NameCensus.

UK surname

Elders

A surname referring to elder members of a family, community or church.

In the 1881 census there were 234 people recorded with the Elders surname, ranking it #11,607 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 206, ranked #19,183, down from #11,607 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Darlington, Whitby and Elwick Hall. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Doncaster and Lancaster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Elders is 294 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 12.0%.

1881 census count

234

Ranked #11,607

Modern count

206

2016, ranked #19,183

Peak year

1911

294 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Elders had 234 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,607 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 206 in 2016, ranked #19,183.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 294 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Elders surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Elders surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Elders 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 174 #11,590
1861 historical 175 #13,409
1881 historical 234 #11,607
1891 historical 227 #13,629
1901 historical 287 #12,001
1911 historical 294 #11,622
1997 modern 222 #16,508
1998 modern 231 #16,555
1999 modern 232 #16,594
2000 modern 240 #16,186
2001 modern 229 #16,467
2002 modern 228 #16,828
2003 modern 215 #17,286
2004 modern 211 #17,590
2005 modern 215 #17,334
2006 modern 208 #17,835
2007 modern 208 #18,013
2008 modern 212 #17,950
2009 modern 211 #18,377
2010 modern 220 #18,265
2011 modern 213 #18,502
2012 modern 209 #18,659
2013 modern 219 #18,385
2014 modern 220 #18,471
2015 modern 216 #18,600
2016 modern 206 #19,183

Geography

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Where Elders' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Darlington, Whitby, Elwick Hall, Stranton and Scarborough. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Doncaster, Lancaster and Hambleton. 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 Darlington Durham
2 Whitby Yorkshire, North Riding
3 Elwick Hall Durham
4 Stranton Durham
5 Scarborough Yorkshire, North Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 054 County Durham
2 Doncaster 008 Doncaster
3 Doncaster 010 Doncaster
4 Lancaster 006 Lancaster
5 Hambleton 008 Hambleton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Elders

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Elders

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Elders, 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 Elders surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Elders 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Elders is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Elders is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Elders 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 Elders is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Elders

The surname Elders is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "ealdor," which means "elder" or "chief." It is believed to have emerged as a surname during the medieval period, likely between the 11th and 13th centuries.

This surname was initially used to identify individuals who held positions of authority or leadership within their community, such as village elders, clan elders, or members of local governing bodies. It may have also been used to refer to the eldest son or heir in a family.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Elders can be found in various historical documents from the 13th century onwards. For example, the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where a William le Eldere is mentioned.

In the 14th century, the surname is recorded in various forms, including Eldere, Eldyr, and Eldre, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation during that time. The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 list a John le Eldre, while the Patent Rolls of 1348 mention a Robert Eldere.

One notable individual with the surname Elders was Sir John Elders, a Member of Parliament for Worcestershire during the reign of King Edward III (1312-1377). He served as a justice of the peace and held significant land holdings in the county.

Another prominent figure was William Elders, born in 1535, who was a successful merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 16th century. He was known for his philanthropic endeavors and played a role in the establishment of several charitable institutions.

In the 17th century, the surname Elders can be found in various parish records and court documents. For example, the Hearth Tax Rolls of 1665 mention a Thomas Elders residing in the town of Nottingham.

During the 18th century, the surname Elders was associated with several notable individuals, such as Robert Elders, born in 1714, who was a renowned mathematician and astronomer. He made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics and was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1752.

Another notable figure from this period was Elizabeth Elders, born in 1765, who was a pioneering educator and advocate for women's education. She established one of the first schools for girls in England and played a crucial role in promoting educational opportunities for women.

As the centuries progressed, the surname Elders continued to be found in various regions of England, with individuals bearing this name making contributions in various fields, including politics, academia, and the arts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Elders families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Elders 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. Yorkshire leads with 174 Elders' recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.66x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 174 7.66x
Durham 48 7.04x
Middlesex 4 0.17x
Kent 3 0.38x
Lancashire 3 0.11x
Essex 1 0.22x
Renfrewshire 1 0.56x
Surrey 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Whitby in Yorkshire leads with 46 Elders' recorded in 1881 and an index of 600.52x.

Place Total Index
Whitby 46 600.52x
Eskdaleside 15 1339.29x
Ruswarp 12 474.31x
Egton 11 1100.00x
Elwick Hall 10 7692.31x
Scarborough 10 48.45x
Great Driffield 9 193.13x
Holy Trinity 9 16.47x
Stranton 9 39.20x
Glaisdale 8 919.54x
Thornhill 8 120.66x
Skelton In Guisbrough 7 114.01x
Whitworth 7 140.28x
Bishopton 6 2142.86x
Newington 6 95.85x
Seaton Carew 6 437.96x
Carlton In Stokesley 4 2000.00x
Gilling 4 588.24x
Hurworth 4 336.13x
North Cowton 4 1818.18x
Bow London 3 10.28x
Middlesbrough 3 10.14x
Ruswarp Hawsker Cum 3 535.71x
Shildon 3 54.74x
Aislaby In Whitby 2 769.23x
Bradbury 2 1333.33x
Liverpool 2 1.21x
Speldhurst 2 50.25x
Abbey 1 3.69x
Colne 1 12.35x
Croydon 1 1.61x
Danby 1 108.70x
Fylingdales 1 88.50x
Goathland 1 250.00x
Guisbrough 1 20.16x
Harwick St Nicholas 1 140.85x
Hinderwell 1 51.55x
Knottingley 1 25.06x
Langfield 1 25.19x
Leeds 1 0.78x
Lofthouse 1 29.50x
Pickering 1 34.97x
Shadwell London 1 15.60x
Stanghow 1 108.70x
Stockton On Tees 1 3.04x
Stokesley 1 70.42x
Woolwich 1 3.46x
York St Mary 1 10.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 26
Hannah 11
Elizabeth 10
Jane 7
Ann 6
Sarah 6
Alice 5
Margaret 5
Annie 3
Martha 3
Charlotte 2
Eliza 2
Fanny 2
Isabel 2
Maria 2
Ada 1
Amy 1
Anne 1
Cenock 1
Diana 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Esther 1
Hariott 1
Henrietta 1
Hilda 1
Isabella 1
Jennie 1
Lilian 1
Lilly 1
M. 1
Rebecca 1
S. 1
Scharlotte 1
Susana 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 23
John 18
Thomas 15
Joseph 6
Henry 5
Adam 4
Alfred 4
Francis 4
George 4
Robert 4
James 3
Arthur 2
Edwin 2
Elisha 2
Frank 2
Matthew 2
Addison 1
David 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Geo. 1
Harland 1
Isaac 1
Issac 1
Jas. 1
Jos. 1
Michael 1
Percival 1
Richard 1
Wilson 1
Wm.Richard 1
Yeoman 1

FAQ

Elders surname: questions and answers

How common was the Elders surname in 1881?

In 1881, 234 people were recorded with the Elders surname. That placed it at #11,607 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Elders surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 206 in 2016. That gives Elders a modern rank of #19,183.

What does the Elders surname mean?

A surname referring to elder members of a family, community or church.

What does the Elders map show?

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