NameCensus.

UK surname

Blatchford

An Old English surname derived from a place name meaning "the ford at the dark stream or pool".

In the 1881 census there were 702 people recorded with the Blatchford surname, ranking it #5,177 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 770, ranked #7,131, down from #5,177 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Tormoham with Torquay. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall and Exeter.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Blatchford is 937 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9.7%.

1881 census count

702

Ranked #5,177

Modern count

770

2016, ranked #7,131

Peak year

1911

937 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Blatchford had 702 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,177 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 770 in 2016, ranked #7,131.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 937 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Blatchford surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Blatchford surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Blatchford 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 571 #4,456
1861 historical 509 #5,134
1881 historical 702 #5,177
1891 historical 768 #5,205
1901 historical 905 #5,127
1911 historical 937 #4,794
1997 modern 813 #6,449
1998 modern 840 #6,497
1999 modern 850 #6,487
2000 modern 827 #6,597
2001 modern 832 #6,453
2002 modern 838 #6,535
2003 modern 810 #6,591
2004 modern 783 #6,791
2005 modern 762 #6,870
2006 modern 759 #6,920
2007 modern 785 #6,799
2008 modern 784 #6,869
2009 modern 792 #6,950
2010 modern 799 #7,035
2011 modern 789 #7,033
2012 modern 768 #7,103
2013 modern 798 #6,973
2014 modern 800 #7,001
2015 modern 792 #6,990
2016 modern 770 #7,131

Geography

Back to top

Where Blatchfords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes and Northlew. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall and Exeter. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
4 London parishes London 3
5 Northlew Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 013 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 001 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 023 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 010 Cornwall
5 Exeter 013 Exeter

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Blatchford

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Blatchford

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

Blatchford is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Blatchford falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Blatchford is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Blatchford

The surname Blatchford is of English origin, derived from a locational name for someone who lived near a blacksmith's forge or a place where blood was shed. The name is thought to have originated in the late 12th century in the county of Somerset, England.

The name is believed to be a combination of the Old English words "blac" meaning "black" and "ford" meaning "a shallow river crossing." This suggests that the name may have referred to a blacksmith's forge located near a river crossing or a place where a significant event involving bloodshed occurred near a ford.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset from 1230, which mention a William de Blakeford. This early spelling variation, "Blakeford," provides insight into the name's evolution over time.

In the 13th century, the Blatchford family is known to have held lands in the parish of Weston-super-Mare in Somerset. During this period, the name was also spelled as "Blachford" and "Blacheford."

John Blatchford (1515-1586) was a prominent English clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Bath and Wells during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He was known for his efforts in promoting the Protestant Reformation in Somerset.

In the 17th century, Thomas Blatchford (1627-1693) was a prominent English merchant and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Lyme Regis in Dorset.

Another notable figure was Sir Robert Blatchford (1851-1943), a British socialist and writer who founded the monthly journal "The Clarion" and played a significant role in the early British labour movement.

The name Blatchford has also been associated with several place names in England, such as Blatchford Farm in Wiltshire and Blatchford Close in the town of Taunton, Somerset.

While the surname Blatchford is not among the most common surnames in England, it has a rich history rooted in the medieval period and has been associated with notable individuals throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Blatchford families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Blatchford 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. Devon leads with 383 Blatchfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.45x.

County Total Index
Devon 383 26.45x
Cornwall 95 12.06x
Middlesex 36 0.52x
Surrey 34 1.00x
Somerset 30 2.68x
Glamorgan 26 2.15x
Gloucestershire 20 1.47x
Hampshire 16 1.12x
Lancashire 15 0.18x
Kent 10 0.42x
Channel Islands 9 4.37x
Durham 8 0.39x
Buckinghamshire 6 1.43x
Dorset 5 1.10x
Lincolnshire 5 0.45x
Herefordshire 3 1.05x
Monmouthshire 3 0.60x
Cheshire 2 0.13x
Royal Navy 2 2.41x
Derbyshire 1 0.09x
Essex 1 0.07x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.11x
Warwickshire 1 0.06x
Wiltshire 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plymouth St Andrew in Devon leads with 50 Blatchfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 44.83x.

