The Meadows Family History

What Does the Meadows Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Meadows has its roots in England, deriving from the Old English words ‘maed’ and ‘maedwe,’ which denote a grassy expanse or meadow. Variations of the surname include Meadow, Meddows, Medus, Medis, Meadowes, Meadus, and Meddus. The earliest records of families bearing the Meadows surname can be traced back to Suffolk, England. Over the centuries, these families expanded their presence throughout England and into most regions of Wales. Notably, the highest concentrations of Meadows families are found in London, Northamptonshire, Suffolk, and Lancashire. In Scotland, the Orkney Islands, located to the east, are home to numerous Meadows families, as are the regions of Midlothian and Fife. In the United States, Meadows families first emerged in states such as Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Texas, Missouri, and Kentucky. Prominent individuals with the Meadows surname include television actress Jayne Meadows, film director Shane Meadows, television actress Audrey Meadows, environmental scientist Donella Meadows, champion freestyle swimmer Gavin Meadows, English photographer Daniel Meadows, and Jenny Brenda Meadows, a celebrated runner representing England.