NameCensus.

UK surname

Headland

A geographical surname referring to someone who lived near a promontory or headland.

In the 1881 census there were 449 people recorded with the Headland surname, ranking it #7,335 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 622, ranked #8,471, down from #7,335 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Northamptonshire, Boston and Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Headland is 697 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.5%.

1881 census count

449

Ranked #7,335

Modern count

622

2016, ranked #8,471

Peak year

1911

697 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Headland had 449 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,335 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 622 in 2016, ranked #8,471.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 697 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Headland surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Headland surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Headland 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 331 #7,044
1861 historical 318 #7,999
1881 historical 449 #7,335
1891 historical 504 #7,377
1901 historical 648 #6,656
1911 historical 697 #6,101
1997 modern 629 #7,868
1998 modern 624 #8,162
1999 modern 635 #8,109
2000 modern 634 #8,086
2001 modern 611 #8,182
2002 modern 619 #8,262
2003 modern 608 #8,244
2004 modern 624 #8,099
2005 modern 606 #8,216
2006 modern 601 #8,277
2007 modern 616 #8,193
2008 modern 620 #8,198
2009 modern 627 #8,307
2010 modern 635 #8,398
2011 modern 616 #8,511
2012 modern 597 #8,640
2013 modern 615 #8,580
2014 modern 630 #8,453
2015 modern 621 #8,492
2016 modern 622 #8,471

Geography

Back to top

Where Headlands are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory and Ruskington, Haverholme Priory, Anwick. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Northamptonshire, Boston, Cornwall and Bassetlaw. 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 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory Northamptonshire
5 Ruskington, Haverholme Priory, Anwick Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Northamptonshire 004 East Northamptonshire
2 Boston 006 Boston
3 Cornwall 037 Cornwall
4 East Northamptonshire 003 East Northamptonshire
5 Bassetlaw 002 Bassetlaw

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Headland

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Headland

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Headland surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Headland household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Headland 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

Headland 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

Headland falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Headland is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Headland

The surname HEADLAND is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "heafod" meaning "head" and "land" meaning "land" or "territory." It is believed to have originated as a topographic name, referring to a person who lived near a headland or promontory.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Hevedelande." This suggests that the name was already in use by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.

During the medieval period, the name was also spelled as "Hedelond," "Hedlond," and "Hedlund." These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the inconsistencies in spelling and record-keeping at the time.

In the 13th century, the name was associated with a family that held lands in the county of Northumberland, near the village of Headland. This village, situated on a coastal promontory, may have contributed to the adoption of the surname by this particular family.

One notable figure bearing the HEADLAND surname was Sir John Headland (1485-1558), a English courtier and Member of Parliament during the reign of Henry VIII. He served as a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber and was known for his loyalty to the Tudor monarchy.

Another prominent individual was Robert Headland (1640-1712), an English clergyman and scholar. He served as the Archdeacon of Lewes and was known for his translations of ancient Greek texts.

In the 18th century, the HEADLAND family had established itself in the county of Yorkshire, where they were landowners and members of the gentry. One member, James Headland (1725-1797), was a prominent merchant and philanthropist in the city of York.

During the 19th century, the name spread across the British Empire as individuals with the HEADLAND surname emigrated to various colonies and dominions. One such person was William Headland (1810-1888), a British explorer and naturalist who traveled extensively in Africa and Asia.

