NameCensus.

UK surname

Erasmus

A Dutch surname derived from the Greek word meaning "beloved" or "desired".

In the 1881 census there were 99 people recorded with the Erasmus surname, ranking it #19,877 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 439, ranked #11,007, up from #19,877 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Panteague and Llanwyddyn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Hart and Elmbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Erasmus is 442 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 343.4%.

1881 census count

99

Ranked #19,877

Modern count

439

2016, ranked #11,007

Peak year

2010

442 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Erasmus had 99 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,877 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 439 in 2016, ranked #11,007.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 140 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Erasmus surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Erasmus surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Erasmus 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 82 #19,317
1861 historical 94 #21,883
1881 historical 99 #19,877
1891 historical 96 #24,559
1901 historical 118 #20,721
1911 historical 140 #18,657
1997 modern 183 #18,642
1998 modern 210 #17,600
1999 modern 223 #17,025
2000 modern 222 #17,032
2001 modern 233 #16,260
2002 modern 271 #14,966
2003 modern 303 #13,718
2004 modern 308 #13,655
2005 modern 340 #12,642
2006 modern 355 #12,316
2007 modern 366 #12,176
2008 modern 390 #11,693
2009 modern 399 #11,750
2010 modern 442 #11,066
2011 modern 408 #11,681
2012 modern 416 #11,372
2013 modern 435 #11,131
2014 modern 441 #11,082
2015 modern 419 #11,483
2016 modern 439 #11,007

Geography

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Where Erasmus' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Panteague, Llanwyddyn, Manchester and Aberdare. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Hart, Elmbridge, Swansea and Carmarthenshire. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Panteague Monmouthshire
3 Llanwyddyn Montgomeryshire
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Aberdare Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 041 Cornwall
2 Hart 001 Hart
3 Elmbridge 017 Elmbridge
4 Swansea 004 Swansea
5 Carmarthenshire 002 Carmarthenshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Erasmus

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Erasmus

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Erasmus surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Erasmus 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Erasmus 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

Erasmus 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

Erasmus falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Erasmus 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Erasmus

The surname ERASMUS is thought to have originated in the Netherlands during the late 15th century. It is derived from the Greek word "erasmios", meaning "beloved" or "desired". This name is closely associated with the famous Dutch Renaissance scholar and theologian, Desiderius Erasmus, who lived from 1466 to 1536.

ERASMUS first appeared as a surname in Dutch records and manuscripts from the 15th and 16th centuries. It is believed that some individuals adopted the name as a way to honor or pay tribute to the esteemed scholar, Desiderius Erasmus. The name may have also been given to children born during this period, as Erasmus was highly revered for his intellectual contributions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname ERASMUS can be found in the 1566 census records of the city of Rotterdam, where a family by the name of "Erasmus" is listed. Additionally, the name appears in various Dutch church records and legal documents from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Aside from Desiderius Erasmus himself, several notable individuals have borne the surname ERASMUS throughout history. These include:

1. Johannes Erasmus (1500-1558), a Dutch theologian and professor at the University of Basel. 2. Pieter Erasmus (1610-1670), a Dutch painter known for his landscape and still-life works. 3. Franciscus Erasmus (1627-1694), a Dutch engraver and printmaker who worked in Amsterdam. 4. Christoffel Erasmus (1675-1740), a Dutch merchant and ship owner who established trading routes to the East Indies. 5. Vitus Erasmus (1720-1790), a German-born philosopher and theologian who taught at the University of Heidelberg.

While the surname ERASMUS originated in the Netherlands, it has since spread to other parts of Europe and the world, likely through migration and the influence of the renowned scholar Desiderius Erasmus.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Erasmus families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Erasmus 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. Carmarthenshire leads with 34 Erasmus' recorded in 1881 and an index of 83.56x.

County Total Index
Carmarthenshire 34 83.56x
Glamorgan 22 13.09x
Montgomeryshire 10 45.21x
Lancashire 7 0.61x
Staffordshire 7 2.15x
Flintshire 4 15.41x
Cardiganshire 3 12.74x
Middlesex 3 0.31x
Monmouthshire 3 4.30x
Northumberland 2 1.39x
Cheshire 1 0.47x
Durham 1 0.35x
Midlothian 1 0.77x
Shropshire 1 1.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Pembrey in Carmarthenshire leads with 25 Erasmus' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1336.90x.

Place Total Index
Pembrey 25 1336.90x
Aberdare 9 77.99x
Ystradyfodwg 8 54.24x
Burntwood Edial 7 336.54x
Hulme 7 29.26x
Llanwddyn 6 4000.00x
Flint 4 272.11x
Llanelly 4 43.62x
St John Near Swansea 4 192.31x
Bedwellty 3 24.35x
Llangendeirne 3 400.00x
Llanina 3 5000.00x
Shadwell London 2 74.07x
Birkenhead 1 5.89x
Carmarthen St Ishmael 1 232.56x
Deythur 1 666.67x
Gateshead 1 4.65x
Gt Ness 1 454.55x
Guilsfield 1 125.00x
Kensington London 1 1.86x
Kidwelly 1 120.48x
Leith North 1 400.00x
Loughor 1 112.36x
Manafon 1 476.19x
Meifod 1 188.68x
Morpeth 1 59.17x
Tynemouth 1 13.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Elizabeth 6
Catherine 5
Margaret 5
Jane 2
Sarah 2
Amelia 1
Ann 1
Anne 1
Elisa 1
Elizzabeth 1
Emma 1
Gwenllian 1
Hannah 1
Rachel 1
Susanah 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Erasmus surname: questions and answers

How common was the Erasmus surname in 1881?

In 1881, 99 people were recorded with the Erasmus surname. That placed it at #19,877 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Erasmus surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 439 in 2016. That gives Erasmus a modern rank of #11,007.

What does the Erasmus surname mean?

A Dutch surname derived from the Greek word meaning "beloved" or "desired".

What does the Erasmus map show?

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