NameCensus.

UK surname

Mehan

A surname of possible Irish origin, potentially derived from the Gaelic word "meán" meaning "middle" or "center."

In the 1881 census there were 51 people recorded with the Mehan surname, ranking it #26,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 188, ranked #20,417, up from #26,428 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Nottingham, Broxtowe and Gedling.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mehan is 193 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 268.6%.

1881 census count

51

Ranked #26,428

Modern count

188

2016, ranked #20,417

Peak year

2014

193 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mehan had 51 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,428 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 188 in 2016, ranked #20,417.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 82 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Mehan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mehan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mehan 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 82 #19,317
1861 historical 73 #24,492
1881 historical 51 #26,428
1891 historical 22 #32,449
1901 historical 32 #30,501
1911 historical 23 #30,923
1997 modern 141 #21,941
1998 modern 148 #21,841
1999 modern 140 #22,789
2000 modern 151 #21,684
2001 modern 147 #21,756
2002 modern 155 #21,431
2003 modern 161 #20,697
2004 modern 168 #20,300
2005 modern 174 #19,783
2006 modern 169 #20,294
2007 modern 173 #20,243
2008 modern 170 #20,672
2009 modern 170 #21,095
2010 modern 181 #20,738
2011 modern 183 #20,425
2012 modern 185 #20,223
2013 modern 190 #20,201
2014 modern 193 #20,159
2015 modern 189 #20,345
2016 modern 188 #20,417

Geography

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Where Mehans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Nottingham, Broxtowe, Gedling, Watford and Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Nottingham 030 Nottingham
2 Broxtowe 007 Broxtowe
3 Gedling 016 Gedling
4 Watford 011 Watford
5 Newcastle upon Tyne 007 Newcastle upon Tyne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mehan

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mehan

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mehan, 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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Mehan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Mehan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Mehan 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

Mehan is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mehan falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mehan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Mehan

The surname Mehan originated in Ireland, specifically in the northern counties of Ulster. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic name "Ó Meachain," which translates to "descendant of Meachán." Meachán is believed to be a diminutive or pet form of the Irish name Maedhóg, meaning "son of the little wealthy one."

The Mehan surname first appeared in the Irish Annals in the 14th century, where it was recorded as "O'Mehigan." This early spelling variation indicates the name's evolution over time. The name was particularly prevalent in the counties of Tyrone and Derry, where many Mehan families resided.

In the 16th century, the Mehan name was recorded in the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns of Ireland, a collection of royal letters and decrees. One notable entry from 1586 mentions a "Hugh O'Mehigan" receiving a pardon from Queen Elizabeth I.

The earliest recorded person with the Mehan surname is believed to be Cormac O'Mehigan, who lived in the 14th century and was a prominent member of the Mehan clan in County Tyrone. Another early example is Domnall Ó Meachain, a 15th-century Irish poet and historian from County Derry.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Mehan surname. These include:

1. John Mehan (c. 1630-1706), an Irish Catholic priest and author from County Tyrone who wrote extensively on the history of Ireland. 2. Patrick Mehan (1757-1832), an Irish-born American merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the early development of Philadelphia. 3. William Mehan (1819-1890), an Irish-American journalist and editor who co-founded the Philadelphia newspaper "The Irish American." 4. Mary Mehan (1870-1942), an American educator and advocate for women's rights, who served as the president of the National Education Association from 1925 to 1927. 5. Michael Mehan (1887-1976), an Irish-American politician and lawyer who served as the mayor of Philadelphia from 1949 to 1952.

The name Mehan has also been associated with various place names in Ireland, such as Mehanagh, a townland in County Tyrone, and Mehanagh Hill, a prominent landmark in the same county.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mehan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mehan 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. Lancashire leads with 17 Mehans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.82x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 17 2.82x
Middlesex 9 1.77x
Yorkshire 6 1.19x
Lanarkshire 4 2.44x
Warwickshire 3 2.35x
Cheshire 2 1.79x
Derbyshire 2 2.52x
Hampshire 2 1.92x
Nottinghamshire 2 2.93x
West Lothian 2 26.18x
Flintshire 1 7.34x
Royal Navy 1 16.56x
Worcestershire 1 1.51x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Everton in Lancashire leads with 9 Mehans recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.92x.

Place Total Index
Everton 9 46.92x
Lower Darwen 4 506.33x
Birmingham 3 7.04x
Liverpool 3 8.21x
Denaby 2 714.29x
Govan 2 4.93x
Isleworth 2 88.89x
Islington London 2 4.07x
Manningham 2 32.31x
Portsea 2 9.82x
St Andrew Holborn 2 116.28x
Stanton Newhall 2 800.00x
Worksop 2 98.52x
Barony 1 2.41x
Boness 1 95.24x
Dukinfield 1 19.34x
Edmonton 1 24.45x
Flint 1 129.87x
Glasgow 1 3.43x
Halifax 1 13.55x
Norbury 1 384.62x
Paddington London 1 5.36x
Royal Navy 1 19.34x
Sheffield 1 6.25x
St Giles In Fields 1 57.14x
Whitburn 1 90.91x
Widnes 1 23.04x
Worcester St John 1 126.58x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 6
Eliza 2
Agnes 1
Annie 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Isabella 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
Johanna 1
Margaret 1
Margt. 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 8
James 4
Patrick 4
Thomas 3
Bernard 1
Charles 1
Charley 1
Christopher 1
Maurice 1
Philip 1
Thos. 1
William 1

FAQ

Mehan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mehan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 51 people were recorded with the Mehan surname. That placed it at #26,428 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mehan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 188 in 2016. That gives Mehan a modern rank of #20,417.

What does the Mehan surname mean?

A surname of possible Irish origin, potentially derived from the Gaelic word "meán" meaning "middle" or "center."

What does the Mehan map show?

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