NameCensus.

UK surname

Etherington

From a place called Etherington or location with ringed earthworks.

In the 1881 census there were 2,255 people recorded with the Etherington surname, ranking it #1,976 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,229, ranked #2,106, down from #1,976 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Darlington and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Chichester, Wyre and Waverley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Etherington is 3,491 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 43.2%.

1881 census count

2,255

Ranked #1,976

Modern count

3,229

2016, ranked #2,106

Peak year

1999

3,491 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Etherington had 2,255 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,976 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,229 in 2016, ranked #2,106.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,467 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Etherington surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Etherington surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Etherington 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 1,295 #2,213
1861 historical 1,282 #2,224
1881 historical 2,255 #1,976
1891 historical 2,502 #1,892
1901 historical 2,997 #1,868
1911 historical 3,467 #1,509
1997 modern 3,395 #1,907
1998 modern 3,449 #1,941
1999 modern 3,491 #1,944
2000 modern 3,398 #1,983
2001 modern 3,311 #1,991
2002 modern 3,403 #1,994
2003 modern 3,296 #2,006
2004 modern 3,276 #2,013
2005 modern 3,179 #2,042
2006 modern 3,194 #2,040
2007 modern 3,218 #2,050
2008 modern 3,227 #2,058
2009 modern 3,290 #2,071
2010 modern 3,328 #2,087
2011 modern 3,319 #2,065
2012 modern 3,248 #2,071
2013 modern 3,278 #2,094
2014 modern 3,302 #2,095
2015 modern 3,238 #2,112
2016 modern 3,229 #2,106

Geography

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Where Etheringtons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Darlington, London parishes, Gateshead and Wisborough Green (Billingshurst, Sussex), Cranley, Albury (Albury), Alfold, Ewhurst, Shere (Albury). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Chichester, Wyre, Waverley, Darlington and Derbyshire Dales. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Darlington Durham
3 London parishes London 3
4 Gateshead Durham
5 Wisborough Green (Billingshurst, Sussex), Cranley, Albury (Albury), Alfold, Ewhurst, Shere (Albury) Surrey

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Chichester 005 Chichester
2 Wyre 009 Wyre
3 Waverley 013 Waverley
4 Darlington 001 Darlington
5 Derbyshire Dales 009 Derbyshire Dales

Forenames

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First names often paired with Etherington

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Etherington

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Etherington is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Etherington is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Etherington falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Etherington

The surname Etherington is of English origin, deriving from the Old English words "edisc" meaning pasture and "tun" meaning enclosure or settlement. It is believed to have originated in the medieval period, referring to someone who lived in a pasture settlement or enclosure.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, which mentions a William de Edistone. This spelling variation was likely an early form of Etherington, reflecting the local pronunciation and dialect.

During the 13th century, the surname started appearing in various records across northern England, including the Assize Rolls of Lancashire and the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire. In these documents, spellings such as Edricheston, Edrekeston, and Ederikeston were used, further demonstrating the evolution of the name over time.

In the 14th century, the Etherington surname gained prominence with the birth of Sir Ralph Etherington (c.1320-1387), a notable English landowner and military commander. He served under Edward III during the Hundred Years' War and was awarded significant estates in Yorkshire for his service.

Another notable figure was John Etherington (c.1450-1520), a wealthy merchant and alderman in the city of York. He helped finance the construction of several churches and public buildings, leaving a lasting impact on the city's architecture and infrastructure.

The Etherington name also appeared in literature, with the poet and dramatist Richard Etherington (1608-1655) being one of the earliest recorded examples. His works, though largely forgotten today, were popular in his time and provide insight into the literary culture of 17th century England.

During the 18th century, the Reverend John Etherington (1717-1785) was a prominent figure in the Church of England, serving as the Rector of Somerby in Leicestershire for over 40 years. His sermons and theological writings were widely read and respected among the clergy of his day.

In more recent times, the name has been associated with notable figures such as the British author and naturalist Wilfred Etherington (1891-1966), whose works on nature and wildlife were widely acclaimed, and the English cricketer and cricket administrator Sir Norman Etherington (1920-2011), who made significant contributions to the sport throughout his career.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Etherington families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Etherington 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. Yorkshire leads with 471 Etheringtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.16x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 471 2.16x
Durham 420 6.41x
Surrey 335 3.12x
Lancashire 232 0.89x
Sussex 199 5.36x
Middlesex 153 0.69x
Hampshire 124 2.75x
Kent 95 1.26x
Derbyshire 44 1.28x
Warwickshire 31 0.56x
Northumberland 30 0.92x
Nottinghamshire 22 0.74x
Staffordshire 21 0.28x
Cambridgeshire 11 0.79x
Essex 10 0.23x
Lanarkshire 10 0.14x
Hertfordshire 9 0.59x
Lincolnshire 6 0.17x
Channel Islands 5 0.77x
Leicestershire 5 0.20x
Renfrewshire 5 0.29x
Gloucestershire 4 0.09x
Herefordshire 4 0.44x
Buckinghamshire 3 0.23x
Berkshire 2 0.12x
Bedfordshire 1 0.09x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.11x
Devon 1 0.02x
Isle of Man 1 0.24x
Midlothian 1 0.03x
Norfolk 1 0.03x
Suffolk 1 0.04x
Worcestershire 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Preston in Lancashire leads with 39 Etheringtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.57x.

