NameCensus.

UK surname

Aitcheson

A Scottish surname derived from the diminutive form of the given name Adkin, meaning "little Adam."

In the 1881 census there were 291 people recorded with the Aitcheson surname, ranking it #9,931 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 197, ranked #19,777, down from #9,931 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dunbar, Belford and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Maryhill West, Islington and Kirklees.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Aitcheson is 291 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 32.3%.

1881 census count

291

Ranked #9,931

Modern count

197

2016, ranked #19,777

Peak year

1881

291 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Aitcheson had 291 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,931 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 197 in 2016, ranked #19,777.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 291 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Aitcheson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Aitcheson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Aitcheson 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 222 #9,597
1861 historical 285 #8,826
1881 historical 291 #9,931
1891 historical 196 #15,163
1901 historical 260 #12,817
1911 historical 56 #27,216
1997 modern 186 #18,448
1998 modern 189 #18,737
1999 modern 191 #18,744
2000 modern 194 #18,554
2001 modern 188 #18,652
2002 modern 201 #18,236
2003 modern 201 #18,089
2004 modern 202 #18,110
2005 modern 199 #18,198
2006 modern 207 #17,892
2007 modern 210 #17,904
2008 modern 204 #18,403
2009 modern 208 #18,551
2010 modern 209 #18,893
2011 modern 204 #19,040
2012 modern 205 #18,909
2013 modern 203 #19,327
2014 modern 200 #19,713
2015 modern 191 #20,205
2016 modern 197 #19,777

Geography

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Where Aitchesons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dunbar, Belford, Govan Combination, Gateshead and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Maryhill West, Islington, Kirklees, Dunipace and Arran. 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 Dunbar Haddington
2 Belford Northumberland
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 Gateshead Durham
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Maryhill West Glasgow City
2 Islington 014 Islington
3 Kirklees 016 Kirklees
4 Dunipace Falkirk
5 Arran North Ayrshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Aitcheson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Aitcheson

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Aitcheson, 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 Aitcheson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Aitcheson 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Aitcheson is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Aitcheson 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

Aitcheson 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 Aitcheson 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 Aitcheson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Aitcheson

The surname AITCHESON originates from Scotland, where it first emerged in the 13th century. It is a locational name, derived from the lands of Aitchison or Aitcheson in the Scottish Borders region. The name is thought to come from the Old English words "ac" meaning oak and "sun" meaning son, essentially translating to "son of the oak."

Records show that the earliest known bearer of the name was John de Atchesoun, who was mentioned in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of homage rolls recording those who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England following his conquest of parts of Scotland. The name appeared in various spellings throughout the centuries, including Atcheson, Aitcheson, Aitchison, and Atchieson.

One of the earliest notable individuals with this surname was Sir James Aitchison, a Scottish knight who fought in the Battle of Otterburn in 1388. In the 16th century, Robert Aitchison was a prominent merchant and burgess of Edinburgh, serving as Dean of Guild in 1557 and 1558.

In the 17th century, John Aitchison (1598-1689) was a Scottish minister and theologian who served as Professor of Divinity at the University of St Andrews. He was known for his scholarly works on theology and his role in the development of Presbyterian doctrine in Scotland.

Another notable bearer of the name was Sir Charles Umpherston Aitchison (1832-1896), a British colonial administrator who served as Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab from 1882 to 1888. He was instrumental in implementing several reforms in the region, including the establishment of a network of canals for irrigation.

In the 19th century, William Aitchison (1825-1910) was a Scottish architect who designed several notable buildings in Edinburgh, including the Church of St John the Evangelist and the Donaldson's Hospital school. His works were known for their Gothic Revival style and attention to detail.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Aitcheson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Aitcheson 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. Lanarkshire leads with 59 Aitchesons recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.47x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 59 6.47x
Northumberland 30 7.15x
East Lothian 24 64.27x
Midlothian 22 5.83x
Durham 21 2.50x
Ayrshire 18 8.53x
Lancashire 14 0.42x
Buteshire 8 46.84x
Dumfriesshire 8 12.85x
Dunbartonshire 8 10.56x
Berwickshire 7 20.50x
Surrey 7 0.51x
Essex 6 1.08x
Middlesex 6 0.21x
Renfrewshire 6 2.75x
Roxburghshire 6 11.75x
Argyllshire 5 6.37x
Kirkcudbrightshire 5 12.25x
Yorkshire 5 0.18x
Angus 4 1.53x
Cumberland 3 1.24x
Monmouthshire 3 1.47x
Fife 2 1.20x
Hampshire 2 0.35x
Kent 2 0.21x
Staffordshire 2 0.21x
Stirlingshire 2 1.92x
Northamptonshire 1 0.38x
Perthshire 1 0.79x
Ross-shire 1 1.29x
Wigtownshire 1 2.67x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dunbar in East Lothian leads with 24 Aitchesons recorded in 1881 and an index of 458.02x.

