NameCensus.

UK surname

Biddle

An English occupational surname for a beadle, a minor parish official who kept order in church.

In the 1881 census there were 2,137 people recorded with the Biddle surname, ranking it #2,073 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,967, ranked #2,267, down from #2,073 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, London parishes and St Mary Islington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Forest of Dean, Stratford-on-Avon and Wychavon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Biddle is 3,146 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.8%.

1881 census count

2,137

Ranked #2,073

Modern count

2,967

2016, ranked #2,267

Peak year

1999

3,146 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Biddle had 2,137 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,073 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,967 in 2016, ranked #2,267.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,868 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Biddle surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Biddle surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Biddle 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 1,539 #1,860
1861 historical 1,561 #1,824
1881 historical 2,137 #2,073
1891 historical 2,354 #1,995
1901 historical 2,723 #2,041
1911 historical 2,868 #1,812
1997 modern 3,025 #2,131
1998 modern 3,105 #2,164
1999 modern 3,146 #2,153
2000 modern 3,089 #2,180
2001 modern 3,026 #2,175
2002 modern 3,121 #2,155
2003 modern 3,088 #2,125
2004 modern 3,087 #2,130
2005 modern 2,971 #2,181
2006 modern 2,943 #2,201
2007 modern 2,971 #2,195
2008 modern 2,968 #2,214
2009 modern 3,011 #2,240
2010 modern 3,065 #2,253
2011 modern 3,018 #2,260
2012 modern 2,955 #2,267
2013 modern 2,995 #2,275
2014 modern 3,019 #2,273
2015 modern 2,982 #2,272
2016 modern 2,967 #2,267

Geography

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Where Biddles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, London parishes and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Forest of Dean, Stratford-on-Avon, Wychavon and Herefordshire. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Forest of Dean 009 Forest of Dean
2 Stratford-on-Avon 005 Stratford-on-Avon
3 Stratford-on-Avon 004 Stratford-on-Avon
4 Wychavon 014 Wychavon
5 Herefordshire 003 Herefordshire, County of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Biddle

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Biddle

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Biddle, 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 Biddle surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Biddle 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Biddle is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Biddle is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Biddle 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 Biddle 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 Biddle, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Biddle

The surname Biddle originated in England, specifically in the county of Shropshire, during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "bydel," which means "summoner" or "messenger." This occupation was related to the role of a beadle, who was responsible for delivering summonses or announcements on behalf of the church or local authorities.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Biddle can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England conducted in 1086. The entry "Byddel" is recorded in this historical document, indicating the presence of the name during the Norman conquest.

In the 13th century, various spellings of the surname can be found in historical records, such as "Bidel," "Biddel," and "Biddill." These variations reflect the phonetic nature of the name's pronunciation and the influence of regional dialects.

The surname Biddle has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest recorded figures was John Biddle (1615-1662), an English Unitarian scholar and theologian who faced persecution for his religious beliefs during the English Civil War.

Another prominent figure was Nicholas Biddle (1786-1844), an American financier and the third president of the Second Bank of the United States. He played a significant role in shaping the country's early financial system and was involved in a highly publicized conflict with President Andrew Jackson over the bank's status.

In the literary world, Constance Biddle (1861-1933), an American writer and philanthropist, was known for her works on gardening and her involvement in promoting cultural activities in Philadelphia.

The Biddle family also had a presence in the military, with individuals like James Biddle (1783-1848), a naval officer who served in the War of 1812 and the Barbary Wars, and John Biddle (1819-1900), a Union Army officer during the American Civil War.

Another notable figure was Dorothy Biddle (1890-1977), a Canadian activist and writer who advocated for women's rights and was a prominent member of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

Throughout history, the surname Biddle has been associated with various locations, including Biddle's Rift in Shropshire, England, and Biddle's Corner, a historic crossroads in Pennsylvania, United States.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Biddle families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Biddle 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. Warwickshire leads with 547 Biddles recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.31x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 547 10.31x
Middlesex 292 1.39x
Worcestershire 217 7.90x
Staffordshire 203 2.86x
Surrey 113 1.10x
Leicestershire 100 4.29x
Gloucestershire 77 1.87x
Hampshire 59 1.37x
Lancashire 56 0.22x
Glamorgan 43 1.17x
Herefordshire 39 4.52x
Essex 37 0.89x
Kent 37 0.52x
Berkshire 33 2.09x
Yorkshire 28 0.13x
Devon 26 0.59x
Sussex 26 0.73x
Cheshire 25 0.54x
Derbyshire 25 0.76x
Shropshire 20 1.10x
Channel Islands 19 3.05x
Somerset 19 0.56x
Monmouthshire 18 1.18x
Nottinghamshire 15 0.53x
Oxfordshire 14 1.08x
Dorset 12 0.87x
Northamptonshire 10 0.51x
Lincolnshire 8 0.24x
Durham 7 0.11x
Buckinghamshire 6 0.47x
Pembrokeshire 4 0.60x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.23x
Rutland 3 1.94x
Ayrshire 2 0.13x
Brecknockshire 2 0.48x
Montgomeryshire 2 0.41x
Royal Navy 2 0.80x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.05x
Cornwall 1 0.04x
Denbighshire 1 0.13x
Hertfordshire 1 0.07x
Norfolk 1 0.03x
Northumberland 1 0.03x
Roxburghshire 1 0.26x
Wiltshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 207 Biddles recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.17x.

