NameCensus.

UK surname

Fender

An occupational surname referring to a person who mends or repairs.

In the 1881 census there were 457 people recorded with the Fender surname, ranking it #7,240 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 746, ranked #7,323, down from #7,240 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swansea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fender is 766 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 63.2%.

1881 census count

457

Ranked #7,240

Modern count

746

2016, ranked #7,323

Peak year

2009

766 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fender had 457 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,240 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 746 in 2016, ranked #7,323.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 618 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Fender surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fender surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fender 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 276 #8,128
1861 historical 248 #9,947
1881 historical 457 #7,240
1891 historical 514 #7,262
1901 historical 618 #6,904
1911 historical 494 #7,886
1997 modern 732 #6,993
1998 modern 749 #7,107
1999 modern 740 #7,225
2000 modern 726 #7,290
2001 modern 714 #7,250
2002 modern 708 #7,444
2003 modern 689 #7,480
2004 modern 709 #7,320
2005 modern 728 #7,117
2006 modern 739 #7,069
2007 modern 745 #7,091
2008 modern 735 #7,219
2009 modern 766 #7,125
2010 modern 765 #7,279
2011 modern 741 #7,381
2012 modern 722 #7,445
2013 modern 743 #7,403
2014 modern 745 #7,420
2015 modern 744 #7,345
2016 modern 746 #7,323

Geography

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Where Fenders are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Blackburn and Swansea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Swansea. 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 3
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
4 Blackburn Lancashire
5 Swansea Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Swansea 014 Swansea
2 Swansea 025 Swansea
3 Swansea 011 Swansea
4 Swansea 029 Swansea
5 Swansea 013 Swansea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fender

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Fender

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Fender surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Fender household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Fender 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

Fender is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Fender falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Fender is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Fender

The surname Fender has its origins in England and is believed to have first appeared in the 12th century. It is an occupational name derived from the Old French word "fendeur," which means "to split or cleave." This suggests that the first bearers of this name were likely involved in woodworking or forestry professions, possibly as woodcutters or lumberjacks.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Fender surname is found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1230, where it appears as "Robert le Fendur." This entry suggests that the name was already well-established in the region at that time. Additionally, the Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention a "Walter le Fendur" in Oxfordshire.

During the medieval period, the Fender surname was also found in various other parts of England, including Suffolk, Norfolk, and Lincolnshire. Some variations in spelling, such as "Fendour" and "Fendor," were also common during this time.

A notable early bearer of the Fender surname was John Fender, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of York during the 15th century. He served as Lord Mayor of York in 1449 and played a significant role in the city's governance and trade.

Another individual of note was William Fender, born in 1585 in London. He was a successful businessman and landowner who acquired substantial property holdings in the city and surrounding areas.

In the 17th century, the Fender surname spread to other parts of the British Isles, including Scotland and Ireland. One notable figure from this period was Robert Fender, born in 1632 in Ayrshire, Scotland. He was a respected minister and theologian who served as a parish priest in the Church of Scotland.

Moving into the 18th century, the Fender surname continued to be well-represented in various professions and walks of life. One individual worth mentioning is James Fender, born in 1712 in Warwickshire, England. He was a renowned architect and surveyor who contributed to the design and construction of several notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

In the 19th century, the Fender surname gained further recognition with individuals such as Charles Fender (1819-1890), a prominent English painter and illustrator known for his landscape paintings and book illustrations.

Throughout its history, the Fender surname has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, contributing to the rich tapestry of English cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Fender families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fender 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. Lancashire leads with 93 Fenders recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.76x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 93 1.76x
Northumberland 84 12.67x
Glamorgan 56 7.21x
Angus 41 9.93x
Kent 35 2.30x
East Lothian 34 57.59x
Midlothian 19 3.18x
Berwickshire 18 33.35x
Lanarkshire 12 0.83x
Middlesex 11 0.25x
Durham 9 0.68x
Surrey 9 0.41x
Fife 8 3.03x
Somerset 7 0.98x
Worcestershire 6 1.03x
Yorkshire 6 0.14x
Pembrokeshire 3 2.12x
Perthshire 3 1.50x
Flintshire 1 0.83x
Hampshire 1 0.11x
Sussex 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Blackburn in Lancashire leads with 44 Fenders recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.26x.

