The Metcalf surname

In the 2010 U.S. Census, 23,946 people carried this name — #1,494 among all U.S. surnames, about 1 in every 12,300 people counted. That is up 2% from 23,540 in 2000.

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What the name means

The meaning of the Metcalf surname

Possibly from Old English *metecealf (“meat calf”), a calf to be fattened up for eating. The use as a surname could have started off as a jocular nickname for an individual thought to be as "fat as a prize-calf"; or else in reference to the occupation involved in fattening up such a calf.

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary (en.wiktionary.org) — entry «Metcalf» (English), by Wiktionary contributors · licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) · excerpt, lightly adapted.

In Ireland’s birth registers, 1890

Ireland registered 9 births for the Metcalf name in 1890.

Most were registered in Ulster. By the Registrar-General’s own method — births multiplied by 44.38 — that is about 400 people bearing the name in Ireland at the time. 2 of them were indexed under other spellings of the name. The Registrar-General’s note on the name: “5 in Armagh.”

Too few records to say where it concentrates region by region — these are plain counts, not shares.

Where they were born, 1890

Ulster 5
Leinster 4

Registrar-General for Ireland, «Special Report on Surnames in Ireland» (R. E. Matheson, 1894), births index of 1890 — public domain.

Among the farmers of England and Wales, 1880s

Metcalf was found among the farmers of 5 counties.

It was most frequent in Yorkshire, North and East Ridings: 95 in every 10,000 farmers there — about 1 in 105. Guppy counted the farmers listed in each county’s directory and recorded a name only where it reached about 7 in every 10,000; where it does not appear, it was rarer than that, not absent. His list gives one count for the spellings Metcalf and Metcalfe.

Where it concentrates, on the map

Per 10,000 farmers, by county

Yorkshire, North and East Ridings 95
Yorkshire, West Riding 38
Durham 16
Lancashire 16
Cumberland and Westmorland 14

H. B. Guppy, «Homes of Family Names in Great Britain» (London, 1890), alphabetical list of English and Welsh names — public domain · farmers in Kelly’s Post Office Directories of the 1880s, per 10,000 farmers in each county.

In the first U.S. census, 1790

126 families named Metcalf, or a close spelling, were counted in 1790.

Each family is counted by its head. About 731 people lived in those households, 5.8 to a family on average. The table counts it together with 7 other spellings. The table lists white heads of families only, in the twelve states whose 1790 records survive; Virginia’s figures come from state lists of 1782–1785.

Families, by state

Massachusetts 48
New Hampshire 20
Connecticut 18
Virginia 9
North Carolina 9
Vermont 7
Maine 5
Pennsylvania 4
Rhode Island 3
New York 2
Maryland 1

U.S. Census Bureau, «A Century of Population Growth from the First Census of the United States to the Twelfth, 1790–1900» (Washington, 1909), table 111, p. 253 — public domain · names carried by at least 100 white persons in 1790.

In print

Metcalf in American newspapers,
1911.

Newspaper page from The Democratic Banner carrying the name Metcalf
The Democratic Banner 1911-06-09
Newspaper page from The Democratic Banner carrying the name Metcalf
The Democratic Banner 1911-06-09
Newspaper page from The Democratic Banner carrying the name Metcalf
The Democratic Banner 1911-03-24

Chronicling America, Library of Congress — digitised newspapers in the public domain.

In print

Metcalf in Australian newspapers,
1820s–1990s.

15,487 articles name a Mr, Mrs or Miss Metcalf. The most, 3,116, date from the 1930s. New South Wales has the most articles, but weighed against how much of each state’s press from the same decades has been digitised, the name stands out most in Western Australia, at 2.4 times its expected share.

Articles, by state

New South Wales 4,046
Western Australia 3,279
Victoria 2,936
South Australia 2,288
Queensland 2,228
Tasmania 609
ACT (Canberra) 52
Northern Territory 3

Trove, National Library of Australia (trove.nla.gov.au) · articles in its digitised newspapers that name a Mr, Mrs or Miss Metcalf.

Who carried it

People named Metcalf,
with a public archive behind them.

  • Ralph Metcalf d. 2026 · politician
  • Thomas Metcalf d. 1793
  • Kathleen Metcalf d. 1933
  • Jaiah Metcalf d. 2020
  • Mary Bayly d. 1790
  • Thomas Metcalf d. 1894 · university teacher

Wikidata (CC0) · 10 lives in all are documented under this name.

In the public record

People named Metcalf,
in the records of 6 countries.

Soldiers, farmers, migrants and neighbours who carried the name and left a trace in public archives. Everyone shown here died long ago or was born more than a century ago.

