Metcalfe Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Metcalfe Name Meaning: Possibly of occupational origin, from Middle English 'metecalf' litterally a food calf, in other words a calf being fattened up for eating.

Olde English pre 7th word 'mete' meaning food or meat and 'cealf' a calf. Thought to have been an occupational name for someone who looked after calfs or slaughtered them.

Discover how your Metcalfe ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Metcalfe Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Metcalfe family

Profession Census Frequency
School 976
Farmer 166
Cotton Weaver 142
Farm Labourer 85
Private Means 77
Coal Miner Hewer 68
Labourer 60
General Labourer 58
Dressmaker 53
General Servant (domestic) 50
Weaver 40
Clerk 36
At Home 33
None 33
Domestic Servant 32
Farmers Son Working On Farm 31
Housekeeper 31
House Keeper 28
At School 28
Joiner 27
Carter 25
Railway Clerk 24
Weaver Cotton 24
Assisting In The Business 23
Farmers Daughter Dairy Work 20

Metcalfe Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Metcalfe 100% 44,627
2 Metcalf 88% 40,218
3 Mitcalf 75% 794
4 Mitcalfe 88% 669
5 Metclafe 75% 355
6 Matcalfe 88% 263
7 Matcalf 75% 235
8 Metclaf 63% 213

Did you know?

The surname Metcalfe is the most popular version of all its varients

Search for the Metcalfe family