NameCensus.

UK surname

Eagle

An English surname derived from the bird of prey, likely referring to a person with keen sight or a hunter.

In the 1881 census there were 1,657 people recorded with the Eagle surname, ranking it #2,590 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,321, ranked #2,806, down from #2,590 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Brightlingsea and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Great Yarmouth and Suffolk Coastal.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Eagle is 2,406 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 40.1%.

1881 census count

1,657

Ranked #2,590

Modern count

2,321

2016, ranked #2,806

Peak year

1999

2,406 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Eagle had 1,657 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,590 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,321 in 2016, ranked #2,806.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,292 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Eagle surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Eagle surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Eagle 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 1,123 #2,509
1861 historical 1,129 #2,484
1881 historical 1,657 #2,590
1891 historical 1,816 #2,530
1901 historical 2,086 #2,573
1911 historical 2,292 #2,212
1997 modern 2,340 #2,667
1998 modern 2,400 #2,703
1999 modern 2,406 #2,718
2000 modern 2,389 #2,720
2001 modern 2,320 #2,737
2002 modern 2,347 #2,761
2003 modern 2,299 #2,756
2004 modern 2,297 #2,752
2005 modern 2,209 #2,824
2006 modern 2,224 #2,807
2007 modern 2,253 #2,789
2008 modern 2,294 #2,778
2009 modern 2,387 #2,745
2010 modern 2,390 #2,794
2011 modern 2,345 #2,812
2012 modern 2,307 #2,800
2013 modern 2,365 #2,786
2014 modern 2,364 #2,797
2015 modern 2,320 #2,818
2016 modern 2,321 #2,806

Geography

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Where Eagles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Brightlingsea, Edinburgh and Burbage. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Great Yarmouth, Suffolk Coastal, Tendring and Breckland. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Brightlingsea Essex
3 London parishes London 3
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Burbage Wiltshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 018 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
2 Great Yarmouth 003 Great Yarmouth
3 Suffolk Coastal 003 Suffolk Coastal
4 Tendring 002 Tendring
5 Breckland 008 Breckland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Eagle

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Eagle

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Eagle is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Eagle 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

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

Meaning and origin of Eagle

The surname Eagle has its origins in England, where it first emerged in the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word 'Egle', which means an eagle. This name may have been given to someone who lived near a prominent rock formation or area inhabited by eagles, or it could have been used as a nickname for someone who was perceived to have eagle-like qualities, such as sharp vision or strength.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1176, which mentions a person named William Eagle. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also include references to individuals with this surname, such as Walter le Egle and Robert Egle.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in the Testa de Nevill, an ancient catalogue of feudal tenants in England, where it was recorded as Eagel and Eggel. These variations in spelling highlight the linguistic evolution of the surname over time.

Notable individuals with the surname Eagle include Sir William Eagle (1567-1622), an English politician who served as Sheriff of London in 1612. Another prominent figure was John Eagle (1615-1678), an English Puritan clergyman and author of several theological works.

In the 18th century, Edward Eagle (1741-1819) was a notable English architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London and its surrounding areas.

Moving into the 19th century, Charles Eagle (1825-1905) was a British painter and engraver known for his landscape and animal paintings. During the same period, John Eagle (1837-1904) was an English architect and surveyor who designed various residential and commercial buildings in London.

Throughout history, the surname Eagle has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including politicians, clergy, architects, artists, and surveyors. While the name's origins can be traced back to Old English, it has endured and evolved over the centuries, reflecting the rich tapestry of English history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Eagle families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Eagle 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. Middlesex leads with 251 Eagles recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.55x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 251 1.55x
Surrey 213 2.70x
Norfolk 163 6.55x
Suffolk 139 7.05x
Essex 134 4.19x
Yorkshire 88 0.55x
Northamptonshire 78 5.12x
Leicestershire 66 3.68x
Lincolnshire 59 2.28x
Kent 45 0.82x
Cambridgeshire 38 3.71x
Midlothian 37 1.71x
Lancashire 34 0.18x
Staffordshire 32 0.59x
Berkshire 25 2.06x
Huntingdonshire 23 7.16x
Nottinghamshire 20 0.92x
Oxfordshire 19 1.90x
Wiltshire 19 1.33x
Derbyshire 18 0.71x
Buckinghamshire 16 1.64x
Durham 16 0.33x
Glamorgan 15 0.53x
Hampshire 15 0.45x
Warwickshire 15 0.37x
Lanarkshire 13 0.25x
Hertfordshire 11 0.99x
Dorset 9 0.85x
Sussex 9 0.33x
Cheshire 7 0.20x
Gloucestershire 5 0.16x
Bedfordshire 4 0.48x
Northumberland 4 0.17x
Perthshire 4 0.55x
Shropshire 4 0.29x
Monmouthshire 3 0.26x
Royal Navy 2 1.04x
Rutland 2 1.68x
Somerset 2 0.08x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.15x
Morayshire 1 0.40x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camberwell in Surrey leads with 38 Eagles recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.68x.

