NameCensus.

UK surname

Foulds

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "foul" or "dirty" lands.

In the 1881 census there were 2,035 people recorded with the Foulds surname, ranking it #2,163 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,875, ranked #3,393, down from #2,163 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Halifax and Bingley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rotherham, Calderdale and Pendle.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Foulds is 2,490 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 7.9%.

1881 census count

2,035

Ranked #2,163

Modern count

1,875

2016, ranked #3,393

Peak year

1911

2,490 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Foulds had 2,035 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,163 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,875 in 2016, ranked #3,393.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,490 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Foulds surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Foulds surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Foulds 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 1,267 #2,253
1861 historical 1,290 #2,209
1881 historical 2,035 #2,163
1891 historical 2,180 #2,146
1901 historical 2,486 #2,195
1911 historical 2,490 #2,068
1997 modern 1,980 #3,079
1998 modern 2,062 #3,084
1999 modern 2,048 #3,124
2000 modern 2,034 #3,124
2001 modern 1,964 #3,152
2002 modern 1,959 #3,226
2003 modern 1,901 #3,238
2004 modern 1,884 #3,261
2005 modern 1,820 #3,334
2006 modern 1,812 #3,353
2007 modern 1,839 #3,335
2008 modern 1,841 #3,366
2009 modern 1,874 #3,387
2010 modern 1,924 #3,380
2011 modern 1,903 #3,372
2012 modern 1,867 #3,378
2013 modern 1,915 #3,358
2014 modern 1,921 #3,363
2015 modern 1,895 #3,374
2016 modern 1,875 #3,393

Geography

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Where Foulds' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Halifax, Bingley, Bradford and Keighley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rotherham, Calderdale, Pendle and Blackpool. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Bingley Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Keighley Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rotherham 032 Rotherham
2 Rotherham 020 Rotherham
3 Calderdale 003 Calderdale
4 Pendle 006 Pendle
5 Blackpool 005 Blackpool

Forenames

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First names often paired with Foulds

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Foulds

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Foulds 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

Foulds is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Foulds falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Foulds is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Foulds

The surname Foulds originates from England, tracing its roots back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "fold," which referred to an enclosure for animals or a small valley. The name likely originated as a descriptive term for someone who lived near a fold or a valley.

Foulds is a variant spelling of the more common surname Folds, which appeared in various historical records such as the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1297, where one John del Foldes was mentioned. This early record suggests that the name was present in Yorkshire during that period.

In the 14th century, the name Foulds can be found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, where it was listed as "Foldes." This spelling variation highlights the fluid nature of surnames during that era, as they were often subject to regional dialects and scribal interpretations.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Richard de Foldes, who was recorded in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire in 1285. This historical document provides evidence of the name's presence in the region during the late 13th century.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Foulds. One such figure was John Foulds (1760-1846), a British merchant and philanthropist who established the Foulds Trust, dedicated to supporting education and charity initiatives.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Sir William Foulds (1850-1927), a Scottish businessman and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the Kilmarnock Burghs constituency from 1900 to 1906.

In the literary realm, Emily Foulds (1887-1968) was a British writer and poet known for her works exploring themes of nature and rural life. Her collection of poems, "The Hillside Muse," published in 1924, received critical acclaim.

Robert Foulds (1892-1975) was a renowned English cricketer who played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and represented England in Test matches between 1920 and 1928.

Additionally, the name Foulds has been associated with various place names in England, such as Foulds Farm in Eccleshill, West Yorkshire, and Foulds Lane in Marple, Greater Manchester, further highlighting its historical geographic connections.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Foulds families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Foulds 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 667 Foulds' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.84x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 667 2.84x
Yorkshire 602 3.07x
Leicestershire 174 7.94x
Nottinghamshire 104 3.90x
Lanarkshire 94 1.47x
Derbyshire 83 2.68x
Renfrewshire 78 5.09x
Surrey 44 0.46x
Ayrshire 37 2.50x
Middlesex 26 0.13x
Northamptonshire 20 1.08x
Essex 10 0.26x
Staffordshire 10 0.15x
Midlothian 9 0.34x
Dunbartonshire 8 1.51x
Lincolnshire 7 0.22x
Warwickshire 7 0.14x
Cheshire 6 0.14x
Durham 6 0.10x
Cumberland 5 0.29x
Kirkcudbrightshire 5 1.75x
Inverness-shire 4 0.68x
Kent 4 0.06x
Angus 3 0.16x
West Lothian 3 1.01x
Buteshire 2 1.67x
Devon 2 0.05x
Sussex 2 0.06x
Berkshire 1 0.07x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.08x
Somerset 1 0.03x
Stirlingshire 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Colne in Lancashire leads with 105 Foulds' recorded in 1881 and an index of 150.30x.

