NameCensus.

UK surname

Alfred

Derived from the Old English personal name Ælfræd, meaning "elf counsel" or "wise elf."

In the 1881 census there were 125 people recorded with the Alfred surname, ranking it #17,335 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 444, ranked #10,905, up from #17,335 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Wandsworth and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber West, Slough and Southwark.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Alfred is 937 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 255.2%.

1881 census count

125

Ranked #17,335

Modern count

444

2016, ranked #10,905

Peak year

1861

937 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Alfred had 125 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,335 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 444 in 2016, ranked #10,905.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 937 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Alfred surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Alfred surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Alfred 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 301 #7,626
1861 historical 937 #2,956
1881 historical 125 #17,335
1891 historical 367 #9,486
1901 historical 206 #14,845
1911 historical 310 #11,180
1997 modern 338 #12,489
1998 modern 338 #12,829
1999 modern 331 #13,106
2000 modern 319 #13,391
2001 modern 294 #13,896
2002 modern 310 #13,697
2003 modern 318 #13,291
2004 modern 335 #12,870
2005 modern 360 #12,112
2006 modern 371 #11,916
2007 modern 386 #11,676
2008 modern 382 #11,901
2009 modern 388 #12,000
2010 modern 394 #12,131
2011 modern 396 #11,943
2012 modern 405 #11,627
2013 modern 437 #11,090
2014 modern 450 #10,902
2015 modern 433 #11,162
2016 modern 444 #10,905

Geography

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Where Alfreds are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Wandsworth, St Dunstan Stepney, Manchester and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber West, Slough, Southwark, Barnet and Newham. 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 Wandsworth London (South Districts)
3 St Dunstan Stepney London (East Districts)
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber West Aberdeen City
2 Slough 002 Slough
3 Southwark 022 Southwark
4 Barnet 004 Barnet
5 Newham 018 Newham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Alfred

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Alfred

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Alfred surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Alfred 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Alfred 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

Alfred 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

Alfred 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 Alfred 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Alfred

The surname Alfred has its origins in Old English, deriving from the elements "ælf" meaning "elf" and "ræd" meaning "counsel" or "wisdom". It is believed to have originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period, which lasted from the 5th to the 11th centuries.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Alfred as a surname dates back to the late 12th century in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire, where it was spelled "Alfredus". During this time, surnames were beginning to be adopted by the English gentry and aristocracy, often derived from personal names, occupations, or places of origin.

In the Domesday Book, a manuscript written in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror, there are several instances of the name Alfred or similar spellings, such as "Aluric" and "Alric", which could potentially be early forms of the surname.

One of the most notable historical figures with the surname Alfred was King Alfred the Great (849-899), who ruled over the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex from 871 to 899. He is renowned for his military victories against the Vikings, his promotion of education, and his legal reforms.

Another prominent individual with the surname Alfred was the Anglo-Saxon scholar and writer Ælfred of Rievaulx (c.1109-1166), who served as the abbot of the Cistercian monastery at Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire.

The surname Alfred has also been associated with several notable figures in more recent history. For example, Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) was a British naturalist, explorer, and co-discoverer of the theory of evolution through natural selection with Charles Darwin.

Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959) was a renowned English painter best known for his depictions of horses and equestrian scenes. His works can be found in various prestigious collections, including the Tate Gallery and the National Gallery of Canada.

In the realm of literature, Alfred Noyes (1880-1958) was an English poet and playwright who wrote several acclaimed works, including "The Highwayman" and "The Barrel-Organ".

