NameCensus.

UK surname

Earle

An English toponymic surname derived from the Old English eorl, meaning a man of noble rank or a warrior.

In the 1881 census there were 1,863 people recorded with the Earle surname, ranking it #2,340 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,296, ranked #2,825, down from #2,340 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Tyneside, Calderdale and Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Earle is 2,466 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 23.2%.

1881 census count

1,863

Ranked #2,340

Modern count

2,296

2016, ranked #2,825

Peak year

1911

2,466 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Earle had 1,863 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,340 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,296 in 2016, ranked #2,825.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,466 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Earle surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Earle surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Earle 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 1,417 #2,034
1861 historical 1,195 #2,375
1881 historical 1,863 #2,340
1891 historical 2,090 #2,221
1901 historical 2,379 #2,284
1911 historical 2,466 #2,081
1997 modern 2,340 #2,667
1998 modern 2,377 #2,728
1999 modern 2,363 #2,766
2000 modern 2,372 #2,732
2001 modern 2,288 #2,764
2002 modern 2,347 #2,761
2003 modern 2,298 #2,757
2004 modern 2,268 #2,780
2005 modern 2,213 #2,816
2006 modern 2,173 #2,867
2007 modern 2,224 #2,831
2008 modern 2,210 #2,873
2009 modern 2,321 #2,813
2010 modern 2,374 #2,818
2011 modern 2,351 #2,804
2012 modern 2,326 #2,782
2013 modern 2,348 #2,799
2014 modern 2,361 #2,800
2015 modern 2,328 #2,812
2016 modern 2,296 #2,825

Geography

Back to top

Where Earles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch, Lambeth and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Tyneside, Calderdale, Cornwall, Knowsley and Girvan Glendoune. 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 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Tyneside 015 South Tyneside
2 Calderdale 007 Calderdale
3 Cornwall 023 Cornwall
4 Knowsley 011 Knowsley
5 Girvan Glendoune South Ayrshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Earle

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Earle

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

Earle is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Earle

The surname Earle is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word 'eorl' meaning 'nobleman' or 'warrior'. It first appeared in England during the medieval period, specifically in the regions of Berkshire, Devon, and Somerset.

The name was initially used as a title or rank for those who held a high social status or were prominent leaders in their communities. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which documented landowners and their holdings in England after the Norman Conquest.

Over time, the title 'eorl' evolved into a hereditary surname, and the spelling variations 'Earle', 'Earl', and 'Erle' became more common. These different spellings were often used interchangeably by families and scribes.

Several notable individuals have borne the surname Earle throughout history, including Ralph Earle (1606-1678), an English settler and one of the founders of the colony of Rhode Island. Another prominent figure was Jabez Earle (1676-1768), an English merchant and philanthropist who funded the construction of churches and schools in his hometown of Charlestown, Massachusetts.

Sir Giles Earle (1567-1626) was an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Dorset. He was also involved in the colonization efforts in Virginia and held various administrative positions in the early English settlements.

In the literary world, John Earle (1601-1665) was an English author and bishop known for his work "Micro-cosmographie, or a Peece of the World Discovered; in Essayes and Characters," which provided insightful observations on contemporary society and personalities.

Thomas Earle (1796-1876) was an English naturalist and writer who made significant contributions to the study of zoology and ornithology. His works include "A Narrative of a Nine Months' Residence in New Zealand" and "The Settlers in Australia," which documented his experiences and observations during his travels.

While the name Earle has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through immigration and migration. However, the historical origins and significance of this surname can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon era and the nobility and leadership roles associated with the title 'eorl'.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Earle families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Earle 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 288 Earles recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.59x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 288 1.59x
Yorkshire 195 1.08x
Lancashire 157 0.73x
Surrey 151 1.71x
Devon 131 3.47x
Kent 111 1.79x
Durham 75 1.39x
Hampshire 74 1.99x
Wiltshire 66 4.11x
Norfolk 63 2.26x
Cheshire 53 1.32x
Lincolnshire 48 1.65x
Essex 41 1.14x
Warwickshire 40 0.87x
Cornwall 36 1.75x
Somerset 34 1.16x
Hertfordshire 32 2.56x
Oxfordshire 31 2.77x
Staffordshire 31 0.51x
Sussex 31 1.01x
Northumberland 21 0.78x
Buckinghamshire 19 1.73x
Gloucestershire 18 0.51x
Derbyshire 13 0.46x
Suffolk 11 0.50x
Berkshire 9 0.66x
Lanarkshire 9 0.15x
Leicestershire 8 0.40x
Herefordshire 7 0.94x
Midlothian 7 0.29x
Nottinghamshire 7 0.29x
Brecknockshire 5 1.38x
Northamptonshire 5 0.29x
Anglesey 4 1.24x
Wigtownshire 4 1.66x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.26x
Royal Navy 3 1.39x
Worcestershire 3 0.13x
Bedfordshire 2 0.21x
Monmouthshire 2 0.15x
Rutland 2 1.50x
Westmorland 2 0.50x
Caithness 1 0.40x
Cumberland 1 0.06x
Denbighshire 1 0.15x
Dorset 1 0.08x
Glamorgan 1 0.03x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.28x
Isle of Man 1 0.30x
Shropshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sculcoates in Yorkshire leads with 36 Earles recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.63x.

