NameCensus.

UK surname

Aaron

A biblical name derived from the Hebrew name Aharon, meaning "high mountain" or "exalted."

In the 1881 census there were 467 people recorded with the Aaron surname, ranking it #7,122 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 804, ranked #6,884, up from #7,122 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Christ Church Spitalfields, Halifax and Pontefract. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ross and Cromarty South West, Blackpool and Swale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Aaron is 804 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 72.2%.

1881 census count

467

Ranked #7,122

Modern count

804

2016, ranked #6,884

Peak year

2016

804 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Aaron had 467 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,122 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 804 in 2016, ranked #6,884.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 573 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Aaron surname distribution map

The map shows where the Aaron surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Aaron surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Aaron over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 269 #8,303
1861 historical 379 #6,739
1881 historical 467 #7,122
1891 historical 498 #7,454
1901 historical 553 #7,500
1911 historical 573 #7,078
1997 modern 652 #7,641
1998 modern 704 #7,445
1999 modern 695 #7,560
2000 modern 718 #7,364
2001 modern 704 #7,337
2002 modern 706 #7,461
2003 modern 720 #7,221
2004 modern 719 #7,231
2005 modern 708 #7,265
2006 modern 729 #7,144
2007 modern 753 #7,031
2008 modern 754 #7,077
2009 modern 783 #7,001
2010 modern 798 #7,047
2011 modern 784 #7,065
2012 modern 791 #6,906
2013 modern 794 #7,005
2014 modern 794 #7,046
2015 modern 797 #6,954
2016 modern 804 #6,884

Geography

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Where Aarons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Christ Church Spitalfields, Halifax, Pontefract, Batley and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ross and Cromarty South West, Blackpool, Swale, Salford and Bradford. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Christ Church Spitalfields London (East Districts)
2 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Pontefract Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Batley Yorkshire, West Riding
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ross and Cromarty South West Highland
2 Blackpool 018 Blackpool
3 Swale 002 Swale
4 Salford 010 Salford
5 Bradford 027 Bradford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Aaron

These lists show first names that appear often with the Aaron surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Aaron

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Aaron, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Aaron surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Aaron household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Aaron is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Aaron is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Aaron falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Aaron is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Aaron, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Aaron

The surname Aaron has its origins in ancient Hebrew, derived from the Biblical name Aharon, meaning "high mountain" or "exalted". It is believed to have originated in the Middle East, particularly in the region of ancient Israel, where it first appeared as a personal name.

The name Aaron is mentioned numerous times in the Hebrew Bible, most notably as the name of Moses' older brother, who served as the first High Priest of the Israelites. This biblical connection has contributed to the widespread use of the name among Jewish communities throughout history.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Aaron can be found in medieval Jewish records from various European countries, such as England, France, and Germany. For instance, the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of England from the late 12th century, indicating its presence among Jewish communities in the region at that time.

During the Middle Ages, the surname Aaron was often associated with Jewish scholars and rabbinical families. One notable figure was Aaron of Lincoln (c. 1250-1320), a prominent English Jewish financier and advisor to King Edward I.

In the 16th century, the name Aaron gained popularity among Sephardic Jewish communities in the Iberian Peninsula and other parts of Europe. One example is Aaron Cardoso (1515-1609), a Portuguese-Jewish philosopher and physician who lived in Venice.

As Jewish communities migrated and settled in different parts of the world, the surname Aaron spread to various regions. In the 17th century, Aaron van Amersfoort (1619-1668) was a Dutch Golden Age painter known for his still-life works.

In the 19th century, the surname Aaron became more widespread, with individuals bearing the name emerging in various fields. One notable figure was Henry Aaron (1834-1919), an American civil engineer who designed several notable bridges and structures in the United States.

Other notable individuals with the surname Aaron include Raymond Aaron (1859-1935), a French playwright and screenwriter; Hank Aaron (1934-2021), an American baseball legend and Hall of Famer; and Richard Aaron (1901-1987), a British actor and singer known for his roles in various plays and musicals.

While the surname Aaron has its roots in the ancient Hebrew tradition, it has since been adopted by individuals of various ethnic and religious backgrounds, reflecting its enduring legacy and universal appeal.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Aaron families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Aaron surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 134 Aarons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.97x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 134 2.97x
Middlesex 77 1.69x
Lancashire 59 1.09x
Warwickshire 30 2.61x
Carmarthenshire 26 13.54x
Staffordshire 25 1.63x
Brecknockshire 15 16.47x
Kent 13 0.84x
Surrey 12 0.54x
Worcestershire 11 1.85x
Ayrshire 10 2.93x
Cheshire 10 0.99x
Durham 9 0.66x
Denbighshire 8 4.65x
Lincolnshire 6 0.82x
Somerset 5 0.68x
Monmouthshire 4 1.21x
Cornwall 2 0.39x
Flintshire 2 1.63x
Glamorgan 2 0.25x
Hampshire 2 0.21x
Sussex 2 0.26x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.54x
Derbyshire 1 0.14x
Suffolk 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Morley in Yorkshire leads with 28 Aarons recorded in 1881 and an index of 119.30x.

