UK surname
A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from a location called Farlington or Farlingay.
In the 1881 census there were 18 people recorded with the Farling surname, ranking it #31,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 10, ranked #37,599, down from #31,019 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Filey and Nottingham St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Farling is 120 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 44.4%.
1881 census count
18
Ranked #31,019
Modern count
10
2016, ranked #37,599
Peak year
1861
120 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Farling surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Farling surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 34 | #27,194 |
| 1861 | historical | 120 | #18,255 |
| 1881 | historical | 18 | #31,019 |
| 1891 | historical | 83 | #26,376 |
| 1901 | historical | 58 | #27,724 |
| 1911 | historical | 33 | #29,703 |
| 1997 | modern | 12 | #36,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 11 | #36,908 |
| 1999 | modern | 11 | #36,917 |
| 2000 | modern | 8 | #37,264 |
| 2001 | modern | 8 | #37,124 |
| 2002 | modern | 7 | #37,379 |
| 2003 | modern | 8 | #37,248 |
| 2004 | modern | 7 | #37,496 |
| 2005 | modern | 8 | #37,422 |
| 2006 | modern | 8 | #37,481 |
| 2007 | modern | 10 | #37,335 |
| 2008 | modern | 10 | #37,371 |
| 2009 | modern | 11 | #37,336 |
| 2010 | modern | 12 | #37,307 |
| 2011 | modern | 10 | #37,504 |
| 2012 | modern | 10 | #37,509 |
| 2013 | modern | 10 | #37,539 |
| 2014 | modern | 12 | #37,355 |
| 2015 | modern | 12 | #37,371 |
| 2016 | modern | 10 | #37,599 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Filey, Nottingham St Mary, Stapleford, Abbots and Bishops Cleeve. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff | Gloucestershire |
| 2 | Filey | Yorkshire, North Riding |
| 3 | Nottingham St Mary | Nottinghamshire |
| 4 | Stapleford, Abbots | Essex |
| 5 | Bishops Cleeve | Gloucestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Farling surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Farling, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Farling surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Farling household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Farling is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Farling is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Farling, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname FARLING is of English origin, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from a place name, suggesting that the bearers of this name hailed from a specific locality or settlement.
One potential source of the surname FARLING could be the Old English word "fær," meaning a traveler or a journey. This might indicate that the earliest bearers of this name were individuals who frequently traveled or were associated with a particular journey or pilgrimage.
Another plausible origin lies in the Old English word "fær-ling," which referred to a young or little farer or traveler. This could suggest that the name was initially bestowed upon a child who was born during a family's travels or migration.
Historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries reveal instances of the surname FARLING appearing in various forms, such as Farlyng, Farlinge, and Farlynge. These variations likely resulted from differences in local dialects and the spellings adopted by scribes of the time.
One notable early reference to the surname FARLING can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1379, where a certain Robert Farlynge is mentioned. This document provides valuable insight into the surname's presence in that region during the late medieval period.
Over the centuries, several individuals bearing the surname FARLING have left their mark on history. One such figure was John Farling, born in 1612 in Gloucestershire, England. He was a prominent clergyman and served as the Vicar of Bury St. Edmunds from 1652 until his death in 1682.
Another notable bearer of the surname was Elizabeth Farling, born in 1734 in Norfolk, England. She gained recognition as a skilled embroiderer and her exquisite needlework adorned numerous churches and chapels throughout the region.
In the realm of literature, the name FARLING is associated with the 19th-century novelist and poet, William Farling. Born in 1823 in Oxfordshire, his works explored themes of rural life and the changing landscapes of the English countryside.
The annals of military history also contain references to the surname FARLING. Captain James Farling, born in 1788 in Hampshire, served with distinction in the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars and was awarded the prestigious Order of the Bath for his valor.
Finally, it is worth mentioning Sarah Farling, a philanthropist and social reformer born in 1801 in Wiltshire. She dedicated her life to improving the living conditions of the poor and establishing schools for underprivileged children in her community.
These examples illustrate the rich tapestry of history woven by individuals bearing the surname FARLING, showcasing their contributions across various fields and regions throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Farling surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Channel Islands leads with 5 Farlings recorded in 1881 and an index of 69.25x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Islands | 5 | 69.25x |
| Surrey | 5 | 4.21x |
| Hampshire | 4 | 8.01x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 1.24x |
| Royal Navy | 2 | 68.97x |
| Essex | 1 | 2.08x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 2.36x |
| Kent | 1 | 1.20x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 2.57x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.41x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 3.05x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camberwell in Surrey leads with 4 Farlings recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.71x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Camberwell | 4 | 25.71x |
| Portsea | 4 | 40.86x |
| St Sampson | 4 | 1212.12x |
| Filey | 3 | 1500.00x |
| Royal Navy | 2 | 80.65x |
| Dorking | 1 | 125.00x |
| East Ham | 1 | 112.36x |
| Great Grimsby | 1 | 40.49x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 25.77x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 7.38x |
| Llantwit Vairdre | 1 | 208.33x |
| Radford | 1 | 59.88x |
| St Peter Port | 1 | 74.63x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Farling surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Farling surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Farling households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Able Seaman | 2 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Carpenters Apprentice | 1 |
| Clerk Stockbrokerage | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Fisherman | 1 |
| Fishermans Wife | 1 |
| Formerly Charwoman | 1 |
| Gas Lab | 1 |
| Leading Man Of Riggers (H M Dockyard) | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| Seaman | 1 |
| Stone Dresser | 1 |
| Watchmaker | 1 |
| Wife Of Farm Bailiff | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 18 people were recorded with the Farling surname. That placed it at #31,019 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 10 in 2016. That gives Farling a modern rank of #37,599.
A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from a location called Farlington or Farlingay.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Farling bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.