NameCensus.

UK surname

Elford

An Old English locational surname derived from a place named "Ealdforda," meaning old ford or crossing.

In the 1881 census there were 906 people recorded with the Elford surname, ranking it #4,219 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,077, ranked #5,421, down from #4,219 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Winterbourne Strickland, London parishes and Blandford Town, Pimperne. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Purbeck, Vale of White Horse and Merthyr Tydfil.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Elford is 1,234 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18.9%.

1881 census count

906

Ranked #4,219

Modern count

1,077

2016, ranked #5,421

Peak year

1999

1,234 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Elford had 906 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,219 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,077 in 2016, ranked #5,421.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,190 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Elford surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Elford surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Elford 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 618 #4,180
1861 historical 638 #4,199
1881 historical 906 #4,219
1891 historical 985 #4,195
1901 historical 1,093 #4,417
1911 historical 1,190 #3,943
1997 modern 1,192 #4,734
1998 modern 1,216 #4,835
1999 modern 1,234 #4,802
2000 modern 1,215 #4,842
2001 modern 1,187 #4,840
2002 modern 1,220 #4,835
2003 modern 1,174 #4,895
2004 modern 1,164 #4,943
2005 modern 1,155 #4,928
2006 modern 1,131 #5,012
2007 modern 1,132 #5,059
2008 modern 1,139 #5,068
2009 modern 1,155 #5,118
2010 modern 1,167 #5,160
2011 modern 1,153 #5,172
2012 modern 1,105 #5,271
2013 modern 1,127 #5,272
2014 modern 1,112 #5,350
2015 modern 1,093 #5,376
2016 modern 1,077 #5,421

Geography

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Where Elfords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Winterbourne Strickland, London parishes, Blandford Town, Pimperne and Winterbourne Houghton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Purbeck, Vale of White Horse, Merthyr Tydfil and South Hams. 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 Winterbourne Strickland Dorset
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Blandford Town, Pimperne Dorset
5 Winterbourne Houghton Dorset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Purbeck 006 Purbeck
2 Vale of White Horse 010 Vale of White Horse
3 Merthyr Tydfil 006 Merthyr Tydfil
4 South Hams 005 South Hams
5 Purbeck 005 Purbeck

Forenames

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First names often paired with Elford

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Elford

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Elford surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Elford 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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, Elford 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

Elford is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Elford falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Elford

The surname Elford is of English origin and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "eld" meaning "old" and "ford" referring to a shallow river crossing or a place where a river could be forded. This suggests that the name may have originated as a place name, indicating a settlement near an old ford or river crossing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Elford can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Elleford" in the county of Staffordshire. This entry suggests that the name was already well-established in this region by the late 11th century.

During the medieval period, the name Elford was primarily concentrated in the Midlands region of England, particularly in Staffordshire and the surrounding counties. Several villages and hamlets in this area bear the name Elford, further reinforcing its connection to place names.

In the 13th century, a notable figure by the name of William de Elford was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire, indicating that the surname was in use among the local gentry during this time.

The Elford family of Elford Hall in Staffordshire can trace their ancestry back to the 16th century, with Sir John Elford (born around 1530) being one of the earliest recorded members of this lineage.

Another noteworthy individual with the surname Elford was Sir William Elford (1749-1837), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. He was knighted in 1815 for his distinguished service.

In the literary world, the name Elford is associated with the poet and writer William Elford Leach (1790-1836), who wrote several works on English literature and language.

The Elford surname has also been carried by individuals such as John Elford (1776-1837), a British architect responsible for designing several notable buildings in London, and Reverend Walter Elford (1623-1674), an English clergyman and author of theological works.

While the name Elford has its roots in the English Midlands, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and exploration, with bearers of this surname found in various countries and regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Elford families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Elford 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. Devon leads with 189 Elfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.22x.

County Total Index
Devon 189 10.22x
Dorset 135 23.15x
Hampshire 95 5.22x
Cornwall 86 8.55x
Middlesex 83 0.93x
Somerset 62 4.33x
Kent 49 1.62x
Glamorgan 46 2.97x
Surrey 42 0.97x
Sussex 28 1.87x
Wiltshire 17 2.16x
Warwickshire 13 0.58x
Gloucestershire 12 0.69x
Lancashire 12 0.11x
Lincolnshire 9 0.63x
Yorkshire 6 0.07x
Channel Islands 5 1.90x
Herefordshire 5 1.37x
Midlothian 5 0.42x
Northumberland 5 0.38x
Berkshire 3 0.45x
Pembrokeshire 2 0.71x
Brecknockshire 1 0.56x
Cheshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Winterborne Stickland in Dorset leads with 37 Elfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 2534.25x.

