NameCensus.

UK surname

Foden

A surname of English origin derived from a place name, possibly relating to a valley or opening.

In the 1881 census there were 1,327 people recorded with the Foden surname, ranking it #3,093 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,257, ranked #4,758, down from #3,093 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Prestbury, Astbury and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Conwy, Cheshire East and Stockport.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Foden is 1,790 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 5.3%.

1881 census count

1,327

Ranked #3,093

Modern count

1,257

2016, ranked #4,758

Peak year

1911

1,790 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Foden had 1,327 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,093 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,257 in 2016, ranked #4,758.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,790 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Foden surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Foden surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Foden 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 802 #3,340
1861 historical 780 #3,524
1881 historical 1,327 #3,093
1891 historical 1,472 #2,988
1901 historical 1,712 #3,015
1911 historical 1,790 #2,737
1997 modern 1,283 #4,442
1998 modern 1,405 #4,260
1999 modern 1,429 #4,232
2000 modern 1,421 #4,242
2001 modern 1,391 #4,241
2002 modern 1,386 #4,328
2003 modern 1,366 #4,303
2004 modern 1,333 #4,404
2005 modern 1,296 #4,440
2006 modern 1,307 #4,425
2007 modern 1,305 #4,471
2008 modern 1,295 #4,527
2009 modern 1,312 #4,567
2010 modern 1,346 #4,550
2011 modern 1,321 #4,573
2012 modern 1,280 #4,638
2013 modern 1,276 #4,732
2014 modern 1,289 #4,716
2015 modern 1,268 #4,742
2016 modern 1,257 #4,758

Geography

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Where Fodens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Prestbury, Astbury, Manchester, Birmingham Town: Aston and Stoke-on-Trent, Bucknell-cum-Bagnall, Caverswall. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Conwy, Cheshire East, Stockport and Lichfield. 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 Prestbury Cheshire
2 Astbury Cheshire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Birmingham Town: Aston Warwickshire
5 Stoke-on-Trent, Bucknell-cum-Bagnall, Caverswall Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Conwy 010 Conwy
2 Cheshire East 026 Cheshire East
3 Cheshire East 051 Cheshire East
4 Stockport 004 Stockport
5 Lichfield 011 Lichfield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Foden

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Foden

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Foden surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Foden household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Foden is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Foden 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

Foden 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 Foden is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Foden

The surname Foden originates from England and dates back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "fod" meaning food or fodder, and "denu" meaning valley or pasture. The name likely referred to someone who lived in a fertile valley or pasture suitable for grazing animals.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, compiled by order of William the Conqueror. It lists a landowner named Foddene in the county of Cheshire. This spelling variation suggests the name's origins in that region.

During the 13th century, the surname was found in various forms such as Foden, Foodin, and Foddyn. These variations reflect the regional dialects and spelling conventions of the time. The name was also associated with certain place names, such as Foden in Staffordshire and Foden Bank in Cheshire.

In the 16th century, notable individuals with the Foden surname included John Foden (1525-1594), a member of the English Parliament, and Thomas Foden (1550-1619), a prominent landowner in Cheshire.

The 17th century saw the birth of Samuel Foden (1615-1689), a Puritan minister and author who wrote extensively on religious topics. His works, such as "The Saint's Inheritance" and "The Righteous Man's Portion," were widely circulated during his lifetime.

In the 18th century, the Foden family established itself as a prominent industrial dynasty in the Midlands region of England. John Foden (1745-1824) founded the Foden Wagon Works in Sandbach, Cheshire, which became a leading manufacturer of steam wagons and trucks.

Another notable figure was Sir Francis William Foden (1844-1911), a British industrialist and philanthropist. He inherited the family's wagon business and expanded it into a successful engineering firm. Foden was knighted in 1905 for his contributions to industry and public service.

The 19th century also saw the birth of Edwin Foden (1858-1946), a British inventor and engineer who made significant contributions to the development of steam wagons and internal combustion engines. His innovations helped establish the Foden company as a leader in the automotive industry.

