NameCensus.

UK surname

Fulcher

An occupational surname referring to a soldier or keeper of fowls or birds.

In the 1881 census there were 1,515 people recorded with the Fulcher surname, ranking it #2,773 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,087, ranked #3,099, down from #2,773 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Occold and Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include St Edmundsbury, Mid Suffolk and Breckland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fulcher is 2,217 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 37.8%.

1881 census count

1,515

Ranked #2,773

Modern count

2,087

2016, ranked #3,099

Peak year

1998

2,217 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fulcher had 1,515 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,773 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,087 in 2016, ranked #3,099.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,107 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Fulcher surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fulcher surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Fulcher 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 1,061 #2,640
1861 historical 926 #2,999
1881 historical 1,515 #2,773
1891 historical 1,536 #2,874
1901 historical 1,874 #2,810
1911 historical 2,107 #2,378
1997 modern 2,129 #2,901
1998 modern 2,217 #2,903
1999 modern 2,179 #2,959
2000 modern 2,157 #2,971
2001 modern 2,117 #2,962
2002 modern 2,184 #2,937
2003 modern 2,103 #2,975
2004 modern 2,098 #2,983
2005 modern 2,053 #3,006
2006 modern 2,065 #3,000
2007 modern 2,088 #2,996
2008 modern 2,068 #3,050
2009 modern 2,143 #3,026
2010 modern 2,146 #3,081
2011 modern 2,111 #3,090
2012 modern 2,052 #3,122
2013 modern 2,089 #3,123
2014 modern 2,116 #3,105
2015 modern 2,107 #3,083
2016 modern 2,087 #3,099

Geography

Back to top

Where Fulchers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Occold, Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John and Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to St Edmundsbury, Mid Suffolk, Breckland, County Durham and Ipswich. 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 Occold Suffolk
4 Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John Norfolk
5 Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 St Edmundsbury 001 St Edmundsbury
2 Mid Suffolk 001 Mid Suffolk
3 Breckland 014 Breckland
4 County Durham 040 County Durham
5 Ipswich 016 Ipswich

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Fulcher

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Fulcher

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Fulcher 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

Fulcher is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Fulcher

The surname Fulcher is of English origin, with its roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "fulchere," which translates to "a fowler" or "a bird catcher." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname were likely associated with hunting or trapping birds.

The name is found in various historical records, including the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Fulcherius." This entry indicates that the name was present in England during the Norman Conquest. Additionally, the Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1194 mention a "Willelmus Fulcher," providing evidence of the surname's early usage.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was Sir Geoffrey Fulcher, a knight who participated in the Third Crusade (1189-1192) under King Richard I. His account of the crusade, known as the "Fulcher of Chartres," is considered a significant historical source for that period.

In the 14th century, a prominent figure named Robert Fulcher (c. 1325-1395) served as the Mayor of Bristol, England, from 1371 to 1372. He played a crucial role in the town's governance during a turbulent period in English history.

Another notable individual was Sir Thomas Fulcher (c. 1450-1514), a wealthy merchant and Member of Parliament for Taunton, Somerset, during the reign of King Henry VIII. He was known for his involvement in local politics and his philanthropic endeavors.

During the 17th century, John Fulcher (1605-1665) gained recognition as a renowned English author and pamphleteer. He was a staunch supporter of the Parliamentarian cause during the English Civil War and wrote extensively on religious and political matters.

In the 18th century, William Fulcher (1736-1808) was a prominent English engraver and illustrator. He is best known for his engravings of landscapes and architectural subjects, many of which were published in various books and journals of his time.

The surname Fulcher has undergone minor variations in spelling over the centuries, including Fulcher, Fulchier, and Fulchare. Additionally, it is believed to have given rise to various place names, such as Fulcher's Green and Fulcher's Hill, found in different parts of England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Fulcher families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fulcher 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. Norfolk leads with 402 Fulchers recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.70x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 402 17.70x
Suffolk 282 15.68x
Middlesex 180 1.22x
Essex 142 4.87x
Cambridgeshire 84 8.98x
Lincolnshire 78 3.30x
Surrey 69 0.96x
Kent 60 1.19x
Yorkshire 55 0.38x
Lancashire 32 0.18x
Northumberland 15 0.68x
Hampshire 13 0.43x
Shropshire 11 0.86x
Wiltshire 10 0.77x
Worcestershire 10 0.52x
Berkshire 9 0.81x
Staffordshire 9 0.18x
Lanarkshire 8 0.17x
Pembrokeshire 7 1.49x
Warwickshire 6 0.16x
Hertfordshire 5 0.49x
Dorset 4 0.41x
Durham 4 0.09x
Gloucestershire 3 0.10x
Northamptonshire 3 0.22x
Oxfordshire 3 0.33x
Glamorgan 2 0.08x
Sussex 2 0.08x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.11x
Derbyshire 1 0.04x
Devon 1 0.03x
Herefordshire 1 0.17x
Renfrewshire 1 0.09x
Westmorland 1 0.31x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Heigham in Norfolk leads with 49 Fulchers recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.20x.

