NameCensus.

UK surname

Etheridge

English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "ridge where heather grows."

In the 1881 census there were 1,777 people recorded with the Etheridge surname, ranking it #2,438 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,857, ranked #2,351, up from #2,438 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ringwood, Billinghurst, East and West and Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Suffolk Coastal, Horsham and Chichester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Etheridge is 3,049 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 60.8%.

1881 census count

1,777

Ranked #2,438

Modern count

2,857

2016, ranked #2,351

Peak year

1999

3,049 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Etheridge had 1,777 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,438 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,857 in 2016, ranked #2,351.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,633 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Etheridge surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Etheridge surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Etheridge 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 977 #2,856
1861 historical 933 #2,972
1881 historical 1,777 #2,438
1891 historical 1,945 #2,368
1901 historical 2,403 #2,264
1911 historical 2,633 #1,956
1997 modern 2,919 #2,216
1998 modern 3,016 #2,234
1999 modern 3,049 #2,219
2000 modern 3,028 #2,226
2001 modern 2,958 #2,227
2002 modern 3,049 #2,211
2003 modern 2,985 #2,202
2004 modern 2,964 #2,216
2005 modern 2,867 #2,266
2006 modern 2,871 #2,261
2007 modern 2,863 #2,291
2008 modern 2,875 #2,302
2009 modern 2,896 #2,333
2010 modern 2,977 #2,314
2011 modern 2,902 #2,344
2012 modern 2,822 #2,367
2013 modern 2,901 #2,343
2014 modern 2,898 #2,360
2015 modern 2,892 #2,333
2016 modern 2,857 #2,351

Geography

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Where Etheridges are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ringwood, Billinghurst, East and West, Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Suffolk Coastal, Horsham, Chichester, Black Isle South and Christchurch. 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 Ringwood Hampshire
2 Billinghurst, East and West Sussex
3 Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, Gloucestershire
4 London parishes London 1
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Suffolk Coastal 002 Suffolk Coastal
2 Horsham 009 Horsham
3 Chichester 014 Chichester
4 Black Isle South Highland
5 Christchurch 001 Christchurch

Forenames

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First names often paired with Etheridge

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Etheridge

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Etheridge surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Etheridge household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Etheridge is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Etheridge is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Etheridge

The surname Etheridge is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and it is derived from the Old English words "eofor" meaning "wild boar" and "hrycg" meaning "ridge" or "hill." It is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, specifically in regions where Anglo-Saxon settlements were established.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Etheridge can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey commissioned by William the Conqueror to record land ownership and taxation details in England. The name was likely associated with a topographical feature or a place where wild boars were commonly found.

In the 12th century, a variation of the surname, "Everige," appeared in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire, indicating the presence of the name in that region. The spelling continued to evolve over time, with variations such as "Everych," "Etherich," and "Etheridge" being recorded in various historical documents.

One notable individual with the surname Etheridge was Sir James Etheridge (1554-1629), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Arundel from 1604 to 1611. He was also appointed as the High Sheriff of Sussex in 1607.

Another prominent figure was Sir John Etheridge (1613-1699), an English lawyer and judge who served as the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas from 1676 to 1688. He played a significant role in the legal proceedings during the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

In the realm of literature, Thomas Etheridge (1554-1636) was an English poet and playwright who wrote several works, including the play "The Man of Mode" and the poem "The Siege of Rhodes."

The surname Etheridge also gained recognition in the military with individuals like General Charles Etheridge (1813-1885), who served in the United States Army during the American Civil War and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery at the Battle of Gettysburg.