Another notable figure was Elizabeth Headland (1876-1944), a British suffragette and activist who campaigned for women's rights and social reforms in the early 20th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Headland families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Headland 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. Middlesex leads with 87 Headlands recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.99x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 87 1.99x
Lincolnshire 79 11.28x
Northamptonshire 54 13.11x
Bedfordshire 43 18.96x
Yorkshire 29 0.67x
Lancashire 28 0.54x
Surrey 28 1.31x
Hampshire 21 2.34x
Nottinghamshire 13 2.20x
Cambridgeshire 11 3.97x
Hertfordshire 8 2.65x
Derbyshire 7 1.02x
Sussex 7 0.95x
Kent 5 0.33x
Somerset 5 0.71x
Berkshire 4 1.22x
Essex 4 0.46x
Gloucestershire 3 0.35x
Huntingdonshire 3 3.45x
Worcestershire 3 0.52x
Caernarfonshire 2 1.13x
Rutland 2 6.22x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.38x
Cheshire 1 0.10x
Norfolk 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 26 Headlands recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.38x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 26 7.38x
Ruskington 22 1229.05x
Souldrop 16 4444.44x
Bermondsey 13 9.97x
Islington London 13 3.06x
Newark Upon Trent 12 56.55x
Southampton St Mary 12 21.26x
Chadderton 9 35.42x
Denford 9 1200.00x
Donington 9 358.57x
Islip 9 1046.51x
Walmersley Cum 9 108.43x
Chipping Barnet 8 151.52x
Paddington London 8 4.97x
St Andrewthe Less 8 25.24x
Honington 7 2592.59x
Mackworth 7 1842.11x
Odell 7 1111.11x
Sculcoates 7 10.17x
Thrapston 7 338.16x
Westminster St John 7 13.12x
Woodford 7 305.68x
Brightside Bierlow 6 7.05x
Caythorpe 6 447.76x
Hammersmith London 6 5.56x
Harrold 6 389.61x
Northampton St Giles 6 38.24x
Wellingborough 6 28.97x
Brighton 5 3.36x
Clapham 5 9.13x
Clapton 5 1562.50x
Louth 5 31.15x
South Rauceby 5 862.07x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 4 26.95x
Cople 4 579.71x
Hornsey 4 7.22x
Penge 4 14.30x
Rotherham 4 16.35x
St George In East London 4 9.71x
Warrington 4 6.49x
Barrow In Furness 3 4.24x
Gloucester St Mary Crypt 3 227.27x
Horsforth 3 31.51x
Milton In Gravesend 3 13.39x
Odiham 3 76.14x
Potter Hanworth 3 461.54x
Ringstead 3 209.79x
Ripton Kings 3 1111.11x
Rotherhithe 3 5.54x
Sharnbrook 3 240.00x
Spalding 3 21.58x
St George Hanover Square 3 3.89x
St Marylebone London 3 1.28x
Walcot 3 7.99x
Willesden 3 7.27x
Wymington 3 405.41x
Burwell 2 833.33x
Clapham 2 219.78x
Eastbourne 2 5.89x
Heckmondwike 2 14.33x
Hougham 2 487.80x
Huddleston Cum Lumby 2 555.56x
Kelby 2 1333.33x
Kings Norton 2 3.90x
Leadenham 2 714.29x
Llandudno 2 31.70x
New Sealford 2 138.89x
New Windsor 2 18.10x
Newington 2 1.24x
Saffron Walden 2 21.91x
Shoreditch London 2 1.05x
Southampton All Sts 2 12.99x
St Anne Soho London 2 8.00x
St George Martyr London 2 22.55x
White Waltham 2 162.60x
Whitwell 2 1250.00x
Ellesborough 1 109.89x
Rudston 1 109.89x
St George Bloomsbury 1 3.98x
Wilton 1 54.35x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 34
John 29
Charles 15
Thomas 15
Henry 13
James 10
George 9
Joseph 8
Robert 7
Albert 6
Samuel 6
Arthur 5
Alfred 4
David 4
Edward 4
Harry 4
Daniel 2
Frederick 2
Herbert 2
Walter 2
Chas. 1
Cyril 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Jesse 1
Leopold 1
Lizzie 1
Martin 1
Matthew 1
Miles 1
Norman 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Phillip 1
Richard 1
Rob 1
Robt. 1
Sydney 1
Taylor 1
Ted 1
Thos. 1
Ths.V. 1
Tom 1
W. 1
Will 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Headland surname: questions and answers

How common was the Headland surname in 1881?

In 1881, 449 people were recorded with the Headland surname. That placed it at #7,335 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Headland surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 622 in 2016. That gives Headland a modern rank of #8,471.

What does the Headland surname mean?

A geographical surname referring to someone who lived near a promontory or headland.

What does the Headland map show?

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