UK surname
A surname derived from the name of a tree bearing edible fruit.
In the 1881 census there were 76 people recorded with the Medlar surname, ranking it #22,745 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 65, ranked #34,017, down from #22,745 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Burgh, Hayes and Sloley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Medlar is 103 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 14.5%.
1881 census count
76
Ranked #22,745
Modern count
65
2016, ranked #34,017
Peak year
1901
103 bearers
Map years
1
1901 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Medlar surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Medlar surname density by area, 1901 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 | 42 | #25,706 |
| 1861 | historical | 31 | #30,058 |
| 1881 | historical | 76 | #22,745 |
| 1891 | historical | 81 | #26,632 |
| 1901 | historical | 103 | #22,444 |
| 1911 | historical | 60 | #26,808 |
| 1997 | modern | 73 | #30,306 |
| 1998 | modern | 73 | #30,681 |
| 1999 | modern | 76 | #30,546 |
| 2000 | modern | 71 | #31,082 |
| 2001 | modern | 72 | #30,813 |
| 2002 | modern | 80 | #30,387 |
| 2003 | modern | 77 | #30,762 |
| 2004 | modern | 75 | #31,233 |
| 2005 | modern | 71 | #31,816 |
| 2006 | modern | 71 | #32,147 |
| 2007 | modern | 66 | #32,948 |
| 2008 | modern | 65 | #33,303 |
| 2009 | modern | 66 | #33,538 |
| 2010 | modern | 63 | #34,002 |
| 2011 | modern | 62 | #34,045 |
| 2012 | modern | 60 | #34,287 |
| 2013 | modern | 64 | #34,127 |
| 2014 | modern | 64 | #34,141 |
| 2015 | modern | 63 | #34,178 |
| 2016 | modern | 65 | #34,017 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Burgh, Hayes, Sloley, King's Lynn St Margaret and London parishes. 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 | Burgh | Norfolk |
| 2 | Hayes | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 3 | Sloley | Norfolk |
| 4 | King's Lynn St Margaret | Norfolk |
| 5 | London parishes | London 3 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Medlar 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 Medlar, 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 Medlar surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Medlar 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, Medlar 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 Medlar is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Medlar, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "Medlar" is of English origin, derived from the name of the fruit-bearing tree of the same name. The medlar tree is native to the Mediterranean region, and it is believed that the name was brought to England by the Romans or the Normans.
The earliest recorded instance of the surname "Medlar" dates back to the 13th century, appearing in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273. This early record suggests that the name may have originated as a descriptive surname, given to those who lived near or worked with medlar trees.
In the 14th century, the name "Medlar" appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, indicating its presence in the West Midlands region of England. The surname may have been associated with specific places or localities where medlar trees were cultivated or prevalent.
During the 16th century, the surname "Medlar" was found in various English records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1524 and the Subsidy Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1545. These records suggest that the name had spread across different parts of England by this time.
One notable individual with the surname "Medlar" was John Medlar, a merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 16th century. He was born around 1520 and served as an alderman in the City of London from 1570 until his death in 1588.
Another prominent figure with the surname "Medlar" was Sir William Medlar, who lived in the 17th century. He was a member of the English gentry and served as the High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1652.
In the 18th century, the surname "Medlar" appeared in several parish records, including those of St. Mary's Church in Chelmsford, Essex, where a family by the name of Medlar resided in the late 1700s.
One historical figure with the surname "Medlar" was Robert Medlar, a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century. He was born in 1780 and rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy.
Another notable individual with the surname "Medlar" was Elizabeth Medlar, a British author and poet who lived in the late 19th century. She was born in 1855 and published several works of poetry and prose during her lifetime.
While the surname "Medlar" is not among the most common surnames in England, it has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, and its origins can be traced back to the fruit-bearing tree of the same name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Medlar 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. Norfolk leads with 45 Medlars recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.49x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Norfolk | 45 | 39.49x |
| Middlesex | 12 | 1.62x |
| Surrey | 10 | 2.77x |
| Durham | 3 | 1.36x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.79x |
| Sussex | 2 | 1.60x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.91x |
| Perthshire | 1 | 3.01x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hellesdon in Norfolk leads with 9 Medlars recorded in 1881 and an index of 4285.71x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hellesdon | 9 | 4285.71x |
| Burgh | 8 | 13333.33x |
| Kings Lynn St Margaret | 8 | 233.92x |
| Hayes | 7 | 921.05x |
| Lambeth | 7 | 10.83x |
| Sloley | 6 | 8571.43x |
| Norwich St Augustine | 4 | 869.57x |
| Bermondsey | 3 | 13.60x |
| Hillingdon | 3 | 127.12x |
| Stockton On Tees | 3 | 28.22x |
| Weybourne | 3 | 5000.00x |
| Brighton | 2 | 7.93x |
| Enfield | 2 | 41.15x |
| Horsford | 2 | 1111.11x |
| Horsham St Faith | 2 | 1052.63x |
| Blickling | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 5.13x |
| Hexham | 1 | 58.48x |
| Lakenham | 1 | 61.73x |
| Perth Middle Church | 1 | 80.00x |
| Stratton Strawless | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Trottiscliffe | 1 | 1250.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Medlar surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Medlar 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 Medlar households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 19 |
| Ag Lab | 7 |
| Ag Lab Wife | 1 |
| Ag Labs Wife | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Assistant (Arty) | 1 |
| Bricklayers Labourer | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Clothier Employing 2 Men 2 Boys (Tailor) | 1 |
| Clothiers Assist | 1 |
| Cook (Dom) | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Farm Servant | 1 |
| General Dealer | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Genl Lab | 1 |
| Groom Dom Serv | 1 |
| Horse Dealer | 1 |
| Horse Hair Weaver | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Lodging House Keeper | 1 |
| Size Work Labourer | 1 |
| Weaver | 1 |
| Weaver Jute Factory | 1 |
| Whitesmith | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 76 people were recorded with the Medlar surname. That placed it at #22,745 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 65 in 2016. That gives Medlar a modern rank of #34,017.
A surname derived from the name of a tree bearing edible fruit.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Medlar 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.