NameCensus.

UK surname

Applegate

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near the gate of an apple orchard.

In the 1881 census there were 554 people recorded with the Applegate surname, ranking it #6,228 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 815, ranked #6,804, down from #6,228 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Trowbridge, London parishes and Fakenham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mendip, Norwich and North Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Applegate is 894 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 47.1%.

1881 census count

554

Ranked #6,228

Modern count

815

2016, ranked #6,804

Peak year

2000

894 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Applegate had 554 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,228 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 815 in 2016, ranked #6,804.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 748 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Applegate surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Applegate surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Applegate 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 391 #6,144
1861 historical 389 #6,580
1881 historical 554 #6,228
1891 historical 598 #6,402
1901 historical 675 #6,456
1911 historical 748 #5,751
1997 modern 816 #6,435
1998 modern 879 #6,281
1999 modern 872 #6,364
2000 modern 894 #6,206
2001 modern 876 #6,187
2002 modern 887 #6,246
2003 modern 835 #6,426
2004 modern 822 #6,522
2005 modern 794 #6,646
2006 modern 796 #6,658
2007 modern 799 #6,699
2008 modern 833 #6,533
2009 modern 851 #6,561
2010 modern 880 #6,513
2011 modern 864 #6,534
2012 modern 832 #6,642
2013 modern 843 #6,682
2014 modern 844 #6,692
2015 modern 821 #6,788
2016 modern 815 #6,804

Geography

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Where Applegates are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Trowbridge, London parishes, Fakenham, Potter Heigham and Great Bradford , Winkfield with Rowley, Westwood, Great and Little Chalfield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mendip, Norwich, North Norfolk and Breckland. 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 Trowbridge Wiltshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Fakenham Norfolk
4 Potter Heigham Norfolk
5 Great Bradford , Winkfield with Rowley, Westwood, Great and Little Chalfield Wiltshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mendip 001 Mendip
2 Norwich 004 Norwich
3 North Norfolk 013 North Norfolk
4 Norwich 005 Norwich
5 Breckland 017 Breckland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Applegate

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Applegate

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Applegate is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Applegate is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Applegate 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 Applegate 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 Applegate, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Applegate

The surname Applegate is of English origin, deriving from the Old English words "æppel" (meaning apple) and "geat" (meaning gate or opening). It is believed to have emerged in the 12th or 13th century as a topographic name, referring to an individual who lived near a gate or opening in an area known for its apple orchards or where apples were sold.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Applegate can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex, a historical record of taxation in England, dating back to 1195. This document mentions a "William de Apelgat," which is believed to be an early spelling variation of Applegate.

The surname Applegate is also mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, a tax record from 1296, where it appears as "Appelgate." This suggests that the name was well-established in the county of Sussex by the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the surname Applegate appears in various forms, including "Apelgate" and "Appelgate," in records from various counties in England, such as Essex, Kent, and Lincolnshire.

One notable bearer of the Applegate surname was John Applegate, a member of the English Parliament who represented the borough of Westbury in Wiltshire in 1553.

Another prominent figure was Samuel Applegate (1620-1696), an early settler in the American colonies who arrived in New Jersey in 1677 and established a settlement along the Raritan River, which later became known as Applegate Plantation.

In the 18th century, John Applegate (1742-1836) served as a lieutenant in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, participating in several major battles, including the Battle of Monmouth.

The 19th century saw the rise of James Applegate (1830-1903), a prominent lawyer and politician from New Jersey who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1877 to 1879.

Lastly, one cannot overlook the contributions of Howard Applegate (1920-2006), an American businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the Applegate Farms organization, which is known for its commitment to sustainable and humane animal farming practices.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the Applegate surname throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence and the diversity of fields in which bearers of this name have made their mark.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Applegate families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Applegate 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 147 Applegates recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.69x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 147 17.69x
Middlesex 93 1.72x
Wiltshire 92 19.25x
Somerset 69 7.93x
Surrey 26 0.99x
Kent 19 1.03x
Lincolnshire 17 1.97x
Berkshire 12 2.96x
Lancashire 9 0.14x
Nottinghamshire 8 1.10x
Devon 7 0.62x
Durham 7 0.44x
Sussex 7 0.77x
Yorkshire 6 0.11x
Glamorgan 5 0.53x
Gloucestershire 5 0.47x
Derbyshire 4 0.47x
Warwickshire 4 0.29x
Bedfordshire 3 1.07x
Essex 3 0.28x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.61x
Lanarkshire 2 0.11x
Shropshire 2 0.43x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.29x
Hampshire 1 0.09x
Hertfordshire 1 0.27x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.93x
Northumberland 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westbury in Wiltshire leads with 35 Applegates recorded in 1881 and an index of 313.90x.

