NameCensus.

UK surname

Dudden

A surname derived from a place name referring to locations in Cumbria, England.

In the 1881 census there were 130 people recorded with the Dudden surname, ranking it #16,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 172, ranked #21,648, down from #16,911 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mendip and Babergh.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dudden is 206 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 32.3%.

1881 census count

130

Ranked #16,911

Modern count

172

2016, ranked #21,648

Peak year

1911

206 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dudden had 130 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,911 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 172 in 2016, ranked #21,648.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 206 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Dudden surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dudden surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dudden 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 114 #15,716
1861 historical 147 #15,539
1881 historical 130 #16,911
1891 historical 144 #18,842
1901 historical 184 #15,942
1911 historical 206 #14,677
1997 modern 168 #19,642
1998 modern 162 #20,673
1999 modern 164 #20,621
2000 modern 166 #20,426
2001 modern 153 #21,197
2002 modern 163 #20,767
2003 modern 166 #20,320
2004 modern 161 #20,840
2005 modern 159 #20,983
2006 modern 155 #21,477
2007 modern 147 #22,510
2008 modern 139 #23,635
2009 modern 150 #22,937
2010 modern 156 #22,886
2011 modern 158 #22,473
2012 modern 156 #22,645
2013 modern 161 #22,521
2014 modern 174 #21,561
2015 modern 169 #21,888
2016 modern 172 #21,648

Geography

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Where Duddens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Pilton, North Wootton, Shepton Mallet, Croscombe and Clifton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mendip and Babergh. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 1
4 Pilton, North Wootton, Shepton Mallet, Croscombe Somerset
5 Clifton Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mendip 005 Mendip
2 Mendip 003 Mendip
3 Mendip 008 Mendip
4 Babergh 003 Babergh
5 Mendip 007 Mendip

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dudden

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dudden

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Dudden is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

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

Dudden is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dudden falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Dudden

The surname Dudden has its roots in the English county of Lancashire, originating in the medieval period around the 12th or 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "dud" meaning "moth" and "denu" meaning "valley," possibly referring to a moth-infested valley or a location known for its abundance of moths.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Lancashire Inquests and Extents of 1310, where a Richard de Dudden is listed as a landowner. Another early reference comes from the Lancashire Court Rolls of 1332, which mentions a John Dudden involved in a legal dispute.

The name appears to have been primarily concentrated in the northern regions of Lancashire, particularly around the towns of Preston and Chorley. It is also closely associated with the village of Dudden, which likely took its name from the same Old English roots as the surname.

In the 16th century, a notable figure was Thomas Dudden (c. 1540-1615), a clergyman who served as the Rector of Winwick, Lancashire, and was known for his involvement in religious disputes during the English Reformation.

Another prominent individual was James Dudden (1780-1859), a successful merchant and philanthropist from Preston, Lancashire, who made significant contributions to the local community through various charitable endeavors.

Moving into the 19th century, William Edward Dudden (1841-1905) was a respected scholar and theologian, serving as the Dean of St. Albans Cathedral and publishing several works on biblical studies.

In more recent times, Sir Frederick Dudden (1874-1951) was a British diplomat and historian, best known for his biographies of King Henry VII and other Tudor monarchs.

Lastly, William Dudden (1887-1975) was a Canadian politician and farmer who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and played an active role in agricultural organizations.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the surname Dudden throughout history, a name with deep roots in the northern English county of Lancashire and a rich tapestry of stories and connections to the region's past.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dudden families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dudden 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. Somerset leads with 53 Duddens recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.97x.

County Total Index
Somerset 53 25.97x
Middlesex 17 1.34x
Gloucestershire 16 6.43x
Yorkshire 13 1.03x
Wiltshire 8 7.13x
Berkshire 5 5.25x
Glamorgan 5 2.26x
Surrey 3 0.49x
Cheshire 2 0.71x
Devon 2 0.76x
Hampshire 2 0.77x
Lancashire 2 0.13x
Staffordshire 2 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. Croscombe in Somerset leads with 21 Duddens recorded in 1881 and an index of 8400.00x.

Place Total Index
Croscombe 21 8400.00x
Clifton 12 95.47x
Wrington 9 1323.53x
Sheffield 8 20.00x
Kensington London 5 7.09x
Paddington London 5 10.73x
Shrewton 5 1724.14x
St Marylebone London 4 5.91x
Swansea Town 4 22.10x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 12.82x
Huddersfield 3 16.39x
Speen 3 192.31x
Altrincham 2 40.90x
Cameley 2 869.57x
Cheetham 2 17.83x
Chew Stoke 2 666.67x
Chewton Mendip 2 588.24x
Clevedon 2 94.34x
Croydon 2 5.83x
Hampstead London 2 10.13x
Hinton Blewett 2 2222.22x
Holdenhurst 2 29.33x
Midsomer Norton 2 104.17x
Nether Hallam 2 11.76x
Reading St Mary 2 26.25x
Stapleford 2 2000.00x
Stoke Damerel 2 10.83x
Uttoxeter 2 91.32x
West Harptree 2 1000.00x
Yatton 2 253.16x
Baverstock 1 2000.00x
Blagdon 1 232.56x
Chew Magna 1 138.89x
Farmborough 1 270.27x
High Littleton 1 294.12x
Leckwith 1 192.31x
Penge 1 12.35x
Shoreditch London 1 1.82x
Wells St Cuthbert 1 71.94x
Westbury On Trym 1 11.88x
Weston Super Mare 1 19.42x
Winscombe 1 181.82x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 8
Emily 7
Mary 7
Fanny 6
Hannah 3
Sarah 3
Ada 2
Ann 2
Caroline 2
Ellen 2
Harriet 2
Jane 2
Louisa 2
Matilda 2
Susan 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Besse 1
Edith 1
Elizath. 1
Elizath.A. 1
Ella 1
L.C. 1
Lillia 1
Lydia 1
Marianne 1
Martha 1
Priscilla 1
Rose 1
Teresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 7
William 7
John 5
Charles 4
Joseph 4
Thomas 4
James 3
Valentine 3
Alfred 2
Edward 2
Henry 2
Richard 2
Albert 1
Arthur 1
Bestey 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Herbert 1
Manly 1
Robert 1
Silvester 1
Sylvester 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Dudden surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dudden surname in 1881?

In 1881, 130 people were recorded with the Dudden surname. That placed it at #16,911 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dudden surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 172 in 2016. That gives Dudden a modern rank of #21,648.

What does the Dudden surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name referring to locations in Cumbria, England.

What does the Dudden map show?

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