Magyar Medcalfs

“This very interesting surname recorded in the spellings of Medcalf, Metcalf and Metcalfe, is English. It is chiefly recorded in the county of Yorkshire, and there have been claims that it represents the very first hereditary surname. This is arguable, but there is no doubt that it was one of the very first. It is probably topographical, but may be occupational, and in either case derives either from the Olde English pre 7th century word “mete” meaning food or meat, plus “cealf”, a calf, with the translation of “a calf to be fattened for eating (at the end of the Summer)”, or when the first element is written as “med” it may derive from “mead”, and describe a pasture or meadow where calves were fattened.”

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While looking up the origins of my family name, I thought I might check where the name Medcalf came from.

Last night we hosted our dear friends the Medcalfs. They live in Hungary and ‘Magyar’ is the Hungarian word for ‘Hungarian’.

Mr Magyar Medcalf was christened Matthew, giving rise to a lot of Ms for this post.

It was great to catch up with Matty and his wonderful wife Edith.

Matty and I were able to put most of the world’s problems right last night.

Unfortunately, neither of us was able to recall any of the solutions this morning.

We were both reminded that taken in sufficient volume, even the best wine can give rise to a cracking headache.

Both wives were able to confirm that it is neither big or clever to drink too much.

They were able to confirm this repeatedly.

A lot.

So that’s nice.

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