NameCensus.

UK surname

Attenborough

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "the brook by the town".

In the 1881 census there were 620 people recorded with the Attenborough surname, ranking it #5,692 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 793, ranked #6,970, down from #5,692 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Basford, Stapleford and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Amber Valley, North East Derbyshire and Gedling.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Attenborough is 912 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.9%.

1881 census count

620

Ranked #5,692

Modern count

793

2016, ranked #6,970

Peak year

1911

912 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Attenborough had 620 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,692 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 793 in 2016, ranked #6,970.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 912 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Attenborough surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Attenborough surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Attenborough 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 281 #8,028
1861 historical 428 #6,002
1881 historical 620 #5,692
1891 historical 684 #5,723
1901 historical 724 #6,116
1911 historical 912 #4,892
1997 modern 892 #6,001
1998 modern 902 #6,152
1999 modern 897 #6,215
2000 modern 868 #6,347
2001 modern 861 #6,273
2002 modern 874 #6,321
2003 modern 864 #6,266
2004 modern 834 #6,438
2005 modern 818 #6,492
2006 modern 805 #6,593
2007 modern 797 #6,713
2008 modern 800 #6,743
2009 modern 799 #6,900
2010 modern 801 #7,018
2011 modern 809 #6,865
2012 modern 782 #6,984
2013 modern 801 #6,945
2014 modern 809 #6,925
2015 modern 796 #6,960
2016 modern 793 #6,970

Geography

Back to top

Where Attenboroughs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Basford, Stapleford, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Loughborough and Nottingham St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Amber Valley, North East Derbyshire, Gedling, Newark and Sherwood and Bolsover. 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 Basford Nottinghamshire
2 Stapleford Derbyshire
3 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
4 Loughborough Leicestershire
5 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Amber Valley 015 Amber Valley
2 North East Derbyshire 011 North East Derbyshire
3 Gedling 012 Gedling
4 Newark and Sherwood 013 Newark and Sherwood
5 Bolsover 003 Bolsover

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Attenborough

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Attenborough

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Attenborough is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Attenborough 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

Attenborough falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Attenborough is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Attenborough

The surname Attenborough has its origins in England, dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period. It is derived from the Old English words "atten" meaning "at the" and "burgh" meaning "fortified dwelling" or "manor." The name is believed to have originated as a locational surname, referring to someone who lived near or was associated with a specific fortified town or manor.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions "Adeneberge" in Bedfordshire, which is likely an early spelling variation of the name Attenborough.

During the medieval period, the name appeared in various records with different spellings, such as Atteborough, Adenebergh, and Attenburghe. These variations reflect the fluidity of spelling and the influence of local dialects at the time.

The earliest known bearer of the Attenborough name was Sir William Attenborough, born around 1390 in Nottinghamshire, England. He served as a knight and landowner during the reign of Henry V.

In the 16th century, the Attenborough family was well-established in Nottinghamshire, with records indicating their presence in the village of Attenborough, which likely derived its name from the family.

One notable figure from this period was Sir John Attenborough (1516-1585), who served as a Member of Parliament for Nottinghamshire and played a crucial role in the suppression of the Pilgrimage of Grace, a rebellion against the English Reformation.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Attenborough name continued to spread across England, with families establishing themselves in various counties, including Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Warwickshire.

In the 19th century, Sir Richard Attenborough (1811-1892) became a prominent figure, serving as a British diplomat and colonial administrator in South Africa. He played a significant role in the establishment of British rule in the region.

Another notable bearer of the Attenborough name was Sir David Attenborough (1926-present), the world-renowned naturalist, broadcaster, and environmentalist. Born in London, Sir David has gained global recognition for his numerous nature documentaries and contributions to the understanding and preservation of the natural world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Attenborough families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Attenborough 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. Nottinghamshire leads with 243 Attenboroughs recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.86x.

County Total Index
Nottinghamshire 243 29.86x
Derbyshire 103 10.90x
Leicestershire 42 6.27x
Lancashire 31 0.43x
Middlesex 25 0.41x
Yorkshire 25 0.42x
Essex 23 1.93x
Kent 21 1.02x
Northamptonshire 14 2.47x
Surrey 12 0.41x
Lincolnshire 10 1.04x
Warwickshire 9 0.59x
Cheshire 8 0.60x
Midlothian 8 0.99x
Staffordshire 8 0.39x
Sussex 8 0.79x
Hertfordshire 7 1.68x
Berkshire 5 1.10x
Huntingdonshire 4 3.34x
Northumberland 4 0.45x
Hampshire 3 0.24x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.55x
Gloucestershire 2 0.17x
Channel Islands 1 0.56x
Suffolk 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nottingham St Mary in Nottinghamshire leads with 97 Attenboroughs recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.08x.

