UK surname
A French surname derived from the French feminine personal name Alice, ultimately from the Old German name Adalheidis.
In the 1881 census there were 40 people recorded with the Alice surname, ranking it #28,011 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 96, ranked #31,684, down from #28,011 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Eccles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Alice is 286 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 140.0%.
1881 census count
40
Ranked #28,011
Modern count
96
2016, ranked #31,684
Peak year
1861
286 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Alice surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Alice surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 159 | #12,400 |
| 1861 | historical | 286 | #8,793 |
| 1881 | historical | 40 | #28,011 |
| 1891 | historical | 126 | #20,604 |
| 1901 | historical | 61 | #27,379 |
| 1911 | historical | 218 | #14,177 |
| 1997 | modern | 20 | #35,809 |
| 1998 | modern | 19 | #36,009 |
| 1999 | modern | 15 | #36,476 |
| 2000 | modern | 18 | #36,104 |
| 2001 | modern | 18 | #35,961 |
| 2002 | modern | 27 | #35,243 |
| 2003 | modern | 27 | #35,279 |
| 2004 | modern | 26 | #35,519 |
| 2005 | modern | 23 | #35,924 |
| 2006 | modern | 36 | #35,131 |
| 2007 | modern | 30 | #35,661 |
| 2008 | modern | 31 | #35,670 |
| 2009 | modern | 37 | #35,434 |
| 2010 | modern | 40 | #35,403 |
| 2011 | modern | 45 | #35,112 |
| 2012 | modern | 62 | #34,155 |
| 2013 | modern | 76 | #33,329 |
| 2014 | modern | 92 | #32,132 |
| 2015 | modern | 90 | #32,245 |
| 2016 | modern | 96 | #31,684 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Eccles and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Alice surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Alice, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Alice surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Alice household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Alice is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Alice is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Alice, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Alice is of English origin, derived from the Old French personal name Alis or Aliz, which in turn comes from the Old German name Adalhaidis or Adalheit, meaning "noble kind." The name was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Some of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Alice can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were administrative records maintained by the English government. The name appears in various spellings, such as Aliz, Alize, and Alyce.
In the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname Alice was particularly prevalent in the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire. It is believed that the name may have originated from the village of Aliceholt, which is located in the New Forest area of Hampshire.
One notable historical figure with the surname Alice was Sir Andrew Alice, who was a member of the English Parliament in the 14th century. He was knighted by King Edward III in 1346 for his service in the Battle of Crécy during the Hundred Years' War.
Another prominent individual was Thomas Alice, a wealthy merchant and landowner from Oxfordshire who lived in the 15th century. He was known for his philanthropic efforts and contributed to the construction of several churches and charitable institutions in the region.
In the 16th century, the surname Alice was associated with the Alice family, who were prominent landowners in Gloucestershire. One of the most notable members was Sir John Alice (1509-1584), who served as the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire and was a Member of Parliament for the county.
During the English Civil War in the 17th century, Captain William Alice (1620-1689) was a renowned military leader who fought for the Parliamentarian forces. He is remembered for his bravery and strategic skills in several battles against the Royalists.
Another notable figure was Mary Alice (1732-1809), a pioneering educator and writer from Warwickshire. She founded one of the earliest schools for girls in England and authored several books on education and moral philosophy.
Throughout its history, the surname Alice has been associated with various noble families, landowners, merchants, and other influential individuals in different parts of England. While its origins can be traced back to the Norman era, the name has maintained its presence and significance over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Alice surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Midlothian leads with 10 Alices recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.62x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Midlothian | 10 | 19.62x |
| Kent | 4 | 3.08x |
| Surrey | 4 | 2.16x |
| Worcestershire | 4 | 8.05x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.66x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 2.57x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.53x |
| Berwickshire | 1 | 21.69x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 1.19x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 3.05x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.33x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 2.37x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 3.64x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 1.71x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.78x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 2.97x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.27x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Penicuik in Midlothian leads with 9 Alices recorded in 1881 and an index of 1304.35x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Penicuik | 9 | 1304.35x |
| Lower Mitton | 4 | 909.09x |
| Rotherhithe | 4 | 85.11x |
| Chislehurst | 3 | 428.57x |
| Butterworth | 2 | 181.82x |
| Portsea | 2 | 13.09x |
| Canterbury St Mary | 1 | 114.94x |
| Channelkirk | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Cole Orton | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Edinburgh Tolbooth | 1 | 333.33x |
| Hale | 1 | 344.83x |
| Huddersfield | 1 | 18.21x |
| Llangattock Llingoed | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Norwich St Etheldred | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 7.15x |
| St Mary Within | 1 | 243.90x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 3.27x |
| Stanton Fitzwarren | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Wardleworth | 1 | 38.76x |
| West Ham | 1 | 6.03x |
| Wolverhampton | 1 | 10.13x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Alice surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Alice surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Alice households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Decorator | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Foundry Youth | 1 |
| Genral Servant | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| House Maid Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Housemaid Dom Serv | 1 |
| Kitchenmaid | 1 |
| Licensed Victualler | 1 |
| Maid (Nieces) | 1 |
| Masons Labourer | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Woollen Weaver | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 40 people were recorded with the Alice surname. That placed it at #28,011 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 96 in 2016. That gives Alice a modern rank of #31,684.
A French surname derived from the French feminine personal name Alice, ultimately from the Old German name Adalheidis.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Alice bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.