NameCensus.

UK surname

Melhuish

An English surname derived from a place name referring to someone who lived near a mill house.

In the 1881 census there were 792 people recorded with the Melhuish surname, ranking it #4,700 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,058, ranked #5,515, down from #4,700 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) and Tormoham with Torquay. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Taunton Deane, Cornwall and Torbay.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Melhuish is 1,216 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 33.6%.

1881 census count

792

Ranked #4,700

Modern count

1,058

2016, ranked #5,515

Peak year

1999

1,216 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Melhuish had 792 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,700 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,058 in 2016, ranked #5,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,113 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Melhuish surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Melhuish surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Melhuish 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 539 #4,676
1861 historical 514 #5,094
1881 historical 792 #4,700
1891 historical 767 #5,208
1901 historical 1,113 #4,344
1911 historical 1,078 #4,303
1997 modern 1,143 #4,913
1998 modern 1,205 #4,863
1999 modern 1,216 #4,865
2000 modern 1,190 #4,942
2001 modern 1,179 #4,879
2002 modern 1,205 #4,886
2003 modern 1,165 #4,928
2004 modern 1,138 #5,043
2005 modern 1,108 #5,100
2006 modern 1,088 #5,181
2007 modern 1,102 #5,180
2008 modern 1,087 #5,273
2009 modern 1,121 #5,237
2010 modern 1,127 #5,327
2011 modern 1,107 #5,342
2012 modern 1,080 #5,371
2013 modern 1,095 #5,393
2014 modern 1,093 #5,426
2015 modern 1,069 #5,480
2016 modern 1,058 #5,515

Geography

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Where Melhuishs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Tormoham with Torquay and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Taunton Deane, Cornwall, Torbay, Cardiff and South Gloucestershire. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) Devon
3 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
4 London parishes London 1
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Taunton Deane 011 Taunton Deane
2 Cornwall 016 Cornwall
3 Torbay 010 Torbay
4 Cardiff 041 Cardiff
5 South Gloucestershire 015 South Gloucestershire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Melhuish

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Melhuish

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Melhuish surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Melhuish household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Melhuish is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Melhuish is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Melhuish 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 Melhuish 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 Melhuish, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Melhuish

The surname Melhuish is of English origin, and it first appeared in the county of Devon during the 12th century. The name is derived from the Old English words "mylen-hus," meaning "mill house." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name lived near a mill or worked in one.

The earliest recorded instance of the Melhuish surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Devon, dated 1195. These rolls were records of financial transactions maintained by the English Exchequer. The name appears as "Milnehus," which is an older spelling variation.

In the 13th century, the Melhuish family held lands and estates in the parish of Ugborough, near the village of Bittaford in Devon. The family's prominence in the area is evidenced by the existence of Melhuish Farm, which still bears their name today.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Melhuish surname was John Melhuish, who was born around 1450 in Devon. He was a landowner and is mentioned in various legal documents of the time.

In the 16th century, the Melhuish family expanded their influence beyond Devon. Richard Melhuish (1523-1589) was a wealthy merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol. He played a significant role in the city's governance and was known for his philanthropic efforts.

During the English Civil War (1642-1651), Samuel Melhuish (1610-1670) was a prominent Puritan minister and a supporter of the Parliamentarian cause. He was a member of the Westminster Assembly, which was responsible for the creation of the Westminster Confession of Faith.

Another notable bearer of the Melhuish name was Sir George Melhuish (1771-1846), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. He rose to the rank of Rear Admiral and was awarded the Order of the Bath for his distinguished service.

In the 19th century, John Melhuish (1830-1901) was a renowned English architect known for his work on many churches and public buildings in Devon and Cornwall. One of his most famous works is the St. Mary's Church in Bampton, Devon, which he designed in the Gothic Revival style.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Melhuish families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Melhuish 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. Devon leads with 339 Melhuishs recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.05x.

County Total Index
Devon 339 21.05x
Middlesex 111 1.43x
Somerset 67 5.38x
Gloucestershire 65 4.28x
Surrey 57 1.51x
Kent 41 1.55x
Lancashire 26 0.28x
Glamorgan 17 1.26x
Lincolnshire 15 1.21x
Dorset 10 1.97x
Hampshire 7 0.44x
Worcestershire 7 0.69x
Essex 5 0.33x
Cornwall 4 0.46x
Norfolk 4 0.34x
Warwickshire 4 0.21x
Cheshire 3 0.18x
Monmouthshire 3 0.54x
Royal Navy 3 3.25x
Shropshire 2 0.30x
Herefordshire 1 0.32x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.41x
Wiltshire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tiverton in Devon leads with 31 Melhuishs recorded in 1881 and an index of 111.75x.

