NameCensus.

UK surname

Foord

An English toponymic surname derived from various place names meaning "ford" or "shallow river crossing."

In the 1881 census there were 1,302 people recorded with the Foord surname, ranking it #3,144 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,479, ranked #4,164, down from #3,144 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, Ore and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lewes, Hastings and Arun.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Foord is 1,690 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 13.6%.

1881 census count

1,302

Ranked #3,144

Modern count

1,479

2016, ranked #4,164

Peak year

1911

1,690 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Foord had 1,302 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,144 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,479 in 2016, ranked #4,164.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,690 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Foord surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Foord surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Foord 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 1,003 #2,785
1861 historical 771 #3,570
1881 historical 1,302 #3,144
1891 historical 1,301 #3,328
1901 historical 1,503 #3,412
1911 historical 1,690 #2,903
1997 modern 1,577 #3,740
1998 modern 1,613 #3,815
1999 modern 1,607 #3,855
2000 modern 1,566 #3,918
2001 modern 1,545 #3,893
2002 modern 1,585 #3,889
2003 modern 1,528 #3,935
2004 modern 1,507 #3,979
2005 modern 1,491 #3,982
2006 modern 1,465 #4,050
2007 modern 1,461 #4,092
2008 modern 1,471 #4,095
2009 modern 1,513 #4,086
2010 modern 1,536 #4,120
2011 modern 1,519 #4,114
2012 modern 1,495 #4,104
2013 modern 1,503 #4,148
2014 modern 1,507 #4,161
2015 modern 1,491 #4,164
2016 modern 1,479 #4,164

Geography

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Where Foords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, Ore, London parishes, Ashford and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lewes, Hastings, Arun and Wealden. 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 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
2 Ore Sussex
3 London parishes London 3
4 Ashford Kent
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lewes 004 Lewes
2 Hastings 005 Hastings
3 Arun 005 Arun
4 Wealden 014 Wealden
5 Lewes 003 Lewes

Forenames

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First names often paired with Foord

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Foord

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

Foord is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Foord falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Foord

The surname FOORD has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from the Old English words "ford" or "forda," meaning a shallow place where a river or stream could be crossed. This suggests that the name may have been adopted by people who lived near a ford, or a crossing point over a body of water.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are several entries that mention places with names containing the element "ford." This indicates that the FOORD surname may have arisen from these locations during the 11th or 12th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the FOORD surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1191, where a person named William de Forda is mentioned. The "de" prefix denotes a locational name, suggesting that William was from a place called Forda or Ford.

Throughout history, the surname FOORD has been spelled in various ways, including Forde, Foard, Foord, and Foorde. These variations likely emerged due to regional dialects and the inconsistencies in spelling practices during earlier times.

Several notable individuals have borne the FOORD surname over the centuries. One example is Sir John Foord (c. 1470-1533), an English merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers. Another is Thomas Foord (1582-1668), an English clergyman who served as the rector of St. Clement Danes in London.

In the 17th century, Edward Foord (1605-1676) was a prominent English lawyer and Member of Parliament. He played a significant role in the Parliamentary cause during the English Civil War and served as a judge during the Commonwealth period.

Moving into the 18th century, John Foord (1712-1770) was an English antiquarian and writer, known for his works on the history of Berkshire.

In more recent times, Richard Foord (1938-2021) was a British actor and playwright, best known for his roles in television series like "Sherlock Holmes" and "The Professionals."

These examples illustrate the long-standing presence of the FOORD surname in England, as well as its association with individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, clergy, lawyers, writers, and actors.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Foord families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Foord 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. Kent leads with 428 Foords recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.85x.