Place Total Index
Camberwell 38 3.68x
Leicester St Margaret 33 7.54x
Battersea 26 4.37x
Lambeth 26 1.84x
Brightlingsea 25 136.99x
Benhall 23 666.67x
Bermondsey 23 4.77x
St Pancras London 23 1.77x
Walton On Thames 23 63.52x
Framlingham 20 142.96x
Kensington London 19 2.11x
Paston 19 293.66x
Peterborough 19 17.24x
West Ham 19 2.69x
Islington London 16 1.02x
West Derby 15 2.67x
Wix 15 434.78x
St Marylebone London 14 1.62x
Ufford 14 457.52x
Clerkenwell London 13 3.40x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 13 1.49x
Northampton Priory St 13 14.23x
West Tofts 13 1238.10x
Burbage 12 164.38x
Holy Trinity 12 3.11x
Pentney 12 405.41x
St Swithin Lincoln 12 29.50x
Wisbech St Peter 12 23.35x
Fulham London 11 4.69x
Great Bromley 11 274.31x
Sporle With Palgrave 11 272.28x
Gorleston 10 19.97x
Hammersmith London 10 2.51x
Hilborough 10 534.76x
Hucknall Torkard 10 18.08x
Leeds 10 1.10x
Newington 10 1.67x
Penge 10 9.67x
Southwark St George Martyr 10 3.07x
Twickenham 10 14.41x
Wolverhampton 10 2.38x
Bromley London 9 2.53x
Culpho 9 2727.27x
Elmstead 9 175.10x
Melcombe Regis 9 20.45x
Mile End Old Town London 9 2.61x
Old Park 9 176.82x
Paddington London 9 1.51x
Sheffield 9 1.76x
West Bromwich 9 2.88x
Abingdon St Helen 8 22.53x
Birmingham 8 0.59x
Chelsea London 8 1.64x
Covehithe 8 833.33x
Hampstead London 8 3.17x
Lewisham 8 2.72x
Newcastle Higher 8 41.82x
Newton By Castleacre 8 2105.26x
Soham 8 36.26x
South Leith 8 3.28x
Southoe 8 529.80x
Standlake 8 204.08x
Swaffham 8 39.53x
Armley 7 9.90x
Belchamp St Paul 7 178.57x
Belgrave 7 17.29x
Chertsey 7 13.74x
Chesterfield 7 7.37x
Deptford St Paul 7 1.64x
Edinburgh Canongate 7 12.69x
Foulden 7 273.44x
Hedgerley 7 958.90x
Kettering 7 11.37x
Kirton Simon Weir 7 265.15x
Lesmahagow 7 12.65x
Plumstead 7 3.80x
Shoreditch London 7 1.00x
Woodford 7 19.36x
Desborough 6 52.49x
East Dereham 6 19.08x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 89
John 79
George 65
James 51
Thomas 43
Charles 39
Henry 31
Joseph 28
Robert 23
Walter 22
Edward 19
Alfred 18
Arthur 18
Frederick 15
Richard 14
Samuel 14
Albert 11
Harry 9
David 7
Herbert 7
Ernest 6
Wm. 6
Frank 4
Stephen 4
Thos. 4
Elijah 3
Fredk. 3
Fredrick 3
Isaac 3
Rowland 3
Willm. 3
A. 2
Benjamin 2
Earnest 2
Edmund 2
Edwin 2
Enoch 2
Francis 2
Fred 2
Jabez 2
Jas. 2
Jonathan 2
Lewis 2
Louis 2
Matthew 2
W. 2
Blakeman 1
Edgar 1
Edgard 1
Edw.L. 1

FAQ

Eagle surname: questions and answers

How common was the Eagle surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,657 people were recorded with the Eagle surname. That placed it at #2,590 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Eagle surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,321 in 2016. That gives Eagle a modern rank of #2,806.

What does the Eagle surname mean?

An English surname derived from the bird of prey, likely referring to a person with keen sight or a hunter.

What does the Eagle map show?

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