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 Meil family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Meil Family History

Meil Surname Meaning

Scottish (Orkney): habitational name from one of several places in Orkney (and perhaps Shetland) named from Old Norse melr ‘sandbank’. The surname is now spelled Meil in Orkney and Mail in Shetland.

The name is rare in Britain and Ireland.

German: variant of Meile.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


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 Meil family from?

You can see how Meil families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Meil family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Meil families were found in USA in 1920. In 1911 there were 7 Meil families living in Saskatchewan. This was about 64% of all the recorded Meil's in Canada. Saskatchewan had the highest population of Meil families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Meil 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 Meil ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Saleslady were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Meil. 34% of Meil men worked as a Farmer and 34% of Meil women worked as a Saleslady. Some less common occupations for Americans named Meil were Clerk and Teacher.

View Census Data for Meil | 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.

United States shown, Canada data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    34%
  • Laborer
    20%
  • Salesman
    15%
  • Clerk
    15%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Saleslady
    34%
  • Telephone Operator
    34%
  • Teacher
    34%

What Meil family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search Canadian census records for Meil

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Meil. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Meil immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 713 military records available for the last name Meil. For the veterans among your Meil ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Meil military records

You've only scratched the surface of Meil family history

Discover More

What is the average Meil lifespan?

Between 1954 and 2003, in the United States, Meil life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1954, and highest in 1990. The average life expectancy for Meil in 1954 was 48, and 81 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Meil

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Meil 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.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Meil family tree

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