UK surname
A surname denoting someone who received payment or reward.
In the 1881 census there were 94 people recorded with the Meed surname, ranking it #20,467 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 35, ranked #35,703, down from #20,467 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, Aldridge and Gladsmuir. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Meed is 167 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 62.8%.
1881 census count
94
Ranked #20,467
Modern count
35
2016, ranked #35,703
Peak year
1861
167 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Meed surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Meed surname density by area, 1891 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 | 113 | #15,815 |
| 1861 | historical | 167 | #13,956 |
| 1881 | historical | 94 | #20,467 |
| 1891 | historical | 130 | #20,173 |
| 1901 | historical | 63 | #27,134 |
| 1911 | historical | 45 | #28,332 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 26 | #35,254 |
| 1999 | modern | 21 | #35,810 |
| 2000 | modern | 31 | #34,798 |
| 2001 | modern | 27 | #35,041 |
| 2002 | modern | 25 | #35,428 |
| 2003 | modern | 23 | #35,650 |
| 2004 | modern | 24 | #35,697 |
| 2005 | modern | 23 | #35,924 |
| 2006 | modern | 20 | #36,254 |
| 2007 | modern | 23 | #36,142 |
| 2008 | modern | 23 | #36,211 |
| 2009 | modern | 25 | #36,191 |
| 2010 | modern | 27 | #36,153 |
| 2011 | modern | 27 | #36,136 |
| 2012 | modern | 29 | #35,991 |
| 2013 | modern | 33 | #35,808 |
| 2014 | modern | 31 | #35,953 |
| 2015 | modern | 30 | #35,979 |
| 2016 | modern | 35 | #35,703 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, Aldridge, Gladsmuir, St Matthew Bethnal Green 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 No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | Aldridge | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Gladsmuir | Haddington |
| 4 | St Matthew Bethnal Green | London (East Districts) |
| 5 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Meed 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 Meed, 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 Meed surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Meed 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, Meed 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 Meed is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Meed, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MEED is of English origin, originating in the Middle Ages around the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "mede," meaning a reward, payment, or recompense. The name likely referred to someone who received a reward or payment for services rendered.
The earliest recorded instance of the surname MEED dates back to the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where it appears as "William le Mede." This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 13th century.
In the 14th century, the surname is found in various records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Essex in 1327, which mentions "John Mede." The Suffolk Feet of Fines in 1366 also includes a reference to "Robert Mede."
One notable historical figure with the surname MEED was John Meed, a 15th-century English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Shropshire in 1450 and 1455.
In the 16th century, the surname appears in various forms, including "Meade" and "Meed." A famous bearer of the name during this period was Joseph Mede (1586-1638), an English biblical scholar and one of the most learned men of his time.
Another prominent individual was Sir Matthew Mead (1629-1699), an English Puritan minister and author who was a highly influential figure in the religious and political landscape of his time.
In the 17th century, the name MEED was found in various parts of England, including the county of Essex, where a family of that name owned land and estates. One notable member of this family was Richard Mead (1673-1754), a renowned English physician and writer on medical subjects.
As the centuries progressed, the surname MEED spread to other parts of the English-speaking world, including the Americas and other British colonies. One notable American with the name was George Gordon Meade (1815-1872), a Union general during the American Civil War and the victorious commander at the Battle of Gettysburg.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the surname MEED throughout history, showcasing its longevity and enduring presence across different regions and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Meed 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 32 Meeds recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.49x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 32 | 3.49x |
| Durham | 14 | 5.13x |
| Nottinghamshire | 13 | 10.52x |
| Cambridgeshire | 10 | 17.22x |
| Devon | 6 | 3.14x |
| Wiltshire | 6 | 7.40x |
| Cheshire | 4 | 1.98x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.64x |
| Norfolk | 2 | 1.42x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.56x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.09x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 0.90x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.22x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.11x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 11 Meeds recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.38x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Islington London | 11 | 12.38x |
| Hedworth Monkton Jarrow | 10 | 84.67x |
| Shepreth | 10 | 9090.91x |
| Westbury | 6 | 317.46x |
| Gringley On Hill | 5 | 1923.08x |
| Hendon | 5 | 151.52x |
| Newark Upon Trent | 5 | 112.61x |
| Exeter St Mary Steps | 4 | 930.23x |
| Tintwistle | 4 | 370.37x |
| Westoe | 4 | 25.87x |
| Hammersmith London | 3 | 13.29x |
| Mile End Old Town | 3 | 20.73x |
| St Marylebone London | 3 | 6.13x |
| Bethnal Green London | 2 | 5.02x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 3.92x |
| Kingskerswell | 2 | 625.00x |
| Lakenham | 2 | 100.00x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 2 | 6.26x |
| Bristol St James In | 1 | 37.88x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 3.62x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 4.15x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 1.95x |
| Maidstone | 1 | 10.73x |
| Marton In Middlesbrough | 1 | 303.03x |
| Nottingham Standard | 1 | 312.50x |
| Oulton | 1 | 263.16x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.36x |
| Wandsworth | 1 | 11.34x |
| Windle | 1 | 16.34x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Meed 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 Meed 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 Meed households.
FAQ
In 1881, 94 people were recorded with the Meed surname. That placed it at #20,467 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 35 in 2016. That gives Meed a modern rank of #35,703.
A surname denoting someone who received payment or reward.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Meed 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.