UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place called Baldon in England.
In the 1881 census there were 61 people recorded with the Balden surname, ranking it #24,992 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 28, ranked #36,125, down from #24,992 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Batley, Ilfracombe and Glasgow. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Balden is 118 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 54.1%.
1881 census count
61
Ranked #24,992
Modern count
28
2016, ranked #36,125
Peak year
1861
118 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Balden surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Balden surname density by area, 1861 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 | 77 | #19,998 |
| 1861 | historical | 118 | #18,512 |
| 1881 | historical | 61 | #24,992 |
| 1891 | historical | 58 | #29,439 |
| 1901 | historical | 72 | #26,162 |
| 1911 | historical | 53 | #27,508 |
| 1997 | modern | 35 | #34,174 |
| 1998 | modern | 34 | #34,433 |
| 1999 | modern | 36 | #34,323 |
| 2000 | modern | 32 | #34,705 |
| 2001 | modern | 30 | #34,753 |
| 2002 | modern | 30 | #34,950 |
| 2003 | modern | 32 | #34,862 |
| 2004 | modern | 27 | #35,444 |
| 2005 | modern | 32 | #35,191 |
| 2006 | modern | 32 | #35,392 |
| 2007 | modern | 35 | #35,347 |
| 2008 | modern | 33 | #35,556 |
| 2009 | modern | 34 | #35,608 |
| 2010 | modern | 32 | #35,848 |
| 2011 | modern | 30 | #35,949 |
| 2012 | modern | 25 | #36,227 |
| 2013 | modern | 26 | #36,217 |
| 2014 | modern | 26 | #36,244 |
| 2015 | modern | 25 | #36,297 |
| 2016 | modern | 28 | #36,125 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Batley, Ilfracombe, Glasgow, Lasswade and Edgbaston. 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 | Batley | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 2 | Ilfracombe | Devon |
| 3 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| 4 | Lasswade | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Edgbaston | Worcestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Balden 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 Balden, 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 Balden surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Balden 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, Balden 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 Balden is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Balden, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Balden has its roots in the medieval Anglo-Saxon culture of England. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "balde," which means "bold" or "brave." This name was likely given as a nickname to someone who exhibited these qualities or had a particularly bold or courageous personality.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Balden can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a landowner named Baldwine or Baldwinus, which is considered a variant spelling of the modern surname Balden.
During the medieval period, the name Balden was primarily concentrated in the counties of Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, and Warwickshire in central England. Some notable historical figures with this surname include John Balden, a prominent merchant and member of the Guild of Merchants in the city of Bristol in the 15th century.
In the 16th century, the surname Balden appears in various records, including parish registers and tax rolls. One notable individual from this era was William Balden (c. 1530-1598), a renowned English jurist and legal scholar who served as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
The 17th century saw the rise of several noteworthy individuals with the surname Balden. Samuel Balden (1615-1699) was an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire. Another prominent figure was Thomas Balden (1630-1694), a wealthy merchant and landowner in Gloucestershire.
In the 18th century, the name Balden was associated with several literary figures. One such individual was Robert Balden (1705-1782), an English poet and playwright who authored several works, including the play "The Constant Lovers" and a collection of poems titled "Poetical Essays."
As the centuries progressed, the surname Balden continued to be found across various regions of England, with some families migrating to other parts of the British Isles and beyond. The name has also seen variations in spelling, such as Baldan, Bawden, and Bawdon, reflecting the fluid nature of surnames during earlier periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Balden 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. Lanarkshire leads with 14 Baldens recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.28x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 14 | 7.28x |
| Westmorland | 7 | 53.56x |
| Lancashire | 6 | 0.85x |
| East Lothian | 5 | 63.45x |
| Kent | 4 | 1.97x |
| Midlothian | 4 | 5.02x |
| Norfolk | 4 | 4.37x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.50x |
| Surrey | 3 | 1.04x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 1.52x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 1.64x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.34x |
| Caernarfonshire | 1 | 4.16x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 2.33x |
| Roxburghshire | 1 | 9.29x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.50x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 1.90x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 14 Baldens recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.98x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Glasgow | 14 | 40.98x |
| Appleby St Michael | 7 | 2413.79x |
| Hulme | 6 | 40.71x |
| Lasswade | 4 | 219.78x |
| Berwick North | 3 | 545.45x |
| North Elmham | 3 | 1363.64x |
| Otham | 3 | 3750.00x |
| Caterham | 2 | 156.25x |
| Ryde | 2 | 76.34x |
| Skipton | 2 | 108.11x |
| Tranmere | 2 | 41.41x |
| Bangor | 1 | 43.10x |
| Battersea | 1 | 4.57x |
| Bolton | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 6.39x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 10.80x |
| Kelso | 1 | 93.46x |
| Norton Canes | 1 | 136.99x |
| Salisbury St Martin | 1 | 181.82x |
| Shoreditch London | 1 | 3.88x |
| Trevethin | 1 | 24.63x |
| Weasenham All Sts | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Westminster St James | 1 | 16.37x |
| Whitekirk Tynninghame | 1 | 454.55x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Balden 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 Balden 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 Balden households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 11 |
| Agl Labourer | 1 |
| Boot & Shoe Manufacturer | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Commercial Traveller | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Cook Dom Serv | 1 |
| Forester | 1 |
| Forester (Wd Man) | 1 |
| Forester Woodman | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Independent | 1 |
| Messman H.M.S. Defence (Seaman) | 1 |
| Monthly Nurse | 1 |
| Musician | 1 |
| Musician Wife | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Railway Excavator | 1 |
| Teacher In Otham National School | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 61 people were recorded with the Balden surname. That placed it at #24,992 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 28 in 2016. That gives Balden a modern rank of #36,125.
A locational surname derived from a place called Baldon in England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Balden 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.