The metcalf Surname
metcalf Name Meaning and History
English (Yorkshire): of uncertain origin, probably from Middle
English metecalf ‘food calf’, i.e. a calf being fattened up for
eating at the end of the summer. It is thus either an occupational
name for a herdsman or slaughterer, or a nickname for a sleek and
plump individual, from the same word in a transferred sense. The
variants in med- appear early, and suggest that the first
element was associated by folk etymology with Middle English
mead ‘meadow’, ‘pasture’.
Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-508137-4
Learn the meaning and history of your first name
Share this page with friends and family
Search for metcalf records
More resources for your metcalf family history
Metcalf message board
Threads: 578 - Messages: 1740
Start your FREE family tree. Who will you discover?
A family tree is the easiest way to start discovering your family history. To begin, just enter whatever you know and we'll use that to try and find more information for you.
Begin your family tree with your name:
The metcalf name in History
A unique volume of fascinating facts, statistics and commentary following the metcalf family name as far back in history as possible.
Member Connections
- Anonymously contact one of the Ancestry members researching the metcalf last name.
- Search for Ancestry members researching one of your specific ancestors.
- Create or update your own Ancestry member profile so that other members can anonymously contact you.
More Tools and Resources
- Search Ancestry.com for all of your metcalf ancestors.
- Create and publish your own family history book using Ancestry Press.
- Learn more about your family history using DNA Ancestry.
- Learn more about family history in the Ancestry Learning Center.
- Visit the Ancestry.com homepage.