UK surname
A surname referring to the aspen tree or someone living near aspen trees.
In the 1881 census there were 92 people recorded with the Aspen surname, ranking it #20,709 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 81, ranked #32,971, down from #20,709 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Preston and Blackburn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Aspen is 142 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 12.0%.
1881 census count
92
Ranked #20,709
Modern count
81
2016, ranked #32,971
Peak year
1891
142 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Aspen surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Aspen 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 | 63 | #22,069 |
| 1861 | historical | 135 | #16,651 |
| 1881 | historical | 92 | #20,709 |
| 1891 | historical | 142 | #18,995 |
| 1901 | historical | 78 | #25,500 |
| 1911 | historical | 48 | #28,006 |
| 1997 | modern | 59 | #31,734 |
| 1998 | modern | 72 | #30,775 |
| 1999 | modern | 66 | #31,509 |
| 2000 | modern | 72 | #30,977 |
| 2001 | modern | 67 | #31,297 |
| 2002 | modern | 63 | #32,113 |
| 2003 | modern | 61 | #32,352 |
| 2004 | modern | 59 | #32,787 |
| 2005 | modern | 76 | #31,267 |
| 2006 | modern | 77 | #31,510 |
| 2007 | modern | 80 | #31,527 |
| 2008 | modern | 85 | #31,247 |
| 2009 | modern | 81 | #32,172 |
| 2010 | modern | 86 | #32,081 |
| 2011 | modern | 81 | #32,558 |
| 2012 | modern | 75 | #33,263 |
| 2013 | modern | 80 | #33,058 |
| 2014 | modern | 80 | #33,133 |
| 2015 | modern | 80 | #33,052 |
| 2016 | modern | 81 | #32,971 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Preston, Blackburn, Bolton-le-Moors and Whalley. 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 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 2 | Preston | Lancashire |
| 3 | Blackburn | Lancashire |
| 4 | Bolton-le-Moors | Lancashire |
| 5 | Whalley | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Aspen 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 Aspen, 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 Aspen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Aspen 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, Aspen 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 Aspen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Aspen, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Aspen is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "æspen," which referred to the aspen tree, a species of poplar native to the region.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Aspen can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, a historical record of tax payments made in the county during the 12th and 13th centuries. These rolls mention individuals with the surname Aspen, indicating that the name was already in use at that time.
During the Middle Ages, the Aspen name was particularly prevalent in the northern counties of England, such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Westmorland. It is believed that the name may have originated as a place name, referring to areas where aspen trees grew abundantly or communities located near aspen groves.
The Aspen surname has been documented in various historical records over the centuries, including the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. While the name itself is not explicitly mentioned, there are references to places with names derived from the word "æspen," suggesting the presence of families bearing the Aspen name.
One notable individual with the Aspen surname was Sir Robert Aspen (c. 1450-1516), a prominent English landowner and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Yorkshire during the reign of Henry VIII. Another historically significant figure was William Aspen (1582-1655), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Master of Jesus College, Cambridge.
In the 17th century, the Aspen name gained recognition through the work of John Aspen (1617-1690), a renowned surgeon and author who published several influential medical treatises. His contributions to the field of medicine earned him a respected reputation among his contemporaries.
The Aspen surname also found its way across the Atlantic, with families bearing the name settling in the American colonies during the 17th and 18th centuries. One notable early American with the Aspen surname was Joseph Aspen (1723-1789), a farmer and Revolutionary War veteran from Massachusetts.
Throughout history, the Aspen name has been associated with various trades and professions, from landowners and politicians to scholars and medical practitioners. While the name itself may have evolved over time, its roots can be traced back to the ancient landscapes of England, where the aspen tree once thrived.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Aspen 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. Lancashire leads with 78 Aspens recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.32x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 78 | 7.32x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.33x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.34x |
| Essex | 2 | 1.13x |
| Northumberland | 2 | 1.50x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.71x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.37x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.33x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.23x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Over Darwen in Lancashire leads with 13 Aspens recorded in 1881 and an index of 152.76x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Over Darwen | 13 | 152.76x |
| Blackburn | 9 | 31.77x |
| Habergham Eaves | 7 | 71.94x |
| Little Bolton | 7 | 51.13x |
| Livesey | 5 | 267.38x |
| Lower Booths | 5 | 261.78x |
| Salford | 5 | 15.96x |
| Chorley | 4 | 66.89x |
| Birtle Cum Bamford | 3 | 434.78x |
| Great Bolton | 3 | 21.26x |
| Oswaldtwistle | 3 | 79.79x |
| Rishton | 3 | 240.00x |
| Manchester | 2 | 4.18x |
| Netherthong | 2 | 689.66x |
| Ashford | 1 | 33.56x |
| Broughton In Salford | 1 | 10.27x |
| Burnley | 1 | 11.15x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 1.74x |
| Clitheroe | 1 | 31.95x |
| Ealing | 1 | 12.47x |
| Glossop Dale | 1 | 15.20x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 7.15x |
| Harrow | 1 | 72.99x |
| Leeds | 1 | 1.99x |
| Lexden | 1 | 140.85x |
| Mason | 1 | 322.58x |
| Mellor | 1 | 294.12x |
| Morpeth | 1 | 63.69x |
| Padiham | 1 | 38.91x |
| Radcliffe | 1 | 19.49x |
| Sharples | 1 | 86.21x |
| St Giles | 1 | 59.88x |
| Tottington Lower End | 1 | 19.76x |
| Wavertree | 1 | 29.33x |
| Woodford | 1 | 49.75x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Aspen 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 Aspen 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 Aspen households.
FAQ
In 1881, 92 people were recorded with the Aspen surname. That placed it at #20,709 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 81 in 2016. That gives Aspen a modern rank of #32,971.
A surname referring to the aspen tree or someone living near aspen trees.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Aspen 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.