NameCensus.

UK surname

Hebdon

A locational surname from a place in Yorkshire, England, derived from Old English words for "high valley."

In the 1881 census there were 207 people recorded with the Hebdon surname, ranking it #12,555 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 308, ranked #14,479, down from #12,555 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stokesley, Easingwold and Middleton-in-Teesdale. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hambleton, Berwickshire Central and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hebdon is 322 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 48.8%.

1881 census count

207

Ranked #12,555

Modern count

308

2016, ranked #14,479

Peak year

1911

322 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hebdon had 207 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,555 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 308 in 2016, ranked #14,479.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 322 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Hebdon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hebdon surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hebdon 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 127 #14,547
1861 historical 178 #13,202
1881 historical 207 #12,555
1891 historical 223 #13,800
1901 historical 242 #13,392
1911 historical 322 #10,873
1997 modern 300 #13,530
1998 modern 319 #13,330
1999 modern 321 #13,362
2000 modern 319 #13,391
2001 modern 316 #13,258
2002 modern 315 #13,561
2003 modern 309 #13,559
2004 modern 296 #14,005
2005 modern 296 #13,947
2006 modern 286 #14,322
2007 modern 289 #14,401
2008 modern 287 #14,580
2009 modern 295 #14,594
2010 modern 301 #14,697
2011 modern 300 #14,591
2012 modern 311 #14,173
2013 modern 308 #14,482
2014 modern 304 #14,703
2015 modern 302 #14,687
2016 modern 308 #14,479

Geography

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Where Hebdons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stokesley, Easingwold, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Catterick and Snaith. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hambleton, Berwickshire Central and County Durham. 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 Stokesley Yorkshire, North Riding
2 Easingwold Yorkshire, North Riding
3 Middleton-in-Teesdale Durham
4 Catterick Yorkshire