United States2,046 records

2,046 records of the Metcalf name in the United States
  • U.S. Army enlistment records, World War II 833
  • U.S. veterans' cemetery records, burials to 2001 360
  • Other U.S. records 853
  1. A United States Selective Service registration card, 1942
    Example: U.S. registration card, 1942
    Military record Frederick W. Metcalf

    Born 1918 in Massachusetts. Enlisted 1942 at Boston; route man from Worcester County. U.S. Army veteran of World War II; died 1996, buried at Hopedale Village Cemetery, Massachusetts.

    U.S. National Archives, WWII Army Enlistment Records (public domain); U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravesite Locator (CC0)
  2. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record Grace Metcalf

    Arrived at New York in 1892 aboard the Teutonic from Liverpool, aged 60; servant. From Belfast, Ireland; bound for New York.

    U.S. National Archives, Castle Garden Immigration Center Collection, Ship Passenger Records (unrestricted)
  3. Names engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C.
    Example: U.S. war memorial
    War record Edward Walter Metcalf

    Born 1932; from Prairie City, Oregon. U.S. Army, explosive ordnance disposal specialist; died in an accident 1971 in Khanh Hoa, South Vietnam.

    U.S. National Archives, Defense Casualty Analysis System (public domain)

Showing 3 of 2,046 records for Metcalf in the United States.

Counts: U.S. National Archives, WWII Army Enlistment Records (public domain) · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravesite Locator (CC0) · U.S. National Archives, Castle Garden Immigration Center Collection, Ship Passenger Records (unrestricted) · NYC Department of Records & Information Services, Historical Vital Records (NYC Open Data) · U.S. National Archives, Flexoline Index Data File (public domain) · New York State Department of Health, Genealogical Research Death Index · U.S. National Archives, Famine Irish Passenger Records (public domain) · U.S. National Archives, Defense Casualty Analysis System (public domain) · Sacramento County, Historic Burials (CC BY 4.0) · City of Asheville (public domain, PDDL). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: U.S. Selective Service registration card, 1942 (public domain); Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain); Vietnam Veterans Memorial, photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden, 2009 (public domain).

Australia723 records

723 records of the Metcalf name in Australia
  • Victoria passenger lists, 1839–1923 376
  • Tasmanian Names Index 139
  • Other Australian records 208
  1. A page of the Berlin civil register, 1880
    Example: civil register, 1880
    Death record John William James Metcalf

    Born 1880 in Launceston, Tasmania. Died 1915 in Tasmania, aged 36.

    Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Names Index (CC BY 4.0)
  2. A marriage entry in the civil register of Tilburg, 1911
    Example: marriage register, 1911
    Marriage record Ada Alice Metcalf

    Born 1855 in Westbury, Tasmania. Married 1879 in Deloraine, Tasmania, aged 23.

    Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Names Index (CC BY 4.0)
  3. An 1829 etching of convicts being rowed out to the prison ship York in Portsmouth Harbour
    Pictured: convicts going on board a prison ship, 1829
    Transportation record Henry Metcalf

    Transported to New South Wales aboard the Blenheim, arriving 1830; ticket of leave 1843.

    Museums of History NSW – State Archives Collection (CC BY)

Showing 3 of 723 records for Metcalf in Australia.

Counts: Public Record Office Victoria (CC BY 4.0) · Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Names Index (CC BY 4.0) · Queensland State Archives (CC BY 4.0) · Museums of History NSW – State Archives Collection (CC BY) · State Library of Western Australia (CC BY 4.0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Civil register, Berlin, 1880, Landesarchiv Berlin (CC0); Marriage register, Tilburg, 1911, Regionaal Archief Tilburg (public domain); Prison-ship in Portsmouth Harbour, with the convicts going on board, etching by Edward William Cooke, 1829, Royal Museums Greenwich (public domain).

Canada127 records

127 records of the Metcalf name in Canada
  • Nova Scotia Archives name indexes 65
  • Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver 16
  • Other Canadian records 46
  1. A passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, arriving at New York in 1903
    Example: passenger manifest, 1903
    Passenger record John Metcalf

    Came to Ontario in 1880 aboard the Polynesian, landing at Halifax, bound for Gravenhurst, Ontario; English.

    Archives of Ontario. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Ontario.
  2. Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Example: Canadian cemetery
    Burial record Weldon Everett Metcalf

    Buried in 1987 at St. Mary's Cemetery, Calgary, Alberta, aged 60.

    City of Calgary. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – City of Calgary.
  3. A page of the Berlin civil register, 1880
    Example: civil register, 1880
    Death record Mary Marguerite Metcalf

    Died 1941 in Glace Bay, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

    Nova Scotia Archives. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Nova Scotia.

Showing 3 of 127 records for Metcalf in Canada.