Place Total Index
Preston 39 5.57x
Godalming 34 50.30x
Darlington 33 13.04x
Blackburn 24 3.45x
Froxfield 24 460.65x
Castleford 23 28.92x
Bishop Auckland 22 25.01x
Crook Billy Row 20 23.82x
Compton 19 530.73x
Deptford St Paul 19 3.28x
Gomersal 19 18.64x
Tunstall 18 55.15x
Barnard Castle 17 52.45x
Bishopwearmouth 17 3.02x
Bradford 17 3.22x
Dewsbury 17 7.59x
Manchester 17 1.45x
Nottingham St Mary 17 2.21x
Neasham 16 501.57x
Petersfield 16 128.82x
Chertsey 15 21.62x
Croydon 15 2.52x
Dawdon 15 18.60x
Fareham 15 27.63x
Great Driffield 15 33.47x
Shildon 15 28.47x
Ewell 14 61.76x
Hammersmith London 14 2.58x
Lurgashall 14 253.62x
Paddington London 14 1.73x
Bermondsey 13 1.98x
Escomb 13 43.15x
Greenwich 13 3.71x
Hawkley 13 570.18x
Holy Trinity 13 2.48x
Settle 13 77.75x
Carshalton 12 29.20x
Chilton 12 58.65x
East Meon 12 101.78x
Kingston On Thames 12 4.65x
Poulton Le Fylde 12 129.31x
Sutton Stoneferry 12 19.21x
Thornaby 12 14.71x
Abinger 11 123.32x
Bootle Cum Linacre 11 5.30x
Chatham 11 5.32x
Gateshead 11 2.24x
Heckmondwike 11 15.66x
Helmington Row 11 36.03x
Midhurst 11 90.31x
Sculcoates 11 3.18x
Tottenham 11 3.13x
Wolsingham 11 18.41x
Ashborne 10 42.63x
Batley 10 4.82x
Birmingham 10 0.54x
Drighlington 10 31.44x
East Preston 10 315.46x
Evenwood Barony 10 44.86x
Hunslet 10 2.94x
Isleworth 10 10.21x
Lambeth 10 0.52x
North Ambersham 10 793.65x
Richmond 10 6.65x
Rottingdean 10 78.74x
Rudgwick 10 117.92x
West Ham 10 1.04x
Westgate 10 4.92x
Wisborough Green 10 80.13x
Woodplumpton 10 106.95x
Camberwell 9 0.64x
Cockfield 9 98.47x
Ellerton Priory 9 422.54x
Faversham 9 12.55x
Guisbrough 9 18.86x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 9 4.60x
Newfield 9 103.45x
St Pancras London 9 0.51x
Wheldrake 9 199.56x
Wonersh 9 67.16x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 170
Elizabeth 96
Sarah 65
Jane 59
Ann 48
Ellen 40
Margaret 36
Emma 35
Eliza 32
Alice 27
Annie 27
Hannah 25
Isabella 21
Emily 20
Martha 20
Anne 16
Catherine 15
Fanny 15
Charlotte 14
Harriet 14
Edith 11
Lucy 11
Maria 11
Ada 10
Agnes 10
Caroline 10
Louisa 10
Florence 9
Frances 8
Esther 7
Kate 7
Amy 6
Harriett 6
Rebecca 6
Rose 6
Barbara 5
Matilda 5
Maud 5
Rachel 5
Amelia 4
Clara 4
Eleanor 4
Ruth 4
Selina 4
Dorothy 3
Francis 3
Grace 3
Julia 3
Mabel 3
Phillis 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 145
John 129
George 99
James 83
Thomas 82
Henry 53
Joseph 46
Robert 40
Charles 34
Edward 28
Alfred 25
Richard 25
Walter 16
Arthur 15
Albert 13
Frederick 13
Harry 12
Thos. 11
Wm. 10
Benjamin 8
Frank 8
Ernest 7
Francis 7
David 6
Herbert 6
Tom 6
Daniel 5
Geo. 5
Matthew 5
Ralph 5
Stephen 5
Amos 4
Edmund 4
Edwin 4
Hori 4
Isaac 4
Leonard 4
Samuel 4
Seth 4
Abraham 3
Ambrose 3
Clement 3
Fred 3
Joe 3
Philip 3
Squire 3
Willm. 3
Anthony 2
Edmd. 2
Sidney 2

FAQ

Etherington surname: questions and answers

How common was the Etherington surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,255 people were recorded with the Etherington surname. That placed it at #1,976 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Etherington surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,229 in 2016. That gives Etherington a modern rank of #2,106.

What does the Etherington surname mean?

From a place called Etherington or location with ringed earthworks.

What does the Etherington map show?

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