NameCensus.

UK surname

Edward

An English surname derived from the Old English personal name "Ēadweard," meaning "rich" or "happy" guard.

In the 1881 census there were 2,791 people recorded with the Edward surname, ranking it #1,598 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,551, ranked #3,990, down from #1,598 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Macduff, Broughty Ferry West and IZ14.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Edward is 9,954 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 44.4%.

1881 census count

2,791

Ranked #1,598

Modern count

1,551

2016, ranked #3,990

Peak year

1861

9,954 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Edward had 2,791 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,598 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,551 in 2016, ranked #3,990.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 9,954 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Edward surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Edward surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Edward 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 6,050 #457
1861 historical 9,954 #262
1881 historical 2,791 #1,598
1891 historical 6,442 #711
1901 historical 2,420 #2,249
1911 historical 3,400 #1,540
1997 modern 1,268 #4,495
1998 modern 1,292 #4,599
1999 modern 1,317 #4,547
2000 modern 1,273 #4,664
2001 modern 1,180 #4,873
2002 modern 1,225 #4,816
2003 modern 1,213 #4,763
2004 modern 1,250 #4,641
2005 modern 1,277 #4,502
2006 modern 1,343 #4,333
2007 modern 1,360 #4,334
2008 modern 1,374 #4,320
2009 modern 1,426 #4,275
2010 modern 1,441 #4,309
2011 modern 1,411 #4,335
2012 modern 1,433 #4,230
2013 modern 1,463 #4,224
2014 modern 1,501 #4,175
2015 modern 1,493 #4,159
2016 modern 1,551 #3,990

Geography

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Where Edwards are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Macduff, Broughty Ferry West, IZ14, Rural Keith and Strathisla and Alyth. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
2 London parishes London 3
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Macduff Aberdeenshire
2 Broughty Ferry West Dundee City
3 IZ14 East Lothian
4 Rural Keith and Strathisla Moray
5 Alyth Perth and Kinross

Forenames

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First names often paired with Edward

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Edward

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Edward surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Edward 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Edward 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

Edward 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

Edward falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Edward 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 Edward, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Edward

The surname EDWARD is of English origin, deriving from the Old English words "ead" meaning "prosperous" or "rich" and "weard" meaning "guard" or "protector." It was initially a given name that later became adopted as a surname.

The earliest known record of the name EDWARD dates back to the late 9th century, when it was borne by King Edward the Elder, who reigned over the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex from 899 to 924 AD. The name appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive record of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror.

During the Middle Ages, the surname EDWARD was particularly prevalent in the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire in the southwest of England. It was often spelled as "Edwardes" or "Edwarde" in early records.

One notable bearer of the EDWARD surname was John EDWARD (1637-1716), an English pirate and privateer who operated in the Caribbean and became infamous for his exploits against Spanish shipping. Another prominent figure was Thomas EDWARD (1778-1857), a Scottish naturalist and writer known for his influential work "A Voyage Up the River Amazon."

In the literary world, the EDWARD surname was borne by Thomas EDWARD (1569-1624), an English philosopher and author who wrote extensively on religious and philosophical topics. Additionally, George EDWARD (1694-1773) was an English clergyman and author who published several works on theology and church history.

Moving into the 19th century, Charles EDWARD (1823-1896) was a British architect who designed numerous buildings in London, including the Royal School of Mines and the Freemasons' Hall. Lastly, Alfred EDWARD (1844-1932) was a prominent English entomologist and lepidopterist, known for his extensive research and collections of butterflies and moths.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who bore the surname EDWARD throughout history, highlighting its enduring presence and significance across various fields and regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Edward families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Edward 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. Angus leads with 372 Edwards recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.81x.

County Total Index
Angus 372 14.81x
Middlesex 336 1.24x
Lancashire 169 0.53x
Aberdeenshire 163 6.49x
Surrey 144 1.09x
Glamorgan 136 2.88x
Kincardineshire 110 33.32x
Lanarkshire 82 0.94x
Kent 73 0.79x
Staffordshire 69 0.75x
Banffshire 57 10.14x
Yorkshire 55 0.20x
Midlothian 54 1.49x
Gloucestershire 53 1.00x
Morayshire 52 12.35x
Cheshire 51 0.85x
Durham 50 0.62x
Sussex 50 1.09x
Anglesey 48 9.99x
Perthshire 45 3.70x
Devon 43 0.76x
Montgomeryshire 35 5.63x
Essex 34 0.64x
Worcestershire 34 0.96x
Warwickshire 33 0.48x
Pembrokeshire 32 3.71x
Caernarfonshire 28 2.55x
Monmouthshire 28 1.43x
Fife 27 1.68x
Hampshire 27 0.49x
Shropshire 24 1.02x
Denbighshire 23 2.25x
Carmarthenshire 15 1.31x
Flintshire 15 2.06x
Derbyshire 13 0.31x
Merionethshire 13 2.62x
Northamptonshire 12 0.47x
Northumberland 12 0.30x
Argyllshire 11 1.46x
Norfolk 11 0.26x
Wiltshire 11 0.46x
Brecknockshire 10 1.84x
Cardiganshire 10 1.51x
Cornwall 10 0.33x
Hertfordshire 10 0.54x
Dorset 9 0.51x
Cambridgeshire 8 0.47x
Berkshire 7 0.34x
Rutland 7 3.52x
Suffolk 7 0.21x
Dunbartonshire 6 0.82x
Lincolnshire 6 0.14x
Renfrewshire 6 0.29x
Ross-shire 6 0.81x
Somerset 5 0.11x
Buckinghamshire 4 0.24x
Channel Islands 3 0.37x
Cumberland 3 0.13x
Royal Navy 3 0.93x
Stirlingshire 2 0.20x
Bedfordshire 1 0.07x
Buteshire 1 0.61x
Herefordshire 1 0.09x
Inverness-shire 1 0.12x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 0.25x
Leicestershire 1 0.03x
Sutherland 1 0.48x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dundee in Angus leads with 82 Edwards recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.75x.

