NameCensus.

UK surname

Ambrose

Derived from the Latin name Ambrosius, meaning "immortal" or "divine," and bestowed as a surname.

In the 1881 census there were 2,641 people recorded with the Ambrose surname, ranking it #1,682 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,872, ranked #1,745, down from #1,682 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Willingham and Damerham, South. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Braintree, Babergh and East Cambridgeshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ambrose is 4,142 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 46.6%.

1881 census count

2,641

Ranked #1,682

Modern count

3,872

2016, ranked #1,745

Peak year

1999

4,142 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ambrose had 2,641 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,682 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,872 in 2016, ranked #1,745.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,670 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Ambrose surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ambrose surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ambrose 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 1,779 #1,620
1861 historical 1,790 #1,619
1881 historical 2,641 #1,682
1891 historical 3,035 #1,550
1901 historical 3,471 #1,607
1911 historical 3,670 #1,425
1997 modern 3,916 #1,664
1998 modern 4,104 #1,645
1999 modern 4,142 #1,640
2000 modern 4,051 #1,669
2001 modern 3,997 #1,653
2002 modern 4,065 #1,660
2003 modern 3,979 #1,663
2004 modern 3,960 #1,673
2005 modern 3,874 #1,683
2006 modern 3,852 #1,701
2007 modern 3,878 #1,700
2008 modern 3,914 #1,697
2009 modern 3,984 #1,704
2010 modern 4,012 #1,728
2011 modern 3,953 #1,726
2012 modern 3,856 #1,743
2013 modern 3,929 #1,745
2014 modern 3,955 #1,740
2015 modern 3,920 #1,731
2016 modern 3,872 #1,745

Geography

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Where Ambroses are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Willingham, Damerham, South and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Braintree, Babergh, East Cambridgeshire and Ipswich. 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 1
2 Willingham Cambridgeshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Damerham, South Hampshire
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Braintree 014 Braintree
2 Babergh 007 Babergh
3 Babergh 003 Babergh
4 East Cambridgeshire 001 East Cambridgeshire
5 Ipswich 011 Ipswich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ambrose

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ambrose

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

Ambrose 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

Ambrose falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ambrose 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 Ambrose, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Ambrose

The surname Ambrose originated in France during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Latin name "Ambrosius," which means "immortal" or "divine." The name can be traced back to the 4th century saint, St. Ambrose, who was the Bishop of Milan.

The earliest known records of the name Ambrose as a surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name was recorded as "Ambrose" and "Ambroys," indicating its French origins.

During the Middle Ages, the name Ambrose was particularly popular among the nobility and the clergy. One notable figure was Ambrose of Milan (339-397 AD), a renowned theologian and philosopher who played a significant role in the development of Christian doctrine.

In the 12th century, a prominent bearer of the name was Ambrose of Normandy (1068-1137), a Benedictine monk and historian who wrote the "History of the Norman Kings." His work provided valuable insights into the Norman conquest of England.

Another notable figure was Ambrose Dudley (1528-1590), an English nobleman and courtier who served as the Earl of Warwick during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He played a pivotal role in the political and religious affairs of the time.

In the realm of literature, Ambrose Philips (1674-1749) was an English poet and playwright who was widely acclaimed for his pastoral poems. His works, such as "The Distressed Mother" and "Pastorals," influenced the literary landscape of the 18th century.

Finally, Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914), an American writer and satirist, is renowned for his contributions to literature. His work, "The Devil's Dictionary," a satirical lexicon of English language, remains a classic in the genre of dark humor.

Throughout history, the surname Ambrose has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including religious leaders, nobles, writers, and intellectuals. Its enduring presence across different cultures and time periods reflects its rich heritage and historical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ambrose families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ambrose 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 427 Ambroses recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.66x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 427 1.66x
Lancashire 322 1.05x
Suffolk 254 8.10x
Kent 231 2.63x
Essex 199 3.92x
Cambridgeshire 157 9.63x
Surrey 157 1.25x
Hertfordshire 121 6.82x
Norfolk 66 1.67x
Wiltshire 64 2.81x
Berkshire 48 2.49x
Derbyshire 41 1.02x
Carmarthenshire 40 3.69x
Glamorgan 36 0.80x
Huntingdonshire 33 6.46x
Yorkshire 33 0.13x
Lanarkshire 31 0.37x
Staffordshire 31 0.36x
Hampshire 29 0.55x
Somerset 29 0.70x
Cheshire 26 0.46x
Bedfordshire 23 1.73x
Sussex 21 0.48x
Durham 19 0.25x
Angus 18 0.76x
Devon 18 0.34x
Warwickshire 15 0.23x
Nottinghamshire 14 0.40x
Oxfordshire 14 0.88x
Northamptonshire 11 0.45x
Perthshire 11 0.95x
Buckinghamshire 10 0.64x
Lincolnshire 10 0.24x
Midlothian 9 0.26x
Denbighshire 7 0.72x
Dorset 7 0.41x
Gloucestershire 7 0.14x
West Lothian 7 1.81x
Aberdeenshire 6 0.25x
Caernarfonshire 5 0.48x
Northumberland 5 0.13x
Royal Navy 5 1.63x
Wigtownshire 5 1.46x
Anglesey 4 0.88x
Leicestershire 3 0.11x
Montgomeryshire 3 0.51x
Shropshire 2 0.09x
Worcestershire 2 0.06x
Cornwall 1 0.03x
Cumberland 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Long Melford in Suffolk leads with 76 Ambroses recorded in 1881 and an index of 260.90x.

