NameCensus.

UK surname

Aberdeen

A toponymic surname referring to someone from Aberdeen, a city and county in northeast Scotland.

In the 1881 census there were 122 people recorded with the Aberdeen surname, ranking it #17,602 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 209, ranked #19,009, down from #17,602 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to KInghorn, Christ Church Spitalfields and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Solihull and Camden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Aberdeen is 220 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 71.3%.

1881 census count

122

Ranked #17,602

Modern count

209

2016, ranked #19,009

Peak year

2013

220 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Aberdeen had 122 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,602 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 209 in 2016, ranked #19,009.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 153 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Aberdeen surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Aberdeen surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Aberdeen 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 119 #15,247
1861 historical 117 #18,635
1881 historical 122 #17,602
1891 historical 153 #18,078
1901 historical 117 #20,830
1911 historical 97 #23,076
1997 modern 187 #18,398
1998 modern 193 #18,511
1999 modern 184 #19,178
2000 modern 188 #18,916
2001 modern 184 #18,907
2002 modern 196 #18,535
2003 modern 184 #19,075
2004 modern 180 #19,424
2005 modern 184 #19,117
2006 modern 184 #19,254
2007 modern 183 #19,553
2008 modern 183 #19,735
2009 modern 197 #19,218
2010 modern 218 #18,375
2011 modern 216 #18,321
2012 modern 215 #18,304
2013 modern 220 #18,324
2014 modern 218 #18,583
2015 modern 213 #18,769
2016 modern 209 #19,009

Geography

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Where Aberdeens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around KInghorn, Christ Church Spitalfields, St Pancras, St James Clerkenwell and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Solihull and Camden. 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 KInghorn Fife
2 Christ Church Spitalfields London (East Districts)
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 St James Clerkenwell London (Central Districts)
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 019 County Durham
2 Solihull 005 Solihull
3 County Durham 038 County Durham
4 County Durham 046 County Durham
5 Camden 003 Camden

Forenames

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First names often paired with Aberdeen

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Aberdeen

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Aberdeen, 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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Aberdeen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Aberdeen household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Aberdeen is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Aberdeen is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Aberdeen falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Aberdeen 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 Aberdeen, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Aberdeen

The surname Aberdeen originated in Scotland, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 12th century. The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic words "abair" meaning "mouth" and "dian" meaning "sheltered place", referring to the location of the city of Aberdeen on the east coast of Scotland, situated between the mouths of the Rivers Dee and Don.

The name is closely associated with the city of Aberdeen, which was founded in the 12th century as a royal burgh. It is likely that the earliest bearers of the surname were residents or inhabitants of this city or the surrounding areas. The spelling of the name has remained relatively consistent over time, with minor variations such as "Aberdene" or "Abirdene" appearing in historical records.

One of the earliest documented instances of the surname can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1264, which mention a "John de Abirdene". Another notable early reference is in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a record of homages sworn to King Edward I of England, where a "William de Abirden" is listed.

In the 14th century, a prominent figure bearing the surname was William de Aberdeen, a Scottish statesman and diplomat who served as the Bishop of St Andrews from 1328 to 1347. During his tenure, he played a significant role in negotiating peace treaties between Scotland and England.

Another notable bearer of the name was George Aberdeen, Lord Haddo (1784-1860), a Scottish politician and landowner who served as the Governor General of Canada from 1835 to 1840. He was instrumental in promoting responsible government in the British North American colonies.

In the realm of literature, Sir William Aberdeen (1892-1960), a Scottish writer and academic, made significant contributions to the study of Scottish literature and folklore. His works include "The Haunted Colleges" and "The Bon-Accord Tales".

The surname Aberdeen has also been associated with places outside of Scotland. For instance, the city of Aberdeen in Washington State, USA, was named in honor of the Scottish city, reflecting the influence of Scottish settlers in the region.

Throughout its history, the surname Aberdeen has maintained its connection to the city of its origin, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of Scottish names and their geographical roots.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Aberdeen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Aberdeen 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. Middlesex leads with 35 Aberdeens recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.94x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 35 2.94x
Durham 20 5.65x
Aberdeenshire 13 11.80x
Angus 13 11.79x
Fife 12 17.04x
Oxfordshire 9 12.25x
Lanarkshire 7 1.82x
Midlothian 5 3.14x
Surrey 3 0.52x
Northumberland 2 1.13x
Buckinghamshire 1 1.39x
Clackmannanshire 1 10.17x
Kincardineshire 1 6.90x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dundee in Angus leads with 13 Aberdeens recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.59x.

Place Total Index
Dundee 13 31.59x
Kinghorn 12 800.00x
St Pancras London 11 11.48x
Willington 9 439.02x
Henley On Thames 8 529.80x
St Marylebone London 8 12.59x
Clerkenwell London 7 24.92x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 6 29.10x
Crossgate 6 387.10x
Aberdeen Old Machar 5 21.73x
Elvet 5 195.31x
Edinburgh St Johns 4 396.04x
Spitalfields London 4 44.69x
Barony 3 3.08x
Carnwath 3 126.05x
Longbenton 2 26.67x
Shoreditch London 2 3.88x
Southwark Christchurch 2 35.84x
Aboyne 1 172.41x
Banchory Ternan 1 80.00x
Clackmannan 1 53.76x
Cornbury Park 1 5000.00x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 1.56x
Fenny Stratford 1 147.06x
Govan 1 1.05x
Newhills 1 44.25x
Norwood 1 36.76x
St George Hanover Square 1 4.77x
St Gilesin Fields London 1 99.01x
Walton On Thames 1 37.59x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jane 4
Alice 2
Anne 2
Cecilia 2
Elizabeth 2
Isabella 2
Mary 2
Sarah 2
Aimy 1
Annie 1
Caroline 1
Eliz. 1
Eliza 1
Etheldra 1
Florence 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lillian 1
Maria 1
Rebeccah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 6
James 5
Robert 3
Alex 2
Alfred 2
Ernest 2
Henry 2
John 2
William 2
A.W. 1
Albert 1
Ambrose 1
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Claudius 1
David 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Richard 1
Samuel 1
Walter 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Aberdeen households.

FAQ

Aberdeen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Aberdeen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 122 people were recorded with the Aberdeen surname. That placed it at #17,602 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Aberdeen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 209 in 2016. That gives Aberdeen a modern rank of #19,009.

What does the Aberdeen surname mean?

A toponymic surname referring to someone from Aberdeen, a city and county in northeast Scotland.

What does the Aberdeen map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Aberdeen 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.