NameCensus.

UK surname

Elsmore

A surname of English origin referring to someone from the place Elsmore, Shropshire.

In the 1881 census there were 410 people recorded with the Elsmore surname, ranking it #7,833 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 633, ranked #8,357, down from #7,833 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Newland (Bream, Clearwell, Newland, Coleford), West Dean, Stafford St Mary and St Chad, Tillington and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Staffordshire, Forest of Dean and Stafford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Elsmore is 673 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 54.4%.

1881 census count

410

Ranked #7,833

Modern count

633

2016, ranked #8,357

Peak year

2000

673 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Elsmore had 410 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,833 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 633 in 2016, ranked #8,357.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 631 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Elsmore surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Elsmore surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Elsmore 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 255 #8,652
1861 historical 220 #11,076
1881 historical 410 #7,833
1891 historical 533 #7,045
1901 historical 563 #7,409
1911 historical 631 #6,581
1997 modern 539 #8,796
1998 modern 657 #7,842
1999 modern 666 #7,799
2000 modern 673 #7,724
2001 modern 651 #7,785
2002 modern 658 #7,871
2003 modern 660 #7,739
2004 modern 647 #7,867
2005 modern 630 #7,971
2006 modern 631 #7,983
2007 modern 651 #7,857
2008 modern 639 #8,020
2009 modern 639 #8,177
2010 modern 645 #8,294
2011 modern 653 #8,128
2012 modern 659 #7,987
2013 modern 651 #8,213
2014 modern 652 #8,233
2015 modern 650 #8,196
2016 modern 633 #8,357

Geography

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Where Elsmores are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Newland (Bream, Clearwell, Newland, Coleford), West Dean, Stafford St Mary and St Chad, Tillington, St Pancras, Colwich (Colwich), Stowe, Colton and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Staffordshire, Forest of Dean and Stafford. 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 Newland (Bream, Clearwell, Newland, Coleford), West Dean Monmouthshire
2 Stafford St Mary and St Chad, Tillington Staffordshire
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Colwich (Colwich), Stowe, Colton Staffordshire
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Staffordshire 001 South Staffordshire
2 Forest of Dean 007 Forest of Dean
3 Forest of Dean 006 Forest of Dean
4 Forest of Dean 008 Forest of Dean
5 Stafford 013 Stafford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Elsmore

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Elsmore

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Elsmore surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Elsmore household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Elsmore 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

Elsmore is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Elsmore

The surname Elsmore is of English origin, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, referring to a place called Elmswell or Elmsmore, likely derived from the Old English words "elm" and "mor," meaning "elm tree" and "marsh" or "moor," respectively.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Ailmarus de Ailmeresvilla." This entry suggests that the name was already well-established in the late 11th century and may have been associated with a particular location or landholding.

By the 13th century, variations such as "Elmeresmore" and "Elmersmore" began to emerge in various records, reflecting the evolution of the name over time. During this period, the surname was primarily concentrated in the counties of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Herefordshire, where many of the earliest bearers of the name resided.

Notable individuals with the surname Elsmore include Sir Thomas Elsmore (1498-1567), a wealthy merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London. He served as Lord Mayor of London in 1554 and was knighted by Queen Mary I. Another prominent figure was Richard Elsmore (1578-1632), a prominent Puritan minister and author who served as the vicar of St. Olave Hart Street in London.

In the 17th century, the name Elsmore appeared in various parish records and legal documents across the country. For instance, John Elsmore (1623-1679) was a prominent landowner and justice of the peace in Worcestershire, while William Elsmore (1651-1718) was a successful merchant and alderman in Bristol.

Moving into the 18th century, the name continued to be well-represented in various spheres. Notable individuals include Thomas Elsmore (1709-1781), a renowned clockmaker from London, and Samuel Elsmore (1745-1823), a prominent Baptist minister and author from Gloucestershire.

