Surname Medland - Meaning and Origin

Medland: What does the surname Medland mean?

The last name Medland is of English origin. This name was created during the medieval period when people often assumed the name of their occupation or where they lived. It is believed to have been derived from a topographic name, which is a name derived from a natural feature or a landscape. It is possible that the Medland name was derived from a place called "Medland" which could have been found in various places throughout the British Isles.

The Medlands were primarily located in Devon and Cornwall in England, although there is evidence of their presence in other areas of England and Scotland. Those Medland's living in Devon often had the prefixes "At" or "De" indicating that they were from a particular location.

The last name Medland could have also arisen from the pervasive use of the Anglo-Saxon suffixes "ing" or "ham". The suffix is believed to have been added to denote that someone was a citizen or inhabitant of a particular area.

Although no definitive meaning has been established for the name Medland, it is thought to refer to a family's origin from a particular geographical location. It is possible, however, that the actual place from which the Medland family originated no longer exists. Historical records are incomplete, but it is likely that the use of the name Medland indicates a family of great antiquity.

Medland: Where does the name Medland come from?

The last name Medland is most common today in the British Isles, especially in the England and Wales region. However, due to the amount of immigration during the 19th and 20th centuries, there are now many instances of the name in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other parts of Europe.

In England, the last name Medland is still quite common, particularly in the West Midlands region and the county of Bristol. The name was more common in the north and east of the country in the 19th century. In the United States, the name is seen much more widely, particularly in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Canada also has many people with the surname, with provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta having a significant number of Medlanders. Australia is another country that has many people with the surname, particularly in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.

In Europe, the surname is also quite common, with the Baltic region having some of the highest per capita densities. There are also many instances of the name in countries such as Finland, Norway, and Sweden.

The popularity of the surname Medland around the world today is a testament to the fact that people from all backgrounds and regions have migrated and assimilated in to wider societies. This has seen the surname take on a new lease of life, and is an indicator of the amazing power of human movement and mixing of cultures.

Variations of the surname Medland

The Medland surname is an English name that can be derived from the Old English terms ‘mete’ or ‘med’ which both mean meadow or piece of land. It is thought that the Medland name came to England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The surname Medland can be seen in many variants and names derived from it.

Variants of the Medland surname include Metland, Medlen, Meldale, Meldoll, Meddall, Medwell and Medhick. These variations are due to a process known as ‘nomination by sound’ which was very common in the Middle Ages. In this process, a giver of the surname would assign a name to a recipient, often with little thought given to accuracy of spelling.

Spellings of the Medland surname can also be seen in Mellant, Medlent, Jewel, Meldale, Medhale, and even Meldahn. In some cases, the spelling of the name could be exaggerated when it was written down in historical records, caused by unfamiliarity with standard spellings.

Due to the same process of nomination by sound, the Medland surname has been involved in the creation of many other surnames. Some of these derived surnames are: Mellanby, Medlenby, Mellendy, Meadonby, Meddonby, Meddow, and Medlett.

In conclusion, the Medland surname is a relatively old surname, derived from the Old English terms ‘mete’ and ‘med’. Over time, this name has seen many variants, spellings, and surnames derived from it, providing a greater range of surnames all with the same origin.

Famous people with the name Medland

• Tim Medland: A documentary filmmaker.
• Wil Medland: An artist who specializes in portraits and paintings.
• Paul Medland: An award-winning architect.
• Mark Medland: A British actor, known for roles in The Honey Trap and Bad Schools.
• Alex Medland: A professional cyclist and European Champion at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships.
• Richard Medland: An English linguist and academic.
• Graham Medland: An Irish footballer who played for Liverpool FC in the 1960s and 1970s.
• Stephen Medland: CEO of East Midlands Trains.
• Eden Medland: An Australian dancer, known for her work with Australian Ballet, Opera Australia and The Royal New Zealand Ballet.
• William Medland: An award-winning costume designer.

Other surnames

Medlam