NameCensus.

UK surname

Codling

An occupational surname referring to a person who sold or made codlings (young cods or other small fish).

In the 1881 census there were 1,052 people recorded with the Codling surname, ranking it #3,746 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,254, ranked #4,768, down from #3,746 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hindolveston, Lincoln St Botolph and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Norfolk, South Norfolk and Braintree.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Codling is 1,469 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.2%.

1881 census count

1,052

Ranked #3,746

Modern count

1,254

2016, ranked #4,768

Peak year

1911

1,469 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Codling had 1,052 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,746 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,254 in 2016, ranked #4,768.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,469 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Codling surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Codling surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Codling 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 652 #3,985
1861 historical 688 #3,917
1881 historical 1,052 #3,746
1891 historical 1,094 #3,863
1901 historical 1,354 #3,707
1911 historical 1,469 #3,282
1997 modern 1,358 #4,236
1998 modern 1,398 #4,286
1999 modern 1,396 #4,311
2000 modern 1,389 #4,314
2001 modern 1,362 #4,296
2002 modern 1,335 #4,473
2003 modern 1,327 #4,408
2004 modern 1,298 #4,490
2005 modern 1,268 #4,536
2006 modern 1,254 #4,591
2007 modern 1,267 #4,585
2008 modern 1,261 #4,633
2009 modern 1,292 #4,634
2010 modern 1,342 #4,566
2011 modern 1,348 #4,502
2012 modern 1,281 #4,634
2013 modern 1,294 #4,673
2014 modern 1,285 #4,728
2015 modern 1,275 #4,718
2016 modern 1,254 #4,768

Geography

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Where Codlings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hindolveston, Lincoln St Botolph, London parishes and Gateshead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Norfolk, South Norfolk, Braintree, Great Yarmouth and Ryedale. 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 Hindolveston Norfolk
2 Lincoln St Botolph Lincolnshire
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 Gateshead Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Norfolk 011 North Norfolk
2 South Norfolk 008 South Norfolk
3 Braintree 012 Braintree
4 Great Yarmouth 007 Great Yarmouth
5 Ryedale 008 Ryedale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Codling

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Codling

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Codling is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Codling is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Codling falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Codling

The surname Codling is of English origin, and it emerged around the 12th century. It is believed to have been derived from the Old English word "codling," which referred to a type of apple or a small cod fish. This name was likely given as a nickname to someone who either sold or worked with apples or cod fish.

Codling is a locational name, meaning it originated from a specific place. It is thought that the name may have been associated with areas in Gloucestershire, England, where there were settlements named Codlington or Cuddlington. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the late 12th century.

In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, there is a reference to a Thomas Codling residing in Oxfordshire. This is one of the earliest documented uses of the surname Codling in historical records. The name also appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where a John Codlyng is mentioned.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Codling is William Codling, who was born in Gloucestershire around 1350. Another notable individual was John Codling, a merchant from London, who lived between 1420 and 1490.

During the 16th century, the name gained prominence in various regions of England. One prominent figure was Richard Codling, a landowner from Warwickshire, who lived from 1525 to 1592. In the 17th century, there was a Thomas Codling, a clergyman from Oxfordshire, who was born in 1635 and died in 1702.

In the 18th century, the name Codling continued to be found in various parts of England. One notable example is John Codling, a farmer from Yorkshire, who was born in 1725 and died in 1798. Another individual worth mentioning is William Codling, a merchant from London, who lived from 1740 to 1820.

As the name spread across different regions, variations in spelling emerged, such as Codlin, Codlyn, and Codlynge. However, the most common spelling remained Codling.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Codling families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Codling 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. Norfolk leads with 254 Codlings recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.10x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 254 16.10x
Lincolnshire 154 9.39x
Yorkshire 97 0.95x
Durham 96 3.14x
Northumberland 90 5.89x
Suffolk 87 6.96x
Middlesex 82 0.80x
Essex 43 2.12x
Surrey 40 0.80x
Kent 26 0.74x
Lancashire 25 0.21x
Derbyshire 16 1.00x
Nottinghamshire 9 0.65x
Cambridgeshire 7 1.08x
Ayrshire 5 0.65x
Cheshire 4 0.18x
Hampshire 4 0.19x
Hertfordshire 4 0.57x
Warwickshire 3 0.12x
Cumberland 2 0.23x
Northamptonshire 2 0.21x
Perthshire 1 0.22x
Royal Navy 1 0.82x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hindolveston in Norfolk leads with 44 Codlings recorded in 1881 and an index of 1913.04x.

