NameCensus.

UK surname

Corden

Occupational surname for a cord maker or rope maker.

In the 1881 census there were 496 people recorded with the Corden surname, ranking it #6,816 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 929, ranked #6,153, up from #6,816 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes and Leek. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Staffordshire Moorlands, Nuneaton and Bedworth and Derby.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Corden is 963 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 87.3%.

1881 census count

496

Ranked #6,816

Modern count

929

2016, ranked #6,153

Peak year

2014

963 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Corden had 496 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,816 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 929 in 2016, ranked #6,153.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 842 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Corden surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Corden surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Corden 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 373 #6,385
1861 historical 386 #6,638
1881 historical 496 #6,816
1891 historical 631 #6,133
1901 historical 676 #6,450
1911 historical 842 #5,265
1997 modern 784 #6,645
1998 modern 862 #6,364
1999 modern 865 #6,399
2000 modern 865 #6,364
2001 modern 845 #6,366
2002 modern 877 #6,299
2003 modern 853 #6,329
2004 modern 878 #6,210
2005 modern 867 #6,206
2006 modern 853 #6,301
2007 modern 862 #6,305
2008 modern 874 #6,270
2009 modern 905 #6,241
2010 modern 917 #6,297
2011 modern 921 #6,216
2012 modern 932 #6,084
2013 modern 946 #6,106
2014 modern 963 #6,061
2015 modern 951 #6,071
2016 modern 929 #6,153

Geography

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Where Cordens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Leek, Cheddleton and St Werburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Staffordshire Moorlands, Nuneaton and Bedworth and Derby. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Leek Staffordshire
4 Cheddleton Staffordshire
5 St Werburgh Derbyshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Staffordshire Moorlands 006 Staffordshire Moorlands
2 Staffordshire Moorlands 009 Staffordshire Moorlands
3 Staffordshire Moorlands 005 Staffordshire Moorlands
4 Nuneaton and Bedworth 014 Nuneaton and Bedworth
5 Derby 011 Derby

Forenames

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First names often paired with Corden

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Corden

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Corden is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Corden is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Corden falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Corden 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Corden

The surname CORDEN is of English origin and dates back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English words "cord" and "en", meaning "cord maker" or "rope maker". The name was initially concentrated in the counties of Warwickshire and Gloucestershire, where cord and rope-making were prevalent trades.

One of the earliest recorded references to the CORDEN name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Gloucestershire, a census-like document from 1273, which mentions a William Corden. Another early mention is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Warwickshire in 1332, where a Robert Corden is listed.

The CORDEN surname is closely linked to the village of Corden, located in the parish of Bobbington, Staffordshire. The name of this village likely influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname in that region. Records from the 14th century show variations such as Cordon, Cordun, and Cordeyn.

In the 16th century, a notable bearer of the CORDEN name was Thomas Corden (c. 1520-1568), an English Protestant martyr who was burned at the stake during the Marian Persecutions for his religious beliefs. Another prominent figure was Robert Corden (1572-1639), an English merchant and landowner who served as Sheriff of London in 1628.

During the 17th century, the CORDEN name appeared in various parish records across England, indicating its widespread distribution. John Corden (1630-1695), a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers), was a prominent figure who published several religious works.

In the 18th century, a notable CORDEN was Sir John Corden (1714-1786), a British politician and Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire. He was also a successful businessman and owned extensive estates in Warwickshire and Gloucestershire.

The 19th century saw the birth of William Corden (1805-1883), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal College of Surgeons and the Church of St. Mary Abchurch.