Place Total Index
Colne 105 150.30x
Bingley 95 76.17x
Great Little Marsden 74 68.88x
Govan 55 3.48x
Bradford 52 10.97x
Ovenden 40 45.89x
Burnley 39 19.75x
Habergham Eaves 39 18.19x
Keighley 37 17.72x
Paisley Middle Church 30 33.64x
Atherton 29 33.97x
Newchurch 29 15.12x
Warley 29 51.24x
Barony 28 1.73x
Barrowford Booth 28 107.90x
North South Anston 27 315.42x
Woodhouse 27 309.99x
Blackburn 24 3.85x
Horton In Bradford 23 7.52x
Hulme 23 4.70x
Leicester St Margaret 22 4.12x
Northowram 21 15.29x
Ratby 21 191.26x
Leeds 20 1.81x
Shipley 20 19.68x
Ecclesall Bierlow 18 4.52x
Manningham 18 7.46x
Bowling 17 8.76x
Clayton 17 35.47x
Lower Booths 17 40.46x
Spotland 17 6.52x
Stewarton 17 58.08x
Accrington 16 7.50x
Camberwell 16 1.27x
East Greenock 16 11.06x
Tottington Lower End 16 14.36x
Battersea 15 2.06x
Halifax 15 5.22x
Kettering 15 19.95x
Salford 15 2.17x
Castleton 14 5.98x
Long Whatton 14 294.74x
Trawden 14 95.43x
Alfreton 13 13.83x
Newtown Linford 13 397.55x
Sheffield 13 2.09x
Basford 12 9.77x
Bury 12 4.48x
Lenton 12 19.12x
Little Bolton 12 3.98x
Everton 11 1.47x
Kegworth 11 75.50x
Paisley High Church 11 9.02x
Derby St Werburgh 10 5.60x
Kellington 10 478.47x
Newark Upon Trent 10 10.44x
Derby St Alkmund 9 9.71x
Ilkeston 9 10.37x
Loughborough 9 9.05x
Manchester 9 0.85x
Nottingham St Mary 9 1.31x
Old Monkland 9 3.55x
Pendleton In Salford 9 3.22x
Renfrew 9 17.79x
Rusholme 9 14.39x
Sileby 9 65.12x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 9 13.33x
Chesterfield 8 6.90x
East Ham 8 11.05x
Leicester St Mary 8 4.52x
Mansfield 8 8.68x
Pudsey 8 7.64x
Radford 8 5.91x
Rotherhithe 8 3.28x
Bootle Cum Linacre 7 3.76x
Cumbernauld 7 24.06x
Holy Trinity St Mary 7 23.48x
Oldham 7 0.92x
Selston 7 23.53x
Tong 7 18.50x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 126
William 102
James 74
Thomas 61
George 58
Joseph 40
Robert 34
Henry 22
Samuel 21
Arthur 17
Charles 17
Alfred 14
Fred 13
Richard 13
Frank 12
Frederick 12
Walter 11
Edward 10
Wm. 10
Benjamin 9
Herbert 9
Harry 8
Albert 7
Daniel 7
Israel 7
Edwin 5
Matthew 5
David 4
Ernest 4
Francis 4
Peter 4
Robinson 4
Stephen 4
Tom 4
Jeremiah 3
Norman 3
Thos. 3
Willie 3
Willm. 3
Allen 2
Aron 2
Ezra 2
Geo. 2
Jas. 2
Joe 2
Jonathan 2
Leonard 2
Mark 2
Sam 2
Saml. 2

FAQ

Foulds surname: questions and answers

How common was the Foulds surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,035 people were recorded with the Foulds surname. That placed it at #2,163 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Foulds surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,875 in 2016. That gives Foulds a modern rank of #3,393.

What does the Foulds surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "foul" or "dirty" lands.

What does the Foulds map show?

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