NameCensus.

UK surname

Alp

A surname derived from the French word for "mountain" or "high pasture".

In the 1881 census there were 130 people recorded with the Alp surname, ranking it #16,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 157, ranked #23,006, down from #16,911 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Shoebury, South, St Leonard Shoreditch and Aldeby. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stockton-on-Tees, Portsmouth and Basildon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Alp is 174 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 20.8%.

1881 census count

130

Ranked #16,911

Modern count

157

2016, ranked #23,006

Peak year

2010

174 bearers

Map years

5

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Alp had 130 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,911 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 157 in 2016, ranked #23,006.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 130 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Alp surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Alp surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Alp 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 71 #20,875
1881 historical 130 #16,911
1901 historical 130 #19,649
1997 modern 132 #22,821
1998 modern 147 #21,935
1999 modern 145 #22,305
2000 modern 141 #22,648
2001 modern 139 #22,541
2002 modern 152 #21,723
2003 modern 154 #21,308
2004 modern 156 #21,261
2005 modern 156 #21,221
2006 modern 162 #20,886
2007 modern 165 #20,893
2008 modern 160 #21,521
2009 modern 171 #21,024
2010 modern 174 #21,259
2011 modern 173 #21,172
2012 modern 166 #21,683
2013 modern 173 #21,486
2014 modern 166 #22,277
2015 modern 159 #22,796
2016 modern 157 #23,006

Geography

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Where Alps are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Shoebury, South, St Leonard Shoreditch, Aldeby, London parishes and West Ham,Wanstead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stockton-on-Tees, Portsmouth, Basildon and New Forest. 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 Shoebury, South Essex
2 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 Aldeby Norfolk
4 London parishes London 2
5 West Ham,Wanstead Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stockton-on-Tees 009 Stockton-on-Tees
2 Portsmouth 023 Portsmouth
3 Basildon 005 Basildon
4 Basildon 008 Basildon
5 New Forest 007 New Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Alp

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Alp

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Alp is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Alp is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Alp falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Alp is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Alp

The surname "Alp" has its origins in the Germanic and Anglo-Saxon cultures, dating back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "ælf," which referred to elves or supernatural beings. This name was likely given as a nickname to someone with an otherworldly or mystical appearance or demeanor.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Ælf." This suggests that the name was already in use among the Anglo-Saxon population before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

As the name evolved over time, it took on various spellings, such as "Alp," "Alpe," and "Alph." These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and scribal preferences. Some records also indicate that the name may have been associated with certain place names, such as "Alpesby" or "Alphington," further contributing to its diverse spellings.

Notable individuals bearing the surname "Alp" throughout history include:

1. William Alp (c. 1330-1395), an English landowner and member of Parliament during the reign of King Edward III. 2. Johannes Alp (c. 1480-1551), a German scholar and theologian who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. 3. Mary Alp (c. 1610-1685), an English herbalist and naturalist known for her contributions to the study of medicinal plants. 4. Johann Alp (1701-1768), a Swiss mathematician and astronomer who made important observations of the transit of Venus. 5. Robert Alp (1805-1876), a Scottish engineer and inventor who pioneered the use of reinforced concrete in construction.

These examples demonstrate the widespread presence of the surname "Alp" across various regions and historical periods, reflecting its enduring legacy and connections to diverse cultural contexts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Alp families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Alp 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. Norfolk leads with 32 Alps recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.41x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 32 16.41x
Essex 21 8.39x
Suffolk 20 12.95x
Middlesex 18 1.42x
Surrey 12 1.94x
Yorkshire 10 0.80x
Durham 8 2.12x
Hertfordshire 4 4.58x
Lincolnshire 3 1.48x
Lancashire 2 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aldeby in Norfolk leads with 13 Alps recorded in 1881 and an index of 4642.86x.

Place Total Index
Aldeby 13 4642.86x
South Shoebury 11 1089.11x
Great Wakering 9 1607.14x
Chelsea London 7 18.32x
Gillingham 7 3500.00x
St Pancras London 7 6.86x
Tanshelf 7 700.00x
Toft Monks 6 3529.41x
Gateshead 5 17.71x
Lowestoft 5 68.49x
Somerleyton 5 1923.08x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 19.60x
Lambeth 4 3.62x
Wenhaston 4 1052.63x
Bridlington 3 104.17x
Gorleston 3 76.53x
Great Yarmouth 3 18.58x
Little Munden 3 1500.00x
Southwark St Saviour 3 46.01x
Tanfield 3 66.82x
Clee With Weelsby 2 45.05x
Kensington London 2 2.84x
Shoreditch London 2 3.64x
Toxteth Park 2 3.93x
Beccles 1 40.16x
Blyford 1 1250.00x
Burgh St Peter 1 625.00x
Great Grimsby 1 7.77x
Hatfield 1 56.50x
Heckingham 1 714.29x
Reedham 1 270.27x
Stoven 1 1666.67x
West Ham 1 1.81x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 6
Elizabeth 5
Sarah 4
Caroline 3
Ada 2
Alice 2
Catherine 2
Ellen 2
Emily 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Adeline 1
Amelia 1
Anne 1
Betsy 1
Charlotte 1
Christiana 1
Clara 1
Cordila 1
E.J. 1
E.Mary 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Frances 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Hephsabeth 1
J.N. 1
Laurie 1
Leonana 1
Louisa 1
M.A.S. 1
Matilda 1
Minnie 1
Nellie 1
Polly 1
R.Alice 1
Rachel 1
Rosetta 1
Rosey 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 8
John 8
William 8
Robert 6
Frederick 5
Charles 4
Harry 4
James 4
Alfred 2
Alfd.E. 1
Benjamin 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
H.J. 1
H.J.Thomas 1
Henry 1
Joseph 1
Richard 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1
Theophilus 1
Thomas 1
Walter 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Alp surname: questions and answers

How common was the Alp surname in 1881?

In 1881, 130 people were recorded with the Alp surname. That placed it at #16,911 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Alp surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 157 in 2016. That gives Alp a modern rank of #23,006.

What does the Alp surname mean?

A surname derived from the French word for "mountain" or "high pasture".

What does the Alp map show?

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