NameCensus.

UK surname

Flanders

One who came from the Flanders region, which is now parts of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands.

In the 1881 census there were 733 people recorded with the Flanders surname, ranking it #4,990 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 810, ranked #6,839, down from #4,990 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and King's Lynn St Margaret. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Isle of Wight, Cornwall and Telford and Wrekin.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Flanders is 828 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10.5%.

1881 census count

733

Ranked #4,990

Modern count

810

2016, ranked #6,839

Peak year

1911

828 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Flanders had 733 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,990 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 810 in 2016, ranked #6,839.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 828 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Flanders surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Flanders surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Flanders 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 456 #5,420
1861 historical 319 #7,987
1881 historical 733 #4,990
1891 historical 651 #5,962
1901 historical 799 #5,654
1911 historical 828 #5,331
1997 modern 716 #7,127
1998 modern 744 #7,150
1999 modern 745 #7,181
2000 modern 734 #7,231
2001 modern 720 #7,204
2002 modern 749 #7,118
2003 modern 714 #7,261
2004 modern 702 #7,380
2005 modern 688 #7,453
2006 modern 674 #7,591
2007 modern 696 #7,455
2008 modern 716 #7,357
2009 modern 728 #7,407
2010 modern 730 #7,530
2011 modern 743 #7,365
2012 modern 741 #7,298
2013 modern 760 #7,269
2014 modern 786 #7,107
2015 modern 801 #6,931
2016 modern 810 #6,839

Geography

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Where Flanders' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, King's Lynn St Margaret and St Werburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Isle of Wight, Cornwall, Telford and Wrekin, Gedling and Ettrick Yarrow and Liliesleaf Area. 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 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 King's Lynn St Margaret Norfolk
5 St Werburgh Derbyshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Isle of Wight 012 Isle of Wight
2 Cornwall 004 Cornwall
3 Telford and Wrekin 005 Telford and Wrekin
4 Gedling 001 Gedling
5 Ettrick Yarrow and Liliesleaf Area Scottish Borders

Forenames

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First names often paired with Flanders

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Flanders

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

Flanders is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Flanders falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Flanders 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 Flanders, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Flanders

The surname Flanders originated in the region of Flanders, which spans parts of modern-day Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. The name first emerged in the Middle Ages, derived from the Old French term "Flandres," which referred to the inhabitants of this area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Flanders can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a landowner named Ralph de Flandres, indicating the presence of individuals with this surname in England during the Norman period.

The name Flanders is closely associated with the County of Flanders, a historically significant region that played a pivotal role in the development of medieval Europe. This region, located in the Low Countries, was known for its prosperous cities, thriving textile industry, and influential mercantile activities.

Notable historical figures bearing the surname Flanders include Jan Flanders (c. 1285-1351), a Flemish statesman and diplomat who served as the ambassador of the County of Flanders to England during the reign of Edward III. Another prominent individual was Pieter Flanders (c. 1500-1567), a Flemish Renaissance painter renowned for his religious works and portraits.

In the literary realm, the surname Flanders is associated with the 16th-century poet and playwright, Everard Flanders (c. 1530-1590), whose works were influential in the development of Dutch literature. Additionally, the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age painter, Michiel Flanders (1620-1675), gained recognition for his genre scenes depicting everyday life in the Netherlands.

The surname Flanders also has connections to place names and older spellings. For instance, the town of Flanders, located in Suffolk County, New York, was established in the 17th century and likely derived its name from the region in Europe. Furthermore, variations in spelling, such as Flandres or Flaundres, were common in historical records.

