Meadows Last Name Origin, History, and Meaning
Where did the surname Meadows come from? What does the surname Meadows mean? Discover the history and meaning of the last name Meadows and family migration on YourRoots Map.
Meadow, Medders
Surname Meadows Origin: What does the last name Meadows mean?
The surname Meadows has its roots in medieval England, with variations like Medows, Meddowes, and Medewes also being common. It is a topographical surname, indicating someone who lived near a meadow or grassland, deriving from the Old English word for meadow, "maed", or Middle English "mede". Notable individuals bearing this surname include American showman Abram Henson Meadows and British sculptor Bernard Meadows, among others.
YourRoots data reveals that the Meadows surname first appeared in England in the early 16th century, with a subsequent increase in frequency in the United States in the following centuries. Presently, the surname Meadows is most prevalent in the United States, though it can also be found in various regions globally, showcasing its widespread distribution and historical significance.
Meadows Last Name History: Where did the last name Meadows come from?
Origin of Meadows Surname: Where does the last name Meadows originate from?
The earliest records in the YourRoots database indicate that the surname Meadows first appeared in England, United Kingdom, in the early 16th century. This represents the earliest recorded use of the exact spelling "Meadows" in our database.
History of the Last Name Meadows: What does the Meadows surname history look like in the early days?
As per the YourRoots data, the surname Meadows was initially recorded in the United Kingdom in the 16th century. However, in the subsequent century, the surname started to appear more frequently in the United States. The trend of increasing frequency in the United States continued well into the 18th and 19th centuries, indicating a shift in the surname's geographical prevalence.
Global Spread: Where can we find the Meadows surname today?
As of the 20th century, the Meadows surname is most prevalent in the United States, according to the YourRoots database. Despite its origins in the United Kingdom, the frequency of the Meadows surname in the United States has surpassed that in its original country. However, the Meadows surname is not exclusive to these two countries and can be found in various regions worldwide.
Explore Meadows last name heritage and Meadows surname origin based on YourRoots Map data

Famous People With Meadows Surame?
Tim Meadows
Timothy Meadows (Feb 5, 1961 - ) is an American actor and comedian known for his work on Saturday Night Live for 10 seasons. He played Principal Duvall in Mean Girls and reprised the role in its sequel. Meadows also starred in The Ladies' Man and appeared in various TV shows like The Office and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Audrey Meadows
Audrey Meadows (born Audrey Cotter; February 8, 1922 – February 3, 1996) was an American actress best known for her role as the deadpan housewife Alice Kramden on the 1950s TV comedy *The Honeymooners*. She earned Emmy nominations and was the younger sister of actress Jayne Meadows.
Jayne Meadows
Jayne Meadows (born Jane Cotter; September 27, 1919 – April 26, 2015) was an American actress known for her intense character roles in movies like "Undercurrent" and "Lady in the Lake." She was also a regular panelist on TV shows like "I've Got a Secret" and "What's My Line?"
Kristen Meadows
Kristen Meadows is an actress known for her roles in daytime TV soap operas like One Life to Live and Santa Barbara. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Meadows comes from a family of performers and started her stage career in musicals. She made her Broadway debut in Fearless Frank and has appeared in films like Zero Tolerance and Evolution.
John Armstrong Taylor Meadows
John Armstrong Taylor Meadows (1817-1875) was a British interpreter in China and younger brother of Thomas Taylor Meadows. He became a merchant after leaving government service. Meadows had children with his Chinese partner and passed away in Tianjin.
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