NameCensus.

UK surname

Medler

A topographical surname likely denoting someone who lived near a meadow or field.

In the 1881 census there were 130 people recorded with the Medler surname, ranking it #16,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 291, ranked #15,062, up from #16,911 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hillingdon (Hillingdon), Ickenham, Cowley, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Broadland and North Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Medler is 294 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 123.8%.

1881 census count

130

Ranked #16,911

Modern count

291

2016, ranked #15,062

Peak year

2010

294 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Medler had 130 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,911 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 291 in 2016, ranked #15,062.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 237 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Medler surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Medler surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Medler 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 101 #17,036
1861 historical 87 #22,681
1881 historical 130 #16,911
1891 historical 163 #17,300
1901 historical 152 #17,916
1911 historical 237 #13,406
1997 modern 292 #13,765
1998 modern 289 #14,208
1999 modern 277 #14,737
2000 modern 282 #14,532
2001 modern 271 #14,691
2002 modern 276 #14,794
2003 modern 277 #14,577
2004 modern 291 #14,138
2005 modern 282 #14,368
2006 modern 284 #14,396
2007 modern 287 #14,464
2008 modern 291 #14,430
2009 modern 291 #14,742
2010 modern 294 #14,940
2011 modern 286 #15,091
2012 modern 291 #14,806
2013 modern 289 #15,142
2014 modern 290 #15,203
2015 modern 287 #15,235
2016 modern 291 #15,062

Geography

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Where Medlers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hillingdon (Hillingdon), Ickenham, Cowley, London parishes, Gateshead, Ringland and Aylsham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Broadland and North Norfolk. 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 Hillingdon (Hillingdon), Ickenham, Cowley Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 London parishes London 3
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Ringland Norfolk
5 Aylsham Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Broadland 004 Broadland
2 Broadland 001 Broadland
3 Broadland 002 Broadland
4 North Norfolk 005 North Norfolk
5 North Norfolk 010 North Norfolk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Medler

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Medler

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

Medler 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

Medler falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Medler

The surname Medler has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "medlere," meaning "mediator" or "go-between." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who acted as a mediator or negotiator in disputes or transactions.

One of the earliest known references to the name Medler can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the 13th century, where a person named Adam le Medlere was recorded. The prefix "le" was commonly used at the time to denote a person's occupation or distinguishing characteristic.

The Medler name has also been recorded in various historical documents, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from the 14th century, where a William Medler was listed. This indicates that the name had spread to different regions of England by that time.

In the 16th century, the spelling of the name evolved to its modern form, "Medler." Records from this period include a John Medler, who was born in Gloucestershire around 1520.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals bearing the Medler surname. One example is Sir John Medler (1615-1682), a prominent English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1670.

Another notable figure was Robert Medler (1755-1823), an English author and poet who gained recognition for his work on the history and antiquities of Northamptonshire.

In the 19th century, William Medler (1812-1891) was a successful businessman and philanthropist from London, known for his contributions to various charitable causes.

The Medler surname has also been associated with several places in England. For instance, there is a village called Medler in Buckinghamshire, which may have derived its name from the surname or vice versa.

While the Medler surname is relatively uncommon today, its historical significance lies in its connection to the role of mediators and negotiators in medieval England, as well as its association with notable individuals and locations across the country.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Medler families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Medler 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. Norfolk leads with 97 Medlers recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.76x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 97 49.76x
Surrey 8 1.29x
Middlesex 7 0.55x
Lancashire 6 0.40x
Durham 2 0.53x
Glamorgan 2 0.91x
Stirlingshire 2 4.28x
Buckinghamshire 1 1.30x
Cambridgeshire 1 1.25x
Lincolnshire 1 0.49x
Northumberland 1 0.53x
Sussex 1 0.47x
Yorkshire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hevingham in Norfolk leads with 67 Medlers recorded in 1881 and an index of 20303.03x.

Place Total Index
Hevingham 67 20303.03x
Aylsham 10 862.07x
Ringland 9 6428.57x
Liverpool 6 6.57x
Hempton 4 1600.00x
Gaywood 3 857.14x
Kensington London 3 4.26x
Newington 3 6.40x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 11.76x
Chiswick 2 28.86x
Falkirk 2 18.26x
Gateshead 2 7.08x
Richmond 2 23.09x
Swansea Town 2 11.05x
Bromley London 1 3.59x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 1 28.57x
Fakenham 1 104.17x
Felthorpe 1 500.00x
Hove 1 10.66x
Jesmond 1 37.74x
Langley Marish 1 106.38x
Mile End Old Town 1 5.00x
Norwich St George Tombland 1 294.12x
Norwich St Peter Mancroft 1 102.04x
Skegness 1 172.41x
Sutton Stoneferry 1 27.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Hannah 7
Mary 7
Elizbeth 6
Ann 5
Sarah 5
Elizabeth 3
Maria 3
Bessie 2
Caroline 2
Charlotte 2
Christanna 2
Christiana 2
Edith 2
Alice 1
Anne 1
Catherine 1
Christmas 1
Clara 1
Eleanor 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Joanna 1
Lydia 1
Rebecca 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 10
James 5
Charles 4
Robert 4
Walter 4
Alexandra 3
George 3
John 3
Thomas 3
Henry 2
Michael 2
Robt. 2
Samuel 2
Aaron 1
Abel 1
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Amos 1
Arthur 1
Cubitt 1
Donald 1
Elijah 1
Horace 1
Israel 1
Joshua 1
Jumper 1
Linoad 1
Patrick 1
Peter 1
Rutey 1
Theophilus 1

FAQ

Medler surname: questions and answers

How common was the Medler surname in 1881?

In 1881, 130 people were recorded with the Medler surname. That placed it at #16,911 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Medler surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 291 in 2016. That gives Medler a modern rank of #15,062.

What does the Medler surname mean?

A topographical surname likely denoting someone who lived near a meadow or field.

What does the Medler map show?

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