Metcalf

Metcalf is a surname and a place name used in English-speaking countries. The spelling Metcalf is common, and Metcalfe is a frequent variant. The name is of English origin and is typically considered to be toponymic, derived from a place name in England that was borne by families who later adopted it as a surname. Through migration and settlement, Metcalf spread to North America and other regions, where it has become established in genealogies and on maps.

In geography, several towns, streets, and geographic features bear the name Metcalf, especially in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. These names are usually linked historically to individuals or families bearing the surname, or to places once owned by them.

As a surname, Metcalf has been carried by many people who achieved notability across diverse fields, including science, education, public service, and the arts. In contemporary usage, the name also appears in the designations of institutions, buildings, and roads named in honor of people with the surname.

Related forms include Metcalfe, Metcalf Street, and other localized variants. See also Metcalfe for information on the closely related surname and its uses. The Metcalf name embodies a family-origin toponym that has persisted in language and geography through centuries of English-speaking history.