NameCensus.

UK surname

Fickling

A surname derived from the Old English word "ficol," meaning deceitful or trickster.

In the 1881 census there were 272 people recorded with the Fickling surname, ranking it #10,409 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 281, ranked #15,449, down from #10,409 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bunwell, London parishes and Halifax. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Breckland, North Norfolk and Middlesbrough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fickling is 453 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 3.3%.

1881 census count

272

Ranked #10,409

Modern count

281

2016, ranked #15,449

Peak year

1911

453 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fickling had 272 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,409 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 281 in 2016, ranked #15,449.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 453 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Fickling surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fickling surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fickling 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 199 #10,441
1861 historical 191 #12,467
1881 historical 272 #10,409
1891 historical 285 #11,515
1901 historical 392 #9,623
1911 historical 453 #8,460
1997 modern 309 #13,268
1998 modern 312 #13,532
1999 modern 310 #13,672
2000 modern 326 #13,188
2001 modern 315 #13,291
2002 modern 326 #13,241
2003 modern 306 #13,641
2004 modern 303 #13,812
2005 modern 298 #13,895
2006 modern 282 #14,459
2007 modern 287 #14,464
2008 modern 286 #14,618
2009 modern 285 #14,944
2010 modern 286 #15,231
2011 modern 294 #14,798
2012 modern 293 #14,742
2013 modern 292 #15,027
2014 modern 283 #15,495
2015 modern 283 #15,380
2016 modern 281 #15,449

Geography

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Where Ficklings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bunwell, London parishes, Halifax and Saham Toney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Breckland, North Norfolk, Middlesbrough, Forest of Dean and West Lindsey. 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 Bunwell Norfolk
2 London parishes London 1
3 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Saham Toney Norfolk
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Breckland 011 Breckland
2 North Norfolk 002 North Norfolk
3 Middlesbrough 001 Middlesbrough
4 Forest of Dean 010 Forest of Dean
5 West Lindsey 007 West Lindsey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fickling

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Fickling

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Fickling surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Fickling household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Fickling 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

Fickling is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Fickling falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Fickling is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Fickling

The surname Fickling has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to derive from the Old English words "fic" meaning fig and "ling" meaning a small field or meadow. This suggests the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near or tended a fig orchard or small field where figs were grown.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which lists a John de Fickelyng from Norfolk. The spelling variations during this time included Fickeling, Fickelynge, and Fykeling. Similar place names like Fickelden and Fickleshole also appeared in various medieval records from areas like Suffolk and Essex.

By the 16th century, the spelling had evolved closer to the modern form, with examples like William Fickling recorded in parish registers from Leicestershire in 1587. Around this time, the name also spread to other parts of England, including Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Notable individuals with the Fickling surname include Robert Fickling (c.1575-1647), a wealthy merchant and benefactor who endowed several charitable causes in London. Edward Fickling (1672-1730) was a renowned clockmaker from East Sussex whose intricate timepieces are still highly prized by collectors.

In the 18th century, Sarah Fickling (1732-1811) became a celebrated portrait painter and one of the few female artists to be admitted to the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Her works can be found in prestigious collections like the National Portrait Gallery.

Moving into the 19th century, Charles Whiting Fickling (1807-1886) was a prominent barrister and legal scholar who served as a judge on the Supreme Court of New South Wales in Australia. Around the same time, William Fickling (1819-1891) was a successful businessman and politician who served as the Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina in the United States.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have borne the Fickling surname throughout history, originating from its English roots centuries ago.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Fickling families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fickling 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. Norfolk leads with 138 Ficklings recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.83x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 138 33.83x
Middlesex 65 2.45x
Yorkshire 23 0.87x
Essex 9 1.72x
Surrey 8 0.62x
Monmouthshire 7 3.65x
Lincolnshire 6 1.41x
Northumberland 4 1.01x
Hertfordshire 3 1.64x
Somerset 2 0.47x
Suffolk 2 0.62x
Warwickshire 2 0.30x
Gloucestershire 1 0.19x
Kent 1 0.11x
Northamptonshire 1 0.40x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Saham Toney in Norfolk leads with 44 Ficklings recorded in 1881 and an index of 4000.00x.

