NameCensus.

UK surname

Fiddes

A surname derived from a medieval Scottish personal name.

In the 1881 census there were 557 people recorded with the Fiddes surname, ranking it #6,205 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 858, ranked #6,528, down from #6,205 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Hawick and Wilton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland and Gateshead.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fiddes is 866 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 54.0%.

1881 census count

557

Ranked #6,205

Modern count

858

2016, ranked #6,528

Peak year

2010

866 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fiddes had 557 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,205 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 858 in 2016, ranked #6,528.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 710 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Fiddes surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fiddes surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fiddes 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 394 #6,105
1861 historical 377 #6,777
1881 historical 557 #6,205
1891 historical 592 #6,456
1901 historical 710 #6,211
1911 historical 373 #9,787
1997 modern 802 #6,526
1998 modern 835 #6,529
1999 modern 832 #6,594
2000 modern 835 #6,551
2001 modern 812 #6,567
2002 modern 841 #6,517
2003 modern 821 #6,510
2004 modern 828 #6,485
2005 modern 815 #6,512
2006 modern 825 #6,463
2007 modern 829 #6,502
2008 modern 827 #6,562
2009 modern 847 #6,582
2010 modern 866 #6,597
2011 modern 848 #6,627
2012 modern 839 #6,595
2013 modern 851 #6,624
2014 modern 853 #6,640
2015 modern 850 #6,605
2016 modern 858 #6,528

Geography

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Where Fiddes' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Hawick and Wilton, Edinburgh and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland and Gateshead. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Hawick and Wilton Roxburgh
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newcastle upon Tyne 030 Newcastle upon Tyne
2 Northumberland 003 Northumberland
3 Newcastle upon Tyne 028 Newcastle upon Tyne
4 Gateshead 002 Gateshead
5 Newcastle upon Tyne 025 Newcastle upon Tyne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fiddes

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Fiddes

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

Fiddes is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Fiddes 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 Fiddes 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 Fiddes, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Fiddes

The surname Fiddes has its origins in Scotland, traced back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Phidri," which translates to "son of Peder" or "son of Peter." This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name were descendants of an individual named Peter or a variation thereof.

The name was initially found in the regions of Angus and Perthshire, where it was recorded in various spellings, including Fides, Fiddis, and Fythes. These variations were common due to the inconsistencies in spelling during that era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, where a certain John Fides is mentioned in 1548. Additionally, the name appears in the records of the Parish of Monifieth in Angus, where a family with the surname Fiddes was registered in the late 16th century.

In the 17th century, the Fiddes surname gained prominence with the birth of Sir John Fiddes (1616-1650), a Scottish lawyer and judge who served as a Senator of the College of Justice. He was knighted by King Charles I and is considered one of the earliest notable figures with this surname.

Another significant individual was Reverend Richard Fiddes (1671-1725), an English clergyman and author who wrote extensively on theological subjects. His most acclaimed work, "A Body of Divinity," was published in 1718 and widely read during his time.

The 18th century saw the birth of Robert Fiddes (1781-1857), a prominent Scottish engraver and painter. His engravings and illustrations were highly regarded, and he is remembered for his contributions to the art world.

In the 19th century, William Fiddes (1835-1908) was a Scottish artist and painter known for his landscapes and maritime scenes. His works were exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy and other prestigious institutions.

The 20th century brought forth Sir Alexander Fiddes (1892-1981), a Scottish businessman and industrialist who made significant contributions to the shipbuilding industry. He was knighted for his services to the industry and his philanthropic efforts.

While the surname Fiddes is not among the most common surnames, it has a rich history rooted in Scotland, with bearers who have left their mark in various fields, including law, religion, art, and business.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Fiddes families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fiddes 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. Aberdeenshire leads with 142 Fiddes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.17x.

County Total Index
Aberdeenshire 142 28.17x
Kincardineshire 50 75.44x
Middlesex 44 0.81x
Northumberland 39 4.82x
Banffshire 33 29.23x
Angus 32 6.35x
Lanarkshire 32 1.82x
Gloucestershire 26 2.44x
Midlothian 24 3.29x
Surrey 19 0.72x
Durham 17 1.05x
Nottinghamshire 14 1.91x
Roxburghshire 11 11.16x
Berwickshire 9 13.66x
Ross-shire 9 6.02x
Kent 8 0.43x
Stirlingshire 7 3.49x
Inverness-shire 6 3.69x
Lancashire 6 0.09x
Cheshire 5 0.42x
East Lothian 5 6.93x
Ayrshire 3 0.74x
Nairnshire 3 18.06x
Suffolk 3 0.45x
Fife 2 0.62x
Cornwall 1 0.16x
Hampshire 1 0.09x
Orkney 1 1.67x
Oxfordshire 1 0.30x
Perthshire 1 0.41x
Renfrewshire 1 0.24x
Wigtownshire 1 1.38x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aberdeen St Nicholas in Aberdeenshire leads with 52 Fiddes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 55.13x.