Place Total Index
Westbury 35 313.90x
Potter Heigham 33 4285.71x
Trowbridge 29 137.31x
Islington London 20 3.82x
Norton St Philip 17 1789.47x
Bradford On Avon 14 91.50x
Fakenham Alethorpe 11 1078.43x
Hevingham 10 709.22x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 10 185.53x
Bow London 9 13.08x
Burnham Overy 9 789.47x
Heigham 9 20.18x
Kilmersdon 9 209.30x
Cockthrope 8 5333.33x
Lyncombe Widcombe 8 35.13x
Mile End Old Town London 8 6.96x
Speen 8 120.48x
Babington 7 1944.44x
Blickling 7 1206.90x
St Pancras London 7 1.61x
Beswick 6 36.59x
Bromley 6 21.35x
Chislehurst 6 60.67x
Great Grimsby 6 10.94x
Kensington London 6 2.00x
Limehouse London 6 10.11x
Nottingham St Mary 6 3.18x
Paddington London 6 3.02x
St Michael Lincoln 6 256.41x
Wells Next Sea 6 123.97x
Battersea 5 2.51x
Bethnal Green London 5 2.13x
Hessle In Sculcoates 5 105.71x
Hickling 5 326.80x
Lambeth 5 1.06x
Walcot 5 10.79x
Wandsworth 5 9.61x
Wellow 5 195.31x
Aston 4 1.07x
Aylsham 4 80.81x
Bathwick 4 41.54x
Bedminster 4 4.89x
Cawston 4 197.04x
Chapel En Le Frith 4 51.81x
Fakenham 4 97.80x
Fulham London 4 5.10x
Great Yarmouth 4 5.81x
Mells 4 222.22x
Monkwearmouth 4 25.99x
North Bradley 4 114.61x
Norwich St Peter Mancroft 4 95.92x
Stoke Damerel 4 5.08x
Barwick 3 3000.00x
Catfield 3 256.41x
Hackney London 3 0.99x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 3 4.31x
Kingston On Thames 3 4.74x
Kintbury 3 95.85x
Llandaff 3 9.58x
Rusholme 3 17.54x
Tittleshall 3 315.79x
Tooting Graveney 3 40.93x
Wimbledon 3 10.15x
Woolwich 3 4.40x
Bedford St Mary 2 27.74x
Brighton 2 1.09x
Burnham Norton 2 769.23x
Clerkenwell London 2 1.57x
Eastbourne 2 4.77x
Great Yeldham 2 180.18x
Hampstead London 2 2.38x
Hemington 2 185.19x
Oswestry Town 2 13.38x
Snenton 2 6.99x
Spittlegate 2 16.74x
St Anne Soho London 2 6.48x
St Marylebone London 2 0.69x
Tilshead 2 227.27x
Tormoham 2 4.20x
Ystradyfodwg 2 2.42x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 29
Elizabeth 25
Emma 18
Sarah 17
Ellen 14
Alice 13
Ann 13
Eliza 13
Annie 8
Charlotte 7
Emily 7
Jane 7
Caroline 5
Louisa 5
Ada 4
Amelia 4
Anne 4
Edith 4
Fanny 4
Julia 4
Kate 4
Maria 4
Matilda 4
Bertha 3
Harriet 3
Harriett 3
Lucy 3
Martha 3
Clara 2
Elizth. 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Isabella 2
Mabel 2
Miriam 2
Rose 2
Susanna 2
Susannah 2
Betsy 1
Cath. 1
Catherine 1
Elenor 1
Elizth.A. 1
Elsie 1
Esther 1
Henrietta 1
Jeanie 1
Jedida 1
Jessie 1
Thirza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 27
John 25
Charles 20
George 18
James 15
Henry 14
Thomas 14
Alfred 10
Joseph 9
Robert 8
Frederick 7
Arthur 6
Herbert 5
Stephen 5
Samuel 4
Walter 4
Albert 3
Edward 3
Frank 3
Richard 3
Daniel 2
David 2
Ernest 2
Fred 2
Geo. 2
Jesse 2
Sidney 2
Bertie 1
C. 1
Chas.Selfe 1
Dennis 1
Duncan 1
Eleazer 1
Emma 1
F. 1
Fred. 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.Selfe 1
G. 1
Infant 1
Isaac 1
J. 1
Jas. 1
Levi 1
Louis 1
Mark 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Wm.Wisbey 1

FAQ

Applegate surname: questions and answers

How common was the Applegate surname in 1881?

In 1881, 554 people were recorded with the Applegate surname. That placed it at #6,228 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Applegate surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 815 in 2016. That gives Applegate a modern rank of #6,804.

What does the Applegate surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near the gate of an apple orchard.

What does the Applegate map show?

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