UK surname
A locational surname from a place in England, derived from the Old English elements "glenden" meaning "valley" or "glen".
In the 1881 census there were 151 people recorded with the Glendening surname, ranking it #15,419 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 56, ranked #34,562, down from #15,419 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Walsingham, Briton Ferry and Halifax. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Glendening is 163 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 62.9%.
1881 census count
151
Ranked #15,419
Modern count
56
2016, ranked #34,562
Peak year
1851
163 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Glendening surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Glendening surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 163 | #12,156 |
| 1861 | historical | 142 | #15,982 |
| 1881 | historical | 151 | #15,419 |
| 1891 | historical | 147 | #18,592 |
| 1901 | historical | 145 | #18,426 |
| 1911 | historical | 135 | #19,058 |
| 1997 | modern | 49 | #32,776 |
| 1998 | modern | 47 | #33,197 |
| 1999 | modern | 51 | #32,940 |
| 2000 | modern | 58 | #32,317 |
| 2001 | modern | 61 | #31,891 |
| 2002 | modern | 51 | #33,193 |
| 2003 | modern | 52 | #33,160 |
| 2004 | modern | 43 | #34,149 |
| 2005 | modern | 44 | #34,255 |
| 2006 | modern | 47 | #34,335 |
| 2007 | modern | 48 | #34,488 |
| 2008 | modern | 49 | #34,580 |
| 2009 | modern | 53 | #34,481 |
| 2010 | modern | 50 | #34,833 |
| 2011 | modern | 52 | #34,688 |
| 2012 | modern | 56 | #34,510 |
| 2013 | modern | 52 | #34,780 |
| 2014 | modern | 52 | #34,803 |
| 2015 | modern | 52 | #34,775 |
| 2016 | modern | 56 | #34,562 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Walsingham, Briton Ferry, Halifax, Bourn and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walsingham | Durham |
| 2 | Briton Ferry | Glamorganshire |
| 3 | Halifax | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 4 | Bourn | Lincolnshire |
| 5 | London parishes | London 3 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Glendening surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Glendening, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Glendening surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Glendening household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Glendening is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Glendening is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Glendening, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Glendening has its origins in Scotland, deriving from the place name "Glendonyn" or "Glendenyn," which itself comes from the Gaelic words "gleann" meaning "valley" and "donnan" meaning "brown." This suggests that the name likely referred to someone who lived in or near a brown-colored valley or glen.
The earliest known records of the Glendening surname can be traced back to the 13th century, with mentions of individuals bearing variations such as "de Glendonwyn" and "de Glendonyn" in Scottish charters and documents from that period. These early spellings reflect the evolution of the name from its Gaelic roots.
One of the earliest known individuals with this surname was John de Glendonwyn, who was mentioned in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical record of Scottish nobles and landowners who were forced to swear fealty to King Edward I of England during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
In the 16th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, including "Glendonyng," "Glendonyn," and "Glendinning," reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling at the time. Notable individuals from this period included Robert Glendinning (c. 1520-1590), a Scottish poet and satirist known for his works criticizing the clergy and advocating for the Protestant Reformation.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Glendening surname continued to be found in various parts of Scotland, particularly in the Borders region and the Lowlands. One notable figure was Sir Adam Glendonwyn (1630-1703), a Scottish landowner and politician who served as a member of the Parliament of Scotland.
In the 19th century, the surname spread beyond Scotland as individuals with the Glendening name emigrated to other parts of the British Empire and the United States. One notable individual from this period was Matilda Glendening (1822-1895), a Scottish-born educator and activist who founded several schools in South Africa and advocated for women's education and rights.
Another significant figure was William Glendening (1853-1937), a Scottish-American businessman who founded the Glendening Printing Company in Detroit, Michigan, and played a key role in the development of the printing industry in the United States.
While the Glendening surname has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread around the world, with individuals bearing this name making contributions in various fields, from politics and business to education and literature.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Glendening surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 31 Glendenings recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.12x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 31 | 2.12x |
| Durham | 30 | 6.85x |
| Lincolnshire | 14 | 5.94x |
| Lancashire | 13 | 0.74x |
| Glamorgan | 12 | 4.68x |
| Warwickshire | 10 | 2.69x |
| Gloucestershire | 9 | 3.12x |
| Cornwall | 8 | 4.80x |
| Devon | 6 | 1.96x |
| Essex | 5 | 1.72x |
| Ayrshire | 4 | 3.63x |
| Berkshire | 3 | 2.71x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.20x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.28x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.46x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bourn in Lincolnshire leads with 14 Glendenings recorded in 1881 and an index of 736.84x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bourn | 14 | 736.84x |
| Huddersfield | 12 | 56.44x |
| Aston | 10 | 9.78x |
| Briton Ferry | 10 | 326.80x |
| Wolsingham | 10 | 250.63x |
| Warden Law | 9 | 18000.00x |
| Redruth | 8 | 169.49x |
| Gloucester St John Baptist | 7 | 374.33x |
| Middlesbrough | 7 | 36.82x |
| Blatchinworth | 6 | 150.75x |
| Cornforth | 6 | 465.12x |
| Skipton | 6 | 130.72x |
| Stokesley | 6 | 659.34x |
| Tiverton | 6 | 113.64x |
| Ayr | 4 | 76.92x |
| St Osyth | 4 | 563.38x |
| West Derby | 4 | 7.82x |
| Reading St Giles | 3 | 27.65x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 2 | 5.32x |
| Bristol St Mary Redcliff | 2 | 76.05x |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 2 | 8.11x |
| Shadforth | 2 | 235.29x |
| St George Hanover Square | 2 | 7.71x |
| Broomley | 1 | 500.00x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 1.06x |
| Colchester St Botolph | 1 | 40.49x |
| Everton | 1 | 1.80x |
| Farnworth | 1 | 9.55x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 0.78x |
| Oldham | 1 | 1.77x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 1.27x |
| Sunderland | 1 | 12.92x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Glendening surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 13 |
| Sarah | 6 |
| Ellen | 5 |
| Emma | 4 |
| Elizabeth | 3 |
| Jane | 3 |
| Maria | 3 |
| Martha | 3 |
| Ada | 2 |
| Agnes | 2 |
| Ann | 2 |
| Florence | 2 |
| Harriet | 2 |
| Isabella | 2 |
| Nellie | 2 |
| Aguta | 1 |
| Annie | 1 |
| Caroline | 1 |
| Charlotte | 1 |
| Christina | 1 |
| Eleanor | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Georgiana | 1 |
| Geraldine | 1 |
| Gertrude | 1 |
| Hannah | 1 |
| Lilian | 1 |
| Lilly | 1 |
| Lousia | 1 |
| Maggie | 1 |
| Margaret | 1 |
| Margt. | 1 |
| Rhoda | 1 |
| Susan | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Glendening surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Glendening households.
FAQ
In 1881, 151 people were recorded with the Glendening surname. That placed it at #15,419 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 56 in 2016. That gives Glendening a modern rank of #34,562.
A locational surname from a place in England, derived from the Old English elements "glenden" meaning "valley" or "glen".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Glendening bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.