Place Total Index
Tiverton 31 111.75x
Tormoham 23 33.76x
Lambeth 22 3.26x
Exeter St Sidwell 21 56.94x
Bristol St Paul In 19 47.01x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 18 12.60x
St Marylebone London 15 3.63x
Crediton 14 91.74x
Clee With Weelsby 13 48.01x
Littleham 13 110.45x
Newington 13 4.55x
Shoreditch London 13 3.88x
St George Hanover 13 12.88x
Cheriton Fitzpaine 12 588.24x
Paignton 11 89.80x
Plymouth St Andrew 11 8.87x
Cullompton 10 142.25x
Inwardleigh 10 735.29x
Skilgate 10 1724.14x
Taunton St James 10 55.07x
Beckenham 9 26.09x
St Pancras London 9 1.45x
Werrington 9 517.24x
Westminster St James 9 11.32x
Gloucester St John Baptist 8 81.63x
High Littleton 8 390.24x
Margate St John Baptist 8 16.55x
Bermondsey 7 3.04x
Camberwell 7 1.42x
East Teignmouth 7 106.22x
Exeter Alphington 7 237.29x
Finchley 7 23.60x
Sampford Peverell 7 409.36x
South Molton 7 79.10x
Uffculme 7 145.83x
Wambrook 7 1000.00x
Witheridge 7 258.30x
Bristol St James In 6 26.89x
Cardiff St Mary 6 8.09x
Deptford St Paul 6 2.95x
Exeter St Edmund 6 172.91x
Islington London 6 0.80x
Kenn 6 239.04x
Rewe 6 800.00x
Stawley 6 1463.41x
Twerton 6 46.73x
Widnes 6 9.06x
Accrington 5 5.99x
Bristol St James St Paul 5 9.88x
Exeter St Thomas The 5 30.47x
Gravesend 5 22.37x
Halstead 5 28.07x
Kentisbeare 5 225.23x
Kingskerswell 5 187.27x
Llandaff 5 11.16x
Milton In Gravesend 5 12.63x
Pitminster 5 136.61x
Plymtree 5 434.78x
Portsea 5 1.61x
West Derby 5 1.86x
Whitchurch 5 176.68x
Acton 4 8.82x
Aylesbeare 4 171.67x
Bury 4 3.82x
Clerkenwell London 4 2.19x
Cutcombe 4 268.46x
Exeter Heavitree 4 33.31x
Exeter Holy Trinity 4 63.39x
Exeter St Mary Steps 4 110.19x
Farway 4 519.48x
Hockworthy 4 493.83x
Kings Brompton Brompton 4 615.38x
Mile End Old Town 4 3.28x
Mortlake 4 23.81x
Ottery St Mary 4 37.88x
Paddington London 4 1.41x
St Anne Soho London 4 9.06x
St Austell 4 13.36x
Washfield 4 380.95x
Bruton 3 61.22x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 53
William 52
George 23
Henry 23
James 23
Thomas 22
Robert 20
Arthur 11
Frank 11
Alfred 9
Charles 9
Edward 7
Albert 6
Joseph 6
Walter 6
Edwin 5
Ernest 5
Frederick 5
Richard 5
Samuel 5
Sidney 5
Geo. 4
Herbert 4
Wm. 4
Daniel 3
Mark 3
Stephen 3
Canute 2
Edgar 2
Francis 2
Jas. 2
Joshua 2
Laurence 2
Reginald 2
Reuben 2
Sydney 2
Thos. 2
W.J. 2
Abner 1
Alwyn 1
Charlotte 1
Chas. 1
Eli 1
Fanny 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Leon 1
Lewis 1
Wm.G. 1

FAQ

Melhuish surname: questions and answers

How common was the Melhuish surname in 1881?

In 1881, 792 people were recorded with the Melhuish surname. That placed it at #4,700 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Melhuish surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,058 in 2016. That gives Melhuish a modern rank of #5,515.

What does the Melhuish surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name referring to someone who lived near a mill house.

What does the Melhuish map show?

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