UK surname
Son of Edmond, a diminutive form of the given name Edmund, meaning "wealthy protector."
In the 1881 census there were 320 people recorded with the Edmonson surname, ranking it #9,298 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 84, ranked #32,726, down from #9,298 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Preston, Bradford and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Edmonson is 320 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 73.8%.
1881 census count
320
Ranked #9,298
Modern count
84
2016, ranked #32,726
Peak year
1881
320 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Edmonson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Edmonson surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 265 | #8,395 |
| 1861 | historical | 280 | #8,953 |
| 1881 | historical | 320 | #9,298 |
| 1891 | historical | 162 | #17,390 |
| 1901 | historical | 151 | #17,988 |
| 1911 | historical | 204 | #14,784 |
| 1997 | modern | 83 | #29,216 |
| 1998 | modern | 83 | #29,638 |
| 1999 | modern | 75 | #30,661 |
| 2000 | modern | 65 | #31,641 |
| 2001 | modern | 59 | #32,080 |
| 2002 | modern | 65 | #31,903 |
| 2003 | modern | 55 | #32,895 |
| 2004 | modern | 66 | #32,079 |
| 2005 | modern | 74 | #31,522 |
| 2006 | modern | 79 | #31,263 |
| 2007 | modern | 85 | #30,954 |
| 2008 | modern | 80 | #31,833 |
| 2009 | modern | 94 | #30,538 |
| 2010 | modern | 93 | #31,239 |
| 2011 | modern | 92 | #31,301 |
| 2012 | modern | 92 | #31,528 |
| 2013 | modern | 91 | #32,020 |
| 2014 | modern | 90 | #32,309 |
| 2015 | modern | 88 | #32,421 |
| 2016 | modern | 84 | #32,726 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Preston, Bradford, Liverpool, Keighley and Blackburn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preston | Lancashire |
| 2 | Bradford | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 4 | Keighley | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Blackburn | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Edmonson surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Edmonson, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Edmonson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Edmonson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Edmonson is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Edmonson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Edmonson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Edmonson has its roots in England, originating from the Old English personal name "Eadmund" or "Edmund." This name was composed of the elements "ead," meaning "prosperity" or "fortune," and "mund," meaning "protector." The name would have been given to someone whose role was to protect or guard prosperity.
Edmonson likely derived from a patronymic form, indicating "son of Edmund." The earliest recorded spelling of the name dates back to the late 12th century, appearing as "Edmundessone" in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1197. Over time, the name evolved into various spellings, including Edmondson, Edmunson, and Edmonson.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Edmundus." This document was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror, providing valuable insight into the English population at the time.
The name Edmonson has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such person was Sir Thomas Edmonson (1563-1639), an English diplomat and civil servant who served as the Clerk of the Privy Council under Queen Elizabeth I and King James I.
Another prominent figure was John Edmonson (1771-1840), an American Baptist minister and educator who founded the Augusta Seminary in Kentucky, one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in the state.
Henry Edmonson (1826-1890) was a British architect who designed several notable buildings in Manchester, including the Manchester Town Hall and the Assize Courts.
Robert Edmonson (1805-1867) was an American painter and sculptor who gained recognition for his unique style of portrait sculptures carved from limestone. He was one of the few African American artists of his time to achieve significant success.
Lastly, Matilda Edmonson (1834-1923) was a British philanthropist and social reformer known for her work in improving the living conditions of the poor in Edinburgh, Scotland.
These examples illustrate the widespread presence of the Edmonson surname across various fields and regions, showcasing its rich historical significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Edmonson surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 108 Edmonsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.48x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 108 | 3.48x |
| Lancashire | 105 | 2.83x |
| Middlesex | 21 | 0.67x |
| Durham | 19 | 2.04x |
| Northumberland | 18 | 3.86x |
| Cumberland | 17 | 6.31x |
| Cheshire | 9 | 1.30x |
| Gloucestershire | 7 | 1.14x |
| Warwickshire | 7 | 0.89x |
| Northamptonshire | 3 | 1.02x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.20x |
| Isle of Man | 1 | 1.72x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.10x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.20x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.20x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.07x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.19x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Burnley in Lancashire leads with 20 Edmonsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 63.92x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Edmonson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 27 |
| Sarah | 15 |
| Elizabeth | 13 |
| Margaret | 9 |
| Ann | 7 |
| Jane | 7 |
| Alice | 5 |
| Hannah | 5 |
| Grace | 4 |
| Martha | 4 |
| Annie | 3 |
| Catherine | 3 |
| Clara | 3 |
| Eliza | 3 |
| Ellen | 3 |
| Emma | 3 |
| Harriet | 3 |
| Ada | 2 |
| Elizebeth | 2 |
| Maria | 2 |
| Nancy | 2 |
| Rachel | 2 |
| Anna | 1 |
| Betty | 1 |
| Charlott | 1 |
| E.H. | 1 |
| Edeth | 1 |
| Elenor | 1 |
| Elizth. | 1 |
| Emeley | 1 |
| Emily | 1 |
| Esther | 1 |
| Everil | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| George | 1 |
| Isabella | 1 |
| Janet | 1 |
| Lavinia | 1 |
| Lillie | 1 |
| Louisa | 1 |
| Margret | 1 |
| Marion | 1 |
| May | 1 |
| Mercy | 1 |
| Nanny | 1 |
| Rebecca | 1 |
| Rosina | 1 |
| Widdup | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Edmonson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| John | 26 |
| William | 17 |
| James | 14 |
| Thomas | 14 |
| George | 8 |
| Richard | 6 |
| Joseph | 5 |
| Charles | 4 |
| Christopher | 4 |
| Henry | 4 |
| Robert | 4 |
| Edward | 3 |
| Arthur | 2 |
| Frederick | 2 |
| Harry | 2 |
| Herbert | 2 |
| Isaac | 2 |
| Wm. | 2 |
| Alfred | 1 |
| Allen | 1 |
| Anthony | 1 |
| Arnold | 1 |
| Ben | 1 |
| Benjamim | 1 |
| Cressey | 1 |
| David | 1 |
| Edwd. | 1 |
| Ernest | 1 |
| Frank | 1 |
| Freadwick | 1 |
| Gilbert | 1 |
| Harold | 1 |
| Horace | 1 |
| Jesse | 1 |
| Jno. | 1 |
| Laurence | 1 |
| Levi | 1 |
| Lewis | 1 |
| Llen | 1 |
| Luke | 1 |
| Mathew | 1 |
| Matthew | 1 |
| Mount | 1 |
| Norman | 1 |
| Percy | 1 |
| Peter | 1 |
| Robinson | 1 |
| Roger | 1 |
| Samuel | 1 |
| Smith | 1 |
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Edmonson households.
FAQ
In 1881, 320 people were recorded with the Edmonson surname. That placed it at #9,298 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 84 in 2016. That gives Edmonson a modern rank of #32,726.
Son of Edmond, a diminutive form of the given name Edmund, meaning "wealthy protector."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Edmonson bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.