NameCensus.

UK surname

Argyle

A Scottish surname referring to the clan territory of Argyll in western Scotland.

In the 1881 census there were 500 people recorded with the Argyle surname, ranking it #6,776 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 804, ranked #6,884, down from #6,776 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and Tamworth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stockton-on-Tees, Neath Port Talbot and Wolverhampton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Argyle is 870 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 60.8%.

1881 census count

500

Ranked #6,776

Modern count

804

2016, ranked #6,884

Peak year

2002

870 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Argyle had 500 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,776 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 804 in 2016, ranked #6,884.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 717 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Argyle surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Argyle surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Argyle 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 269 #8,303
1861 historical 251 #9,830
1881 historical 500 #6,776
1891 historical 576 #6,614
1901 historical 654 #6,607
1911 historical 717 #5,963
1997 modern 827 #6,372
1998 modern 852 #6,423
1999 modern 847 #6,501
2000 modern 848 #6,468
2001 modern 833 #6,445
2002 modern 870 #6,353
2003 modern 848 #6,357
2004 modern 837 #6,420
2005 modern 811 #6,540
2006 modern 829 #6,437
2007 modern 831 #6,491
2008 modern 829 #6,557
2009 modern 841 #6,615
2010 modern 857 #6,648
2011 modern 853 #6,594
2012 modern 830 #6,653
2013 modern 855 #6,601
2014 modern 838 #6,737
2015 modern 821 #6,788
2016 modern 804 #6,884

Geography

Back to top

Where Argyles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Tamworth, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars and Walsall. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stockton-on-Tees, Neath Port Talbot, Wolverhampton, Leeds and Wirral. 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 Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas Berkshire
2 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
3 Tamworth Staffordshire
4 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire
5 Walsall Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stockton-on-Tees 005 Stockton-on-Tees
2 Neath Port Talbot 015 Neath Port Talbot
3 Wolverhampton 014 Wolverhampton
4 Leeds 098 Leeds
5 Wirral 034 Wirral

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Argyle

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Argyle

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Argyle surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Argyle household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Argyle is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Argyle is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Argyle falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Argyle is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Argyle, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Argyle

The surname Argyle has its origins in the Gaelic Earra-ghàidheal, which means "the territory of the Gael" or "the coast of the Gael". It is derived from the ancient Scottish kingdom of Argyll, located in the western part of Scotland. The name first emerged in the 12th century and was initially used to refer to the people who inhabited this region.

The earliest recorded use of the name Argyle can be found in various historical documents from the 12th and 13th centuries, including the Annals of Ulster and the Book of Deer. These sources mention individuals with the surname, indicating its presence in the region during that time period.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Argyle was Gillebride of Argyll, who lived in the late 12th century. He was a prominent Scottish nobleman and a member of the powerful Clan Campbell, which held significant influence in the Argyll region.

In the 14th century, the name Argyle gained further recognition through the exploits of Sir Colin Campbell of Argyll, who played a crucial role in the Scottish Wars of Independence against the English. His bravery and loyalty to King Robert the Bruce earned him the title of Baron Argyll in 1457.

Another notable figure with the surname Argyle was Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll (1629-1685). He was a prominent Scottish politician and military leader who was executed for his involvement in the Monmouth Rebellion against King James VII of Scotland (James II of England).

In the 18th century, John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll (1693-1770), was a influential Scottish nobleman and politician who served as Lord Privy Seal and Lord Steward of the Household under King George II. He was known for his support of the House of Hanover during the Jacobite risings.

The name Argyle has also been associated with various place names in Scotland, such as Argyll and Bute, a council area that encompasses the historic region of Argyll. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, a historic line infantry regiment of the British Army, also bears the name of this region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Argyle families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Argyle 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. Leicestershire leads with 104 Argyles recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.19x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 104 19.19x
Derbyshire 74 9.67x
Warwickshire 72 5.84x
Staffordshire 58 3.52x
Durham 31 2.13x
Yorkshire 27 0.56x
Cheshire 24 2.22x
Middlesex 20 0.41x
Berkshire 18 4.91x
Kent 11 0.66x
Lancashire 9 0.16x
Surrey 9 0.38x
Worcestershire 9 1.41x
Hampshire 8 0.80x
Norfolk 8 1.06x
Nottinghamshire 6 0.91x
Dorset 4 1.25x
Lincolnshire 2 0.26x
Suffolk 2 0.34x
Essex 1 0.10x
Gloucestershire 1 0.10x
Northamptonshire 1 0.22x
Oxfordshire 1 0.33x
Wiltshire 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leicester St Margaret in Leicestershire leads with 24 Argyles recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.16x.