County Total Index
Kent 428 9.85x
Sussex 400 18.62x
Middlesex 103 0.81x
Surrey 99 1.59x
Somerset 67 3.27x
Yorkshire 50 0.40x
Gloucestershire 24 0.96x
Hampshire 23 0.88x
Durham 14 0.37x
Lancashire 13 0.09x
Lanarkshire 11 0.27x
Stirlingshire 10 2.13x
Wiltshire 8 0.71x
Clackmannanshire 7 6.65x
Dorset 7 0.84x
Midlothian 7 0.41x
Derbyshire 5 0.25x
Fife 5 0.66x
Buckinghamshire 3 0.39x
Channel Islands 3 0.79x
Essex 3 0.12x
Lincolnshire 3 0.15x
Berkshire 2 0.21x
Devon 2 0.08x
Warwickshire 2 0.06x
Angus 1 0.08x
Brecknockshire 1 0.39x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.12x
Cheshire 1 0.04x
Glamorgan 1 0.05x
Royal Navy 1 0.66x
West Lothian 1 0.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 69 Foords recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.92x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 69 15.92x
Ore 34 212.63x
Minster In Thanet 33 364.64x
Hastings St Mary 32 59.86x
Ashford 30 70.87x
Ruckinge 29 1676.30x
Camberwell 27 3.32x
Hastings St Mary In The 24 52.38x
Westham 23 526.32x
Lambeth 21 1.89x
Horsemonden 20 314.96x
Shipham 20 1123.60x
Hastings St Clement 19 94.01x
Maidstone 19 14.67x
Eastry 18 298.51x
Waldron 17 290.60x
Islington London 16 1.30x
Friston 15 3658.54x
Hackney London 15 2.10x
Dover St Mary Virgin 12 28.52x
Hastings St Leonards 12 38.01x
Portsea 12 2.34x
Tonbridge 12 7.65x
Catsfield 11 357.14x
Hastings All Sts 11 54.35x
Rochester St Nicholas 11 81.36x
St Lawrence 11 36.80x
Ashburnham 10 295.86x
Bilsington 10 598.80x
Charing 10 170.07x
Cheltenham 10 5.19x
Mayfield 10 78.74x
Sandwich St Clement 10 272.48x
Westoe 10 4.65x
Willesborough 10 85.54x
Bristol St Augustine 9 22.32x
Clapham 9 5.65x
Faversham 9 21.71x
Hamsey 9 371.90x
Hoo 9 155.98x
Arlington 8 312.50x
Canterbury St Dunstan 8 106.67x
Chilham 8 129.24x
Faceby 8 1052.63x
Hailsham 8 61.54x
Isleworth 8 14.12x
Southwark St George Martyr 8 3.12x
Swindon 8 9.15x
Waltham 8 361.99x
Benenden 7 507.25x
Clackmannan 7 35.19x
Clevedon 7 32.83x
Dalziel 7 15.79x
Deal 7 18.88x
Deptford St Paul 7 2.09x
Ealing 7 6.15x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 7 1.02x
Edmonton 7 6.82x
Rochester St Margaret 7 15.27x
Scarborough 7 6.10x
Sittingbourne 7 20.40x
Aylesford 6 49.83x
Bedminster 6 3.11x
Blagdon 6 138.89x
Bromley London 6 2.14x
Farndale East Side 6 370.37x
Folkestone 6 7.12x
Hellingly 6 83.45x
Kensington London 6 0.85x
Lenham 6 69.20x
Mountfield 6 220.59x
Penge 6 7.37x
Rye 6 29.40x
Soberton 6 125.00x
Yatton 6 75.19x
Bobbing 5 243.90x
Brockley 5 1041.67x
Cranbrook 5 27.16x
Ewhurst 5 104.82x
St Nicholas At Wade 5 196.85x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 67
Elizabeth 52
Sarah 41
Jane 26
Emma 25
Caroline 20
Eliza 20
Ellen 20
Annie 18
Emily 16
Alice 15
Charlotte 14
Ann 12
Frances 12
Harriett 12
Louisa 12
Edith 11
Harriet 11
Kate 10
Ada 9
Clara 8
Fanny 8
Julia 8
Catherine 7
Hannah 7
Florence 6
Lucy 6
Margaret 6
Amelia 5
Maria 5
Minnie 5
Rose 5
Susan 5
Agnes 4
Isabella 4
Lydia 4
Philadelphia 4
Phillis 4
Ruth 4
Anne 3
Esther 3
Helen 3
Jessie 3
Louise 3
Martha 3
Matilda 3
Rosa 3
Constance 2
Rachel 2
Rebecca 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 79
John 70
George 55
James 45
Thomas 38
Charles 25
Henry 25
Edward 24
Frederick 23
Alfred 22
Richard 16
Robert 14
Stephen 14
Albert 13
Frank 11
Joseph 10
Arthur 7
Herbert 7
Francis 6
Harry 6
Samuel 5
Walter 5
Abraham 4
Geo. 4
Jesse 4
Ernest 3
Horace 3
Wm. 3
Aaron 2
Daniel 2
Edwin 2
Ned 2
Philip 2
Thos. 2
Amos 1
Basil 1
Benguman 1
Benjamin 1
Boaz 1
Edmond 1
Edmund 1
Egbert 1
Elam 1
Eldred 1
Eli 1
Elijah 1
Harold 1
Henri 1
Infant 1
Wyndham 1

FAQ

Foord surname: questions and answers

How common was the Foord surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,302 people were recorded with the Foord surname. That placed it at #3,144 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Foord surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,479 in 2016. That gives Foord a modern rank of #4,164.

What does the Foord surname mean?

An English toponymic surname derived from various place names meaning "ford" or "shallow river crossing."

What does the Foord map show?

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