NameCensus.

UK surname

Melton

From an English place name meaning "middletown" or a settlement in the middle of two other places.

In the 1881 census there were 1,055 people recorded with the Melton surname, ranking it #3,733 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,608, ranked #3,868, down from #3,733 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lincoln St Botolph, London parishes and Docking. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Breckland and Fenland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Melton is 1,696 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 52.4%.

1881 census count

1,055

Ranked #3,733

Modern count

1,608

2016, ranked #3,868

Peak year

2002

1,696 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Melton had 1,055 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,733 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,608 in 2016, ranked #3,868.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,618 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Melton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Melton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Melton 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 741 #3,555
1861 historical 747 #3,653
1881 historical 1,055 #3,733
1891 historical 1,267 #3,407
1901 historical 1,354 #3,707
1911 historical 1,618 #3,001
1997 modern 1,641 #3,618
1998 modern 1,692 #3,642
1999 modern 1,661 #3,742
2000 modern 1,665 #3,705
2001 modern 1,621 #3,729
2002 modern 1,696 #3,658
2003 modern 1,603 #3,758
2004 modern 1,615 #3,741
2005 modern 1,570 #3,796
2006 modern 1,555 #3,822
2007 modern 1,564 #3,835
2008 modern 1,561 #3,880
2009 modern 1,635 #3,811
2010 modern 1,658 #3,843
2011 modern 1,653 #3,812
2012 modern 1,628 #3,781
2013 modern 1,633 #3,851
2014 modern 1,640 #3,859
2015 modern 1,628 #3,840
2016 modern 1,608 #3,868

Geography

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Where Meltons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lincoln St Botolph, London parishes, Docking and Scarborough. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Breckland and Fenland. 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 Lincoln St Botolph Lincolnshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Docking Norfolk
4 London parishes London 3
5 Scarborough Yorkshire, North Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 016 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
2 Breckland 006 Breckland
3 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 013 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
4 Fenland 002 Fenland
5 Fenland 004 Fenland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Melton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Melton

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Melton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Melton 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Melton 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

Melton is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Melton

The surname Melton has its origins in England, and it is believed to have emerged in the late 11th century or early 12th century. The name is derived from the Old English words "mele" and "tun," which together mean "mill town" or "town with a mill." This suggests that the name was initially given to individuals who lived in a settlement with a mill or were associated with the milling trade.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Melton can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and resources commissioned by William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book mentions several places with the name "Meltune" or similar spellings, indicating the presence of individuals bearing this surname in various parts of England during that time.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "de Meltona" and "de Melton," reflecting the practice of using locational surnames to identify individuals. This practice was common among the nobility and gentry, who often took their surnames from the places where they held land or property.

One notable figure bearing the surname Melton was William de Melton, who served as the Archbishop of York from 1317 to 1340. He played a significant role in the political and religious affairs of England during the reign of Edward II and Edward III.

Another prominent individual with the surname Melton was John Melton, a 15th-century English philosopher and theologian. He was a fellow of Oxford University and served as the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1437 to 1443.

In the 16th century, the name Melton was associated with several notable figures, including Sir William Melton (c. 1535-1599), who served as the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales from 1592 to 1599.

During the 17th century, the name gained prominence in various parts of England, and one notable individual bearing the surname was Edward Melton (1622-1676), an English Puritan minister and religious writer.

The 18th century saw the rise of Thomas Melton (1713-1782), an English composer and organist who made significant contributions to the music of the Anglican Church.

These examples illustrate the long history and widespread presence of the surname Melton across various regions of England and its association with individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Melton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Melton 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 261 Meltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.46x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 261 16.46x
Lincolnshire 136 8.25x
Middlesex 121 1.17x
Yorkshire 114 1.12x
Suffolk 92 7.33x
Surrey 55 1.09x
Northamptonshire 51 5.26x
Lancashire 39 0.32x
Essex 33 1.62x
Cambridgeshire 29 4.44x
Kent 28 0.80x
Derbyshire 14 0.87x
Hertfordshire 13 1.83x
Nottinghamshire 10 0.72x
Cheshire 8 0.35x
Staffordshire 8 0.23x
Devon 5 0.23x
Somerset 5 0.30x
Warwickshire 5 0.19x
Berkshire 4 0.52x
Gloucestershire 4 0.20x
Sussex 4 0.23x
Lanarkshire 3 0.09x
Channel Islands 2 0.65x
Hampshire 2 0.09x
Herefordshire 2 0.47x
Worcestershire 2 0.15x
Cumberland 1 0.11x
Dorset 1 0.15x
Durham 1 0.03x
Flintshire 1 0.36x
Midlothian 1 0.07x
Oxfordshire 1 0.16x
Wiltshire 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Ham in Essex leads with 30 Meltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.68x.

