UK surname
A surname derived from the French word for "melon," possibly relating to a grower or seller.
In the 1881 census there were 105 people recorded with the Melon surname, ranking it #19,183 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 47, ranked #35,069, down from #19,183 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Workington (Workington), Clossocks, St Dunstan Stepney and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Melon is 105 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 55.2%.
1881 census count
105
Ranked #19,183
Modern count
47
2016, ranked #35,069
Peak year
1881
105 bearers
Map years
1
1881 to 1881
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Melon surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Melon surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 53 | #23,739 |
| 1861 | historical | 87 | #22,681 |
| 1881 | historical | 105 | #19,183 |
| 1891 | historical | 48 | #30,447 |
| 1901 | historical | 32 | #30,501 |
| 1911 | historical | 9 | #32,754 |
| 1997 | modern | 30 | #34,701 |
| 1998 | modern | 26 | #35,254 |
| 1999 | modern | 26 | #35,320 |
| 2000 | modern | 29 | #34,976 |
| 2001 | modern | 27 | #35,041 |
| 2002 | modern | 26 | #35,338 |
| 2003 | modern | 26 | #35,371 |
| 2004 | modern | 28 | #35,354 |
| 2005 | modern | 28 | #35,510 |
| 2006 | modern | 30 | #35,526 |
| 2007 | modern | 33 | #35,461 |
| 2008 | modern | 41 | #35,067 |
| 2009 | modern | 44 | #35,028 |
| 2010 | modern | 51 | #34,773 |
| 2011 | modern | 44 | #35,161 |
| 2012 | modern | 38 | #35,481 |
| 2013 | modern | 39 | #35,483 |
| 2014 | modern | 41 | #35,396 |
| 2015 | modern | 42 | #35,322 |
| 2016 | modern | 47 | #35,069 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Workington (Workington), Clossocks, St Dunstan Stepney, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Stanmore, Little and Chester-le-Street. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Workington (Workington), Clossocks | Cumberland |
| 2 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 4 | Stanmore, Little | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 5 | Chester-le-Street | Durham |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Melon surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Melon, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Melon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Melon household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Melon is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Melon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Melon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Melon has its origins in France, where it emerged in the early medieval period, around the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "melon," which referred to the fruit of the same name. The name may have been initially given as a nickname or a descriptive name to someone associated with melons, such as a farmer or a merchant.
Historically, the name Melon can be traced back to various regions of France, particularly in the northern and central parts of the country. Some of the earliest records of the name appear in medieval documents and charters from regions like Normandy, Picardy, and Île-de-France.
In the 13th century, a notable figure named Guillaume Melon was mentioned in the cartulary of the Abbey of Saint-Père-en-Vallée in Chartres. Another early reference is found in the Trésor des Chartes, an archival collection of royal charters, where a certain Jean Melon is recorded in 1327.
During the Renaissance period, the name Melon gained prominence with the birth of the French humanist and poet, Étienne Melon (1495-1564). He was a renowned figure in the literary circles of his time and is considered one of the pioneers of the French Renaissance movement.
In the 17th century, the name Melon appeared in the records of the French nobility. One notable bearer was Jacques Melon, a French aristocrat and military officer who served under Louis XIV and participated in numerous campaigns during the latter part of the century.
The 18th century saw the rise of another prominent figure named Jean-François Melon (1675-1738), a French economist and writer who authored several influential works on political economy and trade.
As the name spread across France and into other regions, variations in spelling emerged, such as Mellon, Mellone, and Melloni. These variations were often influenced by local dialects and regional pronunciations.
Throughout history, the surname Melon has been associated with various professions and walks of life, from farmers and merchants to writers, artists, and military personnel. While not among the most common surnames in France, it has maintained a distinct presence and legacy across the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Melon surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Cumberland leads with 15 Melons recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.01x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland | 15 | 17.01x |
| Durham | 15 | 4.92x |
| Warwickshire | 14 | 5.42x |
| Angus | 12 | 12.65x |
| Lancashire | 12 | 0.99x |
| Yorkshire | 9 | 0.89x |
| Ayrshire | 5 | 6.52x |
| Gloucestershire | 5 | 2.49x |
| Lanarkshire | 3 | 0.91x |
| Wigtownshire | 3 | 22.06x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.20x |
| Northumberland | 2 | 1.31x |
| Sussex | 2 | 1.16x |
| Worcestershire | 2 | 1.50x |
| Aberdeenshire | 1 | 1.05x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 1.54x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.49x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 1.26x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 14 Melons recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.26x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 14 | 16.26x |
| Workington | 14 | 277.23x |
| Birtley | 11 | 887.10x |
| Liff Benvie | 8 | 55.56x |
| Salford | 7 | 19.58x |
| Bradford | 6 | 24.42x |
| Riccarton | 5 | 431.03x |
| Bristol St Augustine | 4 | 123.46x |
| Barony | 3 | 3.58x |
| Denby | 3 | 545.45x |
| Dundee | 3 | 8.47x |
| Mochrum | 3 | 370.37x |
| Bromsgrove | 2 | 44.44x |
| Tweedmouth | 2 | 105.26x |
| Bristol Christchurch | 1 | 344.83x |
| Caldewgate | 1 | 20.70x |
| Coxhoe | 1 | 116.28x |
| Dawdon | 1 | 26.67x |
| Everton | 1 | 2.58x |
| Framwellgate | 1 | 55.25x |
| Great Little Marsden | 1 | 17.95x |
| Hastings St Mary | 1 | 23.26x |
| Hove | 1 | 13.19x |
| King Edward | 1 | 91.74x |
| Little Bolton | 1 | 6.40x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 1.35x |
| Manchester | 1 | 1.83x |
| Mearns | 1 | 71.94x |
| Mile End Old Town | 1 | 6.18x |
| Montrose | 1 | 17.39x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 1.83x |
| Stockton On Tees | 1 | 6.81x |
| Wisbech St Mary | 1 | 135.14x |
| Witham | 1 | 96.15x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Melon surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Melon surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Melon households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 18 |
| Coal Miner | 4 |
| Lab At Ironwks | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| School | 2 |
| Warehouseman | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Baker & Confectioner | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Carter | 1 |
| Charwomam | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Clerk Chemical | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Farmer 100 Acr 1 Man | 1 |
| French Polisher | 1 |
| Grocer | 1 |
| Hair Dresser | 1 |
| Hotel Manager Keeper | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Inspector (Manufacturer) | 1 |
| Lab At Ironworks | 1 |
| Masons Labourer | 1 |
| Milk Carrier | 1 |
| Porter | 1 |
| Printer Lithographic | 1 |
| Scholar (Boarders) | 1 |
| Servanat | 1 |
| Street Labourer | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
| Vocalist (Music) | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
| Worsted Weaver | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 105 people were recorded with the Melon surname. That placed it at #19,183 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 47 in 2016. That gives Melon a modern rank of #35,069.
A surname derived from the French word for "melon," possibly relating to a grower or seller.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Melon bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.