UK surname
A surname potentially derived from the Old English word "cough" meaning a hill or mound.
In the 1881 census there were 18 people recorded with the Cough surname, ranking it #31,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 20, ranked #36,679, down from #31,019 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Pancras, Wigan and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cough is 306 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11.1%.
1881 census count
18
Ranked #31,019
Modern count
20
2016, ranked #36,679
Peak year
1861
306 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Cough surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Cough surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 69 | #21,148 |
| 1861 | historical | 306 | #8,296 |
| 1881 | historical | 18 | #31,019 |
| 1891 | historical | 113 | #22,162 |
| 1901 | historical | 45 | #29,156 |
| 1911 | historical | 47 | #28,110 |
| 1997 | modern | 78 | #29,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 58 | #32,138 |
| 1999 | modern | 41 | #33,866 |
| 2000 | modern | 31 | #34,798 |
| 2001 | modern | 18 | #35,961 |
| 2002 | modern | 18 | #36,067 |
| 2003 | modern | 25 | #35,471 |
| 2004 | modern | 25 | #35,610 |
| 2005 | modern | 22 | #35,993 |
| 2006 | modern | 18 | #36,412 |
| 2007 | modern | 19 | #36,450 |
| 2008 | modern | 20 | #36,443 |
| 2009 | modern | 27 | #36,045 |
| 2010 | modern | 26 | #36,220 |
| 2011 | modern | 25 | #36,252 |
| 2012 | modern | 19 | #36,641 |
| 2013 | modern | 20 | #36,614 |
| 2014 | modern | 23 | #36,417 |
| 2015 | modern | 21 | #36,574 |
| 2016 | modern | 20 | #36,679 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Pancras, Wigan, Manchester, Preston and Cadoxton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 2 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Preston | Lancashire |
| 5 | Cadoxton | Glamorganshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Cough surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Cough, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Cough surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Cough household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Cough is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Cough is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Cough, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Cough originated in England during the late Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "cohhian," which means "to cough" or "to clear one's throat." This name likely referred to a person who had a distinctive cough or was known for coughing frequently.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Cough can be traced back to the 13th century in the county of Essex. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a record of landowners and tenants, a man named Ralph Cough is mentioned as holding land in the village of Great Waltham.
During the 14th century, the name appears in various historical records, including the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 and the Poll Tax Returns of 1379. These documents list individuals with the surname Cough residing in various parts of England, such as Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and Oxfordshire.
One notable individual bearing the surname Cough was John Cough, a merchant and landowner who lived in the city of York in the late 15th century. Records indicate that he was involved in the wool trade and owned several properties within the city walls.
In the 16th century, the name Cough appeared in the parish records of several English villages, including Coughton in Warwickshire and Coughton in Worcestershire. It is possible that these place names were derived from the surname, or vice versa, as was common practice during that time.
Another noteworthy figure was Sir Robert Cough, a military commander who served under King Henry VIII during the Anglo-Scottish Wars of the 1540s. He was recognized for his bravery and leadership in several battles against the Scottish forces.
In the 17th century, the surname Cough was found in various parts of England, including London, where a family of Coughs resided in the parish of St. Giles Cripplegate. One member of this family, William Cough (1621-1689), was a respected merchant and alderman in the City of London.
The 18th century saw the emergence of several prominent individuals with the surname Cough, including Samuel Cough (1734-1807), a renowned botanist and horticulturist who made significant contributions to the study of plant species in Britain.
Throughout history, the surname Cough has been subject to variations in spelling, including Coughe, Coughen, and Coughton, reflecting the regional dialects and phonetic adaptations of the time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cough surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Hampshire leads with 4 Coughs recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.11x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hampshire | 4 | 11.11x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 5.06x |
| Devon | 2 | 5.47x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 1.14x |
| Caernarfonshire | 1 | 14.08x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 6.61x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 2.90x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 4.22x |
| Somerset | 1 | 3.54x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 4.68x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.57x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Highclere in Hampshire leads with 4 Coughs recorded in 1881 and an index of 20000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Highclere | 4 | 20000.00x |
| Tamworth | 3 | 937.50x |
| Stoke Damerel | 2 | 78.13x |
| Bath St Michael | 1 | 714.29x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 1 | 29.33x |
| Gloucester St Mary Lode | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Islington London | 1 | 5.88x |
| Llandudno | 1 | 400.00x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 1 | 16.34x |
| Westminster St John | 1 | 46.73x |
| Whepstead | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Workington | 1 | 114.94x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Cough surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Cough surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Cough households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Estate Bailiff | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer Ironworks | 1 |
| Lace Mender | 1 |
| Lady | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 18 people were recorded with the Cough surname. That placed it at #31,019 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 20 in 2016. That gives Cough a modern rank of #36,679.
A surname potentially derived from the Old English word "cough" meaning a hill or mound.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Cough bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.