NameCensus.

UK surname

Mele

An Italian occupational surname referring to an apple grower or seller, derived from the Italian word for apple, "mela."

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Mele surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 129, ranked #26,270, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Eastbourne, King's Lynn and West Norfolk and Sandwell.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mele is 129 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12800.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

129

2016, ranked #26,270

Peak year

2015

129 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mele had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 129 in 2016, ranked #26,270.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 34 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Mele surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mele surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mele 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 11 #31,309
1861 historical 34 #29,685
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 3 #34,257
1901 historical 8 #33,289
1911 historical 8 #32,903
1997 modern 67 #30,915
1998 modern 66 #31,387
1999 modern 69 #31,223
2000 modern 76 #30,578
2001 modern 68 #31,195
2002 modern 67 #31,723
2003 modern 81 #30,311
2004 modern 81 #30,569
2005 modern 92 #29,271
2006 modern 84 #30,665
2007 modern 93 #29,777
2008 modern 89 #30,713
2009 modern 95 #30,393
2010 modern 109 #28,831
2011 modern 108 #28,811
2012 modern 118 #27,250
2013 modern 123 #26,974
2014 modern 126 #26,781
2015 modern 129 #26,226
2016 modern 129 #26,270

Geography

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Where Meles 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 Eastbourne, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Sandwell, Swindon and Westminster. 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 Eastbourne 001 Eastbourne
2 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 002 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
3 Sandwell 037 Sandwell
4 Swindon 017 Swindon
5 Westminster 023 Westminster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mele

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mele

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mele, 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 Mele surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Mele 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, Mele 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

Mele 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

Mele falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mele 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
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Mele

The surname Mele has its origins in Italy, specifically in the Calabrian region of southern Italy. It likely emerged in the late Middle Ages or early Renaissance period, around the 13th to 15th centuries.

The name Mele is believed to be derived from the Latin word "melis," meaning "honey." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to beekeepers or honey merchants in the region. Alternatively, it could also be linked to the Italian word "mela," meaning "apple," potentially indicating a connection to apple growers or traders.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Mele can be found in a document from the town of Cosenza, dated to the year 1428, which mentions a certain Antonello Mele. This suggests that the name was already established in the area by the early 15th century.

In the 16th century, there are records of a noble family named Mele residing in the town of Rende, near Cosenza. The family was notable for their involvement in local politics and landholdings. A prominent member of this family was Girolamo Mele, who served as a magistrate in the late 1500s.

Another notable figure bearing the surname Mele was Domenico Mele, a Baroque painter active in Naples during the 17th century. He was known for his religious works and was commissioned by several churches and patrons in the region.

Moving forward to the 18th century, there is mention of a philosopher and theologian named Giovanni Battista Mele, who was born in Castrovillari in 1701. He wrote extensively on metaphysics and ethics and was highly regarded in his time.

In the 19th century, a prominent figure with the surname Mele was Vincenzo Mele, an Italian politician and patriot who played a role in the Risorgimento, the movement for Italian unification. He was born in Catanzaro in 1808 and served as a deputy in the newly formed Parliament of the Kingdom of Italy.

These examples illustrate the long history and presence of the surname Mele in various parts of southern Italy, particularly in the Calabrian region. While the name may have originated from humble beginnings related to honey or apple cultivation, it has also been borne by notable individuals in various fields throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mele families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mele 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 1 Meles recorded in 1881 and an index of 67.57x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 1 67.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Swaffham in Norfolk leads with 1 Meles recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Swaffham 1 10000.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 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 Mele households.

Occupation Count
Agr Laborer 1

FAQ

Mele surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mele surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Mele surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mele surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 129 in 2016. That gives Mele a modern rank of #26,270.

What does the Mele surname mean?

An Italian occupational surname referring to an apple grower or seller, derived from the Italian word for apple, "mela."

What does the Mele map show?

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