Surname Metland - Meaning and Origin

Metland: What does the surname Metland mean?

The last name Metland is of English origin. It is a locational name that hails from the place-name Metland, which is derived from the Old English words maca (son) and land (land). This name originally referred to someone who lived near or came from the marshy area of Metland.

The surname Metland is first recorded in 1221 in Devon, England, where the surname is still found today. Additionally, the Metland name is also recorded in other areas across England, including Surrey, Cheshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire. During this period, last names were often used as an indication of origin and thus the Metland name often indicated that a person was from or had moved from the area of Metland.

In the present day, the Metland name is still quite popular, especially in England. Though it is primarily found in the regions mentioned above, it also exists in many parts of the United Kingdom, the United States, and even in Australia.

Though the origin of the surname has been lost to the past, the Metland name still carries much of its early history with it to this day. It is a reminder of the family’s past and the legacy of their ancestors who lived far away in the marshy lands of Metland.

Metland: Where does the name Metland come from?

The last name Metland is most common today in the Netherlands, where it is a top 1000 last name. Records of the surname show that it was first established in the Netherlands in the fifteenth century, although it could have originated from further back in time. It is believed to be a patronymic derived from the Middle Dutch personal name Matheus. The last name could also have been derived from the Dutch word met, meaning ‘with’, indicating that the original bearer of the name was someone who had worked closely or served loyally with someone in a powerful position. While the surname is most common in the Netherlands today, records show that it has also been a surname seen in other countries such as Germany and Sweden. In Germany, records suggest that the surname was popular in the Rhineland area. In Sweden, the last name is more commonly spelled Methland and is a listed surname among the middle classes. Other variants of the surname include Metlan, Methlan and Metlen.

Variations of the surname Metland

The variant, spellings, and surnames for the origin of Metland are Metlen, Methlen, Methllan, Methlan, Mathlen, Matlan, Matlen, Mathlan, Madland, Madlen, Madlan, Madllen, Madlbn, Metlam, and Metton.

Metlen is the only spelling and surname that has been verified to have its origin from Metland. It is an English surname that dates back to the late 12th century. It originated in the county of Lancashire with the earliest record being that of William Metlen who was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1202. It is believed that the name is derived from the Old English words “mete” which means “meadow” and “lann” which stands for “enclosure”, hence its literal meaning of “enclosed meadow”.

The other variants and spellings of Metland existed in conjunction to Metlen, they were simply phonetic variations that were used to pronounce and spell the name for records and documentation. Similarly for the surnames, they were the exact same but the phonetic spelling changed.

The overall Metland origin surname has been rendered obsolete and uncommon over the centuries, but the many variants and surnames of it have been commonly used. Especially the spellings of Matlen, Madland, Matlan, and Methlan. The sound of the name has remained but regardless, Metlen is the only name with an origin from the place in Lancashire.

Famous people with the name Metland

• Stephen Metland: British Jazz saxophonist and composer
• Elizabeth Metland: American costume designer
• Marie Metland: Australian environmentalist
• Stian Metland: Norwegian journalist and editor
• Deanna Metland: Canadian music producer
• Christopher Metland: British visual artist
• Josie Metland: American journalist
• Clay Metland: American film director
• Mariella Metland: Swedish actor
• Ross Metland: Australian theatre producer and playwright

Other surnames

Metlan