
1901 historical 416 #9,220
1911 historical 494 #7,886
1997 modern 548 #8,679
1998 modern 609 #8,299
1999 modern 619 #8,272
2000 modern 603 #8,394
2001 modern 600 #8,299
2002 modern 611 #8,349
2003 modern 585 #8,479
2004 modern 593 #8,419
2005 modern 584 #8,431
2006 modern 580 #8,497
2007 modern 602 #8,331
2008 modern 601 #8,406
2009 modern 633 #8,240
2010 modern 652 #8,224
2011 modern 621 #8,458
2012 modern 596 #8,658
2013 modern 603 #8,713
2014 modern 608 #8,709
2015 modern 600 #8,738
2016 modern 603 #8,687

Geography

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Where Meddings' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Blymhill with Brincton, Sedgley, London parishes and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tendring, Lichfield, Wychavon, Birmingham and Dudley. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Blymhill with Brincton Shropshire
3 Sedgley Staffordshire
4 London parishes London 2
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tendring 003 Tendring
2 Lichfield 004 Lichfield
3 Wychavon 016 Wychavon
4 Birmingham 008 Birmingham
5 Dudley 007 Dudley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Meddings

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Meddings

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

Meddings is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Meddings falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Meddings is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Meddings

The surname Meddings is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to have derived from the Old English word "mædene," meaning "meadow." This suggests that the name likely originated in England during the early medieval period, possibly referring to someone who lived near or worked on a meadow or area of grassland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Mædene" and "Mædening," indicating the presence of individuals with this surname in various parts of England following the Norman Conquest.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as "Medding," "Meding," and "Medynge," reflecting the evolution of the English language and regional variations in pronunciation and spelling.

One notable individual with the surname Meddings was Sir Thomas Meddings (1600-1671), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire during the reign of King Charles I.

Another prominent figure was John Meddings (1701-1782), a renowned architect and surveyor who was involved in the construction of several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Exchange and the Foundling Hospital.

In the 19th century, William Meddings (1838-1920) gained recognition as a successful businessman and philanthropist, making significant contributions to various charitable organizations in his hometown of Bristol, England.

The Meddings family also had a presence in the United States, with one of the earliest recorded instances being William Meddings (1790-1865), who immigrated from England and settled in New York, where he established a successful farming business.

Another notable American with the surname was Emily Meddings (1870-1941), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights, who played a crucial role in establishing several educational institutions in the state of Texas.

Throughout history, the Meddings surname has been associated with various occupations, including farming, trade, architecture, and public service, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of individuals bearing this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Meddings families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Meddings 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 95 Meddings' recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.01x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 95 11.01x
Warwickshire 57 8.84x
Worcestershire 25 7.49x
Middlesex 23 0.90x
Shropshire 17 7.70x
Gloucestershire 13 2.59x
Hampshire 9 1.72x
Yorkshire 7 0.28x
Berkshire 5 2.61x
Cardiganshire 3 4.81x
Essex 2 0.40x
Rutland 2 10.66x
Derbyshire 1 0.25x
Dorset 1 0.60x
Kent 1 0.11x
Sussex 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 31 Meddings' recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.47x.

Place Total Index
Aston 31 17.47x
Birmingham 26 12.10x
Islington London 15 6.06x
Hilderstone 14 4000.00x
Wolverhampton 13 19.60x
Cheltenham 12 31.03x
Weston Under Lizard 11 4400.00x
Walsall Foreign 10 22.44x
Maplederwell 8 4210.53x
Sedgley 8 24.97x
Sculcoates 7 17.43x
Bridgnorth St Leonard 6 240.00x
Colton 6 1016.95x
Kings Norton 6 20.05x
St Andrew Holborn 6 69.28x
Stafford St Mary 6 49.14x
Upper Penn 6 277.78x
Blymhill 5 1136.36x
Feckenham 5 130.89x
Wednesbury 5 23.19x
Bilston 4 23.92x
Kempsey 4 314.96x
Newport 4 150.38x
Cyfoethy Brenin 3 294.12x
Evesham All Sts 3 192.31x
Sheriff Hales 3 340.91x
Speen 3 95.54x
Barking 2 13.55x
Bridgnorth St Mary 2 93.02x
Bushbury 2 129.03x
Oakham Deanshold 2 238.10x
Stoke Upon Trent 2 2.19x
Stourbridge 2 23.28x
Worcester St Peter 2 31.65x
Albrighton 1 93.46x
Aldershot 1 5.70x
Bethnal Green London 1 0.90x
Bow London 1 3.07x
Brewood 1 40.16x
Brighton 1 1.15x
Castle Church 1 19.31x
Church Eaton 1 172.41x
Dronfield 1 19.49x
Evesham St Lawrence 1 56.50x
Melcombe Regis 1 14.39x
Newbury 1 16.29x
North Hamlet 1 222.22x
Powick 1 43.29x
Rochester St Margaret 1 10.87x
Sulhamstead Abbots 1 384.62x
Wem 1 30.49x
Yardley 1 11.71x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Meddings surname: questions and answers

How common was the Meddings surname in 1881?

In 1881, 262 people were recorded with the Meddings surname. That placed it at #10,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Meddings surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 603 in 2016. That gives Meddings a modern rank of #8,687.

What does the Meddings surname mean?

A surname referring to someone who lived in a meadow or grassland area.

What does the Meddings map show?

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