These examples demonstrate the enduring presence of the surname Alfred throughout history, originating from its Anglo-Saxon roots and evolving over the centuries to be associated with individuals from various fields and backgrounds.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Alfred families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Alfred 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. Lancashire leads with 19 Alfreds recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.30x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 19 1.30x
Durham 15 4.10x
Middlesex 15 1.22x
Surrey 13 2.17x
Cornwall 10 7.19x
Glamorgan 8 3.74x
Somerset 8 4.04x
Staffordshire 5 1.21x
Devon 4 1.56x
Kent 4 0.95x
Monmouthshire 4 4.50x
Cheshire 3 1.11x
Norfolk 3 1.59x
Gloucestershire 2 0.83x
Hampshire 2 0.79x
Leicestershire 2 1.47x
Northumberland 2 1.09x
Sussex 2 0.97x
Derbyshire 1 0.52x
Essex 1 0.41x
Fife 1 1.37x
Isle of Man 1 4.38x
Yorkshire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Little Marsden in Lancashire leads with 10 Alfreds recorded in 1881 and an index of 149.70x.

Place Total Index
Great Little Marsden 10 149.70x
Sunderland 7 108.36x
Wandsworth 7 59.17x
Crewkerne 5 238.10x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 5 31.57x
Poplar London 5 21.55x
St Woollos 4 40.32x
Wolstanton 4 31.75x
Birkenhead 3 13.87x
Cardiff St John 3 42.92x
Gwinear 3 454.55x
Lambeth 3 2.80x
Manchester 3 4.57x
St Teath 3 357.14x
Toxteth Park 3 6.08x
Bromley 2 31.30x
Cardiff St Mary 2 16.96x
Clerkenwell London 2 6.89x
Eastbourne 2 20.96x
Maker 2 155.04x
Norwich St George Colegate 2 289.86x
St Clement Danes London 2 78.74x
Thornley 2 151.52x
West Dean 2 51.02x
Aberdare 1 6.81x
Bath St James 1 48.54x
Betchworth 1 135.14x
Bishopwearmouth 1 3.19x
Camberwell 1 1.27x
Charlton Adam 1 555.56x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 4.32x
Christchurch 1 18.32x
Clase 1 12.56x
Colchester St Botolph 1 48.54x
Dartford 1 23.31x
Derby St Peter 1 16.31x
Exeter St Sidwell 1 17.06x
Freaks Ground 1 5000.00x
Hackney London 1 1.45x
Heston 1 24.51x
Hindley 1 16.08x
Horton 1 111.11x
Kensington London 1 1.46x
Lee 1 16.42x
Leicester St Martin 1 108.70x
Llanhary 1 909.09x
Marown 1 238.10x
Mile End Old Town London 1 3.82x
Morebath 1 526.32x
Newington 1 2.20x
Plymouth Charles The 1 8.87x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 5.07x
Portsea 1 2.03x
St Austell 1 21.01x
St Columb Minor 1 85.47x
St Marylebone London 1 1.52x
St Stephen Coleman Street 1 232.56x
Stretford 1 12.47x
Swinton In Rotherham 1 31.06x
Tynemouth 1 10.21x
Wemyss 1 32.47x
West Dereham 1 416.67x
Winford 1 250.00x
Wolverhampton 1 3.13x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 8
Elizabeth 6
Ann 3
Emma 3
Sarah 3
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Martha 2
Selina 2
(Mrs) 1
Adelaine 1
Amelia 1
Annie 1
Bella 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Elizth.M. 1
Florence 1
Girty 1
Grace 1
Hanna 1
Isabella 1
Jane 1
Jessy 1
Johanna 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lena 1
Lizzie 1
M. 1
Margaret 1
Margreat 1
Maria 1
Miriam 1
Mrs.John 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 12
John 10
George 4
Henry 4
James 4
Alfred 3
Thomas 3
Albert 2
Samuel 2
Alexandre 1
Angus 1
Austin 1
Charles 1
Drummond 1
Dubois 1
Frederic 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
Gwinnet 1
Maurice 1
Neal 1
Nicholas 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Sidney 1
Willm. 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Alfred surname: questions and answers

How common was the Alfred surname in 1881?

In 1881, 125 people were recorded with the Alfred surname. That placed it at #17,335 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Alfred surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 444 in 2016. That gives Alfred a modern rank of #10,905.

What does the Alfred surname mean?

Derived from the Old English personal name Ælfræd, meaning "elf counsel" or "wise elf."

What does the Alfred map show?

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