Place Total Index
Plymouth St Andrew 50 44.83x
Stoke Damerel 38 37.50x
Plymouth Charles The 27 42.33x
Northlew 20 1104.97x
Bermondsey 17 8.21x
Paignton 17 154.27x
Tavistock 14 84.90x
Tormoham 12 19.59x
Meavy 11 1617.65x
Wolborough 11 60.11x
Exeter St Sidwell 10 30.16x
Botus Fleming 9 1764.71x
Great Torrington 9 109.62x
St Pancras London 9 1.61x
Stoke 9 153.58x
Bath St James 8 68.49x
Ipplepen 8 406.09x
Luxulyan 8 305.34x
Madron 8 125.79x
Mile End Old Town London 8 5.40x
Ugborough 8 228.57x
Battersea 7 2.74x
Bodmin 7 53.72x
Bristol St Augustine 7 31.80x
Brixton 7 429.45x
Coryton 7 1296.30x
Exeter St Thomas The 7 47.43x
Linkinhorne 7 127.50x
Llandaff 7 17.37x
Marytavy 7 328.64x
Radstock 7 95.11x
Sourton 7 573.77x
St Blazey 7 101.30x
Abbots Kerswell 6 576.92x
Cury 6 582.52x
Devonport 6 36.06x
Egloskerry 6 576.92x
Greencroft 6 158.31x
Llanfabon 6 94.79x
Manchester 6 1.62x
Plymstock 6 79.16x
Poughill 6 625.00x
Wycombe 6 19.14x
Camberwell 5 1.13x
Clist Honiton 5 694.44x
Great Grimsby 5 7.08x
Lifton 5 143.27x
Melcombe Regis 5 26.43x
North Huish 5 581.40x
Okehampton 5 91.58x
Rewe 5 746.27x
Roath 5 9.09x
Scotforth 5 93.28x
St Lawrence 5 88.81x
Taunton St James 5 30.62x
Westbury On Trym 5 10.82x
Everton 4 1.52x
Hackney London 4 1.03x
Highampton 4 563.38x
Kea 4 68.14x
Lanteglos By Fowey 4 125.00x
Merthyr Tydfil 4 3.44x
Millbrook 4 11.14x
Plumstead 4 5.06x
South Petherwin 4 203.05x
Southampton St Mary 4 4.46x
Swansea Town 4 4.03x
Walkhampton 4 287.77x
Wells St Cuthbert 4 52.36x
Westbury On Severn East 4 12.97x
Amport 3 185.19x
Ashburton 3 43.35x
Diptford 3 189.87x
East Stonehouse 3 10.52x
Exeter St George The 3 187.50x
Kensington London 3 0.78x
St George Hanover Square 3 2.45x
St Peter Port 3 7.87x
Totnes 3 35.42x
Westminster St James 3 4.20x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 58
Elizabeth 31
Sarah 19
Emma 18
Susan 13
Ann 11
Eliza 11
Annie 10
Grace 9
Jane 9
Ellen 8
Emily 7
Louisa 7
Alice 6
Hannah 6
Martha 6
Caroline 5
Edith 5
Maria 5
Amelia 4
Elizth. 4
Fanny 4
Anne 3
Bessie 3
Charlotte 3
Florence 3
Harriet 3
Lucy 3
Margaret 3
Maud 3
Rosina 3
Ada 2
Agnes 2
Ida 2
Laura 2
Minnie 2
Miriam 2
Priscilla 2
Rebecca 2
Sophia 2
Anna 1
Betsy 1
Blanche 1
Eliz. 1
Elvine 1
Henrieta 1
Henrietta 1
Honoria 1
Honour 1
Vera 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 65
John 51
James 25
George 20
Thomas 17
Alfred 15
Henry 15
Richard 12
Walter 10
Charles 8
Samuel 8
Albert 7
Edward 6
Frederick 6
Joseph 6
Robert 6
Wm. 6
Ernest 4
Frank 3
Fred 3
Harry 3
Peter 3
Edwin 2
Faithful 2
Jonathan 2
Oliver 2
Theophilus 2
Alfe. 1
Ambrose 1
Annie 1
Baldwin 1
Bertram 1
Chas. 1
Clarence 1
Eustace 1
Faithfull 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Fredk.Thos. 1
Geo. 1
Geo.E. 1
Geoe. 1
J. 1
Jas. 1
Jonn. 1
Lewis 1
Mary 1
Michael 1
Montagu 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Blatchford surname: questions and answers

How common was the Blatchford surname in 1881?

In 1881, 702 people were recorded with the Blatchford surname. That placed it at #5,177 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Blatchford surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 770 in 2016. That gives Blatchford a modern rank of #7,131.

What does the Blatchford surname mean?

An Old English surname derived from a place name meaning "the ford at the dark stream or pool".

What does the Blatchford map show?

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