NameCensus.

UK surname

Ackland

Derived from a place name meaning "oak-tree land," referring to a person who lived near an oak woodland.

In the 1881 census there were 981 people recorded with the Ackland surname, ranking it #3,964 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 911, ranked #6,252, down from #3,964 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Devon, Torridge and West Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ackland is 1,266 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 7.1%.

1881 census count

981

Ranked #3,964

Modern count

911

2016, ranked #6,252

Peak year

1911

1,266 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ackland had 981 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,964 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 911 in 2016, ranked #6,252.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,266 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Ackland surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ackland surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ackland 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 703 #3,713
1861 historical 665 #4,027
1881 historical 981 #3,964
1891 historical 1,020 #4,081
1901 historical 1,161 #4,201
1911 historical 1,266 #3,754
1997 modern 1,017 #5,415
1998 modern 1,058 #5,411
1999 modern 1,032 #5,570
2000 modern 1,032 #5,545
2001 modern 1,012 #5,530
2002 modern 1,004 #5,666
2003 modern 1,000 #5,593
2004 modern 966 #5,758
2005 modern 951 #5,774
2006 modern 933 #5,873
2007 modern 942 #5,888
2008 modern 942 #5,920
2009 modern 952 #5,988
2010 modern 968 #6,032
2011 modern 926 #6,190
2012 modern 919 #6,144
2013 modern 931 #6,189
2014 modern 945 #6,151
2015 modern 933 #6,160
2016 modern 911 #6,252

Geography

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Where Acklands are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton, London parishes, St Matthew Bethnal Green and Swansea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Devon, Torridge and West Somerset. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton Devon
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Matthew Bethnal Green London (East Districts)
5 Swansea Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Devon 006 North Devon
2 Torridge 004 Torridge
3 North Devon 009 North Devon
4 North Devon 012 North Devon
5 West Somerset 001 West Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ackland

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ackland

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Ackland surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Ackland household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Ackland is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ackland is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ackland 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 Ackland is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Ackland

The surname Ackland has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from the place name "Acland" in Devon, England. The name itself is thought to be a combination of the Old English words "ac" meaning "oak" and "land" signifying an area or estate.

The earliest recorded mention of the Ackland name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Aclant." This entry suggests that the name was already established in Devon by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.

In the 13th century, the spelling of the name evolved to "Ackland," reflecting the local pronunciation in Devon. During this time, the Ackland family held lands and manors in the area, establishing themselves as a prominent local landholding family.

One notable individual bearing the Ackland surname was Sir Hugh Ackland (c. 1390-1456), a member of the English gentry from Devon. He served as a member of Parliament for Devon in 1429 and held various official positions in the county.

Another prominent figure was Sir John Ackland (1552-1620), an English soldier and Member of Parliament. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I for his military service and played a role in the colonization of Virginia in the early 17th century.

In the 18th century, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland (1722-1794) was a prominent landowner and politician from Devon. He served as a Member of Parliament and was known for his advocacy of agricultural improvements and support for the arts and sciences.

The Ackland name also has connections to academic institutions. Thomas Gilbank Ackland (1782-1867) was an English philanthropist who donated funds to establish the Ackland Art Museum at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Another notable figure was Sir Roger Ackland (1811-1880), a British naval officer and explorer. He served in the Royal Navy and led several expeditions to the Arctic regions, making significant contributions to the exploration of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

Throughout its history, the Ackland surname has been closely associated with Devon, England, where it originated and maintained a strong presence among the local gentry and landholding families for centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ackland families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ackland 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. Devon leads with 316 Acklands recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.80x.

County Total Index
Devon 316 15.80x
Middlesex 126 1.31x
Somerset 85 5.50x
Glamorgan 81 4.84x
Hampshire 72 3.66x
Surrey 47 1.00x
Gloucestershire 42 2.23x
Kent 41 1.25x
Nottinghamshire 29 2.24x
Lancashire 20 0.18x
Cornwall 15 1.38x
Lincolnshire 14 0.91x
Essex 13 0.69x
Pembrokeshire 10 3.27x
Monmouthshire 9 1.30x
Rutland 9 12.76x
Yorkshire 9 0.09x
Lanarkshire 6 0.19x
Staffordshire 6 0.19x
Channel Islands 4 1.40x
Durham 4 0.14x
Sussex 4 0.25x
Berkshire 3 0.42x
Northumberland 3 0.21x
Warwickshire 3 0.12x
Cheshire 2 0.09x
Dorset 2 0.32x
Shropshire 2 0.24x
Wiltshire 2 0.24x
Brecknockshire 1 0.52x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.17x
Cumberland 1 0.12x
Hertfordshire 1 0.15x
Leicestershire 1 0.09x
Oxfordshire 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 43 Acklands recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.30x.