In the field of science, John Etheridge (1926-2001) was a British physicist who made significant contributions to the study of nuclear physics and particle accelerators. He worked at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and received numerous honors, including being elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Etheridge families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Etheridge 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. Hampshire leads with 253 Etheridges recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.10x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 253 7.10x
Middlesex 213 1.23x
Sussex 201 6.86x
Gloucestershire 132 3.87x
Surrey 125 1.48x
Worcestershire 119 5.25x
Norfolk 116 4.34x
Lancashire 102 0.49x
Suffolk 94 4.44x
Staffordshire 92 1.57x
Kent 67 1.13x
Warwickshire 57 1.30x
Yorkshire 48 0.28x
Monmouthshire 24 1.91x
Durham 18 0.35x
Cambridgeshire 17 1.54x
Berkshire 13 1.00x
Northamptonshire 11 0.67x
Wiltshire 11 0.72x
Cheshire 10 0.26x
Essex 9 0.26x
Herefordshire 9 1.26x
Hertfordshire 9 0.75x
Derbyshire 5 0.18x
Oxfordshire 4 0.37x
Shropshire 4 0.27x
Dorset 3 0.26x
Royal Navy 3 1.45x
Devon 2 0.06x
Glamorgan 2 0.07x
Northumberland 2 0.08x
Anglesey 1 0.32x
Angus 1 0.06x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.10x
Cornwall 1 0.05x
Lanarkshire 1 0.02x
Somerset 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Horsham in Sussex leads with 78 Etheridges recorded in 1881 and an index of 137.08x.

Place Total Index
Horsham 78 137.08x
St Pancras London 37 2.65x
Lambeth 36 2.38x
Ringwood 35 153.64x
Barrow In Furness 30 10.70x
Billingshurst 30 312.83x
Lewisham 29 9.17x
Aston 28 2.32x
Southampton St Mary 28 12.50x
Cheltenham 26 9.89x
Islington London 25 1.48x
Astley 22 463.16x
Birmingham 22 1.51x
Walsall Foreign 21 6.93x
Wolverhampton 21 4.66x
Exbury 17 825.24x
Halesworth 17 113.33x
Fressingfield 16 234.60x
Whittlesey St Mary St 16 41.62x
Windle 16 13.79x
Stoke Ferry 15 369.46x
Bishops Cleeve 14 162.04x
Buckenham 14 2089.55x
Shoreditch London 14 1.86x
Southampton All Sts 14 22.91x
West Bromwich 14 4.17x
Blythburgh 13 265.85x
Boldre 13 101.88x
Eccleston In Prescot 13 12.56x
Halesowen 13 65.26x
Kensington London 13 1.35x
South Stoneham 13 16.83x
Brighton 12 2.03x
Dudley 12 4.35x
Eye 12 87.78x
St Marylebone London 12 1.29x
Bedwellty 11 4.96x
Henfield 11 97.78x
Preston 11 21.51x
St Maurice Winchester 11 74.32x
Tottenham 11 3.98x
Wotton St Mary 11 62.25x
Mile End Old Town London 10 2.70x
Mitcheldean 10 236.41x
Reading St Mary 10 9.57x
Hardwicke 9 233.16x
Hendon 9 14.40x
Leigh 9 32.68x
Monks Coppenhall 9 6.22x
Northampton Priory St 9 9.18x
Rotherhithe 9 4.19x
Sway 9 189.08x
Beddington 8 24.43x
Chelsea London 8 1.53x
Clippesby 8 1095.89x
Gloucester St Catherine 8 83.33x
Hingham 8 86.49x
Horley 8 56.38x
Kingston On Thames 8 3.93x
Longstock 8 308.88x
Maisemore 8 273.04x
Norwich St Martin At Oak 8 49.23x
Paddington London 8 1.25x
Sporle With Palgrave 8 184.33x
Tipton 8 4.45x
Bishopwearmouth 7 1.58x
Dickleburgh 7 141.99x
Doncaster 7 5.57x
Greywell 7 384.62x
Hawn 7 164.71x
Ipswich St Mathew 7 11.80x
Lavenham 7 63.23x
Manchester 7 0.76x
Oldbury 7 6.27x
Rowley Regis 7 4.28x
St Botolph Aldgate London 7 19.56x
Thornaby 7 10.88x
Wenhaston 7 134.10x
West Chiltington 7 184.21x
Wisborough Green 7 71.14x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Etheridge surname: questions and answers

How common was the Etheridge surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,777 people were recorded with the Etheridge surname. That placed it at #2,438 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Etheridge surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,857 in 2016. That gives Etheridge a modern rank of #2,351.

What does the Etheridge surname mean?

English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "ridge where heather grows."

What does the Etheridge map show?

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