Throughout history, the surname Flanders has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including artists, writers, politicians, and tradespeople, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and influence of the Flemish people across various spheres of society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Flanders families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Flanders 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. Middlesex leads with 181 Flanders' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.52x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 181 2.52x
Cambridgeshire 77 16.93x
Surrey 68 1.94x
Huntingdonshire 65 45.59x
Norfolk 47 4.26x
Essex 42 2.96x
Bedfordshire 31 8.34x
Northamptonshire 25 3.70x
Yorkshire 23 0.32x
Lincolnshire 19 1.66x
Kent 18 0.73x
Fife 14 3.29x
Warwickshire 12 0.66x
Lancashire 11 0.13x
Derbyshire 10 0.89x
Glamorgan 10 0.80x
Durham 9 0.42x
Leicestershire 9 1.13x
Northumberland 9 0.84x
Cheshire 8 0.50x
Monmouthshire 8 1.54x
Sussex 8 0.66x
Suffolk 5 0.57x
Clackmannanshire 4 6.75x
Hampshire 4 0.27x
Staffordshire 4 0.17x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.31x
Oxfordshire 3 0.68x
Gloucestershire 2 0.14x
Royal Navy 2 2.34x
Channel Islands 1 0.47x
Hertfordshire 1 0.20x
Midlothian 1 0.10x
Shropshire 1 0.16x
Worcestershire 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 32 Flanders' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.54x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 32 5.54x
Hackney London 30 7.45x
Littleport 28 322.21x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 22 66.39x
Islington London 19 2.73x
Kensington London 19 4.76x
Lambeth 17 2.72x
Navestock 15 731.71x
Burntisland 14 117.85x
St Neots 14 180.65x
Newington 13 4.90x
Streatham 13 24.40x
Bromley London 12 7.60x
Wisbech St Peter 12 52.63x
Shadwell London 11 54.75x
Walthamstow 11 21.56x
Hornsey 10 11.01x
South Lynn 10 80.26x
Brampton 9 303.03x
Linthorpe 9 21.20x
Kimbolton 8 266.67x
Pavenham 8 747.66x
Stranton 8 11.13x
Wallsend 8 23.61x
Wilburton 8 615.38x
Bethnal Green London 7 2.24x
Camberwell 7 1.53x
Conington 7 958.90x
Downham 7 144.93x
Holbeach 7 54.77x
Kingston On Thames 7 8.33x
Monks Coppenhall 7 11.71x
Parson Drove 7 384.62x
Peterborough 7 14.32x
Biggleswade 6 49.30x
Deptford St Paul 6 3.18x
Eynesbury 6 181.82x
Shoreditch London 6 1.93x
St Andrewthe Less 6 11.55x
St Marylebone London 6 1.57x
Birmingham 5 0.83x
Coventry St Michael 5 8.60x
Kettering 5 18.31x
Leeds 5 1.24x
Little Staughton 5 434.78x
Liverpool 5 0.97x
Margate St John Baptist 5 11.15x
Methwold 5 140.06x
Middlesbrough 5 5.40x
Quorndon 5 111.86x
Rochester St Margaret 5 19.36x
St Mary Church 5 2083.33x
St Woollos 5 8.63x
Warboys 5 121.36x
Alloa 4 13.91x
Croydon 4 2.06x
Derby St Werburgh 4 6.16x
Eaton Socon 4 68.61x
Hastings St Mary In The 4 15.49x
Hillingdon 4 17.47x
Huntingdon All Sts 4 404.04x
Mildenhall 4 43.06x
Newton 4 6.09x
Northwold 4 135.14x
Oadby 4 93.90x
St Swithin Lincoln 4 22.16x
Tilbrook 4 416.67x
Welford 4 174.67x
Aldwinkle St Peter 3 600.00x
Chelsea London 3 1.39x
Duffield 3 33.86x
Frant 3 34.97x
Haddenham 3 70.09x
Hound 3 30.03x
Litchurch 3 6.63x
Lt Tew 3 441.18x
Nottingham St Mary 3 1.20x
Spitalfields London 3 5.56x
St Botolph Aldersgate 3 36.45x
Walton Le Soken 3 89.02x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 57
John 37
George 26
James 22
Thomas 18
Charles 16
Henry 16
Robert 15
Arthur 13
Joseph 11
Alfred 10
Frederick 9
Harry 7
Walter 7
Ernest 4
Albert 3
Edward 3
Frank 3
Herbert 3
Horace 3
Smith 3
Benjamin 2
Chas. 2
Edwin 2
Fred 2
Geo. 2
Gilbert 2
Jacob 2
Percy 2
Philip 2
Augustus 1
Bengemen 1
C.W. 1
Charlie 1
Christopher 1
Cornelius 1
Earnest 1
Edmund 1
Edwd. 1
Elias 1
Ellis 1
Fred.W. 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Horatia 1
Isaac 1
Jabez 1
Jas. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Flanders surname: questions and answers

How common was the Flanders surname in 1881?

In 1881, 733 people were recorded with the Flanders surname. That placed it at #4,990 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Flanders surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 810 in 2016. That gives Flanders a modern rank of #6,839.

What does the Flanders surname mean?

One who came from the Flanders region, which is now parts of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands.

What does the Flanders map show?

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