Place Total Index
Long Melford 76 260.90x
Damerham 50 919.12x
Liverpool 35 1.89x
Battersea 33 3.49x
St Andrewthe Less 33 17.72x
Greenwich 30 7.32x
Hendon 30 32.40x
Manchester 30 2.18x
Glemsford 29 131.76x
Islington London 28 1.12x
St Pancras London 28 1.35x
Chelsea London 26 3.35x
Hornsey 25 7.68x
Plumstead 25 8.54x
St Marylebone London 24 1.75x
Willingham 24 172.29x
St George Hanover Square 23 5.07x
Camberwell 22 1.34x
Lambeth 22 0.98x
St George In East London 22 9.09x
West Ham 22 1.96x
Buckland 21 662.46x
Everton 20 2.06x
Hackney London 20 1.39x
Ramsey 20 48.89x
St Lawrence 20 33.13x
Burnham 19 101.28x
Hilgay 19 127.69x
Mile End Old Town London 19 3.47x
Aspull 18 25.06x
Chelmsford 17 19.51x
Kirkdale 17 3.31x
Milton In Gravesend 17 12.91x
Sudbury St Peter 17 98.95x
Formby 16 46.28x
Hemel Hempstead 16 20.02x
Kensington London 16 1.12x
Llangathen 16 209.15x
Bethnal Green London 15 1.34x
Caxton 15 300.00x
Littleport 15 48.17x
Long Ashton 15 73.03x
Reading St Mary 15 9.69x
Sutton 15 300.60x
Birkdale 14 18.12x
Cheadle 14 12.90x
Penge 14 8.52x
Stoke Upon Trent 14 1.52x
Tottenham 14 3.42x
Bermondsey 13 1.70x
Castleton 13 4.26x
Harrietsham 13 217.39x
Westminster St John 13 4.15x
Castle Hedingham 12 131.00x
Lavenham 12 73.22x
Salford 12 1.34x
Shoreditch London 12 1.08x
Stow Bardolph 12 101.95x
Cardiff St John 11 7.52x
Cavendish 11 108.70x
Derby St Werburgh 11 4.73x
Gillingham 11 6.08x
Govan 11 0.53x
Maidstone 11 4.21x
St Vigeans 11 8.55x
Standish With Langtree 11 29.26x
Bray 10 17.62x
Brighton 10 1.14x
Great Saling 10 325.73x
Keighley 10 3.68x
Little Bardfield 10 327.87x
New Windsor 10 15.40x
Rochester St Margaret 10 10.80x
Toxteth Park 10 0.97x
Weston 10 117.10x
Black Notley 9 153.32x
Grays Thurrock 9 19.06x
Newington 9 0.95x
Sudbury All Sts 9 94.24x
Westminster St James 9 3.40x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 166
Elizabeth 97
Sarah 86
Ellen 53
Jane 46
Eliza 43
Emma 42
Alice 41
Ann 40
Emily 30
Margaret 28
Martha 27
Annie 25
Hannah 22
Kate 21
Susan 21
Harriet 19
Louisa 19
Charlotte 18
Lucy 17
Catherine 15
Florence 15
Ada 14
Caroline 13
Agnes 12
Maria 12
Esther 11
Julia 11
Frances 10
Isabella 10
Rose 10
Amelia 9
Amy 9
Anne 9
Edith 8
Jessie 8
Clara 7
Fanny 7
Harriett 7
Minnie 7
Rebecca 7
Sophia 6
Susannah 6
Adelaide 5
Anna 5
Henrietta 5
Lilian 5
Matilda 5
Rosa 5
Susanna 5

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 155
John 129
George 95
Charles 74
Thomas 66
James 64
Henry 59
Alfred 35
Arthur 35
Joseph 31
Edward 30
Frederick 28
Robert 27
Richard 26
Samuel 25
Harry 22
David 20
Albert 16
Walter 16
Herbert 15
Ernest 11
Daniel 10
Frank 10
Isaac 10
Wm. 8
Chas. 5
Edwin 5
Fred 5
Sidney 5
Edmund 4
Ellis 4
Peter 4
Thos. 4
Alexander 3
Ambrose 3
Amos 3
Austin 3
Ephraim 3
Francis 3
J. 3
Jonah 3
Josiah 3
Leonard 3
Martin 3
Michael 3
Patrick 3
Robt. 3
Stephen 3
Tom 3
Phillip 2

FAQ

Ambrose surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ambrose surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,641 people were recorded with the Ambrose surname. That placed it at #1,682 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ambrose surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,872 in 2016. That gives Ambrose a modern rank of #1,745.

What does the Ambrose surname mean?

Derived from the Latin name Ambrosius, meaning "immortal" or "divine," and bestowed as a surname.

What does the Ambrose map show?

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