Place Total Index
West Ham 30 6.68x
Scarborough 28 30.16x
Bury St Edmunds St James 24 71.56x
Lambeth 22 2.45x
Horsington 20 1574.80x
Swaffham 18 139.53x
Islington London 15 1.50x
Wadenhoe 15 1807.23x
Bethnal Green London 13 2.90x
Elsing 13 942.03x
Kensington London 13 2.27x
Pakenham 13 384.62x
Boston 12 23.99x
St Pancras London 12 1.45x
Heacham 11 311.61x
Walpole St Peter 11 273.63x
Brimington 10 81.57x
Cranford St John 10 757.58x
Docking 10 200.40x
Thurston 10 406.50x
Tittleshall 10 552.49x
Upwell 10 208.77x
Barford 9 796.46x
Deptford St Paul 9 3.32x
South Lynn 9 50.31x
Wisbech St Peter 9 27.48x
Woodbridge 9 56.04x
Downham Market 8 73.46x
Rickmansworth 8 40.88x
Ringstead 8 493.83x
Walpole St Andrew 8 323.89x
Westerham 8 98.64x
Widnes 8 9.07x
Croydon 7 2.51x
Gayton Le Marsh 7 795.45x
Market Rasen 7 75.92x
Mexborough 7 34.52x
Middlesbrough 7 5.26x
Nottingham St Mary 7 1.95x
Rougham 7 510.95x
West Derby 7 1.96x
Beetley 6 500.00x
Bradley 6 1714.29x
Corby 6 223.88x
Cranford St Andrew 6 857.14x
Doncaster 6 8.04x
Great Ryburgh 6 244.90x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 6 12.61x
Louth 6 15.88x
Paddington London 6 1.58x
St George Martyr 6 34.52x
Stanfield 6 952.38x
Stickford 6 348.84x
Westminster St John 6 4.78x
Whitby 6 17.43x
Anmer 5 847.46x
Beyton 5 413.22x
Bungay St Mary 5 80.39x
Dersingham 5 139.66x
Great Bircham 5 306.75x
Hockering 5 381.68x
Litcham 5 176.06x
Norwich St Peter Hungate 5 364.96x
Ratcliffe London 5 8.78x
Shoreditch London 5 1.12x
St Andrewthe Less 5 6.70x
St Bartholomew Great 5 53.30x
St Marylebone London 5 0.91x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 5 21.56x
Stainton Dale 5 595.24x
Stoke Newington London 5 6.23x
Upwell 5 67.75x
Watford 5 9.07x
Whissonsett 5 232.56x
Burton Latimer 4 68.26x
Dartford 4 11.12x
Frithville Boston Sibsey 4 370.37x
Putney 4 8.51x
Wandsworth 4 4.03x
Wednesbury 4 4.60x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 69
John 62
George 51
James 37
Robert 25
Charles 24
Frederick 20
Henry 18
Thomas 18
Arthur 16
Harry 14
Edward 13
Alfred 11
Walter 11
Joseph 10
Ernest 7
Samuel 7
David 5
Wm. 5
Albert 4
Benjamin 4
Frank 4
Matthew 4
Richard 4
Chas. 3
Daniel 2
Emmanuel 2
Fred 2
Herbert 2
Horace 2
Isaac 2
Nathaniel 2
Robt. 2
Sidney 2
Stephen 2
Wm.Henry 2
Ainger 1
Amos 1
Christmas 1
Christopher 1
Cornelius 1
Emil 1
Enos 1
Ephraim 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Job 1
Josh.Wallace 1
Joshua 1
Julian 1

FAQ

Melton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Melton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,055 people were recorded with the Melton surname. That placed it at #3,733 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Melton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,608 in 2016. That gives Melton a modern rank of #3,868.

What does the Melton surname mean?

From an English place name meaning "middletown" or a settlement in the middle of two other places.

What does the Melton map show?

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