NameCensus.

UK surname

Evelyn

A surname originating from a French place name or region.

In the 1881 census there were 63 people recorded with the Evelyn surname, ranking it #24,711 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 258, ranked #16,449, up from #24,711 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Abinger, Ockley, Wotton with Oakwood, London parishes and Eccles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leeds, Havant and Wycombe.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Evelyn is 264 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 309.5%.

1881 census count

63

Ranked #24,711

Modern count

258

2016, ranked #16,449

Peak year

2010

264 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Evelyn had 63 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,711 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 258 in 2016, ranked #16,449.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 115 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Evelyn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Evelyn surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Evelyn 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 43 #25,518
1861 historical 52 #27,369
1881 historical 63 #24,711
1891 historical 77 #27,169
1901 historical 115 #21,050
1911 historical 112 #21,274
1997 modern 215 #16,844
1998 modern 221 #17,021
1999 modern 217 #17,307
2000 modern 223 #16,978
2001 modern 225 #16,664
2002 modern 240 #16,291
2003 modern 244 #15,861
2004 modern 238 #16,242
2005 modern 234 #16,388
2006 modern 236 #16,384
2007 modern 235 #16,668
2008 modern 245 #16,295
2009 modern 258 #16,050
2010 modern 264 #16,163
2011 modern 253 #16,493
2012 modern 239 #17,027
2013 modern 243 #17,114
2014 modern 252 #16,822
2015 modern 257 #16,475
2016 modern 258 #16,449

Geography

Back to top

Where Evelyns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Abinger, Ockley, Wotton with Oakwood, London parishes, Eccles and St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leeds, Havant, Wycombe, Mole Valley and Greenwich. 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 Abinger, Ockley, Wotton with Oakwood Surrey
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Eccles Lancashire
5 St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace London (West Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leeds 042 Leeds
2 Havant 004 Havant
3 Wycombe 007 Wycombe
4 Mole Valley 012 Mole Valley
5 Greenwich 012 Greenwich

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Evelyn

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Evelyn

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Evelyn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Evelyn 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Evelyn is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Evelyn 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

Evelyn falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Evelyn is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Evelyn

The surname Evelyn is of English origin, derived from the Old English given name Æfelin or Avelyn. This name is believed to have evolved from the combination of the Old English words "afa" meaning "desired" and "lind" meaning "serpent protector". The name first appeared in historical records from the 8th century.

The earliest known bearer of the name was Evelyn, a Bishop of Worcester who lived from 692 to 717 AD. Another early record is from the Domesday Book of 1086, which mentions Evelinus filius Folcarii, a landowner in Oxfordshire.

In the 12th century, the name was recorded as Avelyne, Aveline, and Evelina. Over time, the spelling evolved to its modern form of Evelyn. One of the earliest known instances of the surname Evelyn dates back to 1273, when Robert Evelyn was recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire.

The surname Evelyn is also associated with several notable figures throughout history. Robert Evelyn (1586-1626) was an English merchant and Member of Parliament. His son, John Evelyn (1620-1706), was a renowned diarist, writer, and horticulturist. John Evelyn's memoirs, "Diary and Correspondence," provide valuable insights into 17th-century English society and culture.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Sir Frederick Evelyn (1779-1837), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. He was knighted for his distinguished service and became a Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy.

Additionally, William John Evelyn (1822-1908) was a British clergyman and writer who served as the Archdeacon of Wiltshire. He authored several theological works and contributed to the establishment of the Church of England Temperance Society.

Lastly, Sir Arthur Evelyn St. John-Brodrick (1857-1942) was a British politician who served as Secretary of State for War and Secretary of State for India in the early 20th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Evelyn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Evelyn 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. Middlesex leads with 18 Evelyns recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.93x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 18 2.93x
Cornwall 10 14.38x
Kent 9 4.29x
Surrey 7 2.34x
Hampshire 5 3.97x
Sussex 3 2.90x
Gloucestershire 2 1.66x
Herefordshire 2 7.94x
Lancashire 2 0.27x
Radnorshire 2 40.32x
Cambridgeshire 1 2.57x
Leicestershire 1 1.47x
Oxfordshire 1 2.64x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St George Hanover Square in Middlesex leads with 7 Evelyns recorded in 1881 and an index of 64.70x.

Place Total Index
St George Hanover Square 7 64.70x
Lanteglos 4 1250.00x
Creed Grampound 3 3750.00x
Holdenhurst 3 90.91x
Norwood 3 214.29x
Richmond 3 71.60x
St Marylebone London 3 9.15x
Wrotham 3 434.78x
Camberwell 2 5.10x
Eynsford 2 555.56x
Over Darwen 2 34.36x
Presteigne 2 645.16x
Preston 2 110.50x
Rodd Nash Little 2 5000.00x
Truro St Mary 2 344.83x
Aldershot 1 23.70x
Brighton 1 4.78x
Chelsea London 1 5.40x
Cirencester 1 61.35x
Clifton 1 16.42x
Cold Overton 1 5000.00x
Deptford St Paul 1 6.18x
Heston 1 49.02x
Islington London 1 1.68x
Lewisham 1 8.94x
Oxford All Sts 1 1250.00x
Plumstead 1 14.31x
Ryde 1 36.90x
Sevenoaks 1 58.82x
Shoreditch London 1 3.76x
St Bartholomew Great 1 178.57x
St Endellion 1 416.67x
St Michael Cambridge 1 909.09x
Streatham 1 21.93x
Wotton 1 666.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 7
Mary 6
Ann 2
Harriet 2
Ada 1
Adelaide 1
Alberta 1
Anne 1
Edith 1
Elizth.E. 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Fras. 1
Gretta 1
Hellen 1
Lydia 1
Margaret 1
Maud 1
Sarah 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 5
Charles 3
William 3
D. 1
Ed. 1
Edmund 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
George 1
Helsham 1
Henry 1
J.W. 1
Leonard 1
Lyndon 1
Matthew 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Thomas 1

FAQ

Evelyn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Evelyn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 63 people were recorded with the Evelyn surname. That placed it at #24,711 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Evelyn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 258 in 2016. That gives Evelyn a modern rank of #16,449.

What does the Evelyn surname mean?

A surname originating from a French place name or region.

What does the Evelyn map show?

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