Place Total Index
Nottingham St Mary 97 46.08x
Basford 37 98.64x
Ilkeston 34 128.30x
Stapleford 21 317.70x
Belper 19 103.66x
Loughborough 18 59.25x
Radford 18 43.53x
Snenton 14 43.78x
Flixton 11 299.73x
Woolwich 10 13.14x
Droylsden 9 38.51x
Lenton 9 46.95x
Long Eaton 9 72.12x
Edinburgh Old Church 8 123.27x
Kensington London 8 2.38x
Smalley 8 476.19x
Beeston 7 74.87x
Bradford 7 4.83x
Burton Upon Trent 7 14.68x
Fletching 7 153.51x
Hasland 7 72.77x
Quorndon 7 186.17x
South Mimms 7 84.54x
Bingham 6 173.41x
Bushey 6 60.54x
Camberwell 6 1.56x
Kirkby Overblow 6 1090.91x
Leicester St Margaret 6 3.68x
Mountsorrel North End 6 465.12x
Toton 6 1500.00x
Altrincham 5 21.47x
Blackburn 5 2.62x
Brigstock 5 231.48x
Canterbury St Mary 5 36.15x
Hessle In Sculcoates 5 94.70x
Horncastle 5 50.20x
Leamington 5 49.55x
Lewisham 5 4.55x
Ripley 5 42.77x
St Marylebone London 5 1.55x
Wessington 5 393.70x
Worksop 5 20.71x
Birmingham 4 0.79x
Childerditch 4 869.57x
Deeping St Nicholas 4 141.34x
Greasley 4 21.79x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 4 7.45x
Nottingham St Peter 4 44.10x
Prittlewell 4 24.21x
Reading St Giles 4 8.99x
Sawtry St Judith 4 909.09x
Steeple 4 366.97x
Whatton 4 689.66x
Heage 3 60.00x
Nottingham St Nicholas 3 27.08x
St Lawrence Newland 3 681.82x
Thrapston 3 105.26x
Titchfield 3 32.15x
Arnold 2 16.84x
Bollin Fee 2 33.84x
Burton Joyce 2 143.88x
Burton On The Wolds 2 270.27x
Chapel En Le Frith 2 23.18x
Cheltenham 2 2.19x
Dengie 2 303.03x
Hampstead London 2 2.13x
Hulme 2 1.34x
Lambeth 2 0.38x
Latchingdon Snoreham 2 176.99x
Little Bowden 2 101.01x
Newington 2 0.90x
Paddington London 2 0.90x
Pentrich 2 37.59x
Sledmere Cum Croom 2 192.31x
Stanton By Dale 2 155.04x
Tupton 2 70.42x
Weston Underwood 2 273.97x
Worsbrough 2 11.41x
Wymeswold 2 103.63x
Wellingborough 1 3.50x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 35
William 27
George 21
James 18
Thomas 18
Henry 14
Charles 13
Arthur 10
Alfred 8
Isaac 7
Joseph 7
Richard 7
Edwin 6
Frederick 6
Geo. 5
Harry 5
Herbert 5
Robert 5
Walter 5
Samuel 4
Wm. 4
Albert 3
Edmund 3
Edward 3
Reuben 3
Fred 2
G. 2
Jabez 2
Richd. 2
Thos. 2
Benjamin 1
Earnest 1
Enoch 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.L. 1
G.William 1
Geoe.Thos. 1
H. 1
H.Arthur 1
Harold 1
Isaiah 1
Jonah 1
Lancasture 1
Leanord 1
Mark 1
Percy 1
Richd.John 1
Wm.F. 1

FAQ

Attenborough surname: questions and answers

How common was the Attenborough surname in 1881?

In 1881, 620 people were recorded with the Attenborough surname. That placed it at #5,692 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Attenborough surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 793 in 2016. That gives Attenborough a modern rank of #6,970.

What does the Attenborough surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "the brook by the town".

What does the Attenborough map show?

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