NameCensus.

UK surname

Edington

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "Ēada's town" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 535 people recorded with the Edington surname, ranking it #6,427 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 394, ranked #12,012, down from #6,427 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Coldingham, Gateshead and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northumberland, Wandsworth and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Edington is 647 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 26.4%.

1881 census count

535

Ranked #6,427

Modern count

394

2016, ranked #12,012

Peak year

1901

647 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Edington had 535 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,427 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 394 in 2016, ranked #12,012.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 647 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Edington surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Edington surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Edington 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 439 #5,600
1861 historical 517 #5,061
1881 historical 535 #6,427
1891 historical 620 #6,235
1901 historical 647 #6,665
1911 historical 390 #9,455
1997 modern 431 #10,410
1998 modern 452 #10,384
1999 modern 458 #10,325
2000 modern 445 #10,539
2001 modern 430 #10,619
2002 modern 441 #10,618
2003 modern 420 #10,862
2004 modern 417 #10,943
2005 modern 398 #11,231
2006 modern 397 #11,317
2007 modern 407 #11,228
2008 modern 413 #11,185
2009 modern 423 #11,204
2010 modern 428 #11,352
2011 modern 427 #11,243
2012 modern 398 #11,755
2013 modern 411 #11,669
2014 modern 420 #11,567
2015 modern 406 #11,781
2016 modern 394 #12,012

Geography

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Where Edingtons are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Northumberland, Wandsworth, County Durham, Pendle and Shandon. 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 Coldingham Berwick
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northumberland 021 Northumberland
2 Wandsworth 014 Wandsworth
3 County Durham 005 County Durham
4 Pendle 008 Pendle
5 Shandon City of Edinburgh

Forenames

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First names often paired with Edington

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Edington

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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Edington is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Edington is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Edington falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Edington is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Edington, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Edington

The surname Edington originates from England and dates back to the medieval period. It is a locational surname, derived from the place name Edington, which refers to several villages and towns across England, particularly in Wiltshire, Somerset, and Gloucestershire.

The name Edington is believed to have derived from the Old English words "Ede," meaning prosperous or rich, and "tun," meaning a village or settlement. This suggests that the name initially referred to a prosperous or wealthy settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Edington can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which mentions the village of Edington in Wiltshire. This entry provides evidence of the name's existence and its association with a specific location during the Norman conquest of England.

In the 13th century, the name Edington appeared in various historical documents, such as the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, which record individuals with the surname Edington residing in the region. This indicates the surname's widespread use during this period.

Sir Stephen de Edington (c. 1292-1362) was a notable historical figure who bore the name Edington. He served as Bishop of Winchester and played a significant role in the Wars of Scottish Independence, serving as a diplomat and advisor to King Edward III.

Another prominent figure was William Edington (c. 1348-1419), an English priest and statesman who served as the Bishop of Winchester from 1346 to 1366. He was a trusted advisor to King Edward III and played a crucial role in the construction of the renowned Winchester Cathedral.

In the 15th century, the name Edington appeared in the records of the University of Oxford, with several individuals bearing the surname enrolled as students or holding academic positions.

Sir Henry Edington (c. 1510-1587) was a prominent English landowner and courtier during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He served as a Member of Parliament and held various positions within the royal court.

During the 17th century, the Edington family established itself as a influential landowners in Somerset, with several members serving as local officials and participating in the English Civil War.

While the name Edington has its roots in England, it has since spread globally due to migration and the British diaspora, with individuals bearing the surname found in various parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Edington families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Edington 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. Midlothian leads with 68 Edingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.74x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 68 9.74x
East Lothian 50 72.46x
Lanarkshire 48 2.85x
Middlesex 45 0.86x
Northumberland 44 5.68x
Lancashire 43 0.70x
Durham 32 2.06x
Berwickshire 30 47.56x
Yorkshire 27 0.52x
Warwickshire 20 1.52x
Perthshire 18 7.70x
Ayrshire 12 3.08x
Renfrewshire 11 2.72x
Surrey 11 0.43x
Fife 8 2.59x
Kent 8 0.45x
Gloucestershire 7 0.69x
Hampshire 7 0.66x
Kirkcudbrightshire 7 9.28x
Wiltshire 5 1.09x
Caernarfonshire 4 1.90x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.57x
Stirlingshire 4 2.08x
West Lothian 4 5.10x
Dunbartonshire 3 2.14x
Somerset 3 0.36x
Denbighshire 2 1.02x
Essex 2 0.19x
Staffordshire 2 0.11x
Worcestershire 2 0.29x
Cheshire 1 0.09x
Herefordshire 1 0.47x
Roxburghshire 1 1.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 23 Edingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.39x.

