UK surname
A surname derived from the French word "cardon," meaning "thistle."
In the 1881 census there were 46 people recorded with the Cardon surname, ranking it #27,188 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 51, ranked #34,838, down from #27,188 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Romsey Extra, Michelmersh, London parishes and Dalziel. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cardon is 113 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10.9%.
1881 census count
46
Ranked #27,188
Modern count
51
2016, ranked #34,838
Peak year
1861
113 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Cardon surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Cardon surname density by area, 1861 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 | 43 | #25,518 |
| 1861 | historical | 113 | #19,151 |
| 1881 | historical | 46 | #27,188 |
| 1891 | historical | 62 | #28,991 |
| 1901 | historical | 71 | #26,277 |
| 1911 | historical | 18 | #31,542 |
| 1997 | modern | 50 | #32,658 |
| 1998 | modern | 49 | #33,000 |
| 1999 | modern | 55 | #32,561 |
| 2000 | modern | 54 | #32,710 |
| 2001 | modern | 51 | #32,850 |
| 2002 | modern | 48 | #33,459 |
| 2003 | modern | 41 | #34,113 |
| 2004 | modern | 44 | #34,053 |
| 2005 | modern | 42 | #34,395 |
| 2006 | modern | 49 | #34,152 |
| 2007 | modern | 47 | #34,558 |
| 2008 | modern | 49 | #34,580 |
| 2009 | modern | 49 | #34,728 |
| 2010 | modern | 48 | #34,946 |
| 2011 | modern | 42 | #35,283 |
| 2012 | modern | 50 | #34,814 |
| 2013 | modern | 53 | #34,715 |
| 2014 | modern | 53 | #34,753 |
| 2015 | modern | 50 | #34,886 |
| 2016 | modern | 51 | #34,838 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Romsey Extra, Michelmersh, London parishes, Dalziel, Paddington and Rutherglen. 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 | Romsey Extra, Michelmersh | Hampshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | Dalziel | Lanark |
| 4 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 5 | Rutherglen | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Cardon 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 Cardon, 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 Cardon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Cardon 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, Cardon 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 Cardon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Cardon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Cardon is believed to have originated in France, specifically in the region of Burgundy, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "cardon," which referred to a type of thistle plant commonly used as a vegetable.
One of the earliest recorded references to the Cardon name can be found in the Livre des Métiers (Book of Trades) from Paris, dated around the 13th century. This document lists several individuals with the surname Cardon, suggesting the name was already established in the region.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various records and manuscripts, such as the Cartulaire de l'Abbaye de Saint-Bénigne de Dijon, which mentions a certain Jehan Cardon, a resident of Dijon, the capital of Burgundy.
The Cardon family likely originated from a place name related to the cultivation of thistles or the presence of thistle plants in the area. Some variations in the spelling of the name included Cardonnet, Cardonneau, and Cardonnay.
Notable individuals with the surname Cardon throughout history include:
1. Gérard Cardon (c. 1460-1530), a French painter and stained glass artist known for his work in several churches across Burgundy.
2. Philippe Cardon (1532-1611), a French scholar and theologian who served as the rector of the University of Paris in the late 16th century.
3. Antoine Cardon (1639-1722), a French sculptor and architect who worked on several notable buildings in Paris, including the Palais du Luxembourg.
4. Jean-Baptiste Cardon (1760-1844), a French chemist and industrialist who made significant contributions to the development of the textile industry in France.
5. Louis Cardon (1821-1899), a Belgian historian and archivist who published several works on the history of the Low Countries and the city of Bruges.
The Cardon surname can also be found in other parts of Europe, such as Belgium and Italy, likely due to migration and the spread of the name over time. However, its origins can be traced back to the Burgundy region of France, where it was first established and recorded.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cardon 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. Middlesex leads with 22 Cardons recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.80x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 22 | 4.80x |
| Durham | 7 | 5.13x |
| Surrey | 7 | 3.13x |
| Hampshire | 3 | 3.19x |
| Kent | 3 | 1.92x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.39x |
| Devon | 1 | 1.05x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 18.32x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.67x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.22x |
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 Cardons recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.61x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Marylebone London | 7 | 28.61x |
| Stoke Newington London | 6 | 168.07x |
| Battersea | 5 | 29.64x |
| Paddington London | 5 | 29.67x |
| Monkwearmouth Shore | 4 | 150.38x |
| Holdenhurst | 3 | 121.95x |
| Stranton | 3 | 65.36x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 3.42x |
| Chatham | 1 | 23.26x |
| Derby St Werburgh | 1 | 24.15x |
| Dover Castle | 1 | 909.09x |
| Exeter St Lawrence | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Huddersfield | 1 | 15.11x |
| Islington London | 1 | 2.25x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 3.92x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 2.50x |
| Northfield | 1 | 87.72x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 21.41x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 2.71x |
| Whitechapel London | 1 | 22.12x |
| Yalding | 1 | 256.41x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Cardon 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 Cardon 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 Cardon households.
FAQ
In 1881, 46 people were recorded with the Cardon surname. That placed it at #27,188 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 51 in 2016. That gives Cardon a modern rank of #34,838.
A surname derived from the French word "cardon," meaning "thistle."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Cardon 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.