NameCensus.

UK surname

Melin

A French occupational surname referring to a miller or one who operates or works in a mill.

In the 1881 census there were 52 people recorded with the Melin surname, ranking it #26,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 138, ranked #25,127, up from #26,281 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North East Lincolnshire, East Lindsey and New Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Melin is 138 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 165.4%.

1881 census count

52

Ranked #26,281

Modern count

138

2016, ranked #25,127

Peak year

2010

138 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Melin had 52 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,281 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 138 in 2016, ranked #25,127.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 67 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Melin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Melin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Melin 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 24 #29,038
1861 historical 36 #29,463
1881 historical 52 #26,281
1891 historical 67 #28,424
1901 historical 60 #27,502
1911 historical 38 #29,147
1997 modern 92 #28,079
1998 modern 98 #27,923
1999 modern 102 #27,468
2000 modern 109 #26,381
2001 modern 105 #26,620
2002 modern 102 #27,596
2003 modern 99 #27,871
2004 modern 101 #27,813
2005 modern 104 #27,369
2006 modern 116 #25,813
2007 modern 119 #25,747
2008 modern 129 #24,790
2009 modern 129 #25,314
2010 modern 138 #24,801
2011 modern 130 #25,547
2012 modern 136 #24,830
2013 modern 133 #25,655
2014 modern 138 #25,218
2015 modern 138 #25,103
2016 modern 138 #25,127

Geography

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Where Melins 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 North East Lincolnshire, East Lindsey, New Forest and Wakefield. 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 North East Lincolnshire 003 North East Lincolnshire
2 North East Lincolnshire 013 North East Lincolnshire
3 East Lindsey 003 East Lindsey
4 New Forest 023 New Forest
5 Wakefield 017 Wakefield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Melin

These lists show first names that appear often with the Melin 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 Melin

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Melin is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Melin 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

Melin falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Melin

The surname Melin is of French origin and dates back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "molin," meaning mill or windmill. The name likely originated in areas of northern France where milling was a common occupation, such as Normandy or Brittany.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Melin can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. It lists several individuals with the surname Melin, indicating that the name had already spread to England by the late 11th century.

In the 13th century, a prominent figure named Jean Melin was a French architect and engineer who worked on several notable projects, including the construction of the Château Gaillard in Normandy for King Richard the Lionheart.

During the Middle Ages, the name Melin was sometimes spelled with variations such as Melyn, Mellin, or Melin. These variations often reflected regional dialects or the preference of the individual scribes who recorded the name.

In the 16th century, a French explorer named Pierre Melin was among the first Europeans to establish settlements in what is now Canada. He founded the town of Tadoussac in Quebec in 1600, which became an important trading post for the fur trade.

Another notable individual with the surname Melin was Jacques Melin, a French painter and engraver who lived in the 17th century. He is best known for his engravings of landscapes and architectural subjects.

Other historical figures with the surname Melin include Marie-Anne Melin, a French opera singer who performed in the 18th century, and Joseph Melin, a Belgian mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 19th century.

Throughout history, the surname Melin has been associated with various occupations and professions, reflecting its origins as a name related to milling and the production of flour. While the name is most prevalent in France and countries with French cultural influence, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and exploration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Melin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Melin 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 22 Melins recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.59x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 22 3.59x
Worcestershire 7 10.37x
Cheshire 6 5.26x
Lanarkshire 4 2.39x
Monmouthshire 4 10.71x
Warwickshire 4 3.07x
Staffordshire 2 1.15x
Cambridgeshire 1 3.06x
Channel Islands 1 6.53x
Kent 1 0.57x
Yorkshire 1 0.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Halliwell in Lancashire leads with 8 Melins recorded in 1881 and an index of 358.74x.

Place Total Index
Halliwell 8 358.74x
Liverpool 8 21.48x
Offenham 7 7000.00x
Chester St John Baptist 6 292.68x
Spotland 6 87.98x
Aberystruth 4 121.58x
Shettleston 4 266.67x
Aston 2 5.57x
Ipsley 2 833.33x
Kinver 2 400.00x
Manea 1 476.19x
Minster In Sheppey 1 34.25x
Sheffield 1 6.14x
St Helier 1 20.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 2
Bridget 2
Jane 2
Mary 2
Sarah 2
Catherine 1
Ellen 1
Esther 1
Harriet 1
Honora 1
Kate 1
Lavinia 1
May 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 5
Thomas 5
Andrew 2
George 2
Henry 2
Patrick 2
Peter 2
William 2
C.J. 1
Charles 1
Chas. 1
Erik 1
J.F. 1
James 1
Leonard 1
Philip 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 Melin households.

FAQ

Melin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Melin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 52 people were recorded with the Melin surname. That placed it at #26,281 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Melin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 138 in 2016. That gives Melin a modern rank of #25,127.

What does the Melin surname mean?

A French occupational surname referring to a miller or one who operates or works in a mill.

What does the Melin map show?

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