Place Total Index
Barony 23 5.39x
South Leith 19 24.19x
Berwick North 14 289.86x
Eccleston In Prescot 14 45.12x
Glasgow 14 4.68x
Chelsea London 12 7.64x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 12 4.27x
Little Wolford 12 3076.92x
Embsay Cum Eastby 11 526.32x
Govan 11 2.64x
Bedlington 10 38.64x
Clerkenwell London 10 8.13x
Coldingham 9 158.73x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 9 54.51x
Bradford 8 6.40x
Dunbar 8 82.73x
Gateshead 8 6.89x
Greenwich 8 9.65x
Haddington 8 78.51x
Islington London 8 1.58x
Aston 7 1.94x
Bishopwearmouth 7 5.26x
Crossmichael 7 294.12x
Glencorse 7 261.19x
Muthill 7 229.51x
Newton In Makerfield 7 36.98x
West Derby 7 3.87x
Westoe 7 7.97x
Westruther 7 583.33x
Cowpen 6 33.61x
Crieff 6 69.04x
Dirleton 6 221.40x
Dunse 6 100.33x
East Greenock 6 15.74x
Kilbirnie 6 64.10x
Ayton 5 136.61x
Chirton 5 28.51x
Cirencester 5 36.15x
Croydon 5 3.55x
Edinburgh St Georges 5 34.53x
Glanton 5 561.80x
Lamesley 5 59.95x
Longbenton 5 15.23x
Monkton Prestwick 5 131.93x
Prestonpans 5 107.99x
West Greenock 5 6.90x
Aberlady 4 223.46x
Basford 4 12.36x
Bermondsey 4 2.58x
Conway 4 98.04x
East Knoyle 4 254.78x
Edinburgh Canongate 4 22.52x
Fawley 4 117.99x
Forgan 4 67.68x
Hackney London 4 1.37x
Kinnoull 4 65.04x
Monkwearmouth Shore 4 13.22x
North Leith 4 12.39x
St Pancras London 4 0.95x
Torphichen 4 146.52x
Toxteth Park 4 1.91x
Bolton 3 500.00x
Bonhill 3 13.35x
Edinburgh St Andrews 3 52.08x
Everton 3 1.52x
Falkirk 3 6.67x
Leeds 3 1.03x
Tynemouth 3 7.23x
Woodhorn Hirst 3 714.29x
Auchtermuchty 2 48.31x
Barrow In Furness 2 2.38x
Chirnside 2 74.07x
Coulsdon 2 43.38x
Fulwood 2 29.94x
Hammersmith London 2 1.56x
Hendon 2 10.67x
High Low South Brinkburn 2 571.43x
Llansantffraid Glyn 2 149.25x
Sculcoates 2 2.44x
Tranent 2 21.46x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 19
George 15
William 13
James 12
Robert 9
Thomas 8
Joseph 7
Alexander 3
Peter 3
Albert 2
Arthur 2
Edward 2
Frederick 2
H. 2
Harold 2
Harry 2
Isaac 2
A. 1
Adam 1
Adolphus 1
Allen 1
Archie 1
Charles 1
David 1
E. 1
Ernest 1
F. 1
Frances 1
Frank 1
Herbert 1
Jas. 1
Matthew 1
Michael 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
R.B. 1
Ralph 1
Roger 1
Samuel 1
Winter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Edington surname: questions and answers

How common was the Edington surname in 1881?

In 1881, 535 people were recorded with the Edington surname. That placed it at #6,427 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Edington surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 394 in 2016. That gives Edington a modern rank of #12,012.

What does the Edington surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "Ēada's town" in Old English.

What does the Edington map show?

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