Place Total Index
Winterborne Stickland 37 2534.25x
Plymouth Charles The 24 29.45x
Limington 19 2111.11x
Plymouth St Andrew 19 13.33x
Vernham Dean 19 1043.96x
Winterborne Houghton 14 1842.11x
Buckland Monachorum 13 329.11x
Dartmouth St Saviour 13 246.21x
Southampton St Mary 13 11.35x
St Pancras London 13 1.82x
Trevalga 13 3023.26x
Ermington 12 178.31x
Kingston On Thames 12 11.54x
Swansea Town 12 9.46x
Bodmin 11 66.07x
Clase 11 19.12x
Ilchester 11 528.85x
Longfleet 11 162.72x
Ystradyfodwg 11 8.10x
Advent 10 1470.59x
Blandford Forum 10 86.88x
Cornwood 10 283.29x
Plymstock 10 103.20x
Andover 9 52.30x
Aston 9 1.46x
Camberwell 9 1.59x
Chelsea London 9 3.36x
Hastings St Andrew 9 167.60x
Meavy 9 1046.51x
Radstock 9 95.64x
St George Hanover Square 9 5.75x
Whitchurch 9 276.92x
Brighton 8 2.65x
Cliffe 8 116.96x
East Stonehouse 8 21.95x
Eling 8 43.36x
Exeter Heavitree 8 58.01x
Gedney 8 137.93x
Hordle 8 252.37x
Paddington London 8 2.45x
Battersea 7 2.14x
Boldre 7 107.36x
Brixham 7 32.66x
Deptford St Paul 7 2.99x
Gravesend 7 27.27x
Millbrook 7 15.26x
Milton Abbas 7 244.76x
Modbury 7 148.31x
Portland 7 22.32x
South Stoneham 7 17.72x
St Winnow 7 203.49x
Wapping London 7 103.09x
Castleford 6 18.71x
Christchurch 6 15.19x
Frindsbury 6 52.49x
Hastings St Leonards 6 27.25x
Islington London 6 0.70x
Lee 6 13.63x
Llandaff 6 11.66x
Sixpenny Handley 6 210.53x
St Ives 6 30.47x
Stone Easton 6 550.46x
Totnes 6 55.45x
Woolland 6 1621.62x
Blandford St Mary 5 450.45x
Chadderton 5 9.70x
Collingbourne Ducis 5 381.68x
Cramlington 5 28.62x
Dorchester Holy Trinity 5 105.93x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 5 1.04x
Kensington London 5 1.01x
Langton Long Blandford 5 588.24x
Michaelstow 5 735.29x
Mile End Old Town London 5 2.64x
Plympton St Mary 5 46.77x
Sevenhampton 5 324.68x
Sherston Magna 5 105.49x
St Teath 5 82.51x
Stonehouse East 5 53.30x
Woolwich 5 4.46x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 56
John 43
George 31
Henry 22
Charles 21
Robert 21
Joseph 18
Thomas 17
James 16
Edward 12
Frank 10
Ernest 9
Alfred 8
Frederick 8
Albert 7
Harry 7
Herbert 7
Arthur 5
Edwin 4
Fredrick 4
Lionel 4
Benjamin 3
Edmund 3
Horatio 3
Samuel 3
Sidney 3
Stephen 3
Sydney 3
Chas. 2
David 2
Isaac 2
Mark 2
Philip 2
Richard 2
Thos. 2
Walter 2
Willie 2
Wm.Hy. 2
Arneas 1
Cecil 1
Chas.S. 1
Eli 1
Eli. 1
Elias 1
Emanuel 1
Emmanuel 1
Ender 1
Enoch 1
Gilbert 1
Horace 1

FAQ

Elford surname: questions and answers

How common was the Elford surname in 1881?

In 1881, 906 people were recorded with the Elford surname. That placed it at #4,219 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Elford surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,077 in 2016. That gives Elford a modern rank of #5,421.

What does the Elford surname mean?

An Old English locational surname derived from a place named "Ealdforda," meaning old ford or crossing.

What does the Elford map show?

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