Place Total Index
Blackburn 44 31.26x
Swansea Town 43 67.57x
Dundee 40 25.95x
Deptford St Paul 20 17.05x
Elswick 19 35.90x
Berwick North 18 434.78x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 13 5.41x
North Sunderland 10 657.89x
Berwick Upon Tweed 9 64.06x
Foulden 9 1500.00x
Chirton 8 53.30x
Coldingham 8 164.95x
Aberdour 7 263.16x
Benwell 7 96.55x
Glasgow 7 2.73x
Greenwich 7 9.86x
Leckwith 7 382.51x
Northfleet 7 52.24x
Preston 7 4.95x
Worsley 7 21.47x
Bromsgrove 6 30.63x
Newcastle On Tyne St 6 17.45x
North Shields 6 45.32x
Oswaldtwistle 6 32.10x
Tynemouth 6 16.89x
Witton 6 90.23x
Bridgewater 5 25.67x
Govan 5 1.40x
Holy Island 5 595.24x
Prestonkirk 5 169.49x
Roath 5 14.18x
South Leith 5 7.44x
Twickenham 5 26.16x
Wallsend 5 23.78x
Westoe 5 6.65x
Whitekirk Tynninghame 5 310.56x
Whittinghame 5 510.20x
York St Mary 5 27.32x
Mellor 4 239.52x
Streatham 4 12.10x
Cargill 3 144.23x
Lambeth 3 0.77x
Osbaldeston 3 1304.35x
Toxteth Park 3 1.67x
Washington 3 53.96x
Balderstone 2 270.27x
Creech St Michael 2 111.73x
Little Bolton 2 2.94x
Monckton 2 79.05x
Pinner 2 51.28x
Pleasington 2 281.69x
Radcliffe 2 7.84x
Accrington 1 2.08x
Alnwick 1 8.77x
Chelsea London 1 0.74x
Clapham 1 1.79x
Clayton Le Moors 1 9.75x
Clifford Cum Boston 1 25.19x
Edinburgh St Marys 1 8.61x
Gillingham 1 3.19x
Hackney London 1 0.40x
Haddington 1 11.47x
Hawarden 1 10.63x
Kensington London 1 0.40x
Leuchars 1 29.94x
Liff Benvie 1 1.60x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 1 11.47x
Pembroke St Mary 1 5.48x
Pendlebury 1 8.95x
Portsea 1 0.56x
Rotherhithe 1 1.82x
South Bersted 1 15.65x
South Shields 1 8.47x
St George In East London 1 2.38x
Swansea St Thomas 1 12.82x
Thornton In Fylde 1 8.64x
Warkworth 1 93.46x
Wavertree 1 5.91x
Whitsome 1 116.28x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 26
Elizabeth 20
Sarah 17
Margaret 9
Alice 7
Jane 7
Ann 5
Hannah 5
Ellen 3
Emily 3
Isabella 3
Martha 3
Annie 2
Beatrice 2
Catherine 2
Eleanor 2
Eliza 2
Emma 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Margt. 2
Maria 2
Ann.N. 1
Anne 1
Betty 1
Catherin 1
Charlott 1
Cicely 1
Clara 1
Dorothy 1
Edith 1
Elizabett 1
Elizth. 1
Ethel 1
Ethelrida 1
Euphemia 1
Eveline 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Janet 1
Jennie 1
Julia 1
Louisa 1
Louise 1
Mae 1
Margt.I. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 30
John 25
William 24
Thomas 16
David 10
Richard 9
James 8
Robert 6
Andrew 3
Austin 3
Edward 3
Henry 3
Samuel 3
Alfred 2
Benjamin 2
Abraham 1
Albert 1
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Ernest 1
Frederick 1
Geo. 1
Harry 1
Josiah 1
Percy 1
Rd. 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Fender surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fender surname in 1881?

In 1881, 457 people were recorded with the Fender surname. That placed it at #7,240 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fender surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 746 in 2016. That gives Fender a modern rank of #7,323.

What does the Fender surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a person who mends or repairs.

What does the Fender map show?

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