NameCensus.

UK surname

Eccles

From a place name derived from the Old English words "eccles," meaning church, or "aecels," meaning a hermitage.

In the 1881 census there were 4,772 people recorded with the Eccles surname, ranking it #930 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5,430, ranked #1,235, down from #930 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Manchester and Preston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Blackburn with Darwen and Preston.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Eccles is 6,248 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 13.8%.

1881 census count

4,772

Ranked #930

Modern count

5,430

2016, ranked #1,235

Peak year

1911

6,248 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Eccles had 4,772 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #930 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 5,430 in 2016, ranked #1,235.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6,248 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Eccles surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Eccles surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Eccles 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 3,029 #958
1861 historical 2,957 #975
1881 historical 4,772 #930
1891 historical 5,202 #904
1901 historical 5,940 #933
1911 historical 6,248 #827
1997 modern 5,472 #1,191
1998 modern 5,572 #1,218
1999 modern 5,634 #1,208
2000 modern 5,594 #1,217
2001 modern 5,487 #1,213
2002 modern 5,588 #1,213
2003 modern 5,420 #1,226
2004 modern 5,421 #1,223
2005 modern 5,368 #1,214
2006 modern 5,367 #1,213
2007 modern 5,385 #1,214
2008 modern 5,412 #1,212
2009 modern 5,539 #1,216
2010 modern 5,629 #1,228
2011 modern 5,564 #1,223
2012 modern 5,420 #1,236
2013 modern 5,536 #1,231
2014 modern 5,578 #1,224
2015 modern 5,488 #1,225
2016 modern 5,430 #1,235

Geography

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Where Eccles' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Manchester, Preston, Blackburn and Bolton-le-Moors. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Blackburn with Darwen and Preston. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Preston Lancashire
4 Blackburn Lancashire
5 Bolton-le-Moors Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Blackburn with Darwen 009 Blackburn with Darwen
2 Blackburn with Darwen 017 Blackburn with Darwen
3 Blackburn with Darwen 008 Blackburn with Darwen
4 Preston 009 Preston
5 Blackburn with Darwen 014 Blackburn with Darwen

Forenames

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First names often paired with Eccles

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Eccles

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Eccles, 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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Eccles surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Eccles household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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, Eccles 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

Eccles 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

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

Meaning and origin of Eccles

The surname Eccles originated in England and dates back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English word "hecce," meaning "hedge," and the suffix "ley," meaning "clearing" or "field." This suggests that the name may have originated from someone who lived near a hedge or clearing.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Eccles can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de Eckeles" in Lancashire. This entry refers to a place name, indicating that the surname may have been adopted by someone residing in or near the town of Eccles.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "de Eccles," "de Ekeles," and "de Eckeles," reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation during that time. The town of Eccles itself is believed to have been named after a Saxon chieftain named "Ecca," further reinforcing the connection between the surname and the place name.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Eccles was John de Eccles, who lived in Lancashire in the late 13th century. Another notable figure was Robert de Eccles, a clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Chester in the early 14th century.

In the 15th century, the surname appeared in records as "Eccles" without the prefix "de." Henry Eccles, born around 1450 in Lancashire, was a prominent figure during this period. He was a merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the local community.

During the 16th century, the surname Eccles became more widespread across England. One notable individual was Solomon Eccles, a renowned composer and musician who lived from 1618 to 1683. He served as the court musician to King Charles II and contributed significantly to the development of English baroque music.

Another famous bearer of the surname Eccles was Sir John Eccles, a renowned architect born in 1668. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings, including the Queen's House in Greenwich and the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford.

Throughout history, the surname Eccles has been associated with various professions and fields, including music, architecture, clergy, and trade. The name's origins and connections to place names in England have contributed to its enduring legacy and historical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Eccles families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Eccles 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 2,804 Eccles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.06x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 2,804 5.06x
Yorkshire 855 1.85x
Cheshire 215 2.08x
Staffordshire 121 0.77x
Surrey 77 0.34x
Warwickshire 76 0.64x
Ayrshire 70 2.00x
Middlesex 69 0.15x
Lanarkshire 50 0.33x
Durham 45 0.32x
Derbyshire 39 0.53x
Westmorland 37 3.60x
Worcestershire 36 0.59x
Devon 30 0.31x
Cumberland 28 0.70x
Hampshire 28 0.29x
Kent 16 0.10x
Renfrewshire 16 0.44x
Essex 12 0.13x
Northumberland 12 0.17x
Angus 11 0.25x
Isle of Man 11 1.27x
Lincolnshire 11 0.15x
Bedfordshire 10 0.41x
Shropshire 9 0.22x
Oxfordshire 8 0.28x
Gloucestershire 7 0.08x
Inverness-shire 7 0.50x
Anglesey 6 0.72x
Stirlingshire 6 0.35x
West Lothian 6 0.85x
Wigtownshire 6 0.97x
Caernarfonshire 5 0.26x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.08x
Suffolk 5 0.09x
Flintshire 4 0.32x
Norfolk 4 0.06x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.10x
Denbighshire 3 0.17x
Glamorgan 3 0.04x
Leicestershire 3 0.06x
Rutland 3 0.87x
Sussex 3 0.04x
Berkshire 2 0.06x
Cornwall 2 0.04x
Dorset 2 0.07x
Monmouthshire 2 0.06x
Argyllshire 1 0.08x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.04x
Buteshire 1 0.35x
Channel Islands 1 0.07x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.08x
Hertfordshire 1 0.03x
Midlothian 1 0.02x
Northamptonshire 1 0.02x
Royal Navy 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Over Darwen in Lancashire leads with 365 Eccles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 82.38x.

