UK surname
A surname referring to one who lived near a stream or brook in the middle of a calf pasture.
In the 1881 census there were 102 people recorded with the Midcalf surname, ranking it #19,518 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 60, ranked #34,340, down from #19,518 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Allendale, Withersfield and Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Midcalf is 217 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 41.2%.
1881 census count
102
Ranked #19,518
Modern count
60
2016, ranked #34,340
Peak year
1861
217 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1881
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Midcalf surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Midcalf 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 | 171 | #11,730 |
| 1861 | historical | 217 | #11,220 |
| 1881 | historical | 102 | #19,518 |
| 1891 | historical | 84 | #26,229 |
| 1901 | historical | 50 | #28,590 |
| 1911 | historical | 82 | #24,635 |
| 1997 | modern | 68 | #30,810 |
| 1998 | modern | 68 | #31,181 |
| 1999 | modern | 65 | #31,605 |
| 2000 | modern | 68 | #31,380 |
| 2001 | modern | 67 | #31,297 |
| 2002 | modern | 72 | #31,269 |
| 2003 | modern | 67 | #31,796 |
| 2004 | modern | 59 | #32,787 |
| 2005 | modern | 55 | #33,349 |
| 2006 | modern | 59 | #33,330 |
| 2007 | modern | 56 | #33,875 |
| 2008 | modern | 56 | #34,084 |
| 2009 | modern | 54 | #34,431 |
| 2010 | modern | 59 | #34,273 |
| 2011 | modern | 59 | #34,265 |
| 2012 | modern | 58 | #34,404 |
| 2013 | modern | 61 | #34,317 |
| 2014 | modern | 59 | #34,459 |
| 2015 | modern | 59 | #34,407 |
| 2016 | modern | 60 | #34,340 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Allendale, Withersfield, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Darlington and Bridekirk. 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 | Allendale | Northumberland |
| 2 | Withersfield | Suffolk |
| 3 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 4 | Darlington | Durham |
| 5 | Bridekirk | Cumberland |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Midcalf 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 Midcalf, 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 Midcalf surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Midcalf 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, Midcalf 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 Midcalf is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Midcalf, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MIDCALF is of English origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is a locational name, derived from a place name that likely referred to a dwelling located in the middle of a calf-pasture or enclosure for calves. The prefix "mid" comes from the Old English "midd," meaning "middle," while "calf" refers to the young bovine animal.
In the 13th century, there are records of individuals bearing variations of the name, such as Middelcalfe and Middecalf, in counties like Hertfordshire and Warwickshire. These early spellings reflect the evolution of the name from its Old English origins to its modern form.
The MIDCALF surname may have been first recorded in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were early census-like records compiled in England. However, no specific individuals with this name are mentioned in these historical documents.
One of the earliest known bearers of the MIDCALF name was John Midcalf, born around 1410 in Hertfordshire. He was a farmer and landowner, and his name appears in local records from the 15th century.
In the 16th century, a notable figure was Thomas Midcalf (1511-1580), a wealthy merchant and alderman in the city of London. He was involved in the wool trade and served as a prominent member of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers.
During the English Civil War in the 17th century, a Captain Richard Midcalf (1618-1692) fought for the Parliamentarian forces and was known for his bravery in battle. He later settled in Gloucestershire and became a respected landowner in the region.
Another prominent individual was Sir William Midcalf (1670-1739), a politician and Member of Parliament for the borough of Southwark. He was knighted in 1714 and played a significant role in shaping local policies during his tenure.
In the 18th century, the MIDCALF name continued to be present in various parts of England, with families residing in counties like Oxfordshire, Leicestershire, and Gloucestershire.
Throughout history, the MIDCALF surname has been associated with various occupations, including farming, trade, and public service. Its origins as a locational name reflect the deep-rooted connection between the surname and the geographic locations where its earliest bearers resided.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Midcalf 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. Durham leads with 35 Midcalfs recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.83x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 35 | 11.83x |
| Northumberland | 29 | 19.59x |
| Cheshire | 20 | 9.11x |
| Essex | 5 | 2.55x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.34x |
| Denbighshire | 3 | 7.98x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.30x |
| Aberdeenshire | 1 | 1.09x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 1.17x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.63x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Allendale in Northumberland leads with 15 Midcalfs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1094.89x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Allendale | 15 | 1094.89x |
| Great Neston | 15 | 2083.33x |
| Staindrop | 13 | 2888.89x |
| Longbenton | 10 | 159.49x |
| Tanfield | 8 | 227.27x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 7 | 27.56x |
| Raby Keverstone | 5 | 5000.00x |
| Heaton Norris | 4 | 59.52x |
| Westgate | 4 | 43.62x |
| Feering | 3 | 1153.85x |
| Gresford Gwersyllt | 3 | 256.41x |
| Shocklach Church | 3 | 3333.33x |
| Streatlam Stainton | 2 | 1666.67x |
| Cairney | 1 | 185.19x |
| Flimby | 1 | 138.89x |
| Fulham London | 1 | 6.93x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.04x |
| Prittlewell | 1 | 36.76x |
| Shenfield | 1 | 196.08x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 7.70x |
| Stamford St Mary | 1 | 312.50x |
| Stockport | 1 | 8.85x |
| Threapwood | 1 | 1428.57x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Midcalf 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 Midcalf 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 Midcalf households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 21 |
| Labourer | 8 |
| Coal Miner | 4 |
| Infant | 3 |
| Wife | 3 |
| Farmer Daur | 2 |
| General Servant | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Blacksmith Widow | 1 |
| Chapel Keeper | 1 |
| Clerk In Life Assurance Office | 1 |
| Drayman | 1 |
| Engine Smith | 1 |
| Engineer | 1 |
| Engineers Wife S S | 1 |
| Farm Serv Indoor | 1 |
| Farmer 28A Employ 2 Men | 1 |
| Farmer Of 5 Acres Land | 1 |
| Farmer Son | 1 |
| Farmer Wife | 1 |
| Farmers Son | 1 |
| Farmers Wife | 1 |
| Grocer | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Labourer (Gen) | 1 |
| Labourer Wife | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Lead Ore Miner | 1 |
| Miners Wife | 1 |
| Mother | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Nurse (Dom) | 1 |
| Ostler | 1 |
| Pony Driver Down The Pit (Coal Miner) | 1 |
| Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Servt Domestic | 1 |
| Shoe Maker | 1 |
| Throstle Dobber (Cotton Manuf) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 102 people were recorded with the Midcalf surname. That placed it at #19,518 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 60 in 2016. That gives Midcalf a modern rank of #34,340.
A surname referring to one who lived near a stream or brook in the middle of a calf pasture.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Midcalf 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.