Place Total Index
Aston 207 14.17x
Birmingham 164 9.27x
Islington London 60 2.94x
Wolverhampton 46 8.42x
Yardley 39 55.48x
Harborne 32 14.06x
Sutton Coldfield 32 57.37x
Leicester St Margaret 31 5.45x
Alveston 29 495.73x
St Pancras London 29 1.71x
St Marylebone London 27 2.40x
West Ham 25 2.73x
Kings Norton 23 9.33x
Bethnal Green London 22 2.41x
Croydon 20 3.51x
Lambeth 19 1.04x
Swansea Town 19 6.33x
Alcester 18 102.86x
St Helier 18 8.87x
Brighton 17 2.38x
Merthyr Tydfil 17 4.83x
Reading St Mary 17 13.44x
Stourbridge 17 24.05x
Harbury 16 185.83x
Bromsgrove 15 16.22x
Leominster 15 42.01x
Hendon 14 18.49x
Sutton 14 2641.51x
Blackburn 13 1.96x
Cannock 13 10.49x
Handsworth 13 7.43x
Solihull 13 34.09x
Cheltenham 12 3.77x
Heston 11 15.74x
Kensington London 11 0.94x
Kingston On Thames 11 4.47x
Ripple 11 211.54x
Shoreditch London 11 1.21x
Warwick St Mary 11 23.88x
West Bromwich 11 2.71x
Alverstoke 10 6.41x
Barnstaple 10 14.55x
Brewood 10 48.83x
Reading St Giles 10 6.45x
Upton On Severn 10 55.56x
Belbroughton 9 63.16x
Bermondsey 9 1.44x
Chaddesden 9 205.01x
Claines 9 11.93x
Clerkenwell London 9 1.81x
Hampstead London 9 2.75x
Hugglescote 9 26.22x
Kingswinford 9 3.49x
Long Itchington 9 108.43x
St George Bloomsbury 9 7.46x
Warrington 9 3.04x
Woolaston 9 144.23x
Bowdon 8 43.41x
Bradford 8 6.85x
Cubbington 8 113.15x
Ealing 8 4.25x
Great Wyrley 8 103.76x
Liversedge 8 8.62x
Northfield 8 15.35x
Oldbury 8 5.92x
St George Hanover Square 8 2.16x
Stoke Upon Trent 8 1.06x
Walthamstow 8 5.35x
White Ladies Aston 8 355.56x
Whitwick 8 26.97x
Woolwich 8 3.02x
Belgrave 7 13.30x
Chertsey 7 10.57x
Great Alne 7 223.64x
Hammersmith London 7 1.35x
Leamington Priors 7 5.36x
Monk Sherborne 7 204.68x
Paddington London 7 0.90x
Whitbourne 7 130.35x
Wombourn 7 53.11x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 120
Elizabeth 88
Sarah 81
Emma 58
Ann 40
Ellen 40
Eliza 36
Alice 34
Florence 27
Jane 26
Annie 25
Emily 24
Harriet 22
Clara 20
Ada 18
Martha 18
Maria 16
Caroline 15
Amelia 13
Hannah 13
Edith 12
Louisa 12
Agnes 11
Catherine 10
Charlotte 10
Kate 10
Margaret 10
Frances 9
Harriett 9
Lucy 9
Susannah 9
Amy 8
Anne 8
Matilda 8
Rose 7
Susan 7
Minnie 6
Elizth. 5
Ethel 5
Fanny 5
Julia 5
Laura 5
Selina 5
Eleanor 4
Esther 4
Gertrude 4
Isabella 4
Jessie 4
Lizzie 4
Phoebe 4

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 121
John 113
James 79
George 77
Thomas 64
Henry 55
Charles 50
Joseph 42
Edward 31
Alfred 29
Arthur 26
Frederick 25
Samuel 23
Walter 23
Richard 21
Edwin 19
Albert 17
Robert 14
Frank 13
Harry 13
Herbert 11
Francis 8
Benjamin 6
David 6
Fred 6
Daniel 5
Ernest 5
Fredrick 5
Thos. 5
Alexander 4
Enoch 4
Philip 4
Wm. 4
Chas. 3
Leonard 3
Moses 3
Ralph 3
Sydney 3
Willm. 3
Ambrose 2
Edmund 2
Fleetwood 2
Fredc. 2
Geo. 2
Jesse 2
Mark 2
Matthew 2
Nathaniel 2
Noah 2
W. 2

FAQ

Biddle surname: questions and answers

How common was the Biddle surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,137 people were recorded with the Biddle surname. That placed it at #2,073 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Biddle surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,967 in 2016. That gives Biddle a modern rank of #2,267.

What does the Biddle surname mean?

An English occupational surname for a beadle, a minor parish official who kept order in church.

What does the Biddle map show?

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