Place Total Index
Heigham 49 40.20x
Great Yarmouth 37 19.67x
Holbeach 33 125.48x
West Ham 27 4.19x
St Marylebone London 25 3.17x
Wymondham 25 107.67x
Mile End Old Town London 24 7.64x
Chesterton 22 76.28x
Hackney London 22 2.66x
Ipswich St Margaret 21 34.40x
Occold 21 792.45x
Drayton 19 917.87x
Lambeth 19 1.48x
Chelmsford 18 35.99x
Lakenham 18 55.80x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 17 50.36x
Diss 15 77.08x
Norwich St Stephen 15 71.98x
Camberwell 14 1.48x
East Dereham 14 48.80x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 13 31.87x
North Shoebury 13 1313.13x
Prittlewell 12 29.70x
Guiseley 11 58.70x
Horsford 11 312.50x
Boston 10 13.96x
Islington London 10 0.70x
Melton 10 141.24x
Rochford 10 117.92x
South Mimms 10 49.38x
St Andrewthe Less 10 9.36x
St Pancras London 10 0.84x
Stonham Aspall 10 272.48x
Astley Abbotts 9 285.71x
Bury St Edmunds St James 9 18.73x
Framsden 9 225.56x
Hethel 9 1200.00x
Limehouse London 9 5.55x
Manthorpe Cum Little 9 49.86x
Southwark St John 9 19.92x
Woodbridge 9 39.13x
Yaxley 9 478.72x
Aylsham 8 59.17x
Barony 8 0.66x
Bucklesham 8 493.83x
Castleford 8 15.01x
Gillingham 8 7.70x
Helmingham 8 465.12x
Littleport 8 44.77x
Maldon St Marys 8 114.45x
Margate St John Baptist 8 8.67x
Romford 8 17.36x
Shrivenham 8 145.72x
Winfarthing 8 262.30x
Worcester St Peter 8 21.91x
Bermondsey 7 1.59x
Erringden 7 74.07x
Gomersal 7 10.25x
Isleworth 7 10.66x
Kensington London 7 0.85x
Monewden 7 625.00x
Pembroke St Mary 7 11.58x
Spalding 7 14.94x
The Holy Sepulchre 7 305.68x
Ardwick 6 3.80x
Bungay St Mary 6 67.34x
Carlton Colville 6 90.91x
Chatteris 6 25.14x
Clare 6 69.69x
East Bradenham 6 363.64x
Great Grimsby 6 4.00x
Hornby In Northallerton 6 461.54x
Horninglow 6 25.55x
Kenninghall 6 96.31x
Kirby Cane 6 283.02x
Litcham 6 147.42x
Maldon St Peter 6 40.40x
Terrington St Clement 6 58.48x
Thorpe Next Norwich 6 24.93x
Wreningham 6 242.92x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 94
Elizabeth 59
Sarah 49
Eliza 31
Alice 28
Emma 26
Jane 24
Hannah 21
Ellen 20
Emily 20
Ann 17
Charlotte 17
Caroline 13
Harriet 12
Susan 12
Ada 10
Florence 10
Anna 9
Kate 9
Louisa 9
Maria 9
Martha 9
Edith 8
Agnes 7
Annie 7
Frances 7
Harriett 7
Susannah 7
Amy 6
Fanny 6
Margaret 6
Rebecca 6
Susanna 6
Betsey 5
Clara 5
Gertrude 5
Sophia 5
E. 4
Ethel 4
Isabella 4
Matilda 4
Eleanor 3
Elizth. 3
Jessie 3
Laura 3
Lucy 3
Mildred 3
Rachel 3
Rose 3
Rosetta 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 91
John 80
George 60
James 59
Thomas 41
Robert 39
Charles 32
Henry 30
Arthur 23
Samuel 21
Edward 18
Frederick 17
Walter 17
Alfred 15
Joseph 15
Albert 13
Herbert 10
Isaac 9
David 7
Wm. 7
Ernest 6
Frank 6
Benjamin 5
Geo. 5
Harry 5
Richard 4
Aaron 3
Alexander 3
Daniel 3
Thos. 3
Aron 2
Elijah 2
Francis 2
Fred 2
Horace 2
Jesse 2
Mathew 2
Moses 2
Peter 2
Alan 1
Alf.Tho. 1
Benjamine 1
Burred 1
Claud 1
Eddie 1
Edmund 1
Gilford 1
H. 1
Harold 1
Hedley 1

FAQ

Fulcher surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fulcher surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,515 people were recorded with the Fulcher surname. That placed it at #2,773 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fulcher surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,087 in 2016. That gives Fulcher a modern rank of #3,099.

What does the Fulcher surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a soldier or keeper of fowls or birds.

What does the Fulcher map show?

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