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MEAD Family History

Recorded in the spellings of Mead, Meade, Medd, Meads, Meder, Meader, and Meaders, this is an English surname. It has two possible and distinct origins. The first and most likely, being an English topographical name from residence by a 'mede or mead' The derivation being from the pre 7th Century word "moed", the later medieval "mede", and describing a water meadow or specifically land which was flooded in water, but used for grazing in summer. Early examples of the recording include John Atemede, who was a court witness in the county of Essex in 1248, being one of the earliest recorded namebearers.