NameCensus.

UK surname

Melody

A surname derived from the French word "melodie" meaning a sweet-sounding musical harmony.

In the 1881 census there were 89 people recorded with the Melody surname, ranking it #21,091 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 365, ranked #12,721, up from #21,091 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Radcliffe, St Denis in Walmgate, St George and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Salford, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Melody is 367 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 310.1%.

1881 census count

89

Ranked #21,091

Modern count

365

2016, ranked #12,721

Peak year

2011

367 bearers

Map years

6

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Melody had 89 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,091 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 365 in 2016, ranked #12,721.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 117 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Melody surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Melody surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Melody 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 102 #16,933
1861 historical 74 #24,370
1881 historical 89 #21,091
1891 historical 59 #29,325
1901 historical 117 #20,830
1911 historical 107 #21,842
1997 modern 327 #12,784
1998 modern 330 #13,046
1999 modern 349 #12,638
2000 modern 339 #12,857
2001 modern 326 #13,006
2002 modern 338 #12,939
2003 modern 334 #12,847
2004 modern 325 #13,161
2005 modern 323 #13,133
2006 modern 321 #13,258
2007 modern 324 #13,322
2008 modern 329 #13,286
2009 modern 344 #13,138
2010 modern 355 #13,099
2011 modern 367 #12,647
2012 modern 355 #12,816
2013 modern 366 #12,733
2014 modern 361 #12,979
2015 modern 360 #12,880
2016 modern 365 #12,721

Geography

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Where Melodys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Radcliffe, St Denis in Walmgate, St George, Manchester, Bradford and St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Salford, North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, Croydon and Manchester. 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 Radcliffe Lancashire
2 St Denis in Walmgate, St George Yorkshire, East Riding
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
5 St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles Yorkshire, East Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Salford 024 Salford
2 North East Lincolnshire 014 North East Lincolnshire
3 North Lincolnshire 001 North Lincolnshire
4 Croydon 037 Croydon
5 Manchester 005 Manchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Melody

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Melody

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Melody surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Melody 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Melody is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Melody 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

Melody falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Melody 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Melody

The surname Melody is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "mele" and "deye," which together mean "a hired workman." The name was likely given as an occupational surname to individuals who worked as hired laborers or servants.

One of the earliest known records of the surname Melody can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a person named Petrus Melodye is listed as residing in Oxfordshire. This suggests that the name was already in use by the 13th century.

In the 14th century, variations of the name, such as Meloday and Meloodye, can be found in various historical records from different parts of England, including Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire.

During the 16th century, the surname Melody began appearing in parish records and other documents with greater frequency. One notable individual bearing this name was John Melody, a merchant who lived in London during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603).

In the 17th century, the surname Melody spread to other parts of the British Isles, including Scotland and Ireland. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in Scotland is that of Robert Melody, who was born in Aberdeen in 1623.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have carried the surname Melody. These include:

1. William Melody (1608-1672), an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works. 2. James Melody (1755-1832), an Irish playwright and poet known for his satirical works. 3. Elizabeth Melody (1836-1914), an English philanthropist and social reformer who worked to improve conditions for working-class women and children. 4. Thomas Melody (1855-1927), an Irish-born American politician who served as the Mayor of Brooklyn, New York. 5. Charles Melody (1884-1958), a British actor and stage performer who appeared in several plays and films in the early 20th century.

While the surname Melody may have originated as an occupational name for hired workers, it has since become a more widely distributed surname, with families bearing this name found in various parts of the English-speaking world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Melody families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Melody 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 52 Melodys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.62x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 52 5.62x
Yorkshire 16 2.07x
Lincolnshire 4 3.21x
Lanarkshire 3 1.19x
Warwickshire 2 1.02x
Cumberland 1 1.49x
Dunbartonshire 1 4.77x
Sussex 1 0.76x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Manchester in Lancashire leads with 13 Melodys recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.22x.

Place Total Index
Manchester 13 31.22x
Higher Booths 9 538.92x
Bradford 6 32.05x
Radcliffe 6 134.53x
Blackburn 5 20.30x
Sandal Magna 4 350.88x
Barony 3 4.70x
Church 3 229.01x
Clifford Cum Boston 3 428.57x
Epworth 3 517.24x
Holy Trinity 3 16.13x
Tottington Lower End 3 68.18x
Widnes 3 44.91x
Atherton 2 59.35x
Birmingham 2 3.05x
Salford 2 7.34x
Toxteth Park 2 6.38x
Bonhill 1 29.67x
Fulwood 1 100.00x
Habergham Eaves 1 11.82x
Iping 1 714.29x
Lancaster 1 18.15x
Morton In Bourn 1 400.00x
Warrington 1 9.11x
Whitehaven 1 27.93x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 7
James 6
Edward 3
Anthony 2
Patrick 2
Thomas 2
William 2
Abraham 1
Charles 1
Frank 1
George 1
Hugh 1
Michael 1
Robert 1
Robt. 1
Tom 1
Wm 1

FAQ

Melody surname: questions and answers

How common was the Melody surname in 1881?

In 1881, 89 people were recorded with the Melody surname. That placed it at #21,091 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Melody surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 365 in 2016. That gives Melody a modern rank of #12,721.

What does the Melody surname mean?

A surname derived from the French word "melodie" meaning a sweet-sounding musical harmony.

What does the Melody map show?

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