NameCensus.

UK surname

Alphonse

A French surname derived from the Germanic name components "adal" (noble) and "funs" (ready).

In the 1881 census there were 5 people recorded with the Alphonse surname, ranking it #33,110 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 160, ranked #22,694, up from #33,110 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Aylesbury Vale, Balgownie and Donmouth West and Islington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Alphonse is 176 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 3100.0%.

1881 census count

5

Ranked #33,110

Modern count

160

2016, ranked #22,694

Peak year

2009

176 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Alphonse had 5 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,110 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 160 in 2016, ranked #22,694.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 18 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Alphonse surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Alphonse surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Alphonse 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 1 #33,412
1861 historical 3 #33,861
1881 historical 5 #33,110
1891 historical 16 #32,868
1901 historical 18 #32,032
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 115 #24,834
1998 modern 120 #24,793
1999 modern 129 #23,907
2000 modern 131 #23,672
2001 modern 120 #24,615
2002 modern 127 #24,267
2003 modern 140 #22,634
2004 modern 139 #22,891
2005 modern 146 #22,146
2006 modern 147 #22,221
2007 modern 153 #21,912
2008 modern 168 #20,828
2009 modern 176 #20,632
2010 modern 174 #21,259
2011 modern 161 #22,187
2012 modern 147 #23,567
2013 modern 160 #22,621
2014 modern 158 #23,022
2015 modern 154 #23,306
2016 modern 160 #22,694

Geography

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Where Alphonses are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Aylesbury Vale, Balgownie and Donmouth West, Islington and Southend-on-Sea. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Aylesbury Vale 013 Aylesbury Vale
2 Balgownie and Donmouth West Aberdeen City
3 Aylesbury Vale 016 Aylesbury Vale
4 Islington 004 Islington
5 Southend-on-Sea 007 Southend-on-Sea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Alphonse

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Alphonse

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Alphonse surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Alphonse household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Alphonse is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Alphonse 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

Alphonse 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 Alphonse 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Alphonse

The surname Alphonse has its origins in France, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old German name Adalfuns, which means "noble and ready." The name later evolved into the French form Alphonse.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Alphonse can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of landholders in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as Alfuns, likely referring to a Norman landowner of French origin.

During the medieval period, the name Alphonse was particularly prevalent in the regions of Normandy and Brittany in northern France. It was also commonly found in the nearby areas of modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands.

In the 12th century, a prominent figure named Alphonse de Brienne (1148-1234) served as the Count of Eu and later became the King of Jerusalem through marriage. He played a significant role in the Crusades and the defense of the Holy Land.

Another notable bearer of the name was Alphonse de Poitiers (1220-1271), a younger son of King Louis VIII of France. He was granted the County of Poitou and Auvergne by his brother, King Louis IX, and became an influential figure in the French nobility.

During the Renaissance period, Alphonse X of Castile (1221-1284), also known as Alphonse the Wise, was a prominent ruler and patron of the arts and sciences. He is renowned for his contributions to astronomy, poetry, and legal reforms.

In the 19th century, Alphonse Daudet (1840-1897) was a celebrated French novelist and playwright, best known for his works such as "Letters from My Windmill" and "Fromont and Risler." He is considered one of the leading figures of the naturalist movement in French literature.

Another notable figure was Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939), a Czech Art Nouveau painter and decorative artist. His distinctive style, characterized by stylized forms and intricate patterns, had a significant influence on the Art Nouveau movement, particularly in Paris.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Alphonse families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Alphonse 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. Middlesex leads with 3 Alphonses recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.19x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 3 6.19x
Cornwall 1 18.21x
Surrey 1 4.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clerkenwell London in Middlesex leads with 1 Alphonses recorded in 1881 and an index of 87.72x.

Place Total Index
Clerkenwell London 1 87.72x
Falmouth 1 526.32x
Hackney London 1 36.76x
Hampstead London 1 131.58x
Kingston On Thames 1 175.44x

Top female names

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

Name Count
E. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Andreas 1
Georgios 1
John 1
Madee 1

Top occupations

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 Alphonse households.

FAQ

Alphonse surname: questions and answers

How common was the Alphonse surname in 1881?

In 1881, 5 people were recorded with the Alphonse surname. That placed it at #33,110 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Alphonse surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 160 in 2016. That gives Alphonse a modern rank of #22,694.

What does the Alphonse surname mean?

A French surname derived from the Germanic name components "adal" (noble) and "funs" (ready).

What does the Alphonse map show?

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