NameCensus.

UK surname

Challen

A variant of the surname Challon, derived from the English place name "Challow" meaning a chalky area or soil.

In the 1881 census there were 535 people recorded with the Challen surname, ranking it #6,427 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 469, ranked #10,491, down from #6,427 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Arundel, London parishes and Stedham, Iping, Trotton, Chithurst. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Chichester, County Durham and Arun.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Challen is 737 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 12.3%.

1881 census count

535

Ranked #6,427

Modern count

469

2016, ranked #10,491

Peak year

1911

737 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Challen had 535 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,427 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 469 in 2016, ranked #10,491.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 737 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Challen surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Challen surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Challen 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 379 #6,300
1861 historical 455 #5,698
1881 historical 535 #6,427
1891 historical 602 #6,369
1901 historical 678 #6,439
1911 historical 737 #5,816
1997 modern 533 #8,871
1998 modern 549 #8,951
1999 modern 545 #9,044
2000 modern 545 #9,017
2001 modern 528 #9,084
2002 modern 538 #9,132
2003 modern 516 #9,275
2004 modern 522 #9,218
2005 modern 524 #9,135
2006 modern 518 #9,232
2007 modern 504 #9,508
2008 modern 496 #9,694
2009 modern 499 #9,879
2010 modern 503 #10,017
2011 modern 513 #9,765
2012 modern 476 #10,213
2013 modern 475 #10,401
2014 modern 486 #10,309
2015 modern 474 #10,418
2016 modern 469 #10,491

Geography

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Where Challens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Arundel, London parishes, Stedham, Iping, Trotton, Chithurst, Graffham and Mid Lavant. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Chichester, County Durham, Arun and East Hampshire. 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 Arundel Sussex
2 London parishes London 3
3 Stedham, Iping, Trotton, Chithurst Sussex
4 Graffham Sussex
5 Mid Lavant Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Chichester 005 Chichester
2 Chichester 004 Chichester
3 County Durham 064 County Durham
4 Arun 001 Arun
5 East Hampshire 011 East Hampshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Challen

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Challen

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

Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles

Group

Established Homeowners with Children

Within London, Challen is most associated with areas classed as Established Homeowners with Children, part of Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles. 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

These predominantly British-born residents are typically married/in civil partnerships and own the properties in which they are raising their children. Parents are typically over 45, and many other residents are beyond normal retirement age. Detached and semi-detached houses predominate and multiple car ownership is common.

Wider London pattern

These neighbourhoods house people of all ages, predominantly of White British or European extraction. Resident turnover is low. Religious affiliation is less common than average and tends to be Christian if expressed. Homeownership, typically of terraced houses, is common but use of the social rented sector is not. Employment is typically in professional, managerial and associate professional or technical occupations. There are few full-time students. Level 4 qualifications are common. More households lack dependent children than have them which, considered alongside low levels of crowding and over-all age structure, indicates that many households may be post child-rearing and in late middle age. Incidence of disability is low, as is residence in communal establishments.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Challen 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

Challen 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 Challen 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 Challen, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Challen

The surname Challen is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "calu," which means "bald" or "hairless." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a nickname or descriptive term for someone who was bald or had very little hair.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Challen can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire, a census-like record compiled in 1273. This document mentions a person named Willelmus Chalun, which is likely an early spelling variation of the name Challen.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various medieval records, such as the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, where a certain Roger Chalun was mentioned in 1317. The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 also listed a John Chalun.

The Challen surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was Robert Challen, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London during the late 16th century. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1592.

Another significant figure was John Challen, an English clergyman born in 1612. He was a renowned theologian and served as the Rector of Woodborough, Wiltshire, from 1662 until his death in 1678.

In the 18th century, James Challen (1721-1789) was a renowned English architect and surveyor. He is best known for his work on several churches and country houses, including St. Mary's Church in Nottingham and Wollaton Hall in Nottinghamshire.

The 19th century saw the rise of Henry Challen (1818-1879), a prominent English railway engineer. He played a significant role in the construction of several major railway lines in England, including the Great Western Railway and the Midland Railway.

Another notable individual was Richard Challen (1847-1932), a British Army officer and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration awarded for valor in the British Armed Forces. He received the honor for his bravery during the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Challen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Challen 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. Sussex leads with 260 Challens recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.55x.

