NameCensus.

UK surname

Armstead

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a hermitage or religious retreat.

In the 1881 census there were 468 people recorded with the Armstead surname, ranking it #7,114 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 384, ranked #12,251, down from #7,114 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Bury and Calverley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rochdale, Bury and High Peak.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Armstead is 543 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 17.9%.

1881 census count

468

Ranked #7,114

Modern count

384

2016, ranked #12,251

Peak year

1911

543 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Armstead had 468 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,114 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 384 in 2016, ranked #12,251.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 543 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Armstead surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Armstead surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Armstead 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 334 #7,001
1861 historical 394 #6,504
1881 historical 468 #7,114
1891 historical 515 #7,249
1901 historical 512 #7,918
1911 historical 543 #7,365
1997 modern 389 #11,238
1998 modern 397 #11,400
1999 modern 397 #11,503
2000 modern 375 #11,949
2001 modern 375 #11,774
2002 modern 357 #12,424
2003 modern 354 #12,319
2004 modern 358 #12,252
2005 modern 355 #12,243
2006 modern 378 #11,714
2007 modern 385 #11,698
2008 modern 383 #11,876
2009 modern 386 #12,044
2010 modern 391 #12,207
2011 modern 374 #12,464
2012 modern 374 #12,324
2013 modern 389 #12,177
2014 modern 387 #12,299
2015 modern 385 #12,256
2016 modern 384 #12,251

Geography

Back to top

Where Armsteads are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Bury, Calverley, Measham and Bradford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rochdale, Bury, High Peak, Bradford and Kirklees. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Bury Lancashire
3 Calverley Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Measham Leicestershire
5 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rochdale 018 Rochdale
2 Bury 004 Bury
3 High Peak 003 High Peak
4 Bradford 018 Bradford
5 Kirklees 021 Kirklees

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Armstead

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Armstead

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Armstead is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Armstead is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Armstead falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Armstead 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 Armstead, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Armstead

The surname Armstead originated in England and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is a locational name derived from the Old English words 'arm' meaning arm and 'stede' meaning place, likely referring to a hamlet or settlement located on a bend or arm of a river or stream.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Armstead can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire from 1327, where a Richard de Armestedehalle is mentioned. This suggests the name may have initially been associated with a specific place called Armstead Hall.

During the medieval period, the name appeared in various spellings such as Armestead, Armestede, and Armestedehalle, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time.

In the 16th century, the Armstead surname was particularly prevalent in the counties of Lancashire and Cheshire. The Visitation of Cheshire in 1613 records a family bearing the Armstead coat of arms, indicating their established status in the region.

One notable bearer of the Armstead name was John Armstead (c. 1585-1660), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Lancashire. Records show that he acquired substantial properties in the area and served as a Justice of the Peace.

Another prominent individual was Sir John Armstead (1642-1718), a successful businessman and Member of Parliament for Preston in the late 17th century. He played a significant role in the development of local industry and infrastructure.

In the 18th century, the Armstead family established roots in Yorkshire, where they owned estates and held positions of influence. William Armstead (1720-1795), a wealthy landowner and magistrate, was a notable figure from this branch of the family.

The 19th century saw the Armstead name spread further across England, with several individuals achieving distinction in various fields. One example is George Armstead (1819-1897), a renowned architect who designed several prominent buildings in London, including the Royal Albert Hall.

Throughout its history, the Armstead surname has been borne by numerous individuals across various walks of life, from landed gentry to merchants, professionals, and public servants, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and achievements of those who carried this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Armstead families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Armstead 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. Lancashire leads with 156 Armsteads recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.87x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 156 2.87x
Yorkshire 126 2.77x
Middlesex 44 0.96x
Derbyshire 27 3.76x
Hampshire 18 1.92x
Wiltshire 18 4.44x
Surrey 13 0.58x
Cheshire 10 0.99x
Cambridgeshire 7 2.41x
Lincolnshire 7 0.95x
Leicestershire 6 1.18x
Kent 5 0.32x
Lanarkshire 5 0.34x
Northumberland 5 0.73x
Gloucestershire 3 0.33x
Suffolk 3 0.54x
Herefordshire 2 1.06x
Isle of Man 2 2.35x
Midlothian 2 0.33x
Worcestershire 2 0.33x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.54x
Cumberland 1 0.25x
Durham 1 0.07x
Glamorgan 1 0.13x
Norfolk 1 0.14x
Northamptonshire 1 0.23x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.16x
Somerset 1 0.14x
Staffordshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bury in Lancashire leads with 38 Armsteads recorded in 1881 and an index of 61.14x.

