NameCensus.

UK surname

Methven

A surname derived from a Scottish place name referring to a meadow or fen.

In the 1881 census there were 685 people recorded with the Methven surname, ranking it #5,275 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 710, ranked #7,628, down from #5,275 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Cupar, Kilconquhar and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include St Andrews South West, Stockbridge and Kennoway and Bonnybank.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Methven is 853 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 3.6%.

1881 census count

685

Ranked #5,275

Modern count

710

2016, ranked #7,628

Peak year

1901

853 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Methven had 685 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,275 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 710 in 2016, ranked #7,628.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 853 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Methven surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Methven surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Methven 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 377 #6,334
1861 historical 377 #6,777
1881 historical 685 #5,275
1891 historical 796 #5,057
1901 historical 853 #5,345
1911 historical 182 #15,859
1997 modern 680 #7,410
1998 modern 732 #7,236
1999 modern 742 #7,208
2000 modern 757 #7,060
2001 modern 719 #7,214
2002 modern 743 #7,160
2003 modern 713 #7,268
2004 modern 706 #7,344
2005 modern 707 #7,271
2006 modern 710 #7,273
2007 modern 711 #7,336
2008 modern 705 #7,439
2009 modern 703 #7,617
2010 modern 719 #7,619
2011 modern 721 #7,521
2012 modern 687 #7,704
2013 modern 698 #7,745
2014 modern 705 #7,728
2015 modern 708 #7,652
2016 modern 710 #7,628

Geography

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Where Methvens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Cupar, Kilconquhar, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Largo. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to St Andrews South West, Stockbridge, Kennoway and Bonnybank, Copeland and Leven North. 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 Cupar Fife
2 Kilconquhar Fife
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Largo Fife

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 St Andrews South West Fife
2 Stockbridge City of Edinburgh
3 Kennoway and Bonnybank Fife
4 Copeland 004 Copeland
5 Leven North Fife

Forenames

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First names often paired with Methven

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Methven

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Methven surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Methven household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Methven is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Methven is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Methven falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Methven is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Methven

The surname Methven has its origins in Scotland, deriving from the village of the same name in Perthshire. The earliest recorded form of the name is Meddofene, which appears in documents dating back to the 12th century. This is believed to be derived from the Gaelic words "meadhon" meaning middle, and "fionn" meaning fair or white, possibly referring to the location of the village between the rivers Almond and Earn.

In the 13th century, the name is recorded as Methofen and Medofyn, and by the 14th century, it had evolved into the modern spelling of Methven. The name is also closely associated with the historic Methven Castle, which was held by the powerful Methven family during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the early 14th century.

One notable figure bearing this surname was Paul Methven (c. 1672-1757), a Scottish minister and historian who wrote extensively on the history of the Church of Scotland. Another was John Methven (1692-1767), a Scottish-born merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1758.

In the literary world, the name is represented by Eugenie Methven (1882-1940), a British author and playwright who wrote under the pen name C.E. Lawrence. Her works included novels, short stories, and plays that explored social issues of the time.

Moving into the modern era, Sir David Methven (1914-2000) was a British diplomat and civil servant who served as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1968 to 1972. In the field of sports, Alan Methven (1950-2021) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a midfielder for various clubs, including Aberdeen and Rangers, in the 1970s and 1980s.

While the surname Methven has Scottish origins, it has spread across the globe, with notable bearers found in various countries and professions throughout history. The name's longevity and endurance serve as a testament to its rich heritage and cultural significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Methven families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Methven 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. Fife leads with 325 Methvens recorded in 1881 and an index of 82.28x.

County Total Index
Fife 325 82.28x
Angus 102 16.50x
Midlothian 64 7.16x
Perthshire 30 10.02x
Lanarkshire 28 1.30x
Middlesex 21 0.31x
Stirlingshire 19 7.72x
Renfrewshire 17 3.29x
Clackmannanshire 10 18.15x
Cumberland 9 1.57x
Hampshire 9 0.66x
West Lothian 9 8.96x
Yorkshire 7 0.11x
Cornwall 6 0.79x
Inverness-shire 6 3.01x
Surrey 6 0.18x
Aberdeenshire 5 0.81x
Durham 3 0.15x
Sussex 3 0.27x
Shropshire 2 0.35x
Dorset 1 0.23x
Kent 1 0.04x
Staffordshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kilconquhar in Fife leads with 45 Methvens recorded in 1881 and an index of 957.45x.