Throughout its history, the surname Elsmore has maintained a strong presence in England, particularly in the western and southern regions. While variations in spelling have occurred over the centuries, the name has retained its distinct identity and connection to its locational origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Elsmore families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Elsmore 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. Staffordshire leads with 164 Elsmores recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.15x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 164 12.15x
Warwickshire 59 5.85x
Gloucestershire 43 5.48x
Middlesex 29 0.73x
Herefordshire 26 15.85x
Derbyshire 13 2.08x
Worcestershire 13 2.49x
Lancashire 11 0.23x
Glamorgan 8 1.15x
Monmouthshire 8 2.77x
Yorkshire 8 0.20x
Hampshire 5 0.61x
Radnorshire 5 15.49x
Shropshire 4 1.16x
Cheshire 3 0.34x
Kent 3 0.22x
Durham 2 0.17x
Sussex 2 0.30x
Cumberland 1 0.29x
Dorset 1 0.38x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.19x
Surrey 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. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 39 Elsmores recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.04x.

Place Total Index
Aston 39 14.04x
West Dean 39 306.12x
St Pancras London 27 8.39x
Stafford St Mary 25 130.82x
Colwich 20 623.05x
Birmingham 13 3.87x
Stoke Upon Trent 13 9.08x
Castle Church 11 135.64x
Rugeley 11 113.52x
Wolverhampton 11 10.60x
Weston On Trent 10 1388.89x
Armitage 9 511.36x
Belper 8 65.90x
Cannock 8 33.96x
Dudley 8 12.60x
Aberystruth 7 27.46x
Ashperton 7 1250.00x
Ledbury 7 124.33x
Neath 7 49.40x
Salt Enson 6 1016.95x
Sutton Coldfield 6 56.60x
West Derby 6 4.32x
Blithfield 5 1219.51x
Knighton 5 191.57x
West Bromwich 5 6.47x
Bradley 4 588.24x
Gayton 4 1250.00x
Marden 4 347.83x
Normanton 4 75.61x
Tixall 4 1290.32x
Canterbury St Paul 3 122.45x
Cradley 3 125.00x
Kimberworth 3 13.64x
Shifnal 3 31.98x
Stapeley 3 365.85x
Stone 3 17.37x
Wolstanton 3 7.32x
Brockhampton 2 1111.11x
Hammerwich 2 104.17x
Harborne 2 4.62x
Newton 2 5.47x
Ombersley 2 68.73x
Sheffield 2 1.59x
Southampton All Sts 2 14.21x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 2 10.86x
Trentham 2 17.42x
Warley Wigorn 2 120.48x
Alverstoke 1 3.37x
Ardwick 1 2.34x
Battersea 1 0.68x
Bristol Christchurch 1 87.72x
Bristol St Augustine 1 7.90x
Castleford 1 6.93x
Coventry St Michael 1 3.09x
Dawdon 1 6.84x
Derby St Peter 1 5.02x
Elvet 1 11.64x
Hastings St Clement 1 15.75x
Holdenhurst 1 4.65x
Hopton Coton 1 52.36x
Linby 1 227.27x
Liverpool 1 0.35x
Milwich 1 133.33x
Much Marcle 1 84.75x
Newcastle Under Lyme 1 4.19x
Newchurch 1 2.58x
Newent 1 25.06x
Pencoyd 1 370.37x
Portsmouth 1 5.30x
Rickergate 1 13.72x
Ross 1 15.34x
Rotherfield 1 16.84x
Shrewsbury Holy Cross 1 26.18x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.42x
Stowe 1 196.08x
Upper Llanvrechva 1 22.27x
Walsall Foreign 1 1.43x
Wednesbury 1 2.96x
Westbury On Severn East 1 5.64x
Ystradyfodwg 1 1.64x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Elsmore surname: questions and answers

How common was the Elsmore surname in 1881?

In 1881, 410 people were recorded with the Elsmore surname. That placed it at #7,833 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Elsmore surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 633 in 2016. That gives Elsmore a modern rank of #8,357.

What does the Elsmore surname mean?

A surname of English origin referring to someone from the place Elsmore, Shropshire.

What does the Elsmore map show?

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