Place Total Index
Aberdeen St Nicholas 52 55.13x
Aberdeen Old Machar 33 31.35x
Barony 17 3.82x
Nottingham St Mary 14 7.38x
Clifton 13 24.09x
Dundee 12 6.37x
Ordiquhill 12 895.52x
Belhelvie 11 318.84x
Bermondsey 11 6.79x
Forglen 10 719.42x
Hackney London 10 3.28x
Brechin 9 45.41x
Fetteresso 9 86.62x
Newhills 9 87.21x
Nigg 9 164.23x
Udny 9 294.12x
Chelsea London 8 4.88x
Durris 8 421.05x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 8 2.73x
Glasgow 8 2.56x
Tarbat 8 226.63x
Wilton 8 73.94x
Bristol St Michael 7 76.50x
Fettercairn 7 248.23x
Heworth 7 21.94x
Morpeth 7 73.53x
Turriff 7 86.00x
Aberlemno 6 322.58x
Alnham 6 2500.00x
Cornhill 6 491.80x
Govan 6 1.38x
Inverness 6 14.67x
Pitsligo 6 124.48x
Aberlady 5 267.38x
Camberwell 5 1.44x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 5 28.99x
Edmonton 5 11.40x
Fordyce 5 61.58x
Hartlepool 5 21.73x
Islington London 5 0.95x
Maryculter 5 250.00x
Montrose 5 16.36x
Mordington 5 735.29x
Rothiemay 5 195.31x
Banchory Ternan 4 69.81x
Bromley London 4 3.34x
Eccles 4 138.41x
Foveran 4 104.71x
Inveresk 4 20.26x
Lewisham 4 4.04x
Mile End Old Town London 4 3.45x
Stranton 4 7.34x
Westbury On Trym 4 11.06x
Auldearn 3 123.46x
Ayr 3 15.60x
Beccles 3 28.12x
Campsie 3 27.22x
Carham 3 142.86x
Edinburgh New North 3 47.24x
Elswick 3 4.64x
Fordoun 3 80.86x
North Leith 3 8.89x
Westgate 3 5.98x
Bristol St Augustine 2 11.61x
Chollerton 2 88.11x
Clerkenwell London 2 1.56x
Ferry Port On Craig 2 37.74x
Hampstead London 2 2.36x
Killearn 2 94.79x
Kincardine O Neil 2 55.56x
Lambeth 2 0.42x
Newlands 2 909.09x
Peterculter 2 56.18x
Peterhead 2 7.50x
Sandhoe 2 500.00x
St George Hanover Square 2 2.09x
Stirling 2 7.90x
Toxteth Park 2 0.91x
Tranmere 2 4.53x
Tynemouth 2 4.61x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Elizabeth 7
Sarah 6
Ann 5
Margaret 5
Isabella 3
Jane 3
Jemima 3
Alice 2
Anna 2
Eliza 2
Emma 2
Florence 2
Louisa 2
Matilda 2
Abigail 1
Amelia 1
Andrewina 1
Anne 1
Barbra 1
Betsy 1
Blanch 1
Cecilia 1
Edith 1
Elinor 1
Ellen 1
Elsa 1
Emily 1
Euphemia 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Isabel 1
Jean 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Lucy 1
Maria 1
Marion 1
Martha 1
Meggy 1
Minnie 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 17
Thomas 9
William 8
George 7
Walter 7
Alexander 6
Robert 6
Henry 5
Joseph 3
Alfred 2
Josiah 2
Mark 2
Philip 2
Samuel 2
Wm. 2
Albert 1
Alonzo 1
David 1
Ebenezer 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Ferdinand 1
Frederick 1
Gus 1
Hugh 1
James 1
Jas.William 1
Louis 1
Richard 1
Robt.J.W.J. 1
Sidney 1
Stanley 1

FAQ

Fiddes surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fiddes surname in 1881?

In 1881, 557 people were recorded with the Fiddes surname. That placed it at #6,205 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fiddes surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 858 in 2016. That gives Fiddes a modern rank of #6,528.

What does the Fiddes surname mean?

A surname derived from a medieval Scottish personal name.

What does the Fiddes map show?

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