Place Total Index
Morley 28 119.30x
Halifax 23 34.71x
Preston 17 11.75x
Birmingham 16 4.18x
Stoke Upon Trent 13 7.97x
Aston 11 3.48x
St George In East London 11 25.67x
Goole 10 132.28x
Knottingley 10 126.10x
Whitechapel London 10 22.27x
Darlington 9 17.20x
Manchester 9 3.70x
Bethnal Green London 8 4.04x
Blackburn 8 5.56x
Clerkenwell London 8 7.44x
Leeds 8 3.14x
Llanarthney 8 275.86x
Llandebie 8 143.63x
Spitalfields London 8 23.35x
St Marylebone London 8 3.29x
Weston In Runcorn 8 306.51x
Everton 7 4.06x
Holbeck 7 23.40x
Mile End Old Town London 7 7.22x
Southwark St George Martyr 7 7.64x
Bilston 6 20.13x
Hook 6 60.42x
Hunslet 6 8.52x
Llywel 6 304.57x
Loudoun 6 73.17x
Lower Ystradgynlais 6 106.76x
Minster In Sheppey 6 23.30x
Ratcliffe London 6 23.85x
Stourbridge 6 39.19x
Llanddarog 5 364.96x
Ruabon 5 21.13x
St Botolph Aldgate London 5 53.30x
Wigan 5 6.62x
Aberystruth 4 13.78x
Bath St Michael 4 108.11x
Galston 4 42.92x
Hulme 4 3.54x
Llangathen 4 294.12x
North Bierley 4 16.41x
Worcester St Clement 4 105.82x
Eccleshill 3 27.30x
Horncastle 3 39.89x
Liverpool 3 0.91x
Llanelly 3 27.52x
Tickton Hull Bridge 3 517.24x
Battersea 2 1.19x
Castle Church 2 21.65x
Chirk 2 59.00x
Cleckheaton 2 12.03x
Cliffe 2 56.98x
Drighlington 2 30.40x
Edgbaston 2 5.61x
Great Grimsby 2 4.33x
Hawarden 2 20.79x
Hipperholme Cum 2 10.09x
Ifield 2 62.50x
Ince In Makerfield 2 7.95x
Islington London 2 0.45x
Lambeth 2 0.50x
Rawmarsh 2 12.54x
River 2 202.02x
Scarborough 2 4.88x
Shoreditch London 2 1.01x
Southowram 2 14.51x
Spotland 2 3.33x
Stafford St Mary 2 9.19x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 2 9.54x
Wolverhampton 2 1.69x
Woolwich 2 3.48x
Beverley St Martin 1 13.28x
Lowestoft 1 3.82x
North Frodingham 1 94.34x
Ousefleet 1 303.03x
Ruswarp 1 19.92x
Salford 1 0.63x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Aaron surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Sarah 29
Mary 23
Elizabeth 15
Ann 9
Hannah 9
Jane 8
Eliza 7
Annie 5
Florence 5
Margaret 5
Ada 4
Alice 4
Catherine 4
Ellen 4
Emma 4
Kate 4
Rebecca 4
Amelia 3
Charlotte 3
Fanny 3
Frances 3
Louisa 3
Martha 3
Rachel 3
Rose 3
Agnes 2
Beatrice 2
Dinah 2
Emily 2
Esther 2
Harriet 2
Leah 2
Lizzie 2
Margret 2
Adeliade 1
Amy 1
Betsy 1
Blanche 1
Bridget 1
Brinah 1
Dora 1
Edith 1
Elenor 1
Eliz. 1
Elizb. 1
Hester 1
Hetty 1
Isabella 1
Julia 1
Tobe 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Aaron surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 29
William 25
George 13
Thomas 11
James 10
Arthur 9
David 8
Joseph 8
Henry 7
Charles 6
Harry 5
Isaac 5
Wm. 5
Abraham 4
Edward 4
Richard 4
Samuel 4
Alfred 3
Mark 3
Moses 3
Adolphus 2
Albert 2
Ben 2
Benjamin 2
Frank 2
Harrison 2
Lewis 2
Phillip 2
Robert 2
Alexander 1
Barrett 1
Benjamen 1
Benjm. 1
Bradly 1
Eli 1
Emanuel 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Gustus 1
Harris 1
Isidore 1
Israel 1
Jonathan 1
Lazarus 1
Levy 1
Louis 1
Moseley 1
Moss 1
Nicholas 1

FAQ

Aaron surname: questions and answers

How common was the Aaron surname in 1881?

In 1881, 467 people were recorded with the Aaron surname. That placed it at #7,122 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Aaron surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 804 in 2016. That gives Aaron a modern rank of #6,884.

What does the Aaron surname mean?

A biblical name derived from the Hebrew name Aharon, meaning "high mountain" or "exalted."

What does the Aaron map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Aaron bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.