NameCensus.

UK surname

Archdale

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "valley of the arches".

In the 1881 census there were 135 people recorded with the Archdale surname, ranking it #16,515 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 168, ranked #21,984, down from #16,515 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Whitkirk and Sheffield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Flintshire and Leeds.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Archdale is 208 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 24.4%.

1881 census count

135

Ranked #16,515

Modern count

168

2016, ranked #21,984

Peak year

1911

208 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Archdale had 135 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,515 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 168 in 2016, ranked #21,984.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 208 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Archdale surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Archdale surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Archdale 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 65 #21,747
1861 historical 101 #20,955
1881 historical 135 #16,515
1891 historical 162 #17,390
1901 historical 190 #15,634
1911 historical 208 #14,594
1997 modern 169 #19,578
1998 modern 181 #19,229
1999 modern 186 #19,073
2000 modern 179 #19,494
2001 modern 174 #19,562
2002 modern 176 #19,829
2003 modern 165 #20,401
2004 modern 169 #20,206
2005 modern 161 #20,799
2006 modern 161 #20,972
2007 modern 174 #20,166
2008 modern 171 #20,595
2009 modern 174 #20,782
2010 modern 172 #21,404
2011 modern 172 #21,248
2012 modern 164 #21,883
2013 modern 173 #21,486
2014 modern 173 #21,639
2015 modern 170 #21,800
2016 modern 168 #21,984

Geography

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Where Archdales are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Whitkirk, Sheffield, Rothwell and Leeds. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Flintshire, Leeds and Isle of Wight. 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 Manchester Lancashire
2 Whitkirk Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Rothwell Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Leeds Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 061 Cornwall
2 Flintshire 006 Flintshire
3 Leeds 105 Leeds
4 Isle of Wight 001 Isle of Wight
5 Leeds 077 Leeds

Forenames

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First names often paired with Archdale

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Archdale

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Archdale surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Archdale household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Archdale is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Archdale 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

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

Meaning and origin of Archdale

The surname Archdale has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is a locational surname, derived from the place name "Arcalwe" or "Arculvian", which means "the ridge frequented by the Arculvians" in Old English. This name refers to a now-lost village or settlement located in the county of Worcestershire.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Archdale can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Arcaluuede". This suggests that the name was already well-established in England by the late 11th century.

During the Middle Ages, the Archdale family was primarily concentrated in the Midlands region of England, particularly in Worcestershire and the surrounding counties. Some variations in the spelling of the name can be found in historical records, such as Archdall, Archdell, and Archdeall.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the Archdale surname was John Archdale (c. 1510-1588), who served as the Sheriff of Worcestershire in 1567. He was a prominent landowner and a member of the gentry class.

Another prominent individual was Edward Archdale (1642-1718), a Quaker and colonial governor of North Carolina from 1695 to 1696. He played a significant role in the early history of the American colonies and was known for his efforts to promote religious tolerance and fair treatment of Native Americans.

In the 18th century, Thomas Archdale (1717-1790) was a respected English architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Royal Exchange in Bristol and the Shire Hall in Gloucester.

Moving into the 19th century, William Archdale (1803-1876) was a British Army officer who served in the Crimean War and played a pivotal role in the Battle of Inkerman in 1854.

Finally, in the early 20th century, Arthur Archdale (1888-1957) was a prominent British journalist and author, known for his works on travel and adventure, including books like "The Desert and the Cactus" and "The Fortunate Wanderers".

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Archdale families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Archdale 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. Yorkshire leads with 91 Archdales recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.92x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 91 6.92x
Hertfordshire 10 10.94x
Lancashire 9 0.57x
Norfolk 8 3.92x
Warwickshire 5 1.49x
Herefordshire 3 5.51x
Berkshire 2 2.01x
Hampshire 2 0.74x
Staffordshire 2 0.45x
Anglesey 1 4.25x
Cornwall 1 0.67x
Denbighshire 1 2.00x
Wiltshire 1 0.85x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ecclesall Bierlow in Yorkshire leads with 19 Archdales recorded in 1881 and an index of 71.05x.

Place Total Index
Ecclesall Bierlow 19 71.05x
Hunslet 13 63.41x
Seacroft 11 1774.19x
Baldock 10 1162.79x
Rothwell 10 375.94x
Leeds 9 12.12x
Manchester 9 12.71x
Coltishall 8 1860.47x
Castleford 7 146.14x
Barwick In Elmet 6 594.06x
Swillington 6 1621.62x
Birmingham 4 3.59x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 3 66.67x
Ledbury 3 160.43x
Templenewsam 3 315.79x
Christchurch 2 33.90x
Norton In Moors 2 84.39x
Sandhurst 2 103.63x
Fonthill Gifford 1 454.55x
Headingley Cum Burley 1 11.82x
Heeley 1 25.06x
Holyhead 1 22.83x
Potter Newton 1 43.10x
Rugby 1 22.08x
Saltash 1 86.21x
Sheffield 1 2.39x
Wrexham Regis 1 26.88x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Martha 6
Sarah 6
Hannah 4
Harriet 3
Alice 2
Clara 2
Eliza 2
Elizabeth 2
Ellen 2
Emilia 2
Emma 2
Faith 2
Helen 2
Ada 1
Adelaide 1
Amelia 1
Ammabel 1
Amy 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Beatrice 1
Catharine 1
Celia 1
Charlotte 1
Emily 1
Esther 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Gertrude 1
Jane 1
Louisa 1
Margeret 1
Minnie 1
Sybilla 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 9
John 9
Thomas 7
William 6
Charles 3
James 3
Joseph 3
Frederick 2
Alfred 1
Audley 1
Benjamin 1
Cephas 1
Cephus 1
Frank 1
H. 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
Louis 1
Mervyn 1
Robert 1
Ruben 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1
Squire 1
Thedore 1
Walter 1
Walton 1
Wilfred 1

FAQ

Archdale surname: questions and answers

How common was the Archdale surname in 1881?

In 1881, 135 people were recorded with the Archdale surname. That placed it at #16,515 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Archdale surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 168 in 2016. That gives Archdale a modern rank of #21,984.

What does the Archdale surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "valley of the arches".

What does the Archdale map show?

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