NameCensus.

UK surname

Edens

Derived from the Old English word "ēa-dūn," meaning "hill by a stream," likely referring to a place of origin.

In the 1881 census there were 89 people recorded with the Edens surname, ranking it #21,091 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 140, ranked #24,865, down from #21,091 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stanstead Abbots, Oxford City: St Giles and Oxford City: St Thomas. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Leicester and Rutland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Edens is 157 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 57.3%.

1881 census count

89

Ranked #21,091

Modern count

140

2016, ranked #24,865

Peak year

2002

157 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Edens had 89 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,091 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016, ranked #24,865.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 142 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Edens surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Edens surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Edens 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 77 #19,998
1861 historical 91 #22,206
1881 historical 89 #21,091
1891 historical 135 #19,692
1901 historical 111 #21,492
1911 historical 142 #18,487
1997 modern 133 #22,705
1998 modern 150 #21,665
1999 modern 156 #21,290
2000 modern 144 #22,357
2001 modern 145 #21,951
2002 modern 157 #21,261
2003 modern 142 #22,460
2004 modern 148 #22,000
2005 modern 137 #23,110
2006 modern 147 #22,221
2007 modern 144 #22,804
2008 modern 140 #23,511
2009 modern 139 #24,161
2010 modern 146 #23,921
2011 modern 142 #24,182
2012 modern 142 #24,148
2013 modern 145 #24,207
2014 modern 147 #24,177
2015 modern 142 #24,617
2016 modern 140 #24,865

Geography

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Where Edens' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stanstead Abbots, Oxford City: St Giles, Oxford City: St Thomas, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory and Kiddington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Leicester, Rutland and South Ribble. 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 Stanstead Abbots Hertfordshire
2 Oxford City: St Giles Oxfordshire
3 Oxford City: St Thomas Oxfordshire
4 Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory Northamptonshire
5 Kiddington Oxfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 057 Cornwall
2 Leicester 003 Leicester
3 Rutland 003 Rutland
4 South Ribble 017 South Ribble
5 Cornwall 069 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Edens

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Edens

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Edens surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Edens household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Edens is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Edens is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Edens

The surname Edens is believed to have originated in England, likely during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "eden," which means "valley" or "flat land by a river." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in a valley or near a river.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Edens can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Edena" and "Edenes," indicating its presence in the region at that time.

During the 13th century, the name Edens was associated with several landowners in various parts of England. One notable example is William de Edens, who held lands in Staffordshire in the late 1200s. Another individual, John Edens, was recorded as a landowner in Warwickshire around the same period.

As the name spread throughout England, it evolved into different spellings, such as "Eddins," "Eddens," and "Edons." These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the inconsistencies in record-keeping during that era.

In the 16th century, the Edens family gained prominence in the northern regions of England. Sir Robert Edens (1515-1593) was a notable figure who served as Lord Mayor of York in 1568. He is remembered for his contributions to the city's governance and his involvement in various civic projects.

Another prominent individual with the surname Edens was Sir Thomas Edens (1568-1624), a member of Parliament who represented the constituency of Northamptonshire. He was known for his active role in the House of Commons and his involvement in various political debates during the reign of King James I.

In the 17th century, the Edens family established itself in the county of Lancashire. One notable member was John Edens (1629-1705), a successful merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the local community.

Moving into the 18th century, the name Edens continued to be associated with various professions and achievements. Jonathan Edens (1720-1798) was a renowned theologian and author who made significant contributions to the study of religious texts and biblical interpretation.

As the centuries progressed, the Edens surname spread further across England and beyond, with individuals bearing the name making their mark in various fields, from politics and academia to the arts and sciences.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Edens families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Edens 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. Oxfordshire leads with 46 Edens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 84.86x.

County Total Index
Oxfordshire 46 84.86x
Berkshire 6 9.10x
Lincolnshire 6 4.27x
Middlesex 5 0.57x
Nottinghamshire 5 4.23x
Hertfordshire 4 6.61x
Kent 4 1.34x
Yorkshire 4 0.46x
Leicestershire 3 3.08x
Renfrewshire 3 4.41x
Lancashire 2 0.19x
Northamptonshire 1 1.21x
Royal Navy 1 9.56x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Oxford St Ebbe in Oxfordshire leads with 12 Edens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 750.00x.

Place Total Index
Oxford St Ebbe 12 750.00x
Kiddington 11 15714.29x
Oxford St Aldate 7 1228.07x
South Hinksey 6 2068.97x
Finstock Fawler 5 2777.78x
Mansfield 5 122.25x
North Burton 4 2500.00x
Oxford St Giles 4 154.44x
St Lawrence 4 194.17x
Stanstead Abbots 4 1081.08x
Abbey 3 28.90x
Charlbury 3 491.80x
Fosdyke 3 2142.86x
Kensington London 3 6.15x
Leicester St Margaret 3 12.64x
Oxford St Thomas 3 118.58x
Shoreditch London 2 5.25x
Tydd St Mary 2 714.29x
Warrington 2 16.19x
Blankney 1 500.00x
Hook Norton 1 270.27x
Peterborough 1 16.72x
Royal Navy 1 11.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 5
Elizabeth 5
Mary 5
Florence 3
Jane 3
Sarah 2
Ada 1
Blanche 1
Caroline 1
Clara 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Ethel 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Frederic 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Kezia 1
Maud 1
Phillis 1
Rebecca 1
Rhoda 1
Rosanna 1
Theaby 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Edens surname: questions and answers

How common was the Edens surname in 1881?

In 1881, 89 people were recorded with the Edens surname. That placed it at #21,091 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Edens surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016. That gives Edens a modern rank of #24,865.

What does the Edens surname mean?

Derived from the Old English word "ēa-dūn," meaning "hill by a stream," likely referring to a place of origin.

What does the Edens map show?

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