Place Total Index
Over Darwen 365 82.38x
Preston 341 22.98x
Blackburn 239 16.19x
Oswaldtwistle 84 42.86x
Little Bolton 63 8.83x
Accrington 55 10.91x
Birmingham 49 1.25x
Formby 49 78.03x
Clitheroe 48 29.40x
Great Bolton 46 6.26x
Salford 46 2.82x
Barrow In Furness 44 5.83x
Everton 44 2.49x
Hoose 44 227.63x
Spotland 37 6.00x
Castleton 35 6.32x
Little Meolse 35 237.45x
Barton Upon Irwell 34 8.14x
Skircoat 34 18.61x
Walton Le Dale 34 22.81x
Aighton Bailey 33 123.50x
Dilworth 30 88.26x
Ecclesall Bierlow 30 3.18x
Newcastle Under Lyme 30 10.75x
Sheffield 30 2.03x
Lambeth 29 0.71x
Lower Darwen 28 38.46x
Manchester 28 1.12x
Witton 28 40.13x
Bury 27 4.26x
Selby 27 27.89x
Ribchester 26 124.05x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 26 12.08x
Yate Pickup Bank 26 236.58x
Sandal Magna 25 36.50x
Huddersfield 24 3.56x
Alston 23 89.04x
Bowling 22 4.80x
Hulme 22 1.90x
Kirkdale 22 2.36x
Rishton 22 33.81x
Sculcoates 22 3.00x
Stoke Upon Trent 22 1.31x
Toxteth Park 22 1.17x
Aspull 21 16.10x
Leeds 21 0.80x
Livesey 21 21.57x
Lytham 21 24.80x
Castleford 20 11.86x
Chorley 20 6.43x
Great Harwood 20 19.95x
Habergham Eaves 19 3.75x
Liverpool 19 0.56x
Stockport 19 3.58x
Wardleworth 19 5.99x
Chorlton On Medlock 18 2.04x
Oldham 18 1.01x
Holy Trinity 17 1.53x
North Meols 17 3.13x
Royton 17 10.02x
York St Maurice 17 19.49x
Bispham 16 355.56x
Fishwick 16 46.63x
Lancaster 16 4.85x
Oldbury 16 5.33x
Walmersley Cum 16 18.05x
Chipping 15 95.00x
Hunslet 15 2.08x
Warrington 15 2.28x
Aston 14 0.43x
Lea Ashton Ingol 14 38.02x
Thorganby Cum West 14 215.38x
Tranmere 14 3.69x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 13 3.01x
Broughton In Salford 13 2.56x
Colne 13 7.87x
Govan 13 0.35x
Haworth 13 11.81x
Medomsley 13 20.04x
Tong 13 14.53x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 341
Elizabeth 205
Sarah 160
Ann 131
Jane 127
Alice 112
Margaret 111
Ellen 96
Martha 57
Eliza 50
Emma 50
Annie 49
Hannah 48
Agnes 34
Nancy 32
Betsy 27
Catherine 27
Edith 26
Emily 23
Isabella 23
Ada 20
Charlotte 20
Florence 20
Clara 18
Maria 17
Betty 16
Frances 16
Esther 15
Fanny 15
Harriet 14
Anne 13
Eleanor 12
Louisa 12
Rachel 10
Susannah 10
Kate 9
Elizth. 8
Rebecca 8
Sophia 8
Caroline 7
Priscilla 7
Rose 7
Bertha 6
Harriett 6
Lily 6
Lucy 6
Ruth 6
Susan 6
Bridget 5
Grace 5

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 394
William 262
Thomas 210
James 198
George 111
Richard 98
Joseph 97
Robert 90
Henry 80
Edward 53
Charles 45
Samuel 34
Albert 26
Alfred 25
Walter 25
Arthur 23
Frederick 20
Thos. 15
Wm. 15
Fred 14
Edmund 13
David 12
Harry 12
Jonathan 12
Andrew 11
Benjamin 11
Edwin 11
Ralph 11
Alexander 10
Frank 10
Herbert 9
Michael 9
Francis 8
Matthew 8
Peter 8
Daniel 7
Eccles 7
Miles 7
Hugh 6
Mark 6
Nathaniel 6
Christopher 5
Ernest 5
Leonard 5
Robt. 5
Geo. 4
Horace 4
Joshua 4
Lawrence 4
Seth 4

FAQ

Eccles surname: questions and answers

How common was the Eccles surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4,772 people were recorded with the Eccles surname. That placed it at #930 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Eccles surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 5,430 in 2016. That gives Eccles a modern rank of #1,235.

What does the Eccles surname mean?

From a place name derived from the Old English words "eccles," meaning church, or "aecels," meaning a hermitage.

What does the Eccles map show?

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