UK surname
A locative surname derived from a place name referring to someone from Amsden, England.
In the 1881 census there were 75 people recorded with the Amsden surname, ranking it #22,893 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 60, ranked #34,340, down from #22,893 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Edmonton, St Leonard Shoreditch and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Amsden is 165 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 20.0%.
1881 census count
75
Ranked #22,893
Modern count
60
2016, ranked #34,340
Peak year
1911
165 bearers
Map years
3
1891 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Amsden surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Amsden 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 | 65 | #21,747 |
| 1861 | historical | 61 | #26,170 |
| 1881 | historical | 75 | #22,893 |
| 1891 | historical | 111 | #22,421 |
| 1901 | historical | 152 | #17,916 |
| 1911 | historical | 165 | #16,808 |
| 1997 | modern | 84 | #29,106 |
| 1998 | modern | 88 | #29,131 |
| 1999 | modern | 87 | #29,398 |
| 2000 | modern | 91 | #28,952 |
| 2001 | modern | 86 | #29,281 |
| 2002 | modern | 84 | #29,982 |
| 2003 | modern | 80 | #30,425 |
| 2004 | modern | 77 | #31,024 |
| 2005 | modern | 70 | #31,912 |
| 2006 | modern | 66 | #32,629 |
| 2007 | modern | 73 | #32,287 |
| 2008 | modern | 74 | #32,460 |
| 2009 | modern | 70 | #33,182 |
| 2010 | modern | 74 | #33,167 |
| 2011 | modern | 70 | #33,465 |
| 2012 | modern | 60 | #34,287 |
| 2013 | modern | 56 | #34,581 |
| 2014 | modern | 63 | #34,212 |
| 2015 | modern | 61 | #34,284 |
| 2016 | modern | 60 | #34,340 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Edmonton, St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes, St Pancras and Tring. 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 | Edmonton | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Tring | Hertfordshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Amsden 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 Amsden, 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 Amsden surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Amsden 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, Amsden 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 Amsden is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Amsden, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Amsden is of Anglo-Saxon origin, originating in England during the medieval period. It is a locational name derived from the place name Amsden, a village located in the parish of Whalley in Lancashire. The place name itself is composed of the Old English elements "ams" meaning "a ridge of rising ground" and "denu" meaning "valley."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Amsden can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Amundeuene." This reference suggests that the name was already well-established in the area by the late 11th century.
During the 13th century, several variations of the name emerged, including Amsden, Amesdene, and Amusdene. These variations reflect the regional dialects and spelling practices of the time.
One notable early bearer of the surname was John de Amsden, who was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332. Another early record dates back to 1379, when Robert de Amsden was mentioned in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire.
In the 16th century, the Amsden family played a significant role in the religious turmoil of the English Reformation. John Amsden (c. 1500 - 1565) was a prominent Protestant clergyman who served as the Rector of Middleton in Lancashire. He was an outspoken supporter of the Protestant cause and faced persecution for his beliefs during the reign of Queen Mary I.
In the 17th century, the Amsden family continued to make their mark in various fields. Samuel Amsden (1603 - 1672) was a noted puritan minister who served as the Vicar of Whalley in Lancashire. He was known for his passionate preaching and his efforts to promote religious education.
Another notable bearer of the surname was Isaac Amsden (1655 - 1719), a successful merchant and landowner who lived in Denton, Lancashire. He was a prominent figure in the local community and served as a magistrate.
In the 18th century, the Amsden family expanded their influence across the Atlantic. John Amsden (1720 - 1798) was one of the early settlers of Woodstock, Connecticut, where he established a successful farm and became a respected member of the community.
As the centuries progressed, the Amsden surname continued to spread across various regions and countries, with notable individuals emerging in diverse fields such as politics, academia, and the arts.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Amsden 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. Middlesex leads with 32 Amsdens recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.32x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 32 | 4.32x |
| Hertfordshire | 15 | 29.36x |
| Surrey | 14 | 3.88x |
| Kent | 8 | 3.16x |
| Sussex | 2 | 1.60x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.68x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.91x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 11.33x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.84x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.40x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 8 Amsdens recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.41x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Pancras London | 8 | 13.41x |
| Lewisham | 7 | 51.93x |
| St Albans St Peter | 7 | 406.98x |
| Tring | 7 | 514.71x |
| St Giles In Fields London | 6 | 164.84x |
| Bermondsey | 5 | 22.67x |
| Hackney London | 5 | 12.03x |
| St Martin In Fields | 5 | 112.61x |
| Clapham | 3 | 32.36x |
| Croydon | 3 | 14.96x |
| Southwark St Olave | 3 | 526.32x |
| Edmonton | 2 | 33.50x |
| Hastings St Mary | 2 | 64.31x |
| St George In East London | 2 | 28.69x |
| St Marylebone London | 2 | 5.05x |
| Christ Church Newgate | 1 | 294.12x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 5.72x |
| Frome | 1 | 35.09x |
| Margate St John Baptist | 1 | 21.60x |
| North Shields | 1 | 45.45x |
| Watford | 1 | 25.25x |
| West Ham | 1 | 3.10x |
| Wolverhampton | 1 | 5.20x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Amsden 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 Amsden 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 Amsden households.
FAQ
In 1881, 75 people were recorded with the Amsden surname. That placed it at #22,893 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 60 in 2016. That gives Amsden a modern rank of #34,340.
A locative surname derived from a place name referring to someone from Amsden, England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Amsden 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.