Throughout its history, the Foden surname has been associated with various occupations, from landowners and ministers to industrialists and engineers. Its origins in the fertile valleys of medieval England have evolved into a lasting legacy in the fields of manufacturing and engineering.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Foden families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Foden 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 473 Fodens recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.10x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 473 3.10x
Cheshire 385 13.58x
Staffordshire 176 4.06x
Warwickshire 92 2.84x
Middlesex 35 0.27x
Surrey 29 0.46x
Yorkshire 27 0.21x
Derbyshire 20 0.99x
Gloucestershire 15 0.60x
Hampshire 11 0.42x
Wiltshire 9 0.79x
Essex 7 0.28x
Flintshire 7 2.03x
Leicestershire 6 0.42x
Somerset 5 0.24x
Northamptonshire 3 0.25x
Northumberland 3 0.16x
Shropshire 3 0.27x
Berkshire 2 0.21x
Cumberland 2 0.18x
Lanarkshire 2 0.05x
Ayrshire 1 0.10x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.12x
Denbighshire 1 0.21x
Kent 1 0.02x
Oxfordshire 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. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 68 Fodens recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.62x.

Place Total Index
Aston 68 7.62x
Congleton 63 128.57x
Hulme 50 15.71x
Macclesfield 47 37.29x
Manchester 45 6.56x
Handsworth 35 32.75x
Salford 30 6.69x
Old Withington 28 1093.75x
Habergham Eaves 26 18.66x
Stoke Upon Trent 24 5.22x
Warrington 23 12.73x
Wolstanton 23 17.46x
Everton 21 4.32x
Nether Alderley 18 714.29x
Ardwick 15 10.91x
Chorlton On Medlock 15 6.19x
Newcastle Under Lyme 15 19.55x
Accrington 14 10.10x
Levenshulme 14 89.23x
Nantwich 14 42.49x
Chester Holy Trinity 13 97.82x
Monks Coppenhall 13 12.15x
Kirkdale 12 4.68x
Battersea 11 2.33x
Biddulph 11 44.95x
Birmingham 11 1.02x
Broughton In Salford 11 7.89x
Droylsden 11 22.12x
Eaton In Macclesfield 11 621.47x
Heaton Norris 11 12.68x
Kingswood 11 268.29x
Stretford 11 13.12x
Chadderton 10 13.42x
Gorton 10 6.98x
Sutton In Macclesfield 10 33.98x
West Derby 10 2.24x
Laycock 9 174.76x
Newton In Makerfield 9 19.28x
Oldham 9 1.83x
Smallwood 9 354.33x
Cannock 8 10.57x
Leftwich 8 63.54x
Pownall Fee 8 63.04x
Southwark St George Martyr 8 3.09x
Sutton Coldfield 8 23.49x
Withington 8 16.29x
Barton Upon Irwell 7 6.10x
Brightside Bierlow 7 2.80x
Castleton 7 4.60x
Delamere 7 274.51x
Lymm 7 33.95x
Moss Side 7 8.73x
Openshaw 7 9.80x
Over Alderley 7 397.73x
St Marylebone London 7 1.02x
Timperley 7 70.99x
Wanstead 7 15.76x
Beswick 6 15.39x
Bethnal Green London 6 1.08x
Bradwall 6 205.48x
Buglawton 6 87.85x
Burnley 6 4.67x
Church Coppenhall 6 47.32x
Ealing 6 5.23x
Glossop Dale 6 6.37x
Haughton 6 272.73x
Lambeth 6 0.54x
Leeds 6 0.83x
Leicester St Martin 6 62.76x
Mottram St Andrew 6 372.67x
Moulton Eaton In 6 253.16x
Portsea 6 1.16x
Seighford 6 173.91x
Tottenham 6 2.93x
Whittingham 6 89.29x
Blackden 5 806.45x
Brereton Cum Smethwick 5 185.19x
Hawarden 5 18.43x
Knutsford Nether 5 29.17x
Wardleworth 5 5.74x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 96
William 83
Thomas 53
George 48
James 41
Joseph 32
Henry 22
Samuel 18
Edward 16
Arthur 15
Charles 15
Albert 12
Edwin 11
Robert 11
Herbert 10
Frederick 9
Harry 9
Alfred 6
Peter 6
Frank 5
Abraham 4
David 4
Ernest 4
Nathan 4
Thos. 4
Caleb 3
Chas. 3
Fred 3
Geo. 3
Harold 3
Isaac 3
Josiah 3
Nathaniel 3
Patrick 3
Allen 2
Benjamin 2
Clement 2
Daniel 2
Eli 2
Fredrick 2
Hamlet 2
Jas. 2
Lee 2
Mathew 2
Percy 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Willm. 2
Wm. 2
Fredk. 1

FAQ

Foden surname: questions and answers

How common was the Foden surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,327 people were recorded with the Foden surname. That placed it at #3,093 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Foden surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,257 in 2016. That gives Foden a modern rank of #4,758.

What does the Foden surname mean?

A surname of English origin derived from a place name, possibly relating to a valley or opening.

What does the Foden map show?

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