Surname Meaders - Meaning and Origin

Meaders: What does the surname Meaders mean?

The surname Meaders is of English origins, believed to be a geographical or occupational name. It is derived from the Old English verb "mawan", meaning "to mow", and the agent suffix “-er”, denoting someone who does something. Thus, Meaders might originally have been a name given to a mower, one who mowed for a living, effectively a grass or crop cutter, or one who lived in or near a meadow. Over time, the spelling of the original name has been modified, resulting in different versions including Meador, Meadow, Meager, and Meaders. It is important to note that the meanings of surnames can only be traced back along lines of speculation since most last names have evolved over centuries and their original meanings may have changed or been lost. Also, variations in spelling could be due to numerous factors such as regional dialects and illiteracy in former times. Therefore, while the name Meaders is typically thought to be of occupational or geographical origin, this is not a definitive interpretation.

Meaders: Where does the name Meaders come from?

The last name Meaders is of English origin. It is primarily derived from the medieval English profession of a "mead maker." Mead is a fermented beverage made from honey, which was a popular drink in medieval times. The name is believed to have been formed by adding the '-er' suffix to the word 'mead', suggesting an occupational name given to ‘a producer or seller of mead’.

While the origins of the surname can be traced back to England, it has spread across the world, predominantly to countries which saw significant English migration. Meaders is common today in the United States, mainly in the southeastern regions. The spread to the United States likely happened in the 17th or 18th centuries during the period of British colonial expansion. However, compared to other surnames, Meaders is still considered relatively rare.

Variations of the surname Meaders

The surname Meaders may have several spellings and variants. This can be attributed to errors in transcribing information or as a result of the phonetic spelling of names in the past. Some of the alternative spellings and variants include Meader, Meadors, Meder, Meders, Maders, Meades, Meadows, and Meadors.

Research shows that the surname Meaders may have been derived from Anglo-Saxon origin. The name often linked to someone who lived near a meadow, hence, the word "Meadow" itself can also be considered as a variant.

There are also similar surnames from different origins that might be confused with Meaders. For instance, the German last name "Meder" or the Dutch surname "Meeder".

Bear in mind that the suffixes "-s" or "-rs" were often added to surnames to denote "son of," which indicates that Meadors could denote "son of Meador" or "son of Mead".

It must be noted that multiple surnames can have the same origin or meaning, and the specific family history and geographics play a significant role in the surname's variations. Due to the passage of time and migration patterns, name spellings often change considerably. The information above provides a few possible spellings and origins, but is not exhaustive.

Famous people with the name Meaders

• C.W. Meaders: internationally acclaimed potter from the 1950s–1980s
• Bettye J. Meaders: professor emerita of Elementary Education at Vanderbilt University
• Sandy Meaders: American television producer known for her work on Dark Skies and Earth 2
• Sammy Meaders: Nashville session musician and singer-songwriter of country and blues music
• Teresa Meaders: parent educator, author, and presenter
• Marietta Meaders: founder and former president of the nationally renowned Martha White Foods
• Eugene Meaders: watcher of the night skies and noted UFO and paranormal investigator
• Eugene Meaders Jr.: mechanical and materials engineer and inventor
• Maria Meaders: professor of James Madison University's biology department
• William Meaders: US Navy commodore, former Chief of the Navy's Bureau of Medicine

Other surnames

MeadeMeader