NameCensus.

UK surname

Abigail

From a Hebrew name meaning "my father is joy," which later came into use as a surname.

In the 1881 census there were 76 people recorded with the Abigail surname, ranking it #22,745 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 126, ranked #26,686, down from #22,745 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stalham, Ealing, Chiswick and Walsham, North. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stockton-on-Tees, Oxford and Ipswich.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Abigail is 147 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 65.8%.

1881 census count

76

Ranked #22,745

Modern count

126

2016, ranked #26,686

Peak year

1911

147 bearers

Map years

3

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Abigail had 76 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,745 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016, ranked #26,686.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 147 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Abigail surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Abigail surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Abigail 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 41 #25,926
1861 historical 48 #27,896
1881 historical 76 #22,745
1891 historical 96 #24,559
1901 historical 100 #22,863
1911 historical 147 #18,104
1997 modern 95 #27,638
1998 modern 94 #28,435
1999 modern 99 #27,906
2000 modern 100 #27,695
2001 modern 99 #27,534
2002 modern 99 #28,082
2003 modern 88 #29,506
2004 modern 86 #30,019
2005 modern 86 #30,094
2006 modern 86 #30,425
2007 modern 88 #30,515
2008 modern 94 #29,950
2009 modern 92 #30,820
2010 modern 98 #30,540
2011 modern 98 #30,384
2012 modern 102 #29,902
2013 modern 117 #27,838
2014 modern 124 #27,049
2015 modern 123 #27,088
2016 modern 126 #26,686

Geography

Back to top

Where Abigails are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stalham, Ealing, Chiswick, Walsham, North, Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos and Bacton, Edingthorpe. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stockton-on-Tees, Oxford, Ipswich, Norwich and Forest Heath. 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 Stalham Norfolk
2 Ealing, Chiswick Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
3 Walsham, North Norfolk
4 Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos Norfolk
5 Bacton, Edingthorpe Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stockton-on-Tees 003 Stockton-on-Tees
2 Oxford 002 Oxford
3 Ipswich 014 Ipswich
4 Norwich 002 Norwich
5 Forest Heath 001 Forest Heath

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Abigail

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Abigail

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Abigail surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Abigail 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Abigail is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Abigail is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Abigail falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Abigail

The surname "ABIGAIL" is not a traditional surname, but rather a given name that has been used as a surname in some instances. Its origin can be traced back to the Hebrew language, where it is derived from the words "Avi" meaning "father" and "Gil" meaning "joy" or "rejoice." The name is believed to have originated in ancient Israel, with its earliest known references found in the biblical book of Samuel.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "ABIGAIL" appears in the Old Testament, where it is mentioned as the name of the wife of Nabal, a wealthy man from Carmel. This biblical reference dates back to around the 11th century BC. The name gained popularity among Jewish communities and later spread to other cultures and regions.

During the Middle Ages, the name "ABIGAIL" appeared in various European records and manuscripts, particularly in England and France. Historical records from this period often include variations of the spelling, such as "Abygale" or "Abigale." However, its usage as a surname was relatively rare during this time.

One notable historical figure with the surname "ABIGAIL" was Abigail Adams (1744-1818), the wife of the second President of the United States, John Adams. She was a prominent figure during the American Revolution and is known for her influential letters, which provided valuable insights into the era.

Another individual with the surname "ABIGAIL" was Abigail Field (1588-1663), an early settler in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. She was born in England and immigrated to America in the 17th century, becoming one of the first European women to settle in the area now known as Saugus, Massachusetts.

In the literary realm, Abigail Rounce (1670-1740) was an English writer and poet who published several works in the early 18th century, including "The Plea of the Muses for the Admission of the Female Sex to the Liberties of Art and Science."

The name "ABIGAIL" can also be found in place names, such as Abigail's Bridge, a historic covered bridge located in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, constructed in the early 19th century.

While the name "ABIGAIL" has been used as a surname in isolated cases throughout history, it is primarily recognized as a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries. Its usage as a surname remains relatively uncommon compared to its popularity as a first name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Abigail families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Abigail 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. Norfolk leads with 52 Abigails recorded in 1881 and an index of 45.63x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 52 45.63x
Middlesex 22 2.97x
Kent 2 0.79x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Yarmouth in Norfolk leads with 19 Abigails recorded in 1881 and an index of 201.27x.

Place Total Index
Great Yarmouth 19 201.27x
Chiswick 16 395.06x
North Walsham 7 853.66x
Bacton 6 5000.00x
Hackney London 5 12.03x
Aylsham 4 588.24x
Hellesdon 4 1904.76x
Norwich St Clement 3 227.27x
Thorpe Next Norwich 3 247.93x
Norwich St Mary At Coslany 2 606.06x
Ringwould 2 909.09x
Happisburgh 1 714.29x
Norwich St Helen 1 714.29x
Norwich St Saviour 1 250.00x
Walcott 1 3333.33x
Westminster St Margaret 1 27.93x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 5
Alice 2
Caroline 2
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Elizabeth 2
Hellen 2
Lavinia 2
Sarah 2
Ada 1
Ann 1
Charlett 1
Charlotte 1
Christhenmia 1
Ealnor 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Ethel 1
Isabella 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
Lilian 1
Maria 1
May 1
Precilla 1
Rohda 1
Rose 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 6
Charles 3
Henry 3
Robert 3
William 3
George 2
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Freddy 1
Frederick 1
James 1
Jas. 1
Sidney 1
Thomas 1
Walter 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 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 Abigail households.

FAQ

Abigail surname: questions and answers

How common was the Abigail surname in 1881?

In 1881, 76 people were recorded with the Abigail surname. That placed it at #22,745 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Abigail surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016. That gives Abigail a modern rank of #26,686.

What does the Abigail surname mean?

From a Hebrew name meaning "my father is joy," which later came into use as a surname.

What does the Abigail map show?

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