This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Methley family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Methley Family History

Methley Surname Meaning

from Methley (WR Yorks) which is recorded as Medelei Metheley and Meydlay in medieval documents. The place-name may derive from Old English middel ‘middle’ replaced by the Old Scandinavian cognate meðal + Old English lēah ‘wood woodland clearing’ or ēg ‘island’ or from Old English mǣð ‘mowing the cutting of grass or corn’ + lēah.

Topography suggests that Old English middel + ēg is the most likely origin.

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Methley family from?

You can see how Methley families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Methley family name was found in the USA, and the UK between 1880 and 1920. The most Methley families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 59 Methley families living in Yorkshire. This was about 78% of all the recorded Methley's in United Kingdom. Yorkshire had the highest population of Methley families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Methley surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Methley ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Methley. 100% of Methley men worked as a General Labourer and 89% of Methley women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Methley | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    100%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    89%
  • Housewife
    12%

What Methley family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Methley. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Methley census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Methley

Passenger Lists

There are 77 immigration records available for the last name Methley. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Methley immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 89 military records available for the last name Methley. For the veterans among your Methley ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Methley military records

You've only scratched the surface of Methley family history

Discover More

What is the average Methley lifespan?

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Methley ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Methley

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Methley family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial