Meader Surname History

Origins Available:
England

The name Meader is a derivative of the Old English word "meodu," meaning "mead," or the Latin "medarius," meaning "a maker or seller of mead." 1 Another source postulates the name was "perhaps a maker of metheglin or mead." 2

An Old Ballad notes: "The meader walks forth with his scythe on his shoulder." 3

Early Origins of the Meader family

The surname Meader was first found in Oxfordshire where Alexander le Meder was listed in 1180. Later Alexander le Medier was recorded in 1200 and Alexander Medarius was registered in the Pipe Rolls for Berkshire in 1188. We presume that all of these entries are the same person.

In 1332 Thomas Meder was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Surrey. John Medemaker was found in Norfolk in 1332. 1

Early History of the Meader family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meader research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1332, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Meader History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meader Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Meador, Meader, Meadur, Medur, Medor, Meder, Medder and many more.

Early Notables of the Meader family

Distinguished members of the family include

the Meader family of Oxfordshire

Meader Ranking

In the United States, the name Meader is the 9,420^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Meader migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Meader Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Ambrose Meader, who landed in Virginia in 1636 5
Nich. Meader, who settled in Virginia in 1638
Jon Meader, who landed in Virginia in 1638 5
Nich Meader, who arrived in Virginia in 1638 5
John Meader, who settled in New Hampshire in 1648
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Meader Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

H Meader, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 5

Meader migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Meader Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Meader, aged 53, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Duchess of Northumberland"

Contemporary Notables of the name Meader (post 1700) +

Mary Meader (1916-2008), born Rachael Mary Upjohn Light Meader, an American aerial photographer and explorer, heir to the Upjohn Company fortune
Elwyn Meader (1910-1996), American botanist and plant scientist who developed over 50 new strains of fruit and vegetables
David Meader (b. 1949), American politician, Member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives (2016-2020)
Herman Lee Meader (1874-1930), American architect and author, born in New Orleans
Stephen W. Meader (1892-1977), American writer of over forty novels for young readers
Vaughan Meader (1936-2004), born Abbott Vaughn Meader, an American comedian, impersonator, musician, and film actor.
Edwin Meader (1909-2007), American geography professor at Western Michigan University and philanthropist
Xenia Meader, American politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1952 6
Ora A. Meader, American Democratic Party politician, Mayor of Waterville, Maine, 1917 6
Nathaniel Meader, American Republican politician, Mayor of Waterville, Maine, 1889-91 6
... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html