NameCensus.

UK surname

Emptage

A surname derived from a habitation name referring to a locality in England.

In the 1881 census there were 261 people recorded with the Emptage surname, ranking it #10,752 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 388, ranked #12,133, down from #10,752 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Clee, London parishes and Margate. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Thanet, Tonbridge and Malling and Bradford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Emptage is 413 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 48.7%.

1881 census count

261

Ranked #10,752

Modern count

388

2016, ranked #12,133

Peak year

2014

413 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Emptage had 261 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,752 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 388 in 2016, ranked #12,133.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 351 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Emptage surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Emptage surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Emptage 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 168 #11,873
1861 historical 180 #13,057
1881 historical 261 #10,752
1891 historical 275 #11,847
1901 historical 312 #11,339
1911 historical 351 #10,243
1997 modern 359 #11,956
1998 modern 381 #11,812
1999 modern 395 #11,555
2000 modern 385 #11,738
2001 modern 386 #11,509
2002 modern 379 #11,913
2003 modern 364 #12,068
2004 modern 364 #12,110
2005 modern 363 #12,037
2006 modern 366 #12,042
2007 modern 374 #11,974
2008 modern 373 #12,104
2009 modern 381 #12,174
2010 modern 397 #12,068
2011 modern 391 #12,062
2012 modern 388 #11,996
2013 modern 399 #11,944
2014 modern 413 #11,726
2015 modern 403 #11,835
2016 modern 388 #12,133

Geography

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Where Emptages are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Clee, London parishes, Margate, Birchington and Queenborough. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Thanet, Tonbridge and Malling and Bradford. 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 Clee Lincolnshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Margate Kent
4 Birchington Kent
5 Queenborough Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Thanet 015 Thanet
2 Thanet 012 Thanet
3 Thanet 016 Thanet
4 Tonbridge and Malling 001 Tonbridge and Malling
5 Bradford 002 Bradford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Emptage

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Emptage

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Emptage is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Emptage is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Emptage falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Emptage

The surname Emptage originates from England, with records dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "ēmetta" and "ēge," which together translate to "ant meadow" or "ant land." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near or owned land that was inhabited by ants.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Emmetage." This historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, served as a comprehensive survey of land ownership and resources in England.

During the 12th century, the name evolved into various spellings, such as "Emmotage" and "Emmethagg." These variations likely stemmed from regional dialects and the lack of standardized spelling conventions at the time.

In the 14th century, records show the name "Emptage" appearing in the county of Hampshire, England. One notable individual from this period was John Emptage, born around 1320, who was a landowner and farmer in the village of Overton.

The 16th century saw the emergence of the Emptage family in the county of Somerset, where they were prominent landowners and merchants. Thomas Emptage, born in 1543, was a wealthy wool trader and served as a bailiff in the town of Yeovil.

In the 17th century, the name spread to other parts of England, including London and the surrounding areas. Robert Emptage, born in 1612 in Southwark, was a prominent publisher and bookseller who worked with notable authors of the time.

During the 18th century, the Emptage family continued to establish itself in various professions. William Emptage, born in 1725 in Berkshire, was a renowned architect and designed several churches and public buildings in the region.

One of the most notable figures with the surname Emptage was Sir John Emptage, born in 1801 in Norfolk. He was a distinguished military officer who served in the British Army and played a crucial role in the Napoleonic Wars.

Throughout the 19th century, the Emptage name appeared in various industries, including banking, law, and academia. Edward Emptage, born in 1835 in Oxfordshire, was a highly regarded scholar and professor of classics at the University of Cambridge.

While the surname Emptage is not among the most common in England, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and is deeply rooted in the country's cultural and historical landscape.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Emptage families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Emptage 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. Kent leads with 212 Emptages recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.40x.

County Total Index
Kent 212 24.40x
Lincolnshire 23 5.65x
Middlesex 7 0.27x
Surrey 7 0.56x
Hertfordshire 6 3.42x
Durham 3 0.40x
Hampshire 3 0.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Margate St John Baptist in Kent leads with 94 Emptages recorded in 1881 and an index of 590.82x.

Place Total Index
Margate St John Baptist 94 590.82x
Birchington 24 1967.21x
St Lawrence 24 402.01x
Woolwich 19 59.21x
Clee With Weelsby 14 157.13x
St Peters 11 273.63x
Great Grimsby 9 34.83x
Queenborough 9 1046.51x
Monkton 8 2500.00x
Rotherhithe 6 19.07x
St Albans St Michael 6 306.12x
Minster In Thanet 5 276.24x
Seasalter 5 454.55x
St Pancras London 4 1.95x
South Shields 3 44.44x
Chatham 2 8.37x
Milton In Milton 2 54.20x
Portsmouth 2 16.64x
Ramsgate 2 14.10x
St George Hanover Square 2 4.46x
Aldershot 1 5.72x
Ashford 1 11.82x
Battersea 1 1.07x
Canterbury St Augustine 1 312.50x
Chartham 1 46.30x
Deal 1 13.50x
Frindsbury 1 30.58x
Iwade 1 500.00x
Sittingbourne 1 14.58x
St Marylebone London 1 0.74x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 11
Mary 8
Elizabeth 7
Jane 7
Emily 5
Rose 5
Alice 4
Laura 4
Ann 3
Clara 3
Eliza 3
Emma 3
Jessie 3
Louisa 3
Martha 3
Minnie 3
Amy 2
Anne 2
Annie 2
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Ellen 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Margaret 2
Rosetta 2
Susannah 2
Sussanah 2
Catherine 1
Cordelia 1
Dasie 1
Dora 1
E. 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Farlly 1
Flora 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Jemmia 1
Jossephine 1
Lavina 1
Lilian 1
Lilly 1
M.A.E. 1
Mabel 1
Maria 1
Marth 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 15
William 14
George 10
Henry 10
James 8
Frederick 5
Herbert 5
Thomas 5
Albert 4
Stephen 4
Edward 3
Joseph 3
Peter 3
Robert 3
Alfred 2
Charles 2
Edwin 2
Humphrey 2
Walter 2
A.T. 1
Alfd.A. 1
Chas. 1
Clifford 1
Daniel 1
Ebenezer 1
Edgar 1
Edmond 1
Edmund 1
Elijah 1
Elyah 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Harold 1
J.H. 1
J.W. 1
Richard 1
Sydney 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Emptage surname: questions and answers

How common was the Emptage surname in 1881?

In 1881, 261 people were recorded with the Emptage surname. That placed it at #10,752 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Emptage surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 388 in 2016. That gives Emptage a modern rank of #12,133.

What does the Emptage surname mean?

A surname derived from a habitation name referring to a locality in England.

What does the Emptage map show?

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