NameCensus.

UK surname

Caroline

French surname of uncertain origin, possibly related to the ancient Roman name "Carolus".

In the 1881 census there were 95 people recorded with the Caroline surname, ranking it #20,349 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 115, ranked #28,348, down from #20,349 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Rawmarsh, Wath-on-Dearn (Swinton) and Eckington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Tyneside, Leeds and Tandridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Caroline is 246 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 21.1%.

1881 census count

95

Ranked #20,349

Modern count

115

2016, ranked #28,348

Peak year

1861

246 bearers

Map years

6

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Caroline had 95 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #20,349 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016, ranked #28,348.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 246 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Caroline surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Caroline surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Caroline 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 179 #11,346
1861 historical 246 #10,010
1881 historical 95 #20,349
1891 historical 149 #18,420
1901 historical 122 #20,344
1911 historical 177 #16,129
1997 modern 80 #29,554
1998 modern 92 #28,680
1999 modern 94 #28,593
2000 modern 84 #29,706
2001 modern 82 #29,714
2002 modern 77 #30,709
2003 modern 74 #31,091
2004 modern 79 #30,799
2005 modern 79 #30,950
2006 modern 84 #30,665
2007 modern 80 #31,527
2008 modern 79 #31,957
2009 modern 87 #31,489
2010 modern 91 #31,497
2011 modern 102 #29,759
2012 modern 110 #28,514
2013 modern 108 #29,379
2014 modern 115 #28,439
2015 modern 111 #28,986
2016 modern 115 #28,348

Geography

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Where Carolines are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Rawmarsh, Wath-on-Dearn (Swinton), Eckington, Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Tyneside, Leeds, Tandridge, North East Lincolnshire and Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Rawmarsh, Wath-on-Dearn (Swinton) Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Eckington Derbyshire
4 Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) Northumberland
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Tyneside 022 North Tyneside
2 Leeds 077 Leeds
3 Tandridge 002 Tandridge
4 North East Lincolnshire 021 North East Lincolnshire
5 Newcastle upon Tyne 020 Newcastle upon Tyne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Caroline

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Caroline

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Caroline surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Caroline household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Caroline 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

Caroline is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Caroline falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Caroline is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Caroline

The surname Caroline originated in France during the Middle Ages, derived from the Latin word "Carolus," which means "free man" or "peasant." This name was commonly used in regions like Normandy, Brittany, and parts of central France.

One of the earliest known records of the Caroline surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book mentions a landowner named Reginald Caroline, who held estates in Gloucestershire.

In the 12th century, a notable figure bearing the Caroline surname was Robert Caroline, a French nobleman and military commander who fought alongside Richard the Lionheart during the Third Crusade (1189–1192). Robert Caroline was renowned for his bravery and tactical skills in battle.

During the 13th century, the Caroline surname was also found in various French administrative and legal documents, indicating its widespread use among the peasant and noble classes. One such document from 1275 mentions a merchant named Jacques Caroline, who traded goods between Paris and the coastal regions of Normandy.

In the 14th century, the Caroline surname gained prominence with the rise of the House of Caroline, a noble family from the Champagne region of France. The most notable member of this family was Jean Caroline (1320–1382), a renowned poet and courtier who served under King Charles V of France.

Another prominent figure with the Caroline surname was Margaret Caroline (1450–1518), a wealthy landowner and philanthropist from the Burgundy region of France. She was known for her generous contributions to the construction of churches and the establishment of orphanages in her local community.

Over the centuries, the Caroline surname has spread across Europe and beyond, with various spellings and pronunciations emerging in different regions. While the name retains its French roots, it has been adopted and adapted by families in countries such as England, Germany, and even as far as the United States.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Caroline families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Caroline 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. Surrey leads with 20 Carolines recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.43x.

County Total Index
Surrey 20 4.43x
Lancashire 16 1.46x
Yorkshire 16 1.74x
Derbyshire 12 8.27x
Northumberland 12 8.70x
Nottinghamshire 7 5.60x
Lincolnshire 4 2.70x
Middlesex 3 0.32x
Kent 2 0.63x
Ayrshire 1 1.44x
Shetland 1 10.57x
Stirlingshire 1 2.93x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 18 Carolines recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.28x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 18 22.28x
Eckington 12 340.91x
Rawmarsh 11 339.51x
Barrow In Furness 9 60.16x
North Shields 7 254.55x
Nottingham St Mary 7 21.67x
Tynemouth 5 67.75x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 3 35.09x
Chadderton 2 37.17x
Deptford St Paul 2 8.20x
Frodingham 2 377.36x
Rotherhithe 2 17.47x
St Sepulchre London 2 147.06x
Toxteth Park 2 5.37x
Bramham Cum Oglethorpe 1 270.27x
Dalry 1 30.67x
Dunston 1 400.00x
Glentham 1 769.23x
Hammersmith London 1 4.38x
Lerwick Gulberwick 1 68.49x
Liverpool 1 1.50x
Methley 1 77.52x
Salford 1 3.09x
St Ninians 1 29.50x
Upper Allithwaite E 1 555.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Jane 5
Sarah 5
Elizabeth 3
Martha 2
Alice 1
Amelia 1
Ann 1
Beatrice 1
Catherine 1
Charlotte 1
Christin 1
Eve 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Marion 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 11
John 9
James 7
George 3
Thomas 3
Charles 2
Henry 2
Alfred 1
Andrew 1
Augusta 1
Chas.Phillip 1
Edward 1
Jacob 1
Jonthin 1
Joseph 1
Luke 1
Mark 1
Michael 1
Patrick 1
Peter 1
Solomon 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 Caroline households.

FAQ

Caroline surname: questions and answers

How common was the Caroline surname in 1881?

In 1881, 95 people were recorded with the Caroline surname. That placed it at #20,349 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Caroline surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016. That gives Caroline a modern rank of #28,348.

What does the Caroline surname mean?

French surname of uncertain origin, possibly related to the ancient Roman name "Carolus".

What does the Caroline map show?

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