Show ContentsMeder Surname History

The name Meder 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 Meder family

The surname Meder 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 Meder family

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

Meder Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Meder family

More information is included under the topic Early Meder Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Meder migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Meder Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Johan Meder, who arrived in New York in 1709 [4]
  • Catherine Meder, aged 13, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 [4]
  • George Meder, aged 8, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1733 [4]
  • Hendrick Meder, aged 52, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 [4]
  • Henry Meder, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1733 [4]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Meder Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Christoph Meder, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "Riga"
  • Joseph Meder, aged 23, who landed in Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "Riga" [4]
  • B H Meder, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 [4]
  • Michael Meder, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1875 [4]
  • Johannes Meder, who arrived in Kansas in 1876 [4]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Meder Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • William Frederic Meder, who landed in Alabama in 1919 [4]


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. 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)


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