NameCensus.

UK surname

Ellington

Derived from a place name meaning "Ēadwulf's settlement" in Old English, referring to a farmstead or village.

In the 1881 census there were 265 people recorded with the Ellington surname, ranking it #10,612 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 735, ranked #7,416, up from #10,612 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Mildenhall, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Huntingdonshire, Enfield and Fenland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ellington is 775 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 177.4%.

1881 census count

265

Ranked #10,612

Modern count

735

2016, ranked #7,416

Peak year

2010

775 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ellington had 265 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,612 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 735 in 2016, ranked #7,416.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 383 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Ellington surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ellington surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ellington 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 257 #8,596
1861 historical 383 #6,680
1881 historical 265 #10,612
1891 historical 332 #10,251
1901 historical 370 #10,017
1911 historical 371 #9,830
1997 modern 683 #7,380
1998 modern 705 #7,437
1999 modern 717 #7,385
2000 modern 718 #7,364
2001 modern 697 #7,389
2002 modern 723 #7,331
2003 modern 709 #7,301
2004 modern 728 #7,174
2005 modern 713 #7,218
2006 modern 721 #7,196
2007 modern 731 #7,207
2008 modern 728 #7,264
2009 modern 751 #7,235
2010 modern 775 #7,200
2011 modern 755 #7,266
2012 modern 719 #7,460
2013 modern 736 #7,451
2014 modern 740 #7,461
2015 modern 727 #7,510
2016 modern 735 #7,416

Geography

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Where Ellingtons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Mildenhall, London parishes, St Pancras, Isleham and Doddington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Huntingdonshire, Enfield and Fenland. 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 Mildenhall Suffolk
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Isleham Cambridgeshire
5 Doddington Cambridgeshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Huntingdonshire 003 Huntingdonshire
2 Enfield 002 Enfield
3 Fenland 005 Fenland
4 Huntingdonshire 005 Huntingdonshire
5 Huntingdonshire 006 Huntingdonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ellington

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ellington

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

Ellington 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

Ellington 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 Ellington 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 Ellington, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Ellington

The surname Ellington originates from England, deriving its roots from the Old English words "ell" meaning "elder tree" and "tun" meaning "town" or "settlement". It is believed to have first appeared in the 11th century, referring to individuals residing in areas where elder trees were plentiful.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Alintone" in reference to a village in Cambridgeshire. Over time, the name evolved into various spellings, including Elintone, Elyngton, and eventually, Ellington.

The name gained prominence in the 13th century when Sir Robert de Ellington, a knight from Northumberland, was noted for his military service during the Wars of Scottish Independence. His descendants continued to use the surname, with some branches settling in other parts of England, such as Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

In the 16th century, John Ellington, a merchant from Bristol, made a significant contribution to the city's trade and became a respected figure in the local community. His descendant, Edward Ellington (1598-1672), was a prominent lawyer and served as a judge during the English Civil War.

One of the most famous bearers of the surname is Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (1899-1974), the renowned American composer, pianist, and bandleader. He was a pivotal figure in the development of jazz music and is considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.

Another notable individual with the Ellington surname is Rosamond Ellington (1893-1989), a British sculptor and painter who gained recognition for her portraiture and religious works. Her sculptures can be found in various churches and public spaces throughout England.

William Thomas Ellington (1845-1910), an American lawyer and politician, served as a United States Representative from North Carolina and played a significant role in the state's politics during the late 19th century.

The Ellington name has also been associated with various places, such as Ellington, a village in Cambridgeshire, and Ellington, a town in Connecticut, which was named after the English settlers who established it in the 17th century.

Overall, the surname Ellington has a rich history spanning several centuries and has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including military figures, merchants, lawyers, politicians, artists, and musicians, contributing to the cultural tapestry of various societies.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ellington families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ellington 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. Cambridgeshire leads with 53 Ellingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.37x.

