UK surname
An archaic English surname derived from the elements "archi" meaning principal or master and "bold" meaning a dwelling place.
In the 1881 census there were 55 people recorded with the Archibold surname, ranking it #25,862 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 65, ranked #34,017, down from #25,862 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Gateshead, Newcastle All Saints and Workington (Workington), Clossocks. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Archibold is 109 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18.2%.
1881 census count
55
Ranked #25,862
Modern count
65
2016, ranked #34,017
Peak year
1891
109 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Archibold surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Archibold surname density by area, 1891 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 | 15 | #30,614 |
| 1861 | historical | 68 | #25,196 |
| 1881 | historical | 55 | #25,862 |
| 1891 | historical | 109 | #22,701 |
| 1901 | historical | 83 | #24,900 |
| 1911 | historical | 43 | #28,581 |
| 1997 | modern | 59 | #31,734 |
| 1998 | modern | 64 | #31,562 |
| 1999 | modern | 74 | #30,759 |
| 2000 | modern | 64 | #31,735 |
| 2001 | modern | 65 | #31,501 |
| 2002 | modern | 58 | #32,564 |
| 2003 | modern | 57 | #32,704 |
| 2004 | modern | 56 | #33,067 |
| 2005 | modern | 57 | #33,178 |
| 2006 | modern | 57 | #33,513 |
| 2007 | modern | 63 | #33,243 |
| 2008 | modern | 66 | #33,217 |
| 2009 | modern | 70 | #33,182 |
| 2010 | modern | 72 | #33,324 |
| 2011 | modern | 66 | #33,768 |
| 2012 | modern | 72 | #33,502 |
| 2013 | modern | 73 | #33,557 |
| 2014 | modern | 69 | #33,833 |
| 2015 | modern | 66 | #33,976 |
| 2016 | modern | 65 | #34,017 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Gateshead, Newcastle All Saints, Workington (Workington), Clossocks, Manchester and Long Benton. 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 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 2 | Newcastle All Saints | Northumberland |
| 3 | Workington (Workington), Clossocks | Cumberland |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Long Benton | Northumberland |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Archibold 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 Archibold, 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 Archibold surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Archibold 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, Archibold 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 Archibold is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Archibold, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname ARCHIBOLD is believed to have originated in Scotland during the Middle Ages. It is a variant spelling of the more common Scottish surname Archbald or Archibald, which derives from the Old German name Archenibald, meaning "bold" or "courageous".
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname ARCHIBOLD can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical record of Scottish nobles who were forced to swear fealty to King Edward I of England. This document lists a certain "Henricus Archibold" from the county of Lanark.
In the 14th century, the surname ARCHIBOLD appears in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, which were administrative records kept by the Scottish government. An entry from 1369 mentions a "Johannes Archibold" who was granted lands in the village of Kilwinning, Ayrshire.
During the 15th century, the ARCHIBOLD surname was concentrated in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly around the regions of Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, and Lanarkshire. The name is closely associated with the Archbald family, who were prominent landowners in the area of Irvine, Ayrshire.
One notable bearer of the ARCHIBOLD surname was Sir John Archibold (c. 1475-1537), a Scottish nobleman and military commander who fought in the Battle of Flodden in 1513. He was knighted for his bravery and later served as a Warden of the West Marches, responsible for defending the Scottish border against English raids.
Another distinguished figure was James Archibold (1598-1672), a Scottish lawyer and judge who served as Lord Advocate of Scotland from 1649 to 1658. He played a significant role in the legal and political affairs of Scotland during the turbulent years of the English Civil War and the Cromwellian occupation.
In the 17th century, members of the ARCHIBOLD family emigrated to Ireland and settled in the northern counties of Ulster. One such individual was Robert Archibold (1626-1698), who was granted lands in County Antrim by King William III after the Glorious Revolution.
By the 18th century, the surname ARCHIBOLD had spread throughout the Scottish Diaspora, with bearers of the name found in various parts of the British Empire and beyond. Notable individuals included William Archibold (1734-1809), a Scottish-born merchant and landowner who established a successful trading business in the West Indies.
Another prominent figure was Captain John Archibold (1771-1842), a British naval officer who served with distinction during the Napoleonic Wars. He was commended for his bravery in several battles, including the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Archibold 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. Northumberland leads with 25 Archibolds recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.77x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northumberland | 25 | 30.77x |
| Warwickshire | 8 | 5.81x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.10x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.62x |
| Durham | 3 | 1.85x |
| Essex | 3 | 2.78x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.55x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.17x |
| Isle of Man | 1 | 9.86x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.54x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 2.53x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Alnwick in Northumberland leads with 8 Archibolds recorded in 1881 and an index of 571.43x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Alnwick | 8 | 571.43x |
| Coleshill | 8 | 1818.18x |
| Chirton | 6 | 326.09x |
| St Pancras London | 5 | 11.38x |
| Newcastle On Tyne St John | 4 | 373.83x |
| Westgate | 4 | 79.52x |
| Dawdon | 3 | 150.00x |
| Salford | 3 | 15.74x |
| West Ham | 3 | 12.61x |
| Byker | 2 | 49.75x |
| Leeds | 2 | 6.55x |
| Beckenham | 1 | 40.98x |
| Dalton In Huddersfield | 1 | 82.64x |
| Derby St Werburgh | 1 | 20.24x |
| Douglas | 1 | 666.67x |
| Elswick | 1 | 15.43x |
| Graig | 1 | 555.56x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 7.43x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 4.56x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Archibold 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 Archibold 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 Archibold households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 13 |
| Grocer | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Batchelor Of Medicine (Student Gen Practioner) | 1 |
| Cabinet Maker | 1 |
| Calenderer (Printwork) | 1 |
| Carpenter (Apprentice) | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Coachman | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Engine Fitter | 1 |
| Engine Fitter & Turner At Factory | 1 |
| Engine Fitter (Apprentice) | 1 |
| Farmer | 1 |
| Farmer 105 Acres | 1 |
| Fireman | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Inn Keeper | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Monthly Nurse (Sub Med) | 1 |
| None | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 55 people were recorded with the Archibold surname. That placed it at #25,862 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 65 in 2016. That gives Archibold a modern rank of #34,017.
An archaic English surname derived from the elements "archi" meaning principal or master and "bold" meaning a dwelling place.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Archibold 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.