Meacham Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Meacham Origin:

England

Origins of Meacham:

The surname of Meacham has two possible origins from which it is said to have been derived. The first possible origin of the surname of Meacham is that it was an occupational surname. . This means that the original bearer of the surname of Meacham most likely was a stone mason, meaning that he actually carried out this job. Occupational surnames were not originally hereditary surnames. They only became hereditary if the son followed in his father’s footsteps for a career; then the surname became hereditary and was used by the children and spouse of the son. In the case of the surname of Meacham, it was said to have derived from the Norman-French word of “macon” which can be translated to mean “mason” and was used to describe a stone mason. The second possible origin of the surname of Meacham is said to be a locational surname. Since the surname of Meacham is locational, , this means that it was often taken by the Lord or owner of the land from which the name derives. Others who may have take a locational surname are people who have migrated out of the area to seek out work. The easiest way to identify someone who was a stranger at that time was by the name of their birthplace. In the case of the surname of Meacham, the locations from which this surname could have been derived include the village of Measham in Leicestershire, and Messeham on the River Mease.

Variations:

More common variations are: Meacheam, Meeacham, Meachame, Mecham, Meecham, Meachum, Meachum, Meachim, Meachom, Mecham, Meicham

History:

England:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Meacham can be traced to the country of England. One person by the name of John Macun was mentioned in the document known as the Pipe Rolls of London in the year of 1130. This document was ordered, decreed, and written under the reign of one King Henry I of England, who was known throughout the ages and commonly referred to as one “The Good.” King Henry I of England ruled from the year of 1100 to the year of 1135. Other mentions of the surname of Meacham within the country of England include one William Mecham, who set out on the ship known as the “Peter Bonaventure” which was bound for Barbados in the West Indies in the year of 1635.

United States of America:

Throughout both the 17th and 18th Centuries, many European citizens migrated to the United States in search of a new and fulfilling life for them and their families. This large movement of people from Europe to the United States of America, which was at that time known as the New World, or the Colonies, was known as the European Migration, and is sometimes referred to as the Great Migration. Among those who moved to the United States of America was one person by the name of Jeremiah Meacham, who settled in the city of Boston, Massachusetts in the year of 1636, making him the first person who was recorded to bear the surname of Meacham within the United States of America.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Meacham: United States 7,894; England 871; Australia 373; Wales 124; South Africa 73; Canada 68; Scotland 39; Switzerland 27; New Zealand 26; Sweden 22

Notable People:

Robert Meacham (1835-1902) who served as a leader in Florida during the Reconstruction, and who helped write the constitution of Florida, and who was from America.

George Frederick Meacham (1831-1917) who was an architect in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, and who was from America.

Mildred Meacham (born in 1924) who was an infielder in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from America.

James Meacham (1810-1856) who served as a United States Representative from the state of Vermont, and who was from America.

Mary Anne Meacham (1925-2006) who was a soap opera, stage, and film actress from America, and who is most notably recognized for her role on Another World.

Beth Meacham (born in 1951) who was an editor and writer from America.

Scott Meacham (born in 1963) who served as the 17th State Treasurer of Oklahoma, and who was a politician from America.

Robert Andrew “Bobby” Meacham (born in 1960) who was a shortstop in Major League Baseball (MLB) and who was from America.

Jon Meacham (born in 1969) who is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and executive vice president at Random House, and who was from America.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

Az. on a fesse or, betw. three lions’ heads erased ar. as many escallops of the field. Crest—A falcon, wings expanded ppr. belled or.