NameCensus.

UK surname

Ainge

Derived from a Middle English nickname meaning "aged" or "old," likely referring to an elderly person.

In the 1881 census there were 408 people recorded with the Ainge surname, ranking it #7,852 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 585, ranked #8,879, down from #7,852 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Melton, Sandwell and East Northamptonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ainge is 689 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 43.4%.

1881 census count

408

Ranked #7,852

Modern count

585

2016, ranked #8,879

Peak year

1998

689 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ainge had 408 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,852 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 585 in 2016, ranked #8,879.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 637 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Suburban Professionals.

Ainge surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ainge surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ainge 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 241 #9,037
1861 historical 253 #9,764
1881 historical 408 #7,852
1891 historical 439 #8,224
1901 historical 548 #7,547
1911 historical 637 #6,541
1997 modern 663 #7,554
1998 modern 689 #7,572
1999 modern 688 #7,618
2000 modern 672 #7,730
2001 modern 635 #7,916
2002 modern 669 #7,776
2003 modern 654 #7,804
2004 modern 638 #7,939
2005 modern 621 #8,056
2006 modern 605 #8,236
2007 modern 617 #8,184
2008 modern 623 #8,175
2009 modern 637 #8,196
2010 modern 631 #8,449
2011 modern 633 #8,333
2012 modern 605 #8,550
2013 modern 615 #8,580
2014 modern 620 #8,575
2015 modern 601 #8,723
2016 modern 585 #8,879

Geography

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Where Ainges are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory, Lambeth, Rushden and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Melton, Sandwell, East Northamptonshire and Leicester. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory Northamptonshire
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 Rushden Northamptonshire
5 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Melton 004 Melton
2 Melton 005 Melton
3 Sandwell 031 Sandwell
4 East Northamptonshire 008 East Northamptonshire
5 Leicester 001 Leicester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ainge

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ainge

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Suburban Professionals

Nationally, the Ainge surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Suburban Professionals, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Ainge household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Employment in this Group is typically in managerial and professional occupations, and education to degree level is common. Residents are typically of working age, many of whom identify with an Indian ethnicity. Households are unlikely to be of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities, and English is not the main language used in some households. This Group is found on the outskirts of most conurbations as well as in the suburbs of some free-standing towns.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Ainge is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ainge 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

Ainge falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Ainge

The surname AINGE is of English origin, believed to have originated in the county of Yorkshire during the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational name derived from a place name, possibly from the village of Aing or Ainge near Skipton in West Yorkshire.

The earliest known record of the surname AINGE dates back to the 13th century, when it appeared in various forms such as Aynge, Aynghe, and Ayngges. These early spellings reflect the evolution of the name over time, as surnames were often spelled phonetically in those days.

One of the earliest documented instances of the AINGE surname can be found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax returns of 1379, which recorded a Richard Aynge residing in the village of Kettlewell. This provides evidence that the name had established roots in the Yorkshire region by the late 14th century.

During the 16th century, the AINGE surname appears in several historical records, including the Parish Registers of Yorkshire. Notable bearers of the name from this period include John Aynge, who was baptized in Kirklington in 1567, and Robert Aynge, whose marriage to Elizabeth Browne was recorded in Topcliffe in 1590.

In the 17th century, the AINGE family expanded their presence beyond Yorkshire, with records showing instances of the name in other parts of England. One notable figure was William Ainge, a prominent merchant and landowner born in Doncaster in 1632.

The 18th century saw several AINGE individuals achieve notable positions, including Reverend John Ainge (1707-1784), who served as the vicar of Coxwold in North Yorkshire, and William Ainge (1745-1815), a respected landowner and farmer in the village of Kirkbymoorside.

As the AINGE surname spread across England, it also found its way to other parts of the world through migration and immigration. In the 19th century, James Ainge (1801-1859), a farmer from Yorkshire, emigrated to Canada and settled in the province of Ontario, becoming one of the earliest bearers of the name in North America.

