NameCensus.

UK surname

Faithful

A surname indicating loyalty, honesty, and steadfast belief.

In the 1881 census there were 264 people recorded with the Faithful surname, ranking it #10,655 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 148, ranked #23,958, down from #10,655 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kintbury, London parishes and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Dorset, Solihull and Bournemouth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Faithful is 340 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 43.9%.

1881 census count

264

Ranked #10,655

Modern count

148

2016, ranked #23,958

Peak year

1901

340 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Faithful had 264 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,655 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 148 in 2016, ranked #23,958.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 340 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Faithful surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Faithful surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Faithful 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 252 #8,733
1861 historical 220 #11,076
1881 historical 264 #10,655
1891 historical 329 #10,320
1901 historical 340 #10,647
1911 historical 231 #13,636
1997 modern 182 #18,693
1998 modern 178 #19,452
1999 modern 161 #20,868
2000 modern 158 #21,055
2001 modern 155 #21,047
2002 modern 151 #21,809
2003 modern 149 #21,766
2004 modern 155 #21,352
2005 modern 168 #20,227
2006 modern 157 #21,322
2007 modern 154 #21,804
2008 modern 152 #22,225
2009 modern 150 #22,937
2010 modern 149 #23,598
2011 modern 149 #23,408
2012 modern 146 #23,681
2013 modern 144 #24,323
2014 modern 147 #24,177
2015 modern 144 #24,369
2016 modern 148 #23,958

Geography

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Where Faithfuls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kintbury, London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea, Southwick, Farlington, Wymering, Widley, Boarhunt and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Dorset, Solihull, Bournemouth, Fareham and Birmingham. 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 Kintbury Berkshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
4 Southwick, Farlington, Wymering, Widley, Boarhunt Hampshire
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Dorset 008 North Dorset
2 Solihull 025 Solihull
3 Bournemouth 013 Bournemouth
4 Fareham 007 Fareham
5 Birmingham 029 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Faithful

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Faithful

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

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Faithful is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Faithful is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Faithful falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Faithful

The surname Faithful is of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "feithful," which means "faithful" or "loyal." This name is believed to have emerged during the 13th century, initially used as a descriptive nickname for someone who was considered trustworthy or devoted.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Faithful can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like record compiled in 1273. This document lists a person named William le Feythful, indicating that the name was already in use during that time.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, such as Faythefolle, Faythfulle, and Faythfull, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time. The name is also found in the Cartulary of Oseney Abbey in Oxfordshire, dated around 1350, where a certain John Feythfull is mentioned.

The Faithful surname is associated with several notable individuals throughout history. Sir Bevil Faithful (1598-1645) was an English soldier who fought for the Royalist cause during the English Civil War. He was killed in action at the Battle of Hopton Heath in 1645.

Another prominent figure was George Faithful (1665-1734), a British lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Huntingdonshire from 1710 to 1713.

In the 18th century, Thomas Faithful (1720-1784) was a renowned British artist known for his landscape paintings and etchings. He was a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts in London.

Moving into the 19th century, Emily Faithful (1835-1895) was a pioneering advocate for women's rights and employment opportunities. She established the Victoria Press, one of the first printing houses in London to employ women.

Lastly, George Faithful (1883-1957) was a British businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of education and healthcare facilities in his hometown of Wolverhampton.

While the Faithful surname is not among the most common in English-speaking countries, it has a rich history rooted in the Middle Ages and has been borne by individuals who have made notable contributions in various fields throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Faithful families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Faithful 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 69 Faithfuls recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.02x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 69 13.02x
Surrey 60 4.76x
Middlesex 43 1.66x
Sussex 19 4.36x
Worcestershire 12 3.56x
Pembrokeshire 11 13.39x
Berkshire 9 4.64x
Somerset 7 1.68x
Kent 6 0.68x
Wiltshire 6 2.62x
Lancashire 5 0.16x
Warwickshire 4 0.61x
Gloucestershire 3 0.59x
Buckinghamshire 2 1.28x
Devon 2 0.37x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.61x
Cornwall 1 0.34x
Huntingdonshire 1 1.95x
Montgomeryshire 1 1.69x
Oxfordshire 1 0.63x
Royal Navy 1 3.25x
Stirlingshire 1 1.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Worplesdon in Surrey leads with 12 Faithfuls recorded in 1881 and an index of 789.47x.

