The name Meador 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 Meador family
The surname Meador 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 Meador family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meador research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1332, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Meador History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Meador Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Meador, Meader, Meadur, Medur, Medor, Meder, Medder and many more.
Early Notables of the Meador family
More information is included under the topic Early Meador Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Meador Ranking
In the United States, the name Meador is the 2,691st most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 4
Meador migration to the United States +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Meador Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Henry Meador, aged 34, who immigrated to America, in 1909
- Jack Meador, aged 28, who landed in America, in 1914
- Bertha Meador, aged 25, who landed in America, in 1914
Contemporary Notables of the name Meador (post 1700) +
- Jo Walker- Meador (1924-2017), born Edith Josephine Denning, an American music executive who served as Executive Director of the Country Music Association (CMA) from 1962 to 1991, creator of the first Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1995
- John Davis "Johnny" Meador (1892-1970), American pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1920
- Marynell Meador (b. 1943), American women's basketball coach at the college and professional level
- Joshua "Josh" Meador (1911-1965), American animator, special effects artist, and animation director for the Disney studio
- Eddie Doyle Meador (1937-2023), American football defensive back for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL) from 1959 to 1970.
- Billie Meador (b. 1963), American professional baseball player
- Richard L. Meador, American Democratic Party politician, Chair of Summers County Democratic Party, 1983 5
- P. G. Meador, American Republican politician, Chair of Kanawha County Republican Party, 1945-46 5
- J. M. Meador, American Democratic Party politician, Chair of Summers County Democratic Party, 1917 5
Suggested Readings for the name Meador +
- The Meaders Family, North Georgia Potter by Ralph Rinzler.
- Our Meador Families in Colonial America by Victor P.Meador.
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/
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html