NameCensus.

UK surname

Faircloth

A surname derived from a place name meaning "fair" or "beautiful" and "cloth," referring to a fine fabric.

In the 1881 census there were 323 people recorded with the Faircloth surname, ranking it #9,240 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 366, ranked #12,690, down from #9,240 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Finchingfield and Tunbridge, Bidborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, Caerphilly and Torfaen.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Faircloth is 449 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 13.3%.

1881 census count

323

Ranked #9,240

Modern count

366

2016, ranked #12,690

Peak year

1911

449 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Faircloth had 323 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,240 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 366 in 2016, ranked #12,690.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 449 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Faircloth surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Faircloth surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Faircloth 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 241 #9,037
1861 historical 235 #10,427
1881 historical 323 #9,240
1891 historical 364 #9,538
1901 historical 420 #9,169
1911 historical 449 #8,519
1997 modern 396 #11,086
1998 modern 423 #10,899
1999 modern 432 #10,827
2000 modern 436 #10,701
2001 modern 433 #10,561
2002 modern 418 #11,084
2003 modern 409 #11,088
2004 modern 406 #11,155
2005 modern 386 #11,493
2006 modern 391 #11,432
2007 modern 387 #11,652
2008 modern 384 #11,851
2009 modern 375 #12,317
2010 modern 385 #12,353
2011 modern 374 #12,464
2012 modern 357 #12,757
2013 modern 370 #12,626
2014 modern 373 #12,633
2015 modern 368 #12,661
2016 modern 366 #12,690

Geography

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Where Faircloths are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, Caerphilly, Torfaen and Sevenoaks. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Finchingfield Essex
3 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
4 London parishes London 3
5 Margate Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 048 Wiltshire
2 Caerphilly 005 Caerphilly
3 Torfaen 010 Torfaen
4 Caerphilly 007 Caerphilly
5 Sevenoaks 015 Sevenoaks

Forenames

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First names often paired with Faircloth

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Faircloth

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Faircloth is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

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

Faircloth is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Faircloth

The surname "Faircloth" is of English origin and can be traced back to the late 13th century. It is derived from the Old English words "faeger" meaning "fair" or "beautiful" and "clath" meaning "cloth." The name likely referred to a person who traded or dealt in fine or high-quality cloth.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Huntingdonshire Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a William Fayrcloth is mentioned. The name also appears in various other medieval records, such as the Sussex Subsidy Rolls of 1296, where a John Faircloth is listed.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the name was primarily concentrated in the southern counties of England, particularly in Sussex, Surrey, and Kent. It is believed that the name may have originated in these areas, where the textile industry was thriving.

In the 16th century, the name began to spread to other parts of England, and variations in spelling, such as "Fayrcloth" and "Fayrecloth," became more common. One notable bearer of the name during this period was Richard Faircloth, a merchant and philanthropist from London, who lived from 1548 to 1623.

The name continued to be prevalent in England throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, with several notable figures bearing the surname. One such figure was Samuel Faircloth (1629-1691), a Puritan clergyman and author who served as the rector of Yealmpton in Devon.

Another notable bearer of the name was John Faircloth (1758-1829), a successful merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire. He was known for his extensive business dealings and philanthropic endeavors.

In the 19th century, the name began to spread to other parts of the world, particularly to North America, as a result of immigration. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in the United States was Thomas Faircloth, who was born in North Carolina in 1835.

Throughout its history, the surname "Faircloth" has been associated with various occupations, particularly those related to the textile industry, such as weavers, merchants, and traders. However, it has also been borne by individuals from various other walks of life, including clergymen, landowners, and business leaders.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Faircloth families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Faircloth 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. Essex leads with 71 Faircloths recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.42x.

County Total Index
Essex 71 11.42x
Kent 60 5.58x
Norfolk 40 8.26x
Cambridgeshire 36 18.04x
Middlesex 36 1.14x
Surrey 21 1.37x
Hertfordshire 17 7.83x
Buckinghamshire 9 4.72x
Durham 7 0.75x
Nottinghamshire 7 1.65x
Staffordshire 5 0.47x
Monmouthshire 4 1.76x
Yorkshire 4 0.13x
Lancashire 2 0.05x
Worcestershire 2 0.49x
Oxfordshire 1 0.51x
Sussex 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tonbridge in Kent leads with 20 Faircloths recorded in 1881 and an index of 51.59x.