County Total Index
Cambridgeshire 53 32.37x
Middlesex 53 2.05x
Huntingdonshire 34 66.25x
Surrey 21 1.67x
Kent 19 2.15x
Yorkshire 18 0.70x
Suffolk 15 4.76x
Northamptonshire 13 5.35x
Lancashire 7 0.23x
Warwickshire 6 0.92x
Leicestershire 4 1.40x
Cheshire 3 0.53x
Durham 3 0.39x
Berkshire 2 1.03x
Lincolnshire 2 0.48x
Oxfordshire 2 1.25x
Worcestershire 2 0.59x
Bedfordshire 1 0.75x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.64x
Hampshire 1 0.19x
Herefordshire 1 0.94x
Norfolk 1 0.25x
Somerset 1 0.24x
Staffordshire 1 0.11x
Sussex 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Isleham in Cambridgeshire leads with 24 Ellingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1600.00x.

Place Total Index
Isleham 24 1600.00x
Ramsey 18 437.96x
St Pancras London 15 7.21x
Doddington 11 916.67x
March 11 200.73x
Spaldwick 10 3125.00x
Mildenhall 9 268.66x
Gillingham 8 44.00x
Kensington London 7 4.87x
Lambeth 7 3.11x
Walton On Thames 7 121.11x
Aston 6 3.34x
Hackney London 6 4.14x
Northampton Priory St 6 41.12x
Peterborough 6 34.09x
Rochester St Margaret 6 64.52x
Brampton 5 467.29x
Charterhouse London 5 409.84x
Wimblington 5 515.46x
Bermondsey 4 5.20x
Brightside Bierlow 4 7.96x
Leicester St Margaret 4 5.72x
Paddington London 4 4.21x
Bewholme Nunkeeling 3 1250.00x
Bishopwearmouth 3 4.54x
Chatham 3 12.37x
Fulham London 3 8.00x
Haslingden 3 23.62x
Linthorpe 3 19.62x
Macclesfield 3 11.83x
St George Hanover Square 3 6.59x
Bramley 2 180.18x
Clerkenwell London 2 3.28x
Deptford St Paul 2 2.94x
Hendon 2 21.51x
Holbrook 2 289.86x
Ipswich St Margaret 2 18.73x
Islington London 2 0.80x
Kirkleatham 2 57.80x
Lower Booths 2 36.36x
North Leigh 2 344.83x
Scarborough 2 8.59x
York St Giles In 2 82.99x
Appleby 1 208.33x
Armitage 1 87.72x
Bedminster 1 2.56x
Biggleswade 1 22.83x
Brighton 1 1.14x
Chatteris 1 23.92x
Chiswick 1 7.08x
Ealing 1 4.33x
Hampstead London 1 2.48x
Hereford All Sts 1 20.58x
Hornby In Leyburn 1 1250.00x
Huntingdon St John 1 67.11x
Ipswich St Helen 1 26.81x
Ipswich St Nicholas 1 57.80x
Kings Norton 1 3.30x
Manea 1 97.09x
Middlesbrough 1 3.00x
New Windsor 1 15.34x
Northampton St Sepulchre 1 8.08x
Portsea 1 0.96x
Preston 1 1.22x
Sandhurst 1 26.60x
Spalding 1 12.20x
Spotland 1 2.93x
St Marylebone London 1 0.72x
Stony Stratford East 1 156.25x
Streatham 1 5.21x
Upwell 1 54.05x
Worcester St Martin 1 21.98x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 17
William 16
Charles 14
Henry 10
James 8
Edward 6
George 5
Robert 4
Thomas 4
Richard 3
Arthur 2
David 2
Frederick 2
Geo. 2
Joseph 2
Leonard 2
Alfred 1
Archibald 1
Cecil 1
Clarke 1
Claude 1
Dilley 1
E. 1
Ebenezer 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
Guy 1
Harry 1
Harvey 1
Henery 1
Lennard 1
Noel 1
Philip 1
Reuben 1
Robt. 1
Tom 1
Tommy 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Ellington surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ellington surname in 1881?

In 1881, 265 people were recorded with the Ellington surname. That placed it at #10,612 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ellington surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 735 in 2016. That gives Ellington a modern rank of #7,416.

What does the Ellington surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "Ēadwulf's settlement" in Old English, referring to a farmstead or village.

What does the Ellington map show?

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