MEAL
Meal
Origin and Meaning Meal is an English surname of Old French origin, deriving from the word "mele," meaning a measure of land or a field. The name likely originated as an occupational surname for individuals who worked in or owned a meal mill, where grains were ground into flour.
Distribution The surname Meal is relatively rare and is most commonly found in the counties of Cornwall and Devon in South West England. However, individuals with the surname Meal can be found throughout the United Kingdom and in other English-speaking countries.
Notable Individuals One notable individual bearing the surname Meal is John Meal (1834-1910), a renowned pioneer in agricultural technology and inventor of the Meal Seed Drill, a device that revolutionised farming practices in the 19th century.
Variations Variations of the surname Meal include Meale, Meall, and Meele. Over time, the spelling of the surname may have evolved due to factors such as illiteracy, dialectal differences, and clerical errors.
Heraldic Features There are no specific heraldic features associated with the surname Meal, as coats of arms are granted to individuals, not families. However, those with the surname Meal may have their own unique coat of arms if their ancestors were granted one.
Legacy Despite its relatively low frequency, the surname Meal continues to be part of the rich tapestry of British surnames, representing a historical connection to the agricultural and milling industries. Today, individuals bearing the surname Meal can trace their lineage back to these origins, preserving a part of British history.
There are approximately 87 people named Meal in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Meal.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Peter
Female
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.