Surname Meats - Meaning and Origin
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Meats: What does the surname Meats mean?
The last name Meats is an English name, thought to have originated in northern England. The name Meats is thought to be taken from the "Maetas" family, a Norman-French surname that was used to represent a landowner or a person of some status. It is also possible that the name Meats may have derived from the Old English word mǣte, meaning a friend from far away.
Throughout history, bearers of the Meats surname were among the upper classes of English society, often found in positions of great power. The Meats were known as landowners, estate owners and, later, business owners. The surname was first found in the 11th and 12th century records of County Durham. Early records showed Mathew Meats in the 12th century, followed by Roulph de Meate in the 13th century.
In modern times, the Meats name is most commonly found in the United States, where bearers have mostly emigrated from the United Kingdom centuries ago. Those with the Meats surname are believed to be highly creative, loyal individuals who are passionate about their families, their heritage, and their careers. They also share a strong commitment to community, and are known to have a great deal of integrity.
Order DNA origin analysisMeats: Where does the name Meats come from?
The last name Meats is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan, as well as in the Northeastern states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The name seems to have originated in England, as records of the name date back to the Middle Ages. It is generally believed to have derived from the occupation of the Meats family—they were employed as butchers—and the name itself is derived from the Middle English word meaning flesh.
In the United States, the highest densities of the name Meats are found in Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. In these four states, the name is still quite common, with numerous Meats families making Wisconsin and Michigan its highest regional concentrations. Pennsylvania has seen solid growth in the name over the past century, with many Meats families settling there during the industrial revolution.
In more recent times, the name has spread to the remainder of the United States, with many families moving to different regions for work or other opportunities. People with the surname can also be found in other English-speaking countries, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Meats
The surname Meats is an uncommon one originating from Old English. It is believed to derive from the Anglo-Saxon meaning 'one in charge of horses', making it an occupational surname. It is also thought to originate from an old English word meaning mett, meaning ‘meat or flesh’. Spelling variants of the surname include Metts, Mets, Metcalfe, Matts and Meatts.
Matts is the most popular spelling variant of this name. It is derived from the Middle English word ‘matt’ which means ‘sweepings’, and was typically given as a nickname to someone who was often found picking up scraps of food or clothing.
Metcalfe is considered to be a patronymic surname, which is derived from the name of the father’s or grandfather’s first name. It is derived from the Old Norse‘Magni’, which means ‘big’.
Mets is also a common spelling variant of Meats. This name likely derives from the old English word ‘mēd’ which means ‘reaping’ or ‘measure’. This surname was typically given to a person who was involved in measuring or reaping grain or other crops.
Meatts is a rarer spelling variant of the surname Meats. This is likely a diminutive form of the name Matthews and is derived from the Hebrew name Matityah, which means ‘God’s gift’.
In addition to the spelling variants, there are several surnames associated with the name Meats. These include Metcalfe, Mattys, Mattz, Metsker, Mathews and Mettey. All of these variants are derived from the same single source and the meaning remains the same regardless of the spelling variant.
Famous people with the name Meats
- John Meats: American actor and stuntman who has worked in various TV and film productions since the early 1990s.
- Robert Meats: British countertenor who has a growing international reputation for his work with early music.
- George Meats: Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Los Angeles Kings.
- Barbara Meats: English actress and singer, best known for her role in the musical Annie.
- Charles Meats: American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer, whose songs are found on a variety of film soundtracks.
- Donald Meats: Canadian jockey, winner of the 1990 Queen's Plate.
- Edward Meats: American journalist and magazine editor.
- Francis Meats: British DJ, producer and remixer whose work has been featured in clubs and festivals around the world.
- John Meats, Jr.: American football player who had a successful college career before joining the NFL in 1986.
- Matthew Meats: Australian professional lightweight boxer who held multiple world boxing titles during his career.