Place Total Index
Tonbridge 20 51.59x
Saxthorpe 14 3888.89x
Kensington London 13 7.42x
March 13 194.61x
Margate St John Baptist 11 55.89x
Prittlewell 11 127.61x
Bishop Stortford 10 137.93x
Hackney London 10 5.66x
Thriplow 10 2000.00x
West Ham 10 7.28x
Bradwell 9 335.82x
Rotherhithe 8 20.55x
Wisbech St Peter 8 79.92x
Langford 7 2800.00x
St Pauls Cray 7 853.66x
Thurning 7 3684.21x
Bermondsey 6 6.40x
Bidborough 6 2000.00x
Birch 6 588.24x
Colchester Holy Trinity 6 434.78x
Finchingfield 6 307.69x
Paddington London 6 5.18x
Rochester St Margaret 6 52.91x
Saffron Walden 6 91.32x
Aylsham 5 173.61x
Birchanger 5 980.39x
Gotham 5 450.45x
Lambeth 5 1.82x
Maldon All Sts 5 406.50x
Pelton 5 112.11x
West Bromwich 5 8.21x
Mynyddyslwyn 4 44.54x
Ecclesall Bierlow 3 4.72x
Great Yeldham 3 461.54x
Leigh 3 212.77x
Wighton 3 545.45x
Great Bardfield 2 196.08x
Hatfield 2 45.45x
Melbourn 2 103.09x
Monkwearmouth Shore 2 10.93x
Penshurst 2 110.50x
South Lynn 2 36.56x
Speldhurst 2 36.56x
St Albans 2 44.94x
St Andrewthe Less 2 8.77x
Toxteth Park 2 1.58x
Wrotham 2 56.18x
Abbots Langley 1 30.96x
Beddington 1 16.84x
Bengeo 1 39.68x
Bicester Market End 1 28.01x
Bocking 1 26.74x
Burnham Thorpe 1 263.16x
Carlton In Lindrick 1 88.50x
Chelsea London 1 1.05x
Chiswick 1 5.81x
Flintham 1 243.90x
Frant 1 26.60x
Gressenhall 1 111.11x
Hunstanton 1 60.98x
Islington London 1 0.33x
Kelvedon 1 60.24x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 1 6.88x
Kings Norton 1 2.71x
Little Walsingham 1 90.91x
Mile End Old Town London 1 1.49x
Norwich St George Colegate 1 56.82x
Ringstead 1 200.00x
Shoreditch London 1 0.73x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.80x
St Giles Cambridge 1 38.76x
St Mary Cray 1 48.54x
Steeple 1 175.44x
Sutton 1 9.00x
Thornage 1 285.71x
Thorpe Next Norwich 1 19.49x
Toppesfield 1 107.53x
Waplington 1 5000.00x
Ware 1 16.05x
Westminster St John 1 2.61x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 18
Mary 15
Sarah 14
Eliza 8
Annie 5
Ellen 5
Emma 5
Florence 5
Harriet 5
Jane 5
Alice 4
Ann 4
Maria 4
Clara 3
Emily 3
Frances 3
Louisa 3
Ada 2
Edith 2
Lucy 2
Mariah 2
Minnie 2
Naomi 2
Rosina 2
Selina 2
Susan 2
Amy 1
Blanch 1
C. 1
Caroline 1
E. 1
Elizath. 1
Ellsie 1
Emilly 1
Ethel 1
Georgiana 1
Hannah 1
Harriett 1
Hetty 1
J. 1
Jemima 1
Katie 1
Laura 1
Lillie 1
Lizzie 1
Lizzy 1
Mabel 1
Maggie 1
Mari 1
William 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 21
George 13
Robert 11
Henry 9
John 9
Charles 7
Thomas 7
Harry 6
Alfred 5
Frederick 5
Daniel 4
Fredk. 4
James 4
Fredrick 3
Joseph 3
Samuel 3
Smith 3
Arthur 2
Fred 2
Frederic 2
Richard 2
Stephen 2
Willie 2
Adam 1
Albert 1
Alick 1
Edward 1
Ellis 1
Ewen 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Geo. 1
Guy 1
H. 1
Jesse 1
Jethro 1
Lewis 1
Morgan 1
Nathenal 1
Percy 1
Pricilla 1
Reuben 1
Saml. 1
Teleb 1
Tom 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Faircloth surname: questions and answers

How common was the Faircloth surname in 1881?

In 1881, 323 people were recorded with the Faircloth surname. That placed it at #9,240 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Faircloth surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 366 in 2016. That gives Faircloth a modern rank of #12,690.

What does the Faircloth surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name meaning "fair" or "beautiful" and "cloth," referring to a fine fabric.

What does the Faircloth map show?

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