NameCensus.

UK surname

Caleb

An English surname derived from the Hebrew name meaning "faithful, whole-hearted".

In the 1881 census there were 31 people recorded with the Caleb surname, ranking it #29,218 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 103, ranked #30,515, down from #29,218 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leeds, Blaenau Gwent and Hart.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Caleb is 103 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 232.3%.

1881 census count

31

Ranked #29,218

Modern count

103

2016, ranked #30,515

Peak year

2016

103 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Caleb had 31 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,218 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016, ranked #30,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 72 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Caleb surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Caleb surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Caleb 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 14 #30,790
1861 historical 25 #30,804
1881 historical 31 #29,218
1891 historical 25 #32,259
1901 historical 48 #28,808
1911 historical 72 #25,642
1997 modern 87 #28,749
1998 modern 88 #29,131
1999 modern 94 #28,593
2000 modern 77 #30,486
2001 modern 80 #29,945
2002 modern 80 #30,387
2003 modern 76 #30,883
2004 modern 73 #31,403
2005 modern 72 #31,730
2006 modern 75 #31,733
2007 modern 77 #31,856
2008 modern 74 #32,460
2009 modern 79 #32,372
2010 modern 80 #32,670
2011 modern 78 #32,819
2012 modern 84 #32,502
2013 modern 95 #31,523
2014 modern 95 #31,792
2015 modern 99 #31,168
2016 modern 103 #30,515

Geography

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Where Calebs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leeds, Blaenau Gwent, Hart and Hackney. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leeds 101 Leeds
2 Blaenau Gwent 002 Blaenau Gwent
3 Leeds 035 Leeds
4 Hart 008 Hart
5 Hackney 014 Hackney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Caleb

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Caleb

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Caleb surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Caleb household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Caleb 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

Caleb is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Caleb falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Caleb 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 Caleb, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Caleb

The surname Caleb originates from the Hebrew biblical name קָלֵב (Qalev), which is derived from the Hebrew word כֶּלֶב (kelev), meaning "dog". The name is believed to have first emerged in the Middle East during ancient times.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Caleb can be found in the Old Testament of the Bible, where Caleb is mentioned as one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. He is described as a faithful and courageous man who advocated for the Israelites to take possession of the Promised Land.

As the name spread across Europe during the Middle Ages, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Kaleb, Kalob, and Calibe. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and linguistic adaptations.

In England, the surname Caleb is recorded as early as the 16th century, with one of the earliest known individuals being John Caleb, born in 1520 in Gloucestershire. Another notable figure was the English Puritan minister Hugh Caleb, who lived from 1572 to 1635 and was known for his religious writings.

In the United States, one of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Caleb is that of Joseph Caleb, who was born in 1698 in Massachusetts. He was a prominent merchant and landowner in the colonial era.

Other notable individuals with the surname Caleb include:

1. Walter Caleb, an English painter and engraver who lived from 1642 to 1708. 2. Robert Caleb, an American politician who served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in the early 19th century. 3. Mary Caleb, a British writer and activist born in 1846, known for her work in promoting women's rights and education. 4. Benjamin Caleb, a French artist and sculptor who lived from 1879 to 1952, renowned for his sculptural works depicting biblical themes. 5. Samuel Caleb, a British military officer who served in the Royal Navy during the 18th century, participating in several major naval battles.

While the surname Caleb has its roots in the ancient Hebrew language, it has been adopted and adapted by various cultures and regions throughout history, reflecting the diverse and rich tapestry of human migrations and cultural exchanges.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Caleb families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Caleb 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. Yorkshire leads with 10 Calebs recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.34x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 10 3.34x
Middlesex 7 2.32x
Monmouthshire 6 27.45x
Surrey 6 4.07x
Dorset 1 5.04x
Sussex 1 1.96x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Marylebone London in Middlesex leads with 7 Calebs recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.37x.

Place Total Index
St Marylebone London 7 43.37x
Bradford 6 82.76x
Croydon 6 73.35x
Mynyddyslwyn 6 697.67x
Leeds 4 23.64x
Hove 1 44.64x
Portland 1 93.46x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 2
Emma 2
Jane 2
Louisa 2
Mary 2
Ada 1
Caroline 1
Ellen 1
Hannah 1
Rachael 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 2
Albt. 1
Alexander 1
Beall 1
David 1
Edward 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Geo. 1
George 1
Hy. 1
Joseph 1
Samuel 1
Thomas 1
Wm. 1

Top occupations

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 Caleb households.

FAQ

Caleb surname: questions and answers

How common was the Caleb surname in 1881?

In 1881, 31 people were recorded with the Caleb surname. That placed it at #29,218 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Caleb surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016. That gives Caleb a modern rank of #30,515.

What does the Caleb surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Hebrew name meaning "faithful, whole-hearted".

What does the Caleb map show?

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