NameCensus.

UK surname

Clithero

A locational surname derived from a place name in Lancashire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 85 people recorded with the Clithero surname, ranking it #21,573 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 88, ranked #32,396, down from #21,573 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Hartlepool and Foulsham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Calderdale, Sheffield and Rutland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Clithero is 105 in 2007. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 3.5%.

1881 census count

85

Ranked #21,573

Modern count

88

2016, ranked #32,396

Peak year

2007

105 bearers

Map years

2

1851 to 2006

Key insights

  • Clithero had 85 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,573 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 88 in 2016, ranked #32,396.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 101 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Clithero surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Clithero surname density by area, 2006 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Clithero 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 101 #17,036
1861 historical 52 #27,369
1881 historical 85 #21,573
1891 historical 65 #28,660
1901 historical 72 #26,162
1911 historical 83 #24,531
1997 modern 94 #27,781
1998 modern 93 #28,563
1999 modern 92 #28,833
2000 modern 93 #28,701
2001 modern 92 #28,528
2002 modern 98 #28,243
2003 modern 103 #27,234
2004 modern 104 #27,338
2005 modern 101 #27,854
2006 modern 102 #27,926
2007 modern 105 #27,868
2008 modern 102 #28,664
2009 modern 102 #29,286
2010 modern 94 #31,111
2011 modern 93 #31,169
2012 modern 94 #31,258
2013 modern 91 #32,020
2014 modern 90 #32,309
2015 modern 92 #32,075
2016 modern 88 #32,396

Geography

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Where Clitheros are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Hartlepool, Foulsham, Frettenham and Preston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Calderdale, Sheffield and Rutland. 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 Manchester Lancashire
2 Hartlepool Durham
3 Foulsham Norfolk
4 Frettenham Norfolk
5 Preston Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Calderdale 004 Calderdale
2 Sheffield 025 Sheffield
3 Rutland 001 Rutland
4 Rutland 002 Rutland
5 Sheffield 062 Sheffield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Clithero

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Clithero

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

Clithero is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Clithero falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Clithero

The surname Clithero has its origins in the northern counties of England, particularly Lancashire and Yorkshire, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "clife" meaning a steep place or cliff, and "horu" meaning a muddy or dirty place. This suggests the name may have originated as a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near a muddy cliff or steep slope.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, where a Robert de Clyderhow is mentioned. This spelling variation is likely an early rendition of the modern Clithero name. The name also appears in the Lancashire Inquisitions of 1612, where a John Clythero is referenced as a landowner in the village of Clitheroe.

The town of Clitheroe, located in the Ribble Valley of Lancashire, is believed to have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname. This place name is derived from the Old English words "clif" meaning a cliff or slope, and "hyrā" meaning a dweller or inhabitant, suggesting the surname may have originated as a locational name referring to someone from the town of Clitheroe.

Notable individuals bearing the Clithero surname throughout history include:

1. Sir Thomas Clithero (1540-1607), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Clitheroe in 1586 and 1597. 2. William Clithero (1692-1776), a prominent merchant and landowner in Lancashire, known for his involvement in the local wool trade. 3. Elizabeth Clithero (1733-1809), an English author and poet, best known for her collection of poems titled "Verses on Various Occasions." 4. John Clithero (1810-1888), a renowned architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in the Yorkshire region. 5. Margaret Clithero (1865-1948), a social reformer and advocate for women's rights, actively campaigning for women's suffrage in the early 20th century.

While the surname Clithero is not among the most common in England, it has a rich history rooted in the northern counties, reflecting the geographical and cultural influences of the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Clithero families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Clithero 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. Lancashire leads with 37 Clitheros recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.72x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 37 3.72x
Middlesex 17 2.03x
Norfolk 8 6.20x
Durham 7 2.81x
Berkshire 6 9.53x
Yorkshire 6 0.72x
Surrey 3 0.73x
Northamptonshire 1 1.27x
Warwickshire 1 0.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Preston in Lancashire leads with 9 Clitheros recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.80x.

Place Total Index
Preston 9 33.80x
Chorlton On Medlock 8 50.60x
Rishton 8 683.76x
Eccleston In Prescot 7 140.00x
Willesden 6 75.85x
Woolstone 6 10000.00x
Foulsham 5 1851.85x
Hartlepool 5 140.85x
Kensington London 5 10.72x
Adlington 4 430.11x
Bethnal Green London 4 10.98x
Wandsworth 3 37.17x
Wortley In Bramley 3 45.59x
East Dereham 2 122.70x
Shildon 2 99.50x
Aston 1 1.72x
Brightside Bierlow 1 6.14x
Habergham Eaves 1 10.99x
Leeds 1 2.13x
Rackheath 1 1111.11x
Shoreditch London 1 2.75x
Westminster St James 1 11.60x
Yarwell 1 909.09x
York St Cuthbert 1 131.58x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 10
John 8
Thomas 7
Henry 4
George 3
Walter 3
Frederick 2
Augustus 1
Edward 1
Peter 1
Samuel 1

FAQ

Clithero surname: questions and answers

How common was the Clithero surname in 1881?

In 1881, 85 people were recorded with the Clithero surname. That placed it at #21,573 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Clithero surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 88 in 2016. That gives Clithero a modern rank of #32,396.

What does the Clithero surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name in Lancashire, England.

What does the Clithero map show?

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