Place Total Index
Worplesdon 12 789.47x
Alvechurch 10 694.44x
Kings Somborne 9 810.81x
Camberwell 8 4.85x
Iping 8 1739.13x
Southampton St Mary 8 24.01x
Southwick 8 1355.93x
Brighton 7 7.96x
Droxford 7 346.53x
Leatherhead 7 222.22x
St George Hanover Square 7 15.37x
St Marylebone London 7 5.07x
Lewisham 6 12.76x
Over Wallop 6 1250.00x
Paddington London 6 6.31x
Pembroke St Michael 6 504.20x
Portsea 6 5.78x
Weybridge 6 222.22x
Bethnal Green London 5 4.45x
Isleworth 5 43.52x
Pyrford 5 1666.67x
Titchfield 5 125.31x
Carshalton 4 82.99x
Haslingden 4 31.50x
Kintbury 4 266.67x
Alton 3 75.19x
Bullington 3 2142.86x
Croydon 3 4.29x
Fareham 3 47.10x
Glastonbury 3 88.24x
Haslemere 3 303.03x
Kensington London 3 2.09x
Leamington 3 69.44x
Little Bedwyn 3 666.67x
Bedminster 2 5.12x
Broughton 2 250.00x
Bruton 2 121.95x
Chelsea London 2 2.57x
Datchet 2 186.92x
Lambeth 2 0.89x
Letterston 2 555.56x
Llanstinan 2 1333.33x
Aldershot 1 5.63x
All Saints Cambridge 1 86.96x
Arley 1 555.56x
Bow London 1 3.04x
Chawton 1 238.10x
Cheltenham 1 2.56x
Clifton 1 3.90x
Diddington 1 555.56x
Ealing 1 4.33x
Hammersmith London 1 1.57x
Hampstead London 1 2.48x
Hungerford 1 38.17x
Kew 1 136.99x
Larbert 1 17.54x
Montgomery 1 94.34x
Moss Side 1 6.20x
North Baddesley 1 312.50x
Pinner 1 44.25x
Plymouth Charles The 1 4.22x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 2.41x
Portslade 1 37.59x
Ribbesford 1 35.59x
Richmond 1 5.67x
Romsey Infra 1 55.56x
Rotherhithe 1 3.13x
Rousham 1 714.29x
Royal Navy 1 3.80x
Semley 1 163.93x
Send Ripley 1 60.98x
South Warnborough 1 357.14x
Speen 1 31.55x
St Pancras London 1 0.48x
Stoke 1 16.84x
Twickenham 1 9.03x
Whitchurch 1 135.14x
Wickham 1 103.09x
Wymering 1 114.94x
Yardley 1 11.57x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 14
William 14
George 13
James 12
Henry 9
Charles 7
Thomas 7
Alfred 4
Arthur 3
Frederick 3
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Fredk. 2
Harry 2
Richard 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
Abraham 1
Chas. 1
Chas.C. 1
Daniel 1
Edmond 1
Edw.Hy. 1
Edwin 1
Erison 1
Francis 1
Frankie 1
Fredck.R. 1
Geo. 1
Hy.Frederick 1
Jas. 1
Jno. 1
Samuel 1
Shadrach 1
Walter 1
Water 1
Willm. 1
Wilson 1

FAQ

Faithful surname: questions and answers

How common was the Faithful surname in 1881?

In 1881, 264 people were recorded with the Faithful surname. That placed it at #10,655 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Faithful surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 148 in 2016. That gives Faithful a modern rank of #23,958.

What does the Faithful surname mean?

A surname indicating loyalty, honesty, and steadfast belief.

What does the Faithful map show?

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