NameCensus.

UK surname

Mein

A German surname derived from the Middle High German word "mein" meaning "great" or "large".

In the 1881 census there were 342 people recorded with the Mein surname, ranking it #8,902 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 474, ranked #10,385, down from #8,902 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Melrose, Carlisle St Cuthbert and Newcastle All Saints. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Bristol and Allerdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mein is 506 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.6%.

1881 census count

342

Ranked #8,902

Modern count

474

2016, ranked #10,385

Peak year

1998

506 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mein had 342 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,902 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 474 in 2016, ranked #10,385.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 499 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Mein surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mein surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mein 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 329 #7,079
1861 historical 323 #7,888
1881 historical 342 #8,902
1891 historical 467 #7,846
1901 historical 499 #8,065
1911 historical 329 #10,688
1997 modern 486 #9,500
1998 modern 506 #9,501
1999 modern 498 #9,687
2000 modern 501 #9,619
2001 modern 479 #9,767
2002 modern 485 #9,846
2003 modern 441 #10,458
2004 modern 473 #9,905
2005 modern 466 #9,935
2006 modern 470 #9,924
2007 modern 468 #10,039
2008 modern 464 #10,190
2009 modern 483 #10,114
2010 modern 481 #10,332
2011 modern 478 #10,299
2012 modern 462 #10,470
2013 modern 467 #10,544
2014 modern 474 #10,486
2015 modern 469 #10,500
2016 modern 474 #10,385

Geography

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Where Meins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Melrose, Carlisle St Cuthbert, Newcastle All Saints, Edinburgh and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Bristol, Allerdale, Granton South and Wardieburn and Leeds. 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 Melrose Roxburgh
2 Carlisle St Cuthbert Cumberland
3 Newcastle All Saints Northumberland
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 046 County Durham
2 Bristol 003 Bristol, City of
3 Allerdale 005 Allerdale
4 Granton South and Wardieburn City of Edinburgh
5 Leeds 041 Leeds

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mein

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mein

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Mein surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Mein 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 house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Mein is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mein is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mein falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mein

The surname Mein originates from Germany and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Middle High German word "meien," which means "to prosper" or "to thrive." The name was likely initially given as a descriptive surname to someone who was seen as prosperous or thriving in their community.

In the 14th century, the name Mein appeared in various records across German-speaking regions, including the Bavarian town of Regensburg. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname is found in a document from 1345, which mentions a "Johannes Mein" residing in the city of Nuremberg.

The Mein surname can also be linked to certain place names in Germany, such as the village of Meinau in Baden-Württemberg. It is possible that some individuals adopted the name based on their association with these locations.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname Mein was Johann Christian Mein (1728-1807), a German theologian and philosopher who was a professor at the University of Halle. Another prominent individual was Christoph Friedrich Mein (1775-1852), a German architect known for his work on various public buildings and churches in Berlin.

In the 19th century, the Mein surname appeared in several genealogical records and census documents across various German states. One example is Johann Georg Mein (1817-1887), a German politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Prussian House of Representatives.

Another individual of note was Amalie Mein (1847-1923), a German writer and feminist who advocated for women's rights and education. She was born in Mannheim and published several novels and essays during her lifetime.

In the 20th century, one of the most well-known figures with the surname Mein was Gerhard Mein (1904-1981), a German chemist and inventor who developed the process for manufacturing synthetic caffeine. His work had a significant impact on the pharmaceutical industry.

While the surname Mein has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to other parts of the world through immigration and migration. However, its origins can be traced back to the prosperous and thriving individuals who bore this name in various German-speaking regions throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mein families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mein 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. Northumberland leads with 52 Meins recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.51x.

