NameCensus.

UK surname

Meier

An occupational surname referring to a steward, bailiff, or higher-ranking peasant farmer.

In the 1881 census there were 60 people recorded with the Meier surname, ranking it #25,133 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 374, ranked #12,490, up from #25,133 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St George in the East, Arlsey and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Dover, Wandsworth and Rother.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Meier is 380 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 523.3%.

1881 census count

60

Ranked #25,133

Modern count

374

2016, ranked #12,490

Peak year

2014

380 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Meier had 60 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #25,133 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 374 in 2016, ranked #12,490.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 187 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Meier surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Meier surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Meier 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 23 #31,039
1881 historical 60 #25,133
1891 historical 118 #21,540
1901 historical 115 #21,050
1911 historical 187 #15,600
1997 modern 234 #15,939
1998 modern 261 #15,241
1999 modern 295 #14,108
2000 modern 295 #14,070
2001 modern 286 #14,160
2002 modern 299 #14,017
2003 modern 293 #14,037
2004 modern 306 #13,720
2005 modern 311 #13,490
2006 modern 312 #13,554
2007 modern 324 #13,322
2008 modern 326 #13,374
2009 modern 334 #13,409
2010 modern 320 #14,088
2011 modern 324 #13,839
2012 modern 353 #12,877
2013 modern 360 #12,890
2014 modern 380 #12,449
2015 modern 375 #12,470
2016 modern 374 #12,490

Geography

Back to top

Where Meiers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St George in the East, Arlsey, London parishes and St Mary Whitechapel. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Dover, Wandsworth, Rother, Hertsmere and Oxford. 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 St George in the East London (East Districts)
2 Arlsey Bedfordshire
3 London parishes London 1
4 St Mary Whitechapel London (East Districts)
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Dover 006 Dover
2 Wandsworth 026 Wandsworth
3 Rother 001 Rother
4 Hertsmere 005 Hertsmere
5 Oxford 008 Oxford

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Meier

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Meier

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Meier surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Meier 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Meier 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

Meier is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Meier 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 Meier 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Meier

The surname MEIER has its origins in Germany and is derived from the German word "Meier," which referred to a bailiff, steward, or tenant farmer. It is believed to have emerged as a surname in the 12th or 13th century, during the era of the Holy Roman Empire.

The name MEIER was particularly common in the southern and central regions of Germany, such as Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Saxony. It is thought to have evolved from the Old High German word "meier," which meant a steward or overseer of an estate or manor.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name MEIER can be found in the Codex Traditionum Ecclesiae Coloniensis, a 12th-century manuscript from the Archdiocese of Cologne. This document mentions a "Hartmannus Meier" from the year 1149.

Another notable historical reference is the Württembergisches Urkundenbuch, a collection of documents from the former German state of Württemberg. This compilation includes several mentions of individuals with the surname MEIER, such as "Cunradus Meier" in 1289 and "Henricus Meier" in 1302.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name MEIER was Johannes Meier, a German theologian and reformer who lived from around 1425 to 1501. He played a significant role in the early stages of the Protestant Reformation.

Other notable individuals with the surname MEIER throughout history include:

1. Joachim Meier (1661-1732), a German painter and engraver from Nuremberg. 2. Ernst Meier (1832-1911), a Swiss politician and member of the Swiss Federal Council. 3. Julius Meier (1874-1957), an American businessman and co-founder of the Weyerhaeuser Company. 4. Christian Meier (born 1976), a German actor known for his roles in films like "The Lives of Others" and "The Baader Meinhof Complex." 5. Sebastian Meier (born 1990), a German professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper.

While the surname MEIER is most commonly associated with Germany, it has also been found in other German-speaking regions, such as Switzerland and Austria, as well as in countries with significant German immigration, like the United States and Canada.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Meier families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Meier 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. Middlesex leads with 34 Meiers recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.81x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 34 5.81x
Essex 6 5.19x
Hampshire 5 4.17x
Surrey 5 1.75x
Yorkshire 4 0.69x
Kent 2 1.00x
Somerset 2 2.12x
Lancashire 1 0.14x
Norfolk 1 1.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Whitechapel London in Middlesex leads with 10 Meiers recorded in 1881 and an index of 173.31x.

Place Total Index
Whitechapel London 10 173.31x
St George Hanover 7 91.62x
West Ham 6 23.53x
St George In East 5 125.63x
Camberwell 4 10.70x
Islington London 4 7.05x
Leeds 4 12.22x
St Giles In Fields 4 198.02x
Aldershot 3 74.63x
Bathwick 2 192.31x
Bromley 2 65.79x
St Anne Soho London 2 59.88x
Christchurch 1 38.46x
Hammersmith London 1 6.94x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 1 37.04x
Liverpool 1 2.37x
Paddington London 1 4.65x
Reigate Foreign 1 32.36x
St Faith Winchester 1 178.57x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Amy 1
Ana 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Antoni 1
Cecilie 1
Doratter 1
Doreta 1
Doris 1
Elisabeth 1
Eliza 1
Emily 1
Essie 1
Eveling 1
Fanny 1
Georgine 1
Hanne 1
Islo 1
Matilde 1
Minnie 1
Nelly 1
Rachel 1
Rebecca 1
S. 1
Sarah 1
Sofie 1
Sophia 1
T.J. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 3
Abraham 2
Francis 2
Frederick 2
William 2
C. 1
Christian 1
D. 1
Earnest 1
Frank 1
Franz 1
Gebhard 1
Gustas 1
Harry 1
Heinrich 1
Henry 1
Herman 1
Jacob 1
Julius 1
L. 1
Mauris 1
Paul 1
Peter 1

Top occupations

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 Meier households.

FAQ

Meier surname: questions and answers

How common was the Meier surname in 1881?

In 1881, 60 people were recorded with the Meier surname. That placed it at #25,133 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Meier surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 374 in 2016. That gives Meier a modern rank of #12,490.

What does the Meier surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a steward, bailiff, or higher-ranking peasant farmer.

What does the Meier map show?

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