Surname Meddow - Meaning and Origin

Meddow: What does the surname Meddow mean?

The surname Meddow is of English origin. The name is derived from the Old English personal name Medda, which is thought to be derived from the Old English words meodu and meodow, meaning "meadow". This likely suggests that the original bearer of the name was someone who lived near, or owned, a meadow.

The spelling of the name Meddow has changed over time, with variants including Medoe, Maddow, Meddoe, and Medow. The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to 1278, when a William Meddow of Pulham, County Norfolk was recorded.

The Meddow surname is believed to have been derived from a grazier or stock farmer who kept cattle and sheep and who lived near a meadow. It is likely that this ancestor of the Meddows would have been of either Saxon or Norman descent, having taken on the Meddow surname from the meadow or a nearby place name.

Today, Meddow is still relatively uncommon, but is most found in the counties of Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk in England. It is not commonly found in the United States and is virtually unheard of in other parts of the world. The Meddow name is a reminder of England’s rural heritage and the role that meadows have played in British history.

Meddow: Where does the name Meddow come from?

The surname Meddow is not particularly common, but it can be found in a variety of countries around the world. Many people with the surname Meddow are of British descent, and the name can be found in England, where it was first recorded in 1840. In the United States, the surname Meddow is believed to have arrived during the period of the Great Migration, a movement of numerous British Isles people to the United States during the 17th and early 18th centuries. Records of the surname Meddow can be found in the US census records since 1800.

In other countries, Meddow is less common. In Australia, there are only a handful of Meddows, most of whom are believed to be descended from two or three British settler families, and the surname does not appear in the Australian phone book. In Canada, only a few Meddows appear in phone directories and public records, suggesting that the family may have arrived from the United States rather than the United Kingdom.

In continental Europe, the surname Meddow is even less common, though there are scattered records throughout the countries. It may have originated from Germany, Italy, France or other European countries. In Asian countries, the surname Meddow is even rarer; no records exist.

Overall, the surname Meddow is still relatively rare, but can be found in parts of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and scattered throughout Europe and Asia.

Variations of the surname Meddow

The surname Meddow is believed to have originated from either the Old Welsh "moddw" meaning "meadow" or the Old English "moden" meaning "modest" or "meek". As such, a variety of alternate spellings and surname variants can be found for the Meddow surname. Common variants include Meedow, Meddoe, Meddoux and Medou. Other variants include Meado, Medowe, Medow, Moody and Modo.

The Meddow surname can be found in numerous countries including England, Germany, France, and Ireland. It is believed that many of the variations of the name were adopted when those with the surname travelled abroad and encountered different languages and cultures.

In addition to the variations outlined above, surnames of similar spellings and origins that may also be related to the Meddow surname include Medey, Medly, Medlye, Medley and Medlee. It is important to note that many of these surnames are typically found spelt with two "d's" instead of one. Additionally, Meddow may be turned into a patronymic surname by attaching prefixes like "Mc", "Mac", "O'" or "Fitz" and suffixes such as "son" or "s". Therefore, Meddow could become Macmeddow, O'meddow and Fitzmeddowson.

Overall, the Meddow surname is a rich and varied one, with many spellings and surname variants adopted over time.

Famous people with the name Meddow

• Francis Meddow Simpson: British actor who has featured in a number of television series, including Death in Paradise, Call the Midwife, and Grantchester.
• Stephen Meddow Taylor: British architect and property developer, he is perhaps best known for restoring the stately home of Croome Court in Worcestershire.
• Herbie Meddow: British former professional footballer who made nearly 500 Football League appearances for the likes of Fulham, Portsmouth, Bradford Park Avenue, and Southend United.
• Chris Meddow: Canadian television and film actor, known for small roles on shows such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and The X-Files.
• Stephanie Meddow: British costume designer, she has contributed to a number of major film productions, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, and Batman Begins.
• Florence Henri Meddow: English peace activist and suffragette, she was a member of both the Women's Social and Political Union and the Women's Freedom League.
• Stephanie J. Meddow: British author of contemporary romance novels, her novel Leap of Faith was shortlisted for the Joan Hessayon New Writers Award.
• Stephen Meddow Gibson: American politician from the state of Ohio, he served five terms in the United States House of Representatives.
• Sammy Meddow: British comedian who rose to prominence in the mid-1990s. He is the star of the mockumentary TV series Have I Got News For You.
• Graham Meddow: Australian actor who has featured in a number of television series, including Neighbours, Please Like Me, and Home and Away.

Other surnames

Meddough