Throughout its history, the CORDEN surname has been associated with various occupations, including rope and cord making, farming, business, and public service. While many bearers of this name have contributed to various fields, the surname's roots can be traced back to the cord and rope-making trades in medieval England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Corden families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Corden 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. Staffordshire leads with 172 Cordens recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.57x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 172 10.57x
Derbyshire 75 9.94x
Lincolnshire 55 7.14x
Lancashire 45 0.79x
Nottinghamshire 43 6.62x
Surrey 18 0.77x
Middlesex 17 0.35x
Kent 16 0.97x
Cheshire 14 1.32x
Yorkshire 10 0.21x
Hampshire 7 0.71x
Shropshire 5 1.20x
Warwickshire 5 0.41x
Worcestershire 4 0.64x
Buckinghamshire 3 1.03x
Sussex 3 0.37x
Devon 1 0.10x
Royal Navy 1 1.74x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Upon Trent in Staffordshire leads with 39 Cordens recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.61x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Upon Trent 39 22.61x
Cheddleton 23 676.47x
Derby St Werburgh 23 52.80x
Tutbury 18 453.40x
North Cockerington 15 3571.43x
Louth 14 79.28x
Clee With Weelsby 13 77.06x
Rocester 13 643.56x
Caunton 11 1641.79x
Edgeworth 11 358.31x
Rugeley 11 94.26x
Gorton 10 18.60x
Litchurch 10 32.94x
Battersea 8 4.51x
Church Gresley 8 66.67x
Onecote 8 1290.32x
Staveley 8 59.75x
Stone 8 38.44x
Bexley 7 48.14x
Bradnop Cawdry 7 958.90x
Caverswall 7 82.74x
Parr 7 34.21x
Great Grimsby 6 12.27x
Greenwich 6 7.82x
Nottingham St Mary 6 3.57x
Oldham 6 3.25x
Rawmarsh 6 35.57x
Rotherhithe 6 10.08x
Wildboarclough 6 1578.95x
Wolverhampton 6 4.80x
Birmingham 5 1.23x
Chorlton On Medlock 5 5.50x
Derby All Sts 5 79.37x
Norton In Moors 5 58.07x
St Marylebone London 5 1.94x
Stapleford 5 94.70x
Thoresway 5 1162.79x
Anslow 4 634.92x
Belper 4 27.34x
Bleasby 4 816.33x
Edgmond 4 87.34x
Hucknall Torkard 4 24.29x
Leek Lowe 4 18.48x
Northwood 4 28.43x
Radford 4 12.12x
Wirksworth 4 58.31x
Wolstanton 4 8.10x
Bow London 3 4.89x
Brighton 3 1.83x
Burslem 3 6.44x
Datchet 3 150.75x
Hoveringham 3 555.56x
Kings Norton 3 5.32x
Owslebury 3 214.29x
Penistone 3 80.65x
Runcorn 3 12.23x
St Anne Soho London 3 10.90x
St Pancras London 3 0.77x
Butley 2 219.78x
Cheadle 2 25.61x
Derby St Alkmund 2 8.85x
Derby St Peter 2 8.32x
Draycott In Clay 2 270.27x
Eckington 2 10.91x
Gnosall 2 50.89x
Horley 2 50.76x
Kirk Langley 2 178.57x
Liverpool 2 0.58x
Mansfield Woodhouse 2 46.30x
Mayfield 2 98.04x
Newark Upon Trent 2 8.57x
Norwell 2 294.12x
Ockbrook 2 62.50x
Tranmere 2 5.12x
West Derby 2 1.20x
Buxton 1 15.65x
Camberwell 1 0.32x
Claughton With Grange 1 20.66x
Islington London 1 0.21x
Tormoham 1 2.36x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 34
Elizabeth 20
Sarah 20
Annie 13
Alice 11
Ellen 10
Jane 10
Ann 9
Hannah 9
Martha 9
Emma 8
Harriet 8
Eliza 7
Margaret 4
Maria 4
Esther 3
Florence 3
Lucy 3
Rebecca 3
Ruth 3
Susannah 3
Anna 2
Anne 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Frances 2
Gertrude 2
Harriett 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Rose 2
Catharine 1
Charlotte 1
Cicely 1
Elizebeth 1
Ella 1
Emarh 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Henrietta 1
Hilda 1
Janey 1
John 1
Kezia 1
Laura 1
Lila 1
Lillian 1
Thirza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 30
William 29
Joseph 22
George 20
Thomas 18
James 10
Richard 10
Edward 9
Charles 6
Arthur 5
Frederick 5
Henry 5
Robert 5
Samuel 5
Alfred 4
Frank 3
Patrick 3
Tom 3
Eli 2
Fred 2
Herbert 2
Jonathan 2
Walter 2
Willm. 2
Benjaman 1
Bill 1
Christopher 1
Enoch 1
Ernest 1
Fedrick 1
Frances 1
Fred.W.W. 1
Fredk.H.C. 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.Edmund 1
Harry 1
Isaac 1
Jabez 1
Jeremiah 1
Jesse 1
Jno. 1
Jonah 1
Percival 1
Percy 1
Rowland 1
Sampson 1
Scholey 1
Stennett 1
Victor 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Corden surname: questions and answers

How common was the Corden surname in 1881?

In 1881, 496 people were recorded with the Corden surname. That placed it at #6,816 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Corden surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 929 in 2016. That gives Corden a modern rank of #6,153.

What does the Corden surname mean?

Occupational surname for a cord maker or rope maker.

What does the Corden map show?

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