Counts: Nova Scotia Archives. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Nova Scotia. · City of Vancouver. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Vancouver. · Veterans Affairs Canada. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Canada. · City of Winnipeg. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Winnipeg. · City of Calgary. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – City of Calgary. · Archives of Ontario. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Ontario. · National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain) · Contains information provided by the City of Waterloo under licence. Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Passenger manifest of the S.S. St. Paul, New York, 1903 (public domain); Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Halifax, photo by Edgar El (CC BY 3.0); Civil register, Berlin, 1880, Landesarchiv Berlin (CC0).

New Zealand30 records

30 records of the Metcalf name in New Zealand
  • Christchurch City cemetery records 29
  • War Office casualty lists, 1917–1919, among the dead 1
  1. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Stella Grace Metcalf

    Died 1938, aged 20; buried at Bromley Cemetery, Christchurch, Canterbury.

    Christchurch City Council (CC BY 4.0)
  2. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Elizabeth Metcalf

    Died 1890, aged 54; buried at Addington Cemetery, Christchurch, Canterbury.

    Christchurch City Council (CC BY 4.0)
  3. A page of the Livre d’or of the French war dead, Paris
    Example: roll of the war dead
    War record T. Metcalf

    Lance Corporal, New Zealand Field Artillery. Listed among the dead in the War Office casualty list of 1918.

    National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain)

Showing 3 of 30 records for Metcalf in New Zealand.

Counts: Christchurch City Council (CC BY 4.0) · National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Burial register of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, 1858, National Library of Wales (CC0); Livre d’or of the war dead, Paris, Ministère des pensions, Archives nationales (CC0).

United Kingdom21 records

21 records of the Metcalf name in the United Kingdom
  • War Office casualty lists, 1917–1919, among the dead 16
  • St James's burial ground, Euston (London), 1789–1853 3
  • Other British records 2
  1. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record Agnes H. Metcalf

    Died 1944, aged 48; buried at Dunblane Cemetery, Stirling, Scotland.

    Stirling Council. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  2. A petition to the probate court of St. Louis, 1848
    Example: probate petition, 1848
    Probate record Edward George Metcalf

    Will proved in 1910; of Llandudno, Carnarvon.

    National Library of Wales, Wills Index Cards (CC0)
  3. A First World War roll of honour of the staff of C. & E. Morton Ltd
    Example: roll of honour, 1914–1919
    War record W. Metcalf

    Norfolk Regiment. Listed among the dead in the War Office casualty list of 1918.

    National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain)

Showing 3 of 21 records for Metcalf in the United Kingdom.

Counts: National Library of Scotland, War Office Weekly Casualty Lists (public domain) · MOLA and HS2, St James's burial ground data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. · National Library of Wales, Wills Index Cards (CC0) · Stirling Council. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Burial register of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, 1858, National Library of Wales (CC0); Petition to the probate court, St. Louis, 1848, Missouri Historical Society (public domain); C. & E. Morton Ltd roll of honour, 1914–1919, photo by Adrian S Pye via Geograph (CC BY-SA 2.0).

Netherlands6 records

6 records of the Metcalf name in the Netherlands Dutch church registers before 1811
  1. A marriage entry in the civil register of Tilburg, 1911
    Example: marriage register, 1911
    Marriage record Maria Metcalf

    Married in 1775 in Zeist; born in Londen.

    Open Archives, Het Utrechts Archief (CC BY 4.0)
  2. A page of the Berlin civil register, 1880
    Example: civil register, 1880
    Civil record Emmeken Metcalf

    Baptised in 1645 in Bergen op Zoom.

    Open Archives, West Brabants Archief (CC BY 4.0)
  3. A page of the burial register of Newtown, Wales, 1858
    Example: burial register, 1858
    Burial record George Metcalf

    Buried in 1736 in Kralingen.

    Open Archives, Stadsarchief Rotterdam (CC BY 4.0)

Showing 3 of 6 records for Metcalf in the Netherlands.

Counts: Open Archives (CC BY 4.0). Example pages, not the records of the people shown: Marriage register, Tilburg, 1911, Regionaal Archief Tilburg (public domain); Civil register, Berlin, 1880, Landesarchiv Berlin (CC0); Burial register of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, 1858, National Library of Wales (CC0).

Other spellings of this name

The same name, spelled another way.

Spellings that H. B. Guppy (England and Wales, 1890) or the Registrar-General for Ireland (births index of 1890) counted as one name together with Metcalf.

Nearby in the index

Surnames next to Metcalf.

When the index is not enough

This page says where Metcalf is.
A volume says what happened to it.

Every page in the index is free and stays free. The Heritage Volume is the long form: the full paper trail, the arms, the crossing — bound, and yours.

See the Metcalf volume
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