MEEKS
The surname Meeks is of English origin, deriving from the Middle English word meke, which denotes a gentle or meek nature. It was traditionally employed as a nickname for an individual who exhibited a mild or submissive character, and it may also represent a patronymic surname indicating descent from a person first named Meek.
Historical records show that the name has been documented in several variants, including Meek, Meeke, Meeks and Meekes. It is a medieval Anglo‑Scottish surname, derived from the pre‑7th century word meek or the Old Norse mjukr, both meaning humble or meek. The name was recorded in the early 13th century.
The earliest documented instance appears in 1229, when a Richard Mek is listed in the Patent Records of Somerset, a document preserved from the reign of King Henry III, who ruled from 1216 to 1272.
Further medieval attestations include a Robert le Meke recorded in the 1300 Register of the Freemen of the City of York, and a Alicia Meke, identified as a labourer, appearing in the 1379 Poll Tax rolls of Yorkshire. In Scotland, the surname surfaces from the mid‑15th century, with William Mek of Cowbyr noted in 1457, and Robert Meik recorded as a burgess of Perth in 1545.
In 1692, the marriage of John Martin and Jane Meek was registered at St Antholin's Church in London, demonstrating the name’s presence in urban ecclesiastical records.
A notable bearer of the surname was Sir James Meek (1778–1856), who was knighted in 1851 for his distinguished service as an Egyptologist. His work contributed significantly to the early development of the discipline.
Throughout England and Scotland, the surname Meeks has largely been concentrated in the counties of Yorkshire, Somerset, and the city of Perth, with contemporary frequencies reflecting a modest prevalence. Variants such as Meek and Meeke can also be found, though they are often treated separately in formal records.
In sum, the surname Meeks encapsulates an etymology rooted in notions of gentleness and humility, with a documented medieval presence in both England and Scotland and a history that includes notable individuals who have achieved distinction in their fields.
Typical given names associated with the Meeks surname
Male
- Alan
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Michael
- Nicholas
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Ann
- Caroline
- Dianne
- Elizabeth
- Julie
- Karen
- Kathleen
- Lorraine
- Margaret
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Meeks in...
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There are approximately 1,149 people named Meeks in the UK. That makes it roughly the 6,640th most common surname in Britain. Around 18 in a million people in Britain are named Meeks.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Meeks
- Jeremy Meeks - American model and criminal
- Michael Meeks - Software developer
- Alfred Meeks - -born Australian politician, businessman and philanthropist (1849 to 1932)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.