NameCensus.

UK surname

Caple

An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "cape hill" or "lookout hill."

In the 1881 census there were 350 people recorded with the Caple surname, ranking it #8,762 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 662, ranked #8,057, up from #8,762 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Hams, York and Sedgemoor.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Caple is 734 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 89.1%.

1881 census count

350

Ranked #8,762

Modern count

662

2016, ranked #8,057

Peak year

1998

734 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Caple had 350 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,762 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 662 in 2016, ranked #8,057.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 564 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Caple surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Caple surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Caple 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 312 #7,397
1861 historical 343 #7,444
1881 historical 350 #8,762
1891 historical 444 #8,149
1901 historical 513 #7,901
1911 historical 564 #7,159
1997 modern 712 #7,160
1998 modern 734 #7,226
1999 modern 734 #7,263
2000 modern 727 #7,282
2001 modern 704 #7,337
2002 modern 729 #7,265
2003 modern 707 #7,322
2004 modern 707 #7,337
2005 modern 710 #7,245
2006 modern 698 #7,366
2007 modern 682 #7,590
2008 modern 673 #7,701
2009 modern 685 #7,771
2010 modern 689 #7,874
2011 modern 685 #7,819
2012 modern 673 #7,859
2013 modern 674 #7,979
2014 modern 682 #7,941
2015 modern 659 #8,109
2016 modern 662 #8,057

Geography

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Where Caples are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe, London parishes and Winscombe. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Hams, York, Sedgemoor, Stratford-on-Avon and Cornwall. 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 Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe Somerset
4 London parishes London 3
5 Winscombe Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Hams 007 South Hams
2 York 018 York
3 Sedgemoor 001 Sedgemoor
4 Stratford-on-Avon 015 Stratford-on-Avon
5 Cornwall 043 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Caple

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Caple

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

Caple is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Caple falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Caple

The surname Caple has its origins in England, tracing back to the early medieval period around the 11th century. It is derived from the Old English word "capel," which means a small chapel or oratory. This suggests that the name likely originated as a locational surname, referring to someone who lived near a chapel or religious building.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Capella," which was a common spelling variation at the time.

In the 13th century, records show a Richard de Capella, who was a landowner in Gloucestershire. This indicates that the name had evolved to its more modern spelling during this period and was associated with landholding families in the region.

The earliest known bearer of the name Caple was John Caple, born in 1520 in Gloucestershire. He was a prominent figure in the local community and served as a churchwarden for the parish of Bisley.

Another notable individual with this surname was William Caple, born in 1612 in Wiltshire. He was a scholar and clergyman who authored several theological works and served as the Rector of Stoke Trister in Somerset.

During the 17th century, the surname Caple also appeared in records from Oxfordshire, with a family of that name residing in the village of Stanton St. John. One member, Thomas Caple, born in 1645, was a farmer and landowner in the area.

In the 18th century, a notable figure with the surname Caple was Joseph Caple, born in 1721 in Gloucestershire. He was a successful merchant and philanthropist who donated generously to local charities and educational initiatives.

Another individual of note was Mary Caple, born in 1782 in Somerset. She was a renowned author and poet, known for her works on religious and moral themes, which were widely published during her lifetime.

Throughout its history, the surname Caple has maintained strong ties to its origins in the counties of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and Somerset in England. While the name has spread to other parts of the world through migration, its roots can be traced back to these regions and the Old English word "capel," reflecting its connection to religious sites and buildings.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Caple families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Caple 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. Somerset leads with 127 Caples recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.38x.

County Total Index
Somerset 127 23.38x
Gloucestershire 53 8.01x
Middlesex 22 0.65x
Surrey 20 1.22x
Cornwall 15 3.93x
Glamorgan 14 2.38x
Oxfordshire 14 6.72x
Buckinghamshire 9 4.41x
Derbyshire 9 1.70x
Essex 9 1.35x
Leicestershire 8 2.14x
Monmouthshire 7 2.87x
Sussex 7 1.23x
Lancashire 6 0.15x
Berkshire 5 1.97x
Hertfordshire 5 2.15x
Herefordshire 4 2.89x
Devon 2 0.28x
Warwickshire 2 0.24x
Wiltshire 2 0.67x
Bedfordshire 1 0.57x
Dorset 1 0.45x
Kent 1 0.09x
Northamptonshire 1 0.32x
Royal Navy 1 2.49x
Worcestershire 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clevedon in Somerset leads with 18 Caples recorded in 1881 and an index of 318.58x.