Place Total Index
Sculcoates 36 12.63x
Shoreditch London 29 3.69x
Kensington London 28 2.78x
Liverpool 27 2.06x
Trowbridge 26 36.66x
Clee With Weelsby 25 39.36x
Portsea 23 3.16x
Lambeth 22 1.39x
Deptford St Paul 20 4.19x
Ealing 20 12.33x
Everton 19 2.77x
Richmond 19 67.64x
Knaresborough 17 60.20x
West Derby 17 2.70x
Birkenhead 16 5.01x
Toxteth Park 16 2.19x
Birmingham 15 0.98x
Camberwell 15 1.29x
Bishopwearmouth 14 3.02x
Croydon 13 2.65x
Hackney London 13 1.28x
Hornsey 13 5.67x
Islington London 13 0.74x
Kingston On Thames 13 6.12x
Rotherfield Greys 13 109.61x
Strood 13 36.82x
Whitstable 13 42.82x
Battersea 12 1.80x
Chelmsford 12 19.53x
Salisbury St Martin 12 71.86x
St George Hanover Square 12 3.75x
St Marylebone London 12 1.24x
West Ham 12 1.52x
Bengeo 11 75.81x
Bethnal Green London 11 1.40x
Falmouth 11 15.13x
Harborne 11 5.60x
Moss Side 11 9.71x
Paddington London 11 1.65x
Portslade 11 58.82x
Southrepps 11 203.70x
Acton 10 9.40x
Foleshill 10 20.77x
Hendon 10 15.32x
Owthorne 10 296.74x
Redruth 10 17.21x
St Giles On The Heath 10 584.80x
St Pancras London 10 0.68x
Brinnington 9 24.06x
Ecclesall Bierlow 9 2.46x
Hampstead London 9 3.18x
Holy Trinity 9 2.08x
Lewisham 9 2.73x
St Stithians 9 79.51x
Stevenage 9 46.42x
Stockton 9 210.77x
Stoke 9 21.57x
Tormoham 9 5.63x
Chelsea London 8 1.46x
Dartmouth Townstall 8 52.02x
Edmonton 8 5.47x
Houghton Le Spring 8 21.44x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 8 9.55x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 8 22.44x
Bermondsey 7 1.30x
Bromley London 7 1.75x
Bury St Edmunds St James 7 11.86x
Gateshead 7 1.73x
Limehouse London 7 3.51x
Maryhill 7 6.09x
Newington 7 1.04x
Pendleton In Salford 7 2.73x
Salisbury St Edmund 7 27.17x
South Molton 7 33.73x
Southwark St George Martyr 7 1.92x
St Peter Cheesehill 7 133.08x
Stone 7 82.16x
Totnes 7 31.69x
Uckfield 7 52.51x
Yaxham 7 230.26x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 118
John 98
George 70
Thomas 60
Charles 44
Henry 44
James 34
Edward 30
Richard 29
Frederick 24
Alfred 23
Robert 22
Joseph 17
Albert 13
Harry 13
Samuel 13
Walter 13
Arthur 12
Frank 12
Ernest 11
Francis 9
Edwin 7
Stephen 5
Geo. 4
Herbert 4
Matthew 4
Percy 4
Benjamin 3
Christopher 3
Cyril 3
Frederic 3
Fredk. 3
Nathaniel 3
Sydney 3
Wm. 3
Augustus 2
Claude 2
Daniel 2
Fredrick 2
Jno. 2
Leonard 2
Peter 2
Reginald 2
Robt. 2
Saml. 2
Stanley 2
Thos. 2
Vincent 2
W. 2
Willm. 2

FAQ

Earle surname: questions and answers

How common was the Earle surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,863 people were recorded with the Earle surname. That placed it at #2,340 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Earle surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,296 in 2016. That gives Earle a modern rank of #2,825.

What does the Earle surname mean?

An English toponymic surname derived from the Old English eorl, meaning a man of noble rank or a warrior.

What does the Earle map show?

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