Place Total Index
Hindolveston 44 1913.04x
West Ham 37 8.27x
Bungay Holy Trinity 26 405.62x
Islington London 22 2.21x
Wellingore 18 647.48x
Ilketshall St Lawrence 16 2077.92x
Cley Next Sea 15 592.89x
Bradfield 14 1750.00x
Gateshead 14 6.12x
Lambeth 14 1.56x
Spittlegate 14 61.67x
Aylsham 13 138.45x
Southcoates 13 23.03x
Swanton Novers 13 1313.13x
Litcham 12 424.03x
Norton 12 106.95x
Skelton In Guisbrough 12 43.62x
St Mark Lincoln 10 285.71x
Stranton 10 9.73x
Tynemouth 10 12.23x
Wallington Demesne 10 1562.50x
Hammersmith London 9 3.56x
Little Ryburgh 9 1406.25x
St Martin Lincoln 9 59.13x
Beckenham 8 17.48x
Carlton Colville 8 174.67x
Gillingham 8 11.08x
Liverpool 8 1.08x
Marston Upon Dove 8 155.04x
Melton Constable 8 1951.22x
Silk Willoughby 8 816.33x
Westgate 8 8.46x
Ancaster 7 305.68x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 7 29.84x
Easington In Guisbrough 7 309.73x
Hillington 7 700.00x
Holy Trinity St Mary 7 45.22x
Kensington London 7 1.23x
Morpeth 7 39.00x
Newington 7 1.85x
North Elmham 7 182.77x
North Rauceby 7 736.84x
St George Hanover Square 7 3.87x
St Maryle Wigford 7 54.90x
Stainton Dale 7 833.33x
Trowse Cum Newton 7 179.49x
Westoe 7 4.04x
Winlaton 7 23.90x
Bishopwearmouth 6 2.29x
Edgeworth 6 91.74x
Elland Cum Greetland 6 13.10x
Frieston 6 154.24x
Lakenham 6 26.76x
Limehouse London 6 5.33x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 6 6.58x
Scarning 6 256.41x
South Gosforth 6 338.98x
St Giles 6 31.48x
Whitby 6 17.51x
Auckinleck 5 21.03x
Boston 5 10.04x
Chelsea London 5 1.62x
Corbridge 5 89.45x
Croydon 5 1.80x
Dunston 5 182.48x
Elswick 5 4.10x
Enfield 5 7.43x
Fornham St Martin 5 458.72x
Heigham 5 5.90x
Kirton 5 76.10x
Lamesley 5 30.43x
Lewisham 5 2.68x
Long Melford 5 43.03x
Norwich St James 5 40.39x
Penge 5 7.63x
South Lynn 5 28.07x
St Marylebone London 5 0.91x
Westminster St Margaret 5 10.10x
Whaplode 5 89.45x
Whitworth 5 22.37x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 73
William 56
George 48
Charles 36
Thomas 32
Robert 26
James 25
Henry 20
Joseph 18
Edward 17
Arthur 15
Walter 12
Alfred 7
Frederick 6
Chas. 5
Richard 5
Harry 4
Nicholas 4
Robt. 4
Samuel 4
Wm. 4
Edwin 3
Ernest 3
Francis 3
Frank 3
Herbert 3
Matthew 3
Perry 3
Albert 2
Christopher 2
David 2
Frederic 2
Isaac 2
Jno. 2
Mark 2
Michael 2
Stephen 2
Alexander 1
Andrew 1
Burwood 1
Edwd. 1
Elijah 1
Elisha 1
Ephraim 1
F.J. 1
F.W. 1
Fletcher 1
Jame 1
Jas.Thos. 1
Wm.Geo. 1

FAQ

Codling surname: questions and answers

How common was the Codling surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,052 people were recorded with the Codling surname. That placed it at #3,746 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Codling surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,254 in 2016. That gives Codling a modern rank of #4,768.

What does the Codling surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a person who sold or made codlings (young cods or other small fish).

What does the Codling map show?

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