Throughout its history, the AINGE surname has been associated with various professions and fields, from clergy and landowners to merchants and farmers. While not as widely recognized as some other English surnames, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and a strong connection to its Yorkshire roots.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ainge families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ainge 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. Warwickshire leads with 73 Ainges recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.27x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 73 7.27x
Leicestershire 63 14.28x
Worcestershire 56 10.78x
Middlesex 36 0.90x
Northamptonshire 36 9.62x
Surrey 28 1.44x
Lancashire 27 0.57x
Gloucestershire 20 2.56x
Staffordshire 10 0.74x
Kent 9 0.66x
Hertfordshire 8 2.92x
Cheshire 7 0.80x
Yorkshire 7 0.18x
Buckinghamshire 6 2.49x
Cornwall 6 1.33x
Oxfordshire 6 2.44x
Midlothian 4 0.75x
Cardiganshire 1 1.03x
Channel Islands 1 0.85x
Derbyshire 1 0.16x
Hampshire 1 0.12x
Lincolnshire 1 0.16x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leicester St Margaret in Leicestershire leads with 38 Ainges recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.31x.

Place Total Index
Leicester St Margaret 38 35.31x
Birmingham 27 8.07x
Lambeth 27 7.78x
Church Lench 16 3018.87x
St Pancras London 12 3.75x
Bredon 9 505.62x
Fladbury 9 1451.61x
Windle 9 33.87x
Arrow 8 1666.67x
Cheshunt 8 83.42x
St George Hanover Square 8 11.41x
Thrapston 8 425.53x
Birkdale 7 58.58x
Bishampton 7 1206.90x
Clifton 7 17.74x
Leamington 7 105.26x
Oldham 7 4.59x
Syston 7 169.49x
Birkenhead 6 8.57x
Bromsberrow 6 1666.67x
Calverley Cum Farsley 6 53.57x
Harborne 6 13.94x
Honington 6 1935.48x
Liskeard 6 79.58x
Moulton 6 288.46x
Plumstead 6 13.26x
Sambourn 6 833.33x
West Haddon 6 495.87x
Wolverton 6 120.48x
Daventry 5 94.34x
Finchley 5 32.77x
Knighton 5 200.80x
Leicester St Mary 5 14.03x
Melton Mowbray 5 63.05x
Neithrop 5 60.53x
St Marylebone London 5 2.35x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 4 1.86x
Matson 4 4000.00x
Northampton St Giles 4 28.05x
Northampton St Sepulchre 4 21.01x
Warwick St Mary 4 45.92x
Alcester 3 90.63x
Combrook 3 1034.48x
Cropthorne 3 312.50x
Holy Cross 3 1250.00x
Islington London 3 0.78x
Mountsorrel North End 3 352.94x
Norton By Kempsey 3 265.49x
Redditch 3 28.46x
Toxteth Park 3 1.88x
Bidford 2 93.02x
Kings Norton 2 4.29x
Leek Lowe 2 11.19x
Raunds 2 52.49x
St Luke London 2 3.13x
Stafford St Mary 2 10.52x
Tysoe 2 147.06x
Beckenham 1 5.63x
Binton 1 294.12x
Blackburn 1 0.80x
Bromley 1 4.83x
Edenham 1 129.87x
Edmonton 1 3.12x
Greenwich 1 1.58x
Halifax 1 1.73x
Heanor 1 10.73x
Henllys 1 181.82x
Mortlake 1 11.57x
Newent 1 25.19x
Newland 1 15.24x
Northampton Priory St 1 4.45x
Nottingham St Mary 1 0.72x
Old Alresford 1 149.25x
Sale 1 9.28x
Salford Priors 1 89.29x
St Saviour 1 15.34x
Warwick St Nicholas 1 13.59x
Westbury On Trym 1 3.78x
Wixford 1 666.67x
Worcester College 1 714.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 29
George 26
John 18
James 13
Thomas 13
Henry 10
Edward 7
Samuel 7
Charles 6
Albert 5
Alfred 5
Joseph 5
Arthur 4
Harry 4
Herbert 4
Alban 3
Edwin 3
Frederick 3
Walter 3
David 2
Frank 2
Hubert 2
Richard 2
Wm. 2
Albon 1
Alboun 1
Albsurn 1
Amos 1
Arthor 1
Auburn 1
Benjamin 1
Clement 1
Eley 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Geo. 1
H. 1
Harold 1
Isaac 1
Oliver 1
Philip 1
Saml.Jas. 1
Stephen 1
Tho. 1
Tom 1
W. 1

FAQ

Ainge surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ainge surname in 1881?

In 1881, 408 people were recorded with the Ainge surname. That placed it at #7,852 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ainge surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 585 in 2016. That gives Ainge a modern rank of #8,879.

What does the Ainge surname mean?

Derived from a Middle English nickname meaning "aged" or "old," likely referring to an elderly person.

What does the Ainge map show?

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