UK surname
Derived from the Welsh given name Meredydd, meaning "great lord" or "sea lord."
In the 1881 census there were 98 people recorded with the Merideth surname, ranking it #19,999 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #19,999 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Enville, Rowley Regis and East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Merideth is 126 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 96.9%.
1881 census count
98
Ranked #19,999
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1891
126 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Merideth surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Merideth surname density by area, 1891 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 | 88 | #18,569 |
| 1861 | historical | 68 | #25,196 |
| 1881 | historical | 98 | #19,999 |
| 1891 | historical | 126 | #20,604 |
| 1901 | historical | 60 | #27,502 |
| 1911 | historical | 36 | #29,370 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 4 | #38,082 |
| 1999 | modern | 7 | #37,513 |
| 2000 | modern | 9 | #37,119 |
| 2001 | modern | 9 | #36,980 |
| 2002 | modern | 6 | #37,532 |
| 2003 | modern | 6 | #37,586 |
| 2004 | modern | 3 | #38,241 |
| 2005 | modern | 3 | #38,312 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 4 | #38,287 |
| 2010 | modern | 4 | #38,371 |
| 2011 | modern | 3 | #38,546 |
| 2012 | modern | 5 | #38,167 |
| 2013 | modern | 4 | #38,359 |
| 2014 | modern | 2 | #38,791 |
| 2015 | modern | 2 | #38,793 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Enville, Rowley Regis, East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H, Roath and Manchester. 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 | Enville | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Rowley Regis | Staffordshire |
| 3 | East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H | Gloucestershire |
| 4 | Roath | Glamorganshire |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Merideth 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 Merideth, 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 Merideth surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Merideth 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, Merideth 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 Merideth is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Merideth, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Merideth originated in Wales during the medieval period, deriving from the Old Welsh personal name "Meredydd" or "Meredith." This name is composed of the elements "mer" meaning "great" or "illustrious" and "iddyn" meaning "lord" or "prince." As such, the name Merideth likely referred to someone of high status or nobility.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Meredic." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of landholdings throughout England and parts of Wales.
During the 12th century, the name Merideth was particularly prevalent in the Welsh counties of Glamorgan, Monmouthshire, and Pembrokeshire. Historical records from this period show variations in spelling, such as "Meredith," "Meredyth," and "Mereddyth."
In the 13th century, a notable figure bearing the name was David Merideth, a Welsh landowner and nobleman who played a significant role in the Welsh resistance against English rule. He was born around 1220 and was a staunch supporter of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last prince of an independent Wales.
Another prominent individual was Sir William Merideth, a Welsh soldier and landowner who lived in the 15th century. He fought alongside Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 and was later granted lands in Pembrokeshire for his service.
In the 16th century, the name Merideth appeared in the form of "Meredyth" in the Muster Rolls of Pembrokeshire, which were records of able-bodied men fit for military service. One such individual listed was John Meredyth, a landowner from Haverfordwest, born around 1530.
Moving into the 17th century, the name Merideth gained recognition through the work of William Merideth, a Welsh poet and writer born in 1620. He is best known for his collection of poems titled "The Cambrian Muse," published in 1671.
In the 19th century, the surname Merideth was associated with several notable figures, including John Merideth (1788-1853), a Welsh industrialist and entrepreneur who established successful coal mining operations in South Wales.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Merideth 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. Staffordshire leads with 28 Merideths recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.68x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Staffordshire | 28 | 8.68x |
| Glamorgan | 10 | 6.01x |
| Lancashire | 9 | 0.79x |
| Warwickshire | 9 | 3.73x |
| Worcestershire | 9 | 7.21x |
| Cheshire | 8 | 3.79x |
| Northamptonshire | 8 | 8.90x |
| Shropshire | 4 | 4.84x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 1.07x |
| Herefordshire | 2 | 5.10x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.43x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 1.73x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.51x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.32x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.65x |
| Merionethshire | 1 | 5.72x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.10x |
| Rutland | 1 | 14.25x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 9 Merideths recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.56x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Aston | 9 | 13.56x |
| Roath | 8 | 105.82x |
| Penkridge | 7 | 843.37x |
| Cradley | 6 | 530.97x |
| Peterborough | 6 | 92.17x |
| Dukinfield | 5 | 51.28x |
| Kingswinford | 5 | 42.66x |
| Lapley | 5 | 2083.33x |
| Rowley Regis | 4 | 44.49x |
| Stretford | 4 | 64.10x |
| Tonge | 3 | 126.05x |
| Willenhall | 3 | 49.67x |
| Wollaston | 3 | 2727.27x |
| Battersea | 2 | 5.69x |
| Bristol St Paul In | 2 | 40.08x |
| Burton Upon Trent | 2 | 26.49x |
| Cardiff St John | 2 | 36.76x |
| Haydock | 2 | 102.56x |
| Overstone | 2 | 3333.33x |
| Runcorn | 2 | 41.15x |
| Alvechurch | 1 | 188.68x |
| Greetham | 1 | 526.32x |
| Hereford St Nicholas | 1 | 188.68x |
| Iver | 1 | 135.14x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 1.88x |
| Llangarren | 1 | 285.71x |
| Orleton | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Pennal | 1 | 454.55x |
| Rutherglen | 1 | 22.03x |
| Sale | 1 | 38.61x |
| Shenstone | 1 | 121.95x |
| Shrewsbury St Chad | 1 | 34.48x |
| South Witham | 1 | 769.23x |
| Trysull | 1 | 526.32x |
| Whitwell | 1 | 434.78x |
| Yardley | 1 | 31.35x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Merideth 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 Merideth 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 Merideth households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 10 |
| Home | 7 |
| School | 6 |
| Ag Lab | 4 |
| Chain Maker | 2 |
| Cotton Reeler | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Boatman (Barge) | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Cook Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Cordwainer | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Domestic | 1 |
| Domestic Serv (Unemployed) | 1 |
| Draughtsman | 1 |
| Excavator (Cemetary) | 1 |
| Farmer | 1 |
| Farmer 4 Acres | 1 |
| Furnace Man (RCM) | 1 |
| G N R Engine Driver | 1 |
| G Servant | 1 |
| Gen Serv Dom | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Independant | 1 |
| Kitchenmaid | 1 |
| Lab At Chain Works | 1 |
| Labouerer (Slate Quarry) | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Miner Coal | 1 |
| Nailmaker | 1 |
| Pensioner City Of London Police | 1 |
| Porter In Warehouse | 1 |
| Private 53rd Regt | 1 |
| Puddler Iron Works | 1 |
| Schoolmistress | 1 |
| Scullery Maid | 1 |
| Serv | 1 |
| Wagoner | 1 |
| Wheelwrights Daur | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 98 people were recorded with the Merideth surname. That placed it at #19,999 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Merideth a modern rank of #38,594.
Derived from the Welsh given name Meredydd, meaning "great lord" or "sea lord."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Merideth 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.