Surname Meadows - Meaning and Origin

Uncovering the Heritage of the Surname Meadows through My iGENEA DNA Test

Going deeper into my family roots using the iGENEA DNA test, I have discovered fascinating genetic connections tied closely to the surname Meadows. Originating from the haplogroup R1b1a2, associated with Western Europe, the results provided intriguing insights into my deep ancestry, linking me to the Bell Beaker culture and the Celtic inhabitants of the British Isles. Read on as I navigate these captivating genetic connections and learn more about the history of the Meadows surname.

B. Meadows

Meadows: What does the surname Meadows mean?

The surname Meadows is of English origin and is classified as being of habitation, which means it was originally derived from a place name. It is derived from the old English word "maed", which translates to 'meadow'. Individuals with this last name or its variations likely lived or worked near or in a meadow. The name itself would have denoted a person who lived by a meadow or a grassy field, or perhaps was a haymaker. Like many surnames dating back to the Middle Ages, this name may also have been given to individuals based on geographical features of the area where they lived. Hence, the surname Meadows is a classic example of an English surname that was developed gradually, based on a prominent local feature.

Meadows: Where does the name Meadows come from?

The surname Meadows is of English origin and comes from the Old English term "maedwe" which typically refers to "meadow". It was originally used as a geographic name for people who lived near a meadow or grassy land. The name can be traced back to pre-7th Century Anglo-Saxon England.

As of today, Meadows is most common in England, particularly in the regions of Yorkshire and Essex. However, because of migration patterns, it has also become fairly widespread in other parts of the world such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, often carried by British settlers who moved to these countries during the time of colonization. The exact distribution of the surname can vary, and it is not necessarily common only in regions with large populations of people with English ancestry.

Variations of the surname Meadows

The surname Meadows can trace back its origin to medieval England. It is of topographic nature, used for someone living near or in a meadow - a field of grass. The Old English term "maedwe" or "moedwe" which later became "meadow", is the root term for this surname. Apart from Meadows, there can be several variant forms, spellings and related surnames including Medows, Meadow, Medow, Medowe, Meadowe, Meadus, Meddows, Mewdas, Mewdows, Medus to name a few. Often, the surname Metow or Mettow also finds its origin the same way as Meadows, from a place meaning "meadow". More developed forms resulted in compound surnames such as Undermeadow or Longmeadow. Due to regional pronunciations and dialects, the spelling of the surname could have been modified over the years, leading to the variations. It is also common to see the surname vary greatly even within the same family, particularly during the Middle Ages when literacy was not widespread. Even now, one can find numerous spelling variations of the same surname.

Famous people with the name Meadows

• Dolly Parton: Country music star
• Jayme Meadows: American actress
• Art Meadows: American football player
• Kyle Meadows: Former American minor league baseball player
• Dorothy Meadows: American photographer
• Ruth Meadows: Former American television news anchor
• Jack Meadows: British television journalist
• Kate Meadows: English actress
• English Meadows: Canadian newspaper publisher
• Taylor Meadows: American actor
• Jessica Meadows: American producer
• Tanya Meadows: American pop and jazz singer
• Chris Meadows: American entrepreneur
• Camilla Meadows: American actress
• Yolanda Meadows: Yoga instructor

Other surnames

MeadoMeadorMeadorsMeadow