NameCensus.

UK surname

Fullam

A surname that may derive from an Old English place name meaning "foul water" or "muddy stream."

In the 1881 census there were 54 people recorded with the Fullam surname, ranking it #26,009 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 109, ranked #29,402, down from #26,009 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Redcar and Cleveland, Mid Suffolk and East Riding of Yorkshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fullam is 132 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 101.9%.

1881 census count

54

Ranked #26,009

Modern count

109

2016, ranked #29,402

Peak year

2002

132 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fullam had 54 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,009 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016, ranked #29,402.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 71 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Fullam surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fullam surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fullam 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 61 #22,412
1861 historical 44 #28,433
1881 historical 54 #26,009
1891 historical 59 #29,325
1901 historical 71 #26,277
1911 historical 58 #27,001
1997 modern 131 #22,927
1998 modern 127 #23,940
1999 modern 129 #23,907
2000 modern 129 #23,901
2001 modern 129 #23,557
2002 modern 132 #23,680
2003 modern 128 #23,890
2004 modern 127 #24,224
2005 modern 124 #24,529
2006 modern 129 #24,165
2007 modern 127 #24,748
2008 modern 123 #25,505
2009 modern 122 #26,220
2010 modern 122 #26,876
2011 modern 125 #26,220
2012 modern 117 #27,394
2013 modern 118 #27,686
2014 modern 112 #28,934
2015 modern 109 #29,327
2016 modern 109 #29,402

Geography

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Where Fullams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Redcar and Cleveland, Mid Suffolk, East Riding of Yorkshire and Cheshire West and Chester. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Redcar and Cleveland 006 Redcar and Cleveland
2 Mid Suffolk 003 Mid Suffolk
3 East Riding of Yorkshire 045 East Riding of Yorkshire
4 Cheshire West and Chester 013 Cheshire West and Chester
5 Mid Suffolk 004 Mid Suffolk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fullam

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Fullam

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Fullam, 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 Fullam surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Fullam 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Fullam is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Fullam is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Fullam

The surname Fullam is believed to have originated in England, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational name, derived from a place called Fullam or a similar-sounding location. The name may also have evolved from the Old English words "ful" meaning foul or dirty, and "ham" meaning a homestead or village, potentially referring to a settlement near a muddy or marshy area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Fullam can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1203, where a certain Richard de Fullam is mentioned. This suggests that the name was well-established in England by the 13th century.

In the 14th century, the Fullam name appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, where a John Fullam is listed as a taxpayer. This record provides evidence of the name's presence in the West Midlands region during that time period.

Notable individuals with the surname Fullam include Sir John Fullam, a prominent English merchant and Member of Parliament for the City of London in the late 16th century. He played a significant role in the establishment of trade relations between England and Russia during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another notable figure was William Fullam, a 17th-century English clergyman and author who wrote several religious treatises and sermons. He served as the rector of St. Margaret's Church in Canterbury from 1642 until his death in 1671.

In the 18th century, Robert Fullam (1709-1788) was a respected landowner and justice of the peace in Gloucestershire. He was known for his involvement in local affairs and his advocacy for agricultural reforms.

Moving into the 19th century, we find Edward Fullam (1825-1901), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Masonic School for Boys in Wandsworth.

During the same period, Samuel Fullam (1838-1912) was a prominent Canadian businessman and philanthropist. He founded the Fullam Dairy Company in Montreal and was actively involved in various charitable organizations.

These examples provide insights into the history and geographical distribution of the Fullam surname, as well as some of the notable individuals who have carried this name throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Fullam families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fullam 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 23 Fullams recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.49x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 23 3.49x
Yorkshire 13 2.36x
Durham 7 4.23x
Essex 5 4.56x
Channel Islands 3 18.21x
Devon 1 0.86x
Leicestershire 1 1.62x
Middlesex 1 0.18x
Northamptonshire 1 1.91x
Surrey 1 0.37x
Warwickshire 1 0.71x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Holy Trinity in Yorkshire leads with 7 Fullams recorded in 1881 and an index of 52.83x.

Place Total Index
Holy Trinity 7 52.83x
Sunderland 7 239.73x
Saffron Walden 5 431.03x
Sculcoates 5 57.27x
Everton 4 19.02x
Hulme 4 29.05x
Liverpool 4 9.98x
Manchester 4 13.48x
Oldham 3 14.09x
St Helier 3 55.97x
Worsley 3 73.71x
Brackley St James 1 833.33x
Bridlington 1 79.37x
Devonport 1 75.19x
Great Bolton 1 11.44x
Grendon 1 833.33x
Lambeth 1 2.06x
Leicester St Margaret 1 6.65x
St Marylebone London 1 3.37x

Top female names

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

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Fullam households.

FAQ

Fullam surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fullam surname in 1881?

In 1881, 54 people were recorded with the Fullam surname. That placed it at #26,009 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fullam surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016. That gives Fullam a modern rank of #29,402.

What does the Fullam surname mean?

A surname that may derive from an Old English place name meaning "foul water" or "muddy stream."

What does the Fullam map show?

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