Place Total Index
Dunbar 24 458.02x
Govan 18 7.98x
Glasgow 14 8.65x
Old Monkland 14 38.70x
Dalry 9 90.63x
Chester Le Street 8 124.22x
Dumbarton 8 75.90x
Rothesay 8 96.74x
Dalkeith 7 93.96x
Kilbirnie 7 138.07x
Annan 6 112.15x
Barony 6 2.60x
Broughton In Salford 6 19.61x
Croydon 6 7.87x
Jesmond 6 101.69x
Melrose 6 136.05x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 6 108.89x
Port Glasgow 6 56.82x
Sunderland 6 40.51x
Walthamstow 6 29.96x
West Calder 6 80.65x
Belford 5 561.80x
Kilfinan 5 239.23x
Kirkcudbright 5 147.93x
St Mary 5 267.38x
Cadder 4 59.44x
Dundee 4 4.10x
Hampstead London 4 9.11x
Toxteth Park 4 3.53x
Westgate 4 15.40x
Chirnside 3 205.48x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 3 1.97x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 3 8.26x
Lasswade 3 34.76x
Newcastle On Tyne St 3 13.80x
St Cuthbert W O 3 25.36x
St Woollos 3 13.19x
West Derby 3 3.07x
Westoe 3 6.31x
Blantyre 2 21.07x
Burslem 2 7.34x
Hoddam 2 133.33x
Kilsyth 2 30.17x
Minster In Sheppey 2 12.55x
Wallsend 2 15.04x
Brixworth 1 88.50x
Cambuslang 1 10.88x
Christchurch 1 7.98x
Clapham 1 2.84x
Cockburnspath 1 91.74x
Coldstream 1 40.49x
Crossgate 1 27.25x
Cullercoates 1 75.76x
Cupar 1 13.77x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 1 11.20x
Edinburgh Tolbooth 1 45.45x
Eling 1 17.09x
Elswick 1 2.99x
Inverkeithing 1 39.84x
Kilmadock 1 34.36x
Kiltearn 1 87.72x
Langton 1 204.08x
Lauder 1 52.91x
Newton On Ayr 1 15.82x
Rusholme 1 11.21x
South Blyth Newsham 1 121.95x
Spitalfields London 1 4.72x
St Pancras London 1 0.44x
St Quivox 1 14.03x
Stow 1 51.55x
Warkworth 1 147.06x
Whithorn 1 35.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Isabella 6
Elizabeth 5
Mary 5
Alice 3
Janet 3
Martha 3
Anne 2
Eliza 2
Agnes 1
Annie 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Elanor 1
Eliz. 1
Elizh.C. 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Gertrude 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Jessie 1
Josespine 1
M. 1
Maggie 1
Maria 1
Maud 1
Mina 1
Rosina 1
Sarah 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 10
James 8
John 6
George 3
Thomas 3
Andrew 2
Robert 2
Adam 1
Alexander 1
Arthur 1
Augustus 1
Charles 1
David 1
Geo. 1
Henry 1
Israel 1
Jasper 1
Joseph 1
Nicholas 1
Peter 1
Stewart 1
Thos. 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Aitcheson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Aitcheson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 291 people were recorded with the Aitcheson surname. That placed it at #9,931 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Aitcheson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 197 in 2016. That gives Aitcheson a modern rank of #19,777.

What does the Aitcheson surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the diminutive form of the given name Adkin, meaning "little Adam."

What does the Aitcheson map show?

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