Place Total Index
Dundee 82 8.75x
Liff Benvie 60 15.74x
Aberdeen Old Machar 58 11.06x
Drainie 47 125.97x
Montrose 40 26.28x
Barony 30 1.35x
St Pancras London 30 1.37x
Toxteth Park 30 2.75x
Wolverhampton 27 3.84x
Lambeth 26 1.10x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 25 1.71x
Kirriemuir 25 40.34x
Newington 25 2.50x
Camberwell 24 1.39x
Fetteresso 24 46.39x
Govan 23 1.06x
Shoreditch London 22 1.87x
Brechin 21 21.28x
Forfar 21 15.44x
Hackney London 21 1.38x
Alyth 20 61.07x
Dudley 19 4.41x
Tottenham 19 4.40x
Bervie 18 92.02x
Isygarreg 18 489.13x
Fordoun 17 91.94x
Hampstead London 17 4.03x
Islington London 17 0.65x
Lintrathen 17 284.76x
Paddington London 16 1.61x
St George Hanover Square 16 3.35x
Kensington London 15 1.00x
Southwark St George Martyr 15 2.75x
West Ham 15 1.27x
Ystradyfodwg 15 3.62x
Bethnal Green London 14 1.19x
Birmingham 14 0.61x
Chester St Oswald 14 12.92x
Fulham London 14 3.56x
Glasgow 14 0.90x
Saline 14 157.66x
Aberdare 13 4.01x
Dunnichen 13 98.19x
Old Monkland 13 3.74x
Ashton Under Lyne 12 1.71x
Chorlton On Medlock 12 2.35x
Dunfermline 12 4.86x
Gamrie 12 19.11x
Westoe 12 2.62x
Winterbourne 12 40.84x
Dunoon Kilmun 11 18.69x
Kingston On Thames 11 3.47x
Llanfihangel Trer 11 367.89x
Llanfihangel Y Traethau 11 39.01x
Marnoch 11 36.42x
Rudgwick 11 105.47x
St Cyrus 11 79.71x
Bristol St George 10 4.07x
Chelsea London 10 1.22x
Ford 10 41.39x
Gelligaer 10 9.28x
Inverkeithny 10 116.82x
Keith 10 16.68x
Limehouse London 10 3.36x
Salford 10 1.06x
St Vigeans 10 7.38x
Tenterden 10 30.66x
Wednesbury 10 4.37x
Alford 9 65.84x
Aston 9 0.48x
Bedwellty 9 2.60x
Birse 9 88.50x
Brighton 9 0.98x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 9 1.80x
Liverpool 9 0.46x
Newhills 9 17.51x
Allington 8 104.58x
Dwygyfylchi 8 39.49x
Glenbervie 8 88.50x
Milton In Gravesend 8 5.77x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 115
Elizabeth 91
Sarah 58
Annie 37
Ann 35
Jane 33
Margaret 23
Emma 22
Hannah 22
Catherine 20
Ellen 20
Alice 18
Eliza 16
Emily 16
Maria 15
Anne 14
Martha 14
Fanny 13
Amy 9
Caroline 9
Harriet 9
Louisa 9
Charlotte 8
Clara 8
Frances 8
Ada 7
Amelia 7
Elizth. 6
Florence 6
Isabella 6
Harriett 5
Lizzie 5
Rose 5
Susan 5
A. 4
Eleanor 4
Kate 4
Lucy 4
Edith 3
Gertrude 3
Grace 3
Helen 3
Julia 3
Lavina 3
Louise 3
Lydia 3
Matilda 3
Olive 3
Rachel 3
Rosa 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 122
John 77
Thomas 61
George 39
Edward 33
James 32
Charles 30
Richard 29
David 28
Henry 27
Robert 26
Joseph 24
Arthur 18
Samuel 18
Alfred 16
Albert 13
Walter 12
Frederick 11
Ernest 10
Evan 10
Hugh 10
Benjamin 8
Owen 8
Alexander 5
Edwin 5
Frank 5
Isaac 5
Daniel 4
Francis 4
Lewis 4
Thos. 4
Willm. 4
Enoch 3
Frederic 3
Fredrick 3
Harold 3
Herbert 3
Leonard 3
Michael 3
Morgan 3
Peter 3
Rowland 3
Stephen 3
Daniell 2
Elijah 2
F. 2
Louis 2
Percy 2
Rees 2
Richd. 2

FAQ

Edward surname: questions and answers

How common was the Edward surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,791 people were recorded with the Edward surname. That placed it at #1,598 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Edward surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,551 in 2016. That gives Edward a modern rank of #3,990.

What does the Edward surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old English personal name "Ēadweard," meaning "rich" or "happy" guard.

What does the Edward map show?

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