Place Total Index
Bethnal Green London 43 10.30x
Plymouth Charles The 33 37.45x
Barnstaple 31 98.76x
Plymouth St Andrew 29 18.82x
Swansea Town 26 18.96x
Roath 22 28.95x
Wellington 21 100.14x
Islington London 20 2.15x
Ilfracombe 18 87.42x
Braunton 17 250.74x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 17 9.58x
Newington 17 4.79x
Bideford 15 70.03x
Lewisham 15 8.58x
Nottingham St Mary 15 4.48x
Lambeth 12 1.43x
Basingstoke 10 44.15x
Pilton 10 151.52x
Bristol St James St Paul 9 14.32x
Churchstanton 9 367.35x
Lenton 9 29.50x
Maker 9 89.55x
Seaton 9 857.14x
Staplegrove 9 478.72x
Abbotsham 8 516.13x
Bow London 8 6.54x
Bursledon 8 373.83x
Clerkenwell London 8 3.53x
Loxhore 8 1159.42x
Uffculme 8 134.23x
Whippingham 8 53.66x
Boulston 7 1944.44x
Kensington London 7 1.31x
Poltimore 7 736.84x
Shebbear 7 233.33x
Winsham 7 247.35x
Wootton St Lawrence 7 213.41x
Bedminster 6 4.13x
Bristol St Augustine 6 19.73x
Deptford St Paul 6 2.37x
Dunkeswell 6 465.12x
Exeter Holy Trinity 6 76.53x
Govan 6 0.78x
Greenwich 6 3.92x
Hammersmith London 6 2.54x
Hemyock 6 201.34x
Long Bennington 6 200.67x
Maplederwell 6 845.07x
Mile End Old Town London 6 2.93x
Northam 6 41.15x
Southampton All Sts 6 17.76x
Sway 6 228.14x
Awliscombe 5 284.09x
Barking 5 9.01x
Bathwick 5 29.21x
Cardiff St John 5 9.15x
Cogan 5 201.61x
Combmartin 5 115.21x
Cullompton 5 57.27x
Exeter St Sidwell 5 10.91x
Goodleigh 5 609.76x
Heanton Punchardon 5 342.47x
Hordle 5 145.77x
Llandilo Talybont 5 56.95x
Morthoe 5 354.61x
Quadring 5 168.92x
Saffron Walden 5 24.95x
Stapleford 5 47.53x
Uxbridge 5 45.54x
West Derby 5 1.50x
West Monkton 5 146.63x
Westminster St John 5 4.27x
Abergavenny 4 15.38x
Bristol St Paul In 4 7.97x
Liverpool 4 0.58x
Llandough Juxta Cardiff 4 238.10x
Monckton Combe 4 80.97x
Putney 4 9.13x
Taunton St Mary 4 14.09x
Toxteth Park 4 1.04x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 94
John 51
Thomas 37
James 30
Charles 25
George 22
Frederick 16
Henry 16
Edward 14
Richard 14
Samuel 11
Alfred 10
Robert 10
Walter 9
Edwin 8
Herbert 7
Albert 4
Ernest 4
Joseph 4
Wm. 4
Arthur 3
Frank 3
Geo. 3
Philip 3
Stephen 3
Tom 3
Abraham 2
Benjamin 2
Clement 2
Harry 2
Peter 2
Thos. 2
Donald 1
Dudley 1
E. 1
Ebenezer 1
Edgar 1
Eli 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Fredk.J. 1
Fredrick 1
Gideon 1
Jas.Adolphus 1
Jhon 1
Jms. 1
Kenneth 1
Lewis 1
Wm.James 1

FAQ

Ackland surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ackland surname in 1881?

In 1881, 981 people were recorded with the Ackland surname. That placed it at #3,964 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ackland surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 911 in 2016. That gives Ackland a modern rank of #6,252.

What does the Ackland surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "oak-tree land," referring to a person who lived near an oak woodland.

What does the Ackland map show?

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