Place Total Index
Leicester St Margaret 24 18.16x
Aston 20 5.89x
Birmingham 19 4.63x
Alfreton 17 73.15x
Leicester St Mary 16 36.55x
Abingdon St Helen 14 130.60x
Hinckley 14 108.95x
Burton Upon Trent 13 33.68x
Ripley 13 137.42x
Bulkington 11 413.53x
Wolverhampton 11 8.67x
Antrobus 10 1351.35x
Horninglow 10 128.70x
Pelton 10 144.51x
Northfield 9 74.32x
Shoreditch London 9 4.25x
Staveley 9 66.27x
Tamworth 9 102.04x
Cannock 8 27.79x
Great Yarmouth 8 12.85x
Tonbridge 8 13.30x
Thurlaston 7 786.52x
Bolehall Glascote 6 114.94x
Derby St Peter 6 24.62x
Holbeck 6 18.70x
Normanton 6 92.88x
Sutton Coldfield 6 46.33x
Wessington 6 582.52x
Willaston In Wirral 6 779.22x
Bradford 5 4.26x
Chester St Oswald 5 25.60x
Cockerton 5 107.30x
Holmside 5 139.66x
Leicester St Leonard 5 97.47x
Loughborough 5 20.33x
Marton 5 793.65x
Newbold Verdon 5 403.23x
Nottingham St Mary 5 2.93x
Sheffield 5 3.24x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 5.08x
Twickenham 5 23.87x
Ventnor 5 52.47x
Anstey 4 1666.67x
Collierley 4 61.73x
Kensington London 4 1.47x
Leicester All Sts 4 37.59x
Newbury 4 34.04x
Rawmarsh 4 23.38x
Twyford Stenson 4 1081.08x
Whitwick 4 58.06x
Battersea 3 1.67x
Belgrave 3 24.53x
Darlington 3 5.34x
Everton 3 1.62x
Guisbrough 3 28.36x
Ratby 3 110.29x
Woodhouse 3 139.53x
Adwick Le Street 2 465.12x
Birkenhead 2 2.33x
Blackwell 2 53.19x
Derby St Werburgh 2 4.53x
Duffield 2 33.17x
Eldon 2 86.96x
Fazeley 2 66.67x
Fordington 2 28.94x
Gorleston 2 13.23x
Heanor 2 17.48x
Kirkby Mallory 2 625.00x
Litchurch 2 6.50x
Liverpool 2 0.57x
Market Bosworth 2 102.04x
Rugeley 2 16.89x
Uttoxeter 2 23.70x
Whitherley 2 229.89x
Broughton In Salford 1 1.89x
Christchurch 1 4.60x
Cirencester 1 7.70x
Handsworth 1 2.46x
Lewisham 1 1.12x
Nottingham Standard 1 59.52x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 34
John 28
Joseph 16
Thomas 16
Charles 15
George 15
James 14
Samuel 12
Edward 8
Albert 7
Henry 7
Robert 7
Arthur 5
Frederick 5
Ernest 4
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Alfred 2
David 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Jesse 2
Matthew 2
Reginald 2
Alex 1
Amos 1
Basil 1
Benjamin 1
Chapman 1
Christoph. 1
Dan 1
Edwin 1
Eli 1
Elijah 1
Frances 1
Fredk. 1
Geo.Arthur 1
H. 1
Israel 1
Jabes 1
Jhoe 1
Meredith 1
Peter 1
Richard 1
Robt. 1
Rowland 1
Saville 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Argyle surname: questions and answers

How common was the Argyle surname in 1881?

In 1881, 500 people were recorded with the Argyle surname. That placed it at #6,776 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Argyle surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 804 in 2016. That gives Argyle a modern rank of #6,884.

What does the Argyle surname mean?

A Scottish surname referring to the clan territory of Argyll in western Scotland.

What does the Argyle map show?

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