UK surname
A variant spelling of the German surname Fedler, referring to a feather maker or feather worker.
In the 1881 census there were 10 people recorded with the Fedler surname, ranking it #32,243 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,061, down from #32,243 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Stockport, Brampton and Workington (Workington), Clossocks. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fedler is 200 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 90.0%.
1881 census count
10
Ranked #32,243
Modern count
1
2016, ranked #39,061
Peak year
1861
200 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Fedler surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Fedler surname density by area, 1891 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 | 58 | #22,928 |
| 1861 | historical | 200 | #12,005 |
| 1881 | historical | 10 | #32,243 |
| 1891 | historical | 105 | #23,241 |
| 1901 | historical | 15 | #32,383 |
| 1911 | historical | 46 | #28,224 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2015 | modern | 1 | #39,021 |
| 2016 | modern | 1 | #39,061 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Stockport, Brampton, Workington (Workington), Clossocks, Eckington and St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford. 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 | Stockport | Cheshire |
| 2 | Brampton | Derbyshire |
| 3 | Workington (Workington), Clossocks | Cumberland |
| 4 | Eckington | Derbyshire |
| 5 | St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Fedler 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 Fedler, 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 Fedler surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Fedler 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, Fedler 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 Fedler is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Fedler, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Fedler originates from Germany, where it first appeared around the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old German word "fedele," which means "feather" or "plume." This suggests that the name may have been an occupational surname for someone who worked with feathers, such as a fletcher or a quill maker.
In its early days, the name was often spelled as "Fedeler" or "Fedeller." These variations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions at the time. The name is thought to have originated in the southern regions of Germany, particularly in the areas around Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Fedler can be found in a 14th-century manuscript from the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, where a certain "Hans Fedler" was listed as a resident. This document provides valuable insight into the name's presence in medieval German society.
As the name spread across Germany and into neighboring regions, it took on various forms, such as "Fedler," "Fedeler," and "Fedeler." These variations were often influenced by local dialects and spelling preferences.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Fedler. One prominent figure was Johann Fedler (1633-1698), a German painter and etcher who was renowned for his religious works and landscapes. Another was Friedrich Fedler (1782-1856), a German jurist and legal scholar who made significant contributions to the development of German civil law.
In the 19th century, the name Fedler gained recognition through the work of Wilhelm Fedler (1817-1891), a German botanist and naturalist who conducted extensive research on the flora of Central Europe. His contributions to the field of botany were widely recognized during his lifetime.
Another notable bearer of the name was Anna Fedler (1870-1947), a German writer and activist who advocated for women's rights and social reforms. Her literary works often explored themes of gender equality and societal change.
Despite its German origins, the surname Fedler has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through migration and intermarriage. However, its roots can be traced back to the medieval era in southern Germany, where it likely began as an occupational surname related to the feather trade.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fedler 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. Surrey leads with 5 Fedlers recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.55x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 5 | 10.55x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 2.60x |
| Essex | 1 | 5.21x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 1.03x |
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 Fedlers recorded in 1881 and an index of 64.41x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Camberwell | 4 | 64.41x |
| Eccleston In Prescot | 3 | 517.24x |
| Caterham | 1 | 476.19x |
| Chadwell St Mary | 1 | 5000.00x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 19.27x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Fedler 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 Fedler 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 Fedler households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 2 |
| Gunner R A | 1 |
| School Master | 1 |
| Timekeeper | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 10 people were recorded with the Fedler surname. That placed it at #32,243 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2016. That gives Fedler a modern rank of #39,061.
A variant spelling of the German surname Fedler, referring to a feather maker or feather worker.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Fedler 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.