Place Total Index
Saham Toney 44 4000.00x
Ovenden 11 94.02x
Watton 11 859.38x
Wood Norton 9 3461.54x
Hilborough 8 2580.65x
Islington London 8 3.11x
Tottenham 8 18.93x
Chelsea London 7 8.76x
Hackney London 7 4.71x
Newington 7 7.14x
Trevethin 7 38.65x
Wymondham 7 167.87x
Claypole 6 967.74x
Edmonton 6 28.06x
Hillingdon 6 70.92x
Loughton 6 231.66x
Mile End Old Town London 6 10.63x
Binham 5 1162.79x
Kensington London 5 3.39x
Bunwell 4 512.82x
Downham Market 4 142.86x
East Lexham 4 2352.94x
Gissing 4 975.61x
Great Witchingham 4 769.23x
Great Yarmouth 4 11.84x
Gunthorpe 4 2000.00x
Norwich St Benedict 4 219.78x
Seaton Delaval 4 115.27x
Skinningrove 4 248.45x
Stibbard 4 930.23x
Whitwood 4 107.24x
Armley 3 25.86x
Paddington London 3 3.08x
South Lynn 3 65.22x
St George Hanover Square 3 6.42x
Belchamp Walter 2 357.14x
Bethnal Green London 2 1.74x
Burnham Sutton Cum Burnham 2 689.66x
East Rudham 2 277.78x
Forncett St Peter 2 357.14x
Kineton 2 208.33x
Morston 2 1333.33x
St Albans St Michael 2 98.04x
Westminster St Margaret 2 15.63x
Brandon 1 45.66x
Bridgewater 1 8.63x
Charlton Next Woolwich 1 10.59x
Chiswick 1 6.90x
Clapham 1 3.01x
East Coker 1 107.53x
Eaton St Andrew 1 88.50x
Guisbrough 1 17.39x
Hampstead London 1 2.42x
Hilgay 1 65.36x
Ipswich St Lawrence 1 227.27x
Ipswich St Mary Key 1 119.05x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 1 8.16x
Little Walsingham 1 108.70x
Lydney 1 37.17x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 1 37.74x
Peterborough Minster Close 1 400.00x
Totteridge 1 175.44x
West Ham 1 0.86x
West Wretham 1 769.23x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 23
Sarah 10
Elizabeth 9
Emma 8
Ann 4
Eliza 4
Emily 4
Anna 3
Frances 3
Jane 3
Kate 3
Lucy 3
Martha 3
Susan 3
Agnes 2
Anne 2
Annie 2
Caroline 2
Ellen 2
Harriet 2
Mildred 2
Rachel 2
A. 1
Adelaid 1
Adelaide 1
Armenia 1
Betsey 1
Catherine 1
Celia 1
Charlotte 1
Deborah 1
E.A. 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
F.W. 1
Francis 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
J.J. 1
Julia 1
Keziah 1
Lilly 1
Lotte 1
Louisa 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Minnie 1
R.E. 1
Susannah 1
Thirzanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 20
Robert 11
George 10
Henry 9
John 9
James 8
Thomas 8
Alfred 7
Arthur 6
Albert 3
Francis 3
Abner 2
Charles 2
David 2
Fredk. 2
R. 2
Samuel 2
Walter 2
A. 1
A.J. 1
Barnabas 1
Benjamin 1
Dan 1
Daniel 1
Duncan 1
Edmund 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
F.H. 1
Fleetwood 1
Frederick 1
Georgianna 1
H. 1
H.F. 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Hugh 1
J. 1
Jacob 1
Jeremiah 1
Lewis 1
M.A. 1
Richard 1
Richd. 1
Saml. 1
Sidney 1
Taber 1
W.D. 1

FAQ

Fickling surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fickling surname in 1881?

In 1881, 272 people were recorded with the Fickling surname. That placed it at #10,409 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fickling surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 281 in 2016. That gives Fickling a modern rank of #15,449.

What does the Fickling surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English word "ficol," meaning deceitful or trickster.

What does the Fickling map show?

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