Place Total Index
Kilconquhar 45 957.45x
Dundee 40 17.33x
Dunfermline 40 65.87x
Dysart 35 131.58x
Largo 35 682.26x
Cupar 28 162.98x
Liff Benvie 26 27.71x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 20 5.56x
Forfar 18 53.78x
Burntisland 16 144.93x
Kilsyth 14 89.23x
Barony 13 2.38x
Lochee 13 235.93x
South Leith 12 11.93x
Govan 11 2.06x
Kinghorn 11 131.26x
Abbotshall 10 67.75x
Kirkcaldy 10 51.05x
Kennoway 9 250.70x
Kilmany 9 620.69x
Workington 9 27.36x
Cameron 8 349.35x
Edinburgh St Marys 8 46.03x
Linlithgow 8 62.06x
Aberdour 7 175.88x
Ceres 7 147.37x
Dunbarney 7 404.62x
Edinburgh St Stephens 7 39.77x
Enfield 7 15.99x
Islington London 7 1.08x
North Leith 7 16.92x
St Andrews 7 38.95x
Wilberfoss 7 736.84x
Abernethy Kincardine 6 170.94x
Anstruther Wester 6 389.61x
Dunino 6 869.57x
Kirknewton East 6 160.43x
St Blazey 6 90.50x
Wandsworth 6 9.34x
Clackmannan 5 48.03x
Lochwinnoch 5 64.85x
Markinch 5 37.29x
Monifieth 5 22.90x
Monimail 5 259.07x
Perth East Church 5 17.71x
Redgorton 5 150.60x
St Mary Extra 5 45.41x
St Ninians 5 20.50x
Tillicoultry 5 40.78x
West Greenock 5 5.39x
Abdie 4 177.78x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 4 3.46x
Erskine 4 106.38x
Glasgow 4 1.04x
Leuchars 4 80.16x
Burwash 3 57.47x
Cramond 3 44.31x
Cults 3 186.34x
Fowlis Wester 3 117.65x
Gateshead 3 2.02x
Holdenhurst 3 8.36x
St George In East 3 6.61x
Carnbee 2 82.99x
Dairsie 2 125.00x
Dunning 2 53.48x
Ferry Port On Craig 2 30.77x
Forgan 2 26.42x
Madeley 2 9.46x
Renfrew 2 11.72x
Scoonie 2 23.39x
Bathgate 1 4.59x
Bendochy 1 61.35x
Crieff 1 8.98x
Dron 1 129.87x
Methlick 1 20.20x
Methven 1 22.78x
Poplar London 1 0.79x
Scone 1 18.80x
St Pancras London 1 0.19x
Tettenhall 1 7.26x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 4
Jessie 3
Annie 2
Caroline 2
E. 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Margaret 2
Mary 2
Sarah 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Ann 1
Annabella 1
C. 1
Charlotte 1
Emma 1
Euphemia 1
Fanny 1
Harriett 1
I. 1
Infant 1
Jane 1
Lily 1
Nora 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 6
David 3
Alexander 2
Cornelius 2
John 2
William 2
Alex. 1
Alfred 1
Andrew 1
Charles 1
Charley 1
Edward 1
Fredk. 1
George 1
J. 1
Jas 1
Robt. 1
Thomas 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 Methven households.

FAQ

Methven surname: questions and answers

How common was the Methven surname in 1881?

In 1881, 685 people were recorded with the Methven surname. That placed it at #5,275 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Methven surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 710 in 2016. That gives Methven a modern rank of #7,628.

What does the Methven surname mean?

A surname derived from a Scottish place name referring to a meadow or fen.

What does the Methven map show?

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