County Total Index
Northumberland 52 10.51x
Midlothian 41 9.20x
Roxburghshire 41 68.05x
Berwickshire 23 57.10x
Middlesex 22 0.66x
Cumberland 21 7.33x
Lancashire 19 0.48x
Lanarkshire 17 1.58x
Durham 15 1.52x
Selkirkshire 14 46.53x
Essex 12 1.83x
Renfrewshire 10 3.88x
Sussex 9 1.60x
Yorkshire 8 0.24x
Gloucestershire 7 1.07x
Kirkcudbrightshire 7 14.54x
Shropshire 5 1.74x
Cheshire 4 0.54x
Warwickshire 4 0.48x
Worcestershire 3 0.69x
Kent 2 0.18x
Oxfordshire 2 0.97x
East Lothian 1 2.27x
Hampshire 1 0.15x
Surrey 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 25 Meins recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.94x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 25 13.94x
Westgate 13 42.41x
Jedburgh 12 203.39x
Hackney London 11 5.90x
Melrose 11 145.31x
West Ham 11 7.59x
Cathcart 10 71.68x
St Cuthbert W O 10 71.63x
Elswick 9 22.78x
Govan 9 3.38x
Bedlington 8 48.40x
Coldstream 8 274.91x
Glasgow 8 4.19x
Hume 8 1739.13x
Kelso 8 133.33x
Buittle 7 619.47x
Cirencester 7 79.28x
Hastings St Mary 7 50.14x
Benwell 6 110.91x
Edinburgh St Georges 6 64.86x
Finchley 6 47.06x
Liverpool 6 2.50x
Southcoates 6 32.79x
Toxteth Park 6 4.49x
Birtley 5 123.76x
Broughton In Salford 5 13.85x
Edgmond 5 158.23x
Edinburgh Old 5 185.19x
Hensingham 5 213.68x
Legerwood 5 781.25x
Roxburgh 5 434.78x
Berwick Upon Tweed 4 38.13x
Birmingham 4 1.43x
Cavers 4 264.90x
Cowpen 4 35.09x
Melrose 4 76.78x
Stockton On Tees 4 8.39x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 3 28.46x
Galashiels 3 26.95x
Liscard 3 22.68x
Newcastle On Tyne St 3 11.70x
North Bedburn 3 108.30x
Ratcliffe London 3 16.33x
St Cuthbert W O Brisco 3 909.09x
Bexley 2 19.94x
Castleton 2 77.22x
Cockpen 2 38.39x
Framwellgate 2 34.13x
Hastings St Leonards 2 24.27x
Kidderminster Borough 2 7.87x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 2 6.77x
Southdean 2 240.96x
Wallsend 2 12.74x
Ancrum 1 64.10x
Aston Cote 1 123.46x
Barrow In Furness 1 1.86x
Blackburn 1 0.95x
Bowdon 1 34.36x
Hawick 1 7.42x
Irton With Santon 1 140.85x
Kensington London 1 0.54x
Lilliesleaf 1 121.95x
Low Holme 1 61.73x
Maxton 1 192.31x
Mordington 1 238.10x
Putney 1 6.60x
Roxby 1 476.19x
Settle 1 39.68x
Shildon 1 12.58x
Shoreditch London 1 0.69x
St Mary Extra 1 18.21x
Stainton 1 104.17x
Swinton 1 90.91x
Tranent 1 16.81x
Wanstead 1 8.70x
Weetslade 1 116.28x
Woodstock 1 77.52x
Yardley 1 9.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 21
Jane 11
Ann 6
Elizabeth 6
Margaret 5
Ellen 3
Isabella 3
Sarah 3
Annie 2
Emily 2
Hannah 2
Jessie 2
Agnes 1
Amelia 1
Augusta 1
Beatrice 1
Caroline 1
Clara 1
Constance 1
David 1
E. 1
Edith 1
Elizth.A. 1
Elizzth. 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Eva 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Georgina 1
Henreitta 1
Hilda 1
Isab. 1
Isabel 1
Lilly 1
Louisa 1
Martha 1
Nora 1
Rachel 1
Rosalie 1
Selenea 1
Sophia 1
Susannah 1
Tamer 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Mein surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mein surname in 1881?

In 1881, 342 people were recorded with the Mein surname. That placed it at #8,902 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mein surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 474 in 2016. That gives Mein a modern rank of #10,385.

What does the Mein surname mean?

A German surname derived from the Middle High German word "mein" meaning "great" or "large".

What does the Mein map show?

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