NameCensus.

UK surname

Cuncliffe

In the 1881 census there were 113 people recorded with the Cuncliffe surname, ranking it #18,412 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 30, ranked #35,997, down from #18,412 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Winwick, Halifax and Eccles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wigan, St. Helens and Chorley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cuncliffe is 451 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 73.5%.

1881 census count

113

Ranked #18,412

Modern count

30

2016, ranked #35,997

Peak year

1911

451 bearers

Map years

5

1851 to 1911

Key insights

  • Cuncliffe had 113 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,412 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 30 in 2016, ranked #35,997.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 451 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Cuncliffe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cuncliffe surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cuncliffe 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 142 #13,428
1861 historical 331 #7,706
1881 historical 113 #18,412
1891 historical 379 #9,254
1901 historical 96 #23,342
1911 historical 451 #8,489
1997 modern 105 #26,188
1998 modern 78 #30,192
1999 modern 71 #31,036
2000 modern 85 #29,598
2001 modern 30 #34,753
2002 modern 27 #35,243
2003 modern 31 #34,957
2004 modern 33 #34,947
2005 modern 40 #34,562
2006 modern 39 #34,932
2007 modern 41 #34,974
2008 modern 38 #35,262
2009 modern 45 #34,972
2010 modern 52 #34,726
2011 modern 45 #35,112
2012 modern 36 #35,595
2013 modern 36 #35,643
2014 modern 33 #35,843
2015 modern 31 #35,939
2016 modern 30 #35,997

Geography

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Where Cuncliffes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Winwick, Halifax, Eccles, Bradford and Blackburn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wigan, St. Helens and Chorley. 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 Winwick Lancashire
2 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Eccles Lancashire
4 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Blackburn Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wigan 039 Wigan
2 St. Helens 004 St. Helens
3 Chorley 005 Chorley
4 St. Helens 015 St. Helens
5 Wigan 013 Wigan

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cuncliffe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cuncliffe

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Central and City

Within London, Cuncliffe is most associated with areas classed as Central and City, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 high density central neighbourhoods are characterised by high levels of residential turnover. Few children are in evidence. Few individuals experience live with disability, with many in full-time employment or study. Levels of separation or divorce are low relative to the Supergroup average. The workforce is well-educated but not in the top flight of managerial occupations. Levels of affiliation to non-Christian religions are high.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Cuncliffe is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

1881 census detail

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Cuncliffe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cuncliffe 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 97 Cuncliffes recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.42x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 97 7.42x
Yorkshire 15 1.37x
Durham 1 0.31x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wigan in Lancashire leads with 13 Cuncliffes recorded in 1881 and an index of 71.12x.

Place Total Index
Wigan 13 71.12x
Pemberton 11 210.73x
Clayton Le Moors 9 354.33x
Haslingden 9 166.05x
Hapton 8 975.61x
Hindley 7 125.45x
Sheffield 6 17.26x
Higham With West Close 5 1785.71x
Holy Trinity 5 19.03x
Pennington In Leigh 5 199.20x
Westhoughton 5 143.27x
Blackrod 4 245.40x
Ardwick 3 25.42x
North Meols 3 23.44x
Cowpe Lench Newhall Hey 2 142.86x
Lockwood 2 50.89x
Manningham 2 14.86x
Radcliffe 2 31.75x
Royton 2 50.00x
Atherton 1 21.01x
Barrow In Furness 1 5.62x
Habergham Eaves 1 8.37x
Halliwell 1 21.01x
Hulme 1 3.66x
Pilkington 1 20.12x
Rainhill 1 119.05x
Todmorden Walsden 1 28.57x
Waldridge 1 181.82x
Widnes 1 10.60x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Alice 7
Ann 6
Jane 5
Elizabeth 3
Margaret 3
Ellen 2
Sarah 2
Annie 1
Bridget 1
Charlotte 1
Debra 1
Emma 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Kate 1
Margt 1
Martha 1
Polly 1
Pruscilla 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 7
William 7
Henry 5
John 5
Edward 4
Jonathan 3
Joseph 3
George 2
Isaac 2
Samuel 2
Thomas 2
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Chas.Ric. 1
Collin 1
Edmund 1
Edwd. 1
Fred 1
Heys 1
Hezekiah 1
Hy. 1
Jno. 1
Mary 1
Richard 1
Robt. 1
Thos 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Cuncliffe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cuncliffe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 113 people were recorded with the Cuncliffe surname. That placed it at #18,412 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cuncliffe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 30 in 2016. That gives Cuncliffe a modern rank of #35,997.

What does the Cuncliffe map show?

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