County Total Index
Sussex 260 29.55x
Surrey 86 3.38x
Middlesex 74 1.42x
Lancashire 21 0.34x
Essex 20 1.94x
Hampshire 20 1.87x
Hertfordshire 10 2.78x
Kent 9 0.51x
Somerset 8 0.95x
Staffordshire 6 0.34x
Berkshire 5 1.28x
Gloucestershire 4 0.39x
Herefordshire 4 1.87x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.63x
Devon 2 0.18x
Anglesey 1 1.08x
Northumberland 1 0.13x
Warwickshire 1 0.08x
Worcestershire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 22 Challens recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.39x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 22 12.39x
Lavant Mid 17 2328.77x
Petworth 17 323.19x
Islington London 15 2.97x
East Lavington 12 3076.92x
West Ham 12 5.28x
Arundel 11 223.12x
Croydon 11 7.79x
Cocking 9 873.79x
Harting 9 393.01x
Portsea 9 4.29x
St Marylebone London 9 3.23x
Barking 8 26.54x
Bosham 8 357.14x
Camberwell 8 2.40x
Graffham 8 1081.08x
Horsham 8 46.81x
Midhurst 8 276.82x
Rogate 8 454.55x
Stedham 8 824.74x
Stoke Newington London 8 19.68x
Amberley 7 534.35x
Ardwick 7 12.53x
Climping 7 1458.33x
Hackney London 7 2.39x
Heyshott 7 875.00x
Iping 7 744.68x
Kirkdale 7 6.72x
Preston 7 4.23x
Southwark St George Martyr 7 6.67x
Wimbledon 7 24.52x
Aldingbourn 6 451.13x
Battersea 6 3.12x
Chipping Barnet 6 95.39x
Guildford Holy Trinity 6 123.71x
Handsworth 6 13.82x
New Shoreham 6 113.85x
Paddington London 6 3.13x
Penge 6 18.00x
Singleton 6 606.06x
Storrington 6 248.96x
Chithurst 5 833.33x
Fulham London 5 6.61x
Mile End Old Town London 5 4.50x
Reigate Foreign 5 18.16x
Twickenham 5 22.34x
Walberton 5 454.55x
Wandsworth 5 9.95x
Angmering 4 227.27x
Bathwick 4 43.01x
Bermondsey 4 2.57x
East Preston 4 533.33x
Godalming 4 24.98x
Henfield 4 118.34x
Reading St Lawrence 4 47.73x
Warblington 4 94.34x
Woking 4 26.09x
Alverstoke 3 7.75x
Chelsea London 3 1.91x
Chichester St 3 517.24x
Guildford St Mary 3 95.85x
Hove 3 7.77x
Lambeth 3 0.66x
Littlebourne 3 222.22x
Lurgashall 3 229.01x
Much Cowarne 3 337.08x
Nunney 3 164.84x
Pagham 3 193.55x
St Pancras London 3 0.71x
Wisborough Green 3 101.35x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 2.08x
Broadwater 2 9.91x
Chichester St Martin 2 454.55x
Cuckfield 2 22.50x
Gloucester Barton St 2 33.33x
Hardham 2 1111.11x
Harlington 2 72.73x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 2.39x
Sutton 2 10.87x
Up Waltham 2 1333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 35
Elizabeth 16
Sarah 15
Emily 14
Ellen 11
Emma 10
Jane 10
Ann 9
Edith 8
Fanny 8
Alice 7
Charlotte 7
Annie 6
Caroline 5
Harriet 5
Ada 4
Amy 4
Eliza 4
Lucy 4
Martha 4
Ruth 4
Susan 4
Amelia 3
Anne 3
Bessie 3
Louisa 3
Anna 2
Esther 2
Ethel 2
Florence 2
Hannah 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Laura 2
Maria 2
Matilda 2
Olive 2
Rosa 2
Winifred 2
Betsy 1
Blanch 1
Catharine 1
Dora 1
Dorcas 1
Dorothy 1
Elizath. 1
Elizth. 1
Isabell 1
Isabella 1
Josephine 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 36
John 26
George 22
Charles 20
Henry 18
James 16
Thomas 16
Alfred 8
Harry 8
Albert 7
Benjamin 6
Stephen 6
Frederick 5
Walter 5
Edwin 4
David 3
Frank 3
Fred 3
Edmund 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Percy 2
Richard 2
Robert 2
Arthur 1
B. 1
Birt 1
Cecil 1
Chas. 1
Clement 1
Edgar 1
Francis 1
Fredrick 1
Godfrey 1
Hammond 1
Harold 1
Howard 1
J. 1
Job 1
Joseph 1
Levett 1
Levi 1
Mark 1
Oliver 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Simpson 1
Thos. 1
Thos.Erskine 1
Wm.Edw. 1

FAQ

Challen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Challen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 535 people were recorded with the Challen surname. That placed it at #6,427 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Challen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 469 in 2016. That gives Challen a modern rank of #10,491.

What does the Challen surname mean?

A variant of the surname Challon, derived from the English place name "Challow" meaning a chalky area or soil.

What does the Challen map show?

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