UK surname
A locative surname derived from a place name containing the elements "Black" and "ridge".
In the 1881 census there were 46 people recorded with the Blacklidge surname, ranking it #27,188 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 78, ranked #33,171, down from #27,188 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wigan, Preston and Blackburn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Blacklidge is 157 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 69.6%.
1881 census count
46
Ranked #27,188
Modern count
78
2016, ranked #33,171
Peak year
1861
157 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Blacklidge surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Blacklidge surname density by area, 1911 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 | 139 | #13,659 |
| 1861 | historical | 157 | #14,732 |
| 1881 | historical | 46 | #27,188 |
| 1891 | historical | 127 | #20,496 |
| 1901 | historical | 77 | #25,627 |
| 1911 | historical | 141 | #18,571 |
| 1997 | modern | 69 | #30,712 |
| 1998 | modern | 72 | #30,775 |
| 1999 | modern | 74 | #30,759 |
| 2000 | modern | 70 | #31,180 |
| 2001 | modern | 69 | #31,098 |
| 2002 | modern | 68 | #31,626 |
| 2003 | modern | 75 | #30,994 |
| 2004 | modern | 76 | #31,125 |
| 2005 | modern | 74 | #31,522 |
| 2006 | modern | 77 | #31,510 |
| 2007 | modern | 76 | #31,966 |
| 2008 | modern | 76 | #32,279 |
| 2009 | modern | 77 | #32,553 |
| 2010 | modern | 78 | #32,848 |
| 2011 | modern | 79 | #32,743 |
| 2012 | modern | 73 | #33,431 |
| 2013 | modern | 76 | #33,329 |
| 2014 | modern | 77 | #33,336 |
| 2015 | modern | 79 | #33,127 |
| 2016 | modern | 78 | #33,171 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wigan, Preston, Blackburn, Brindle and Bolton-le-Moors. 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 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 2 | Preston | Lancashire |
| 3 | Blackburn | Lancashire |
| 4 | Brindle | Lancashire |
| 5 | Bolton-le-Moors | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Blacklidge 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 Blacklidge, 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 Blacklidge surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Blacklidge 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, Blacklidge 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 Blacklidge is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Blacklidge, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Blacklidge is of English origin, and it first emerged in the 13th century in the county of Derbyshire. It is derived from the Old English words "blæc" meaning black and "hrycg" meaning ridge, referring to a person who lived near a dark, wooded ridge or hilltop.
Historical records show that the name was originally spelled as "Blakrugge" or "Blakrigge" in its earliest forms. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of Derbyshire from 1242, where a Richard de Blakrugge is mentioned as a landowner.
As the name evolved over time, various spellings emerged, such as "Blackridge," "Blackrydge," and eventually "Blacklidge." These variations reflect regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the Middle Ages.
In the 14th century, a John Blackrydge was listed in the Cheshire Assize Rolls of 1353, indicating the spread of the name to neighboring counties. By the 16th century, the Blacklidge spelling had become more standardized, as seen in the baptismal records of St. Mary's Church in Nottingham, where a Thomas Blacklidge was christened in 1582.
Notable individuals with the Blacklidge surname include Robert Blacklidge (1572-1638), a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol, and William Blacklidge (1617-1688), a member of the British East India Company who played a role in establishing trade routes to India.
In the 18th century, John Blacklidge (1712-1784) was a respected scholar and author who wrote several works on theology and philosophy. His contemporary, James Blacklidge (1725-1801), was a renowned architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London.
The 19th century saw the birth of Mary Blacklidge (1845-1923), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. She founded one of the first schools for girls in the United States and campaigned tirelessly for equal educational opportunities.
While the name has undergone various spelling changes over the centuries, its origins can be traced back to the rural landscapes of medieval England, where individuals were often identified by their geographic associations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Blacklidge 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 28 Blacklidges recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.26x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 28 | 5.26x |
| Surrey | 7 | 3.20x |
| Durham | 6 | 4.49x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.45x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 2.97x |
| Denbighshire | 1 | 5.90x |
| Dorset | 1 | 3.40x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke in Surrey leads with 7 Blacklidges recorded in 1881 and an index of 679.61x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Stoke | 7 | 679.61x |
| Hoghton | 6 | 4615.38x |
| Lea Ashton Ingol | 6 | 1714.29x |
| West Herrington | 6 | 1276.60x |
| Gorton | 5 | 99.80x |
| Charnock Richard | 4 | 3636.36x |
| Euxton | 2 | 1111.11x |
| Leeds | 2 | 7.97x |
| Rumworth | 2 | 263.16x |
| Windle | 2 | 66.67x |
| Portland | 1 | 63.29x |
| West Derby | 1 | 6.42x |
| Wrexham Regis | 1 | 79.37x |
| Yattendon | 1 | 2000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Blacklidge 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 Blacklidge 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 Blacklidge households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Cotton Weaver | 4 |
| Coal Miner | 3 |
| Cott Weaver | 2 |
| Driver In Coal Mine | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Scholar | 2 |
| Cotton Winder | 1 |
| Decorator | 1 |
| Dr Major 2nd Surrey Militia | 1 |
| Dr Major Wife | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Employed In Cotton Mill | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| Iron Monger Traveller | 1 |
| Iron Monger Traveller Wife | 1 |
| Lodging House Keeper | 1 |
| Private Royal Marines L I | 1 |
| Quarry Man | 1 |
| Quarryman | 1 |
| Railway Clerk | 1 |
| Railway Porter | 1 |
| Ship Carpenter | 1 |
| Weaver (Cotton) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 46 people were recorded with the Blacklidge surname. That placed it at #27,188 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 78 in 2016. That gives Blacklidge a modern rank of #33,171.
A locative surname derived from a place name containing the elements "Black" and "ridge".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Blacklidge 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.