Place Total Index
Clevedon 18 318.58x
Compton Bishop 13 2031.25x
Oxford St Clement 13 247.15x
Stogursey 12 821.92x
St Pancras London 11 4.05x
Burnham 10 241.55x
Roath 10 37.47x
West Ham 9 6.12x
Bitton 8 138.89x
Bristol St James St Paul 8 36.25x
Dursley 7 257.35x
Leicester St Mary 7 23.16x
Shenley Brook End 7 2800.00x
Ubley 7 2121.21x
West Wittering 7 921.05x
Clapham 6 14.22x
Lambeth 6 2.04x
Walcot 6 20.74x
Wrington 6 329.67x
Bristol St Michael 5 88.18x
Enmore 5 1515.15x
Horfield 5 75.08x
Huntspill 5 225.23x
Mynyddyslwyn 5 51.98x
Olveston 5 268.82x
Wendron 5 94.16x
Whitwell 5 238.10x
Bridgewater 4 27.12x
Easton In Gordano 4 182.65x
Hereford All Sts 4 63.09x
Hutton 4 1000.00x
Lanlivery 4 250.00x
Stretford 4 18.16x
Weare 4 533.33x
Winscombe 4 272.11x
Alveston 3 319.15x
Bengeo 3 111.11x
Blagdon 3 263.16x
Camborne 3 19.06x
Clifton 3 8.97x
Derby St Alkmund 3 18.94x
Long Ashton 3 111.52x
Newington 3 2.41x
Shepton Mallet 3 49.18x
St Columb Major 3 94.64x
West Dean 3 27.91x
Weston Super Mare 3 21.87x
Wimbledon 3 16.25x
Battersea 2 1.61x
Birmingham 2 0.71x
Bristol St Paul In 2 11.34x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 3.21x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 3.14x
Compton Martin 2 416.67x
Greenham 2 158.73x
Hackney London 2 1.06x
Mywyddyslwyn 2 338.98x
Paddington London 2 1.61x
Puriton 2 229.89x
Seacourt 2 10000.00x
Upper Winchendon 2 909.09x
West Harptree 2 370.37x
Westminster St Margaret 2 12.29x
Winterbourne 2 54.64x
Bromley London 1 1.35x
Cannington 1 62.11x
Compton 1 212.77x
Hertford St Andrew 1 34.84x
Houghton Regis 1 35.84x
Leicester St Margaret 1 1.10x
Limehouse London 1 2.70x
Portishead 1 24.75x
Puddletown 1 73.53x
Royal Navy 1 2.91x
Shoreditch London 1 0.68x
St Giles Cripplegate 1 22.32x
St Marylebone London 1 0.55x
Wells St Cuthbert Out 1 22.83x
Wembdon 1 62.11x
Whistones 1 31.35x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 25
John 17
George 15
Charles 12
Joseph 8
James 7
Thomas 7
Alfred 6
Frederick 6
Edward 5
Henry 5
Albert 4
Robert 4
Arthur 3
Fredrick 3
Harry 3
Ernest 2
Frank 2
H. 2
Herbert 2
Isaac 2
Lionel 2
Percival 2
Reginald 2
Samuel 2
Walter 2
Ambrose 1
Aubrey 1
Chas. 1
David 1
Eddy 1
Edmond 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Elizabeth 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fred. 1
Geo.Baker 1
Geo.E. 1
Horace 1
Jeffrey 1
Nellie 1
Noah 1
Norman 1
Richard 1
Stephen 1
Sydney 1
Tom 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Caple surname: questions and answers

How common was the Caple surname in 1881?

In 1881, 350 people were recorded with the Caple surname. That placed it at #8,762 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Caple surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 662 in 2016. That gives Caple a modern rank of #8,057.

What does the Caple surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "cape hill" or "lookout hill."

What does the Caple map show?

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