Place Total Index
Bury 38 61.14x
Wortley In Bramley 25 69.48x
Oldham 18 10.25x
Measham 17 643.94x
Ecclesall Bierlow 15 16.23x
St Pancras London 13 3.52x
Leeds 12 4.68x
Manningham 12 21.44x
Newton Toney 12 2307.69x
Blackburn 11 7.60x
Wardleworth 11 35.38x
Islington London 10 2.25x
Shipley 10 42.41x
Bowling 9 20.00x
Church 9 117.19x
Higher Booths 9 91.74x
Horton In Bradford 9 12.69x
Hunslet 9 12.70x
Shipton Bellinger 8 1777.78x
Ashton Under Lyne 7 5.89x
Church Gresley 7 61.30x
Hipperholme Cum 7 35.07x
Salford 7 4.37x
Whittington 7 1296.30x
Barrow In Furness 6 8.11x
Radcliffe 6 22.88x
Barnsley 5 10.67x
Barony 5 1.33x
Hale 5 143.27x
Ince In Makerfield 5 19.76x
Leyburn 5 326.80x
Newcastle On Tyne St 5 14.14x
Ryde 5 24.76x
St George Hanover Square 5 6.19x
Wellingore 5 403.23x
Winterslow 5 367.65x
Deptford St Nicholas 4 32.23x
Dukinfield 4 8.55x
North Stoneham 4 187.79x
Poulton Barre 4 64.62x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 4.34x
Sutton 4 21.92x
Worplesdon 4 148.70x
Belper 3 21.55x
Finchley 3 17.06x
Kimberworth 3 11.90x
Newington 3 1.77x
Packington 3 165.75x
Rattlesden 3 184.05x
Sawston 3 107.14x
Whitwick 3 46.44x
Bethnal Green London 2 1.00x
Birtle Cum Bamford 2 56.34x
Bristol St Augustine 2 13.78x
Chelsea London 2 1.45x
Claines 2 12.17x
Clapham 2 3.49x
Edinburgh St Andrews 2 39.45x
German Peel 2 40.82x
Habergham Eaves 2 4.02x
Hackney London 2 0.78x
Holbeck 2 6.64x
March 2 20.58x
North Meols 2 3.76x
Paddington London 2 1.19x
Pendleton In Salford 2 3.09x
Tottenham 2 2.74x
Toxteth Park 2 1.09x
Whitchurch 2 173.91x
Amesbury 1 56.50x
Bishops Hull 1 42.02x
Chadderton 1 3.76x
Handsworth 1 2.62x
Harrow On The Hill 1 10.92x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 1 4.73x
Lutton 1 82.64x
Penrith 1 6.86x
Peterborough 1 3.20x
Pudsey 1 4.12x
St Andrewthe Less 1 3.01x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 31
William 29
Thomas 18
George 14
James 13
Henry 12
Edward 10
Alfred 6
Joseph 6
Harry 5
Charles 4
Francis 4
Robert 4
Benjamin 3
Frank 3
Frederick 3
Richard 3
Albert 2
Arthur 2
Herbert 2
Jonathan 2
Luke 2
Samuel 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Christopher 1
Chs. 1
Dennison 1
Edgar 1
Edmund 1
Eli 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Geo. 1
Geo.A. 1
Gilbert 1
Harvey 1
Hills 1
Israel 1
Jas. 1
Joe 1
Johnson 1
Lambert 1
Matthew 1
Michael 1
Patrick 1
Percival 1
Septimus 1
Sidney 1
Sydney 1

FAQ

Armstead surname: questions and answers

How common was the Armstead surname in 1881?

In 1881, 468 people were recorded with the Armstead surname. That placed it at #7,114 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Armstead surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 384 in 2016. That gives Armstead a modern rank of #12,251.

What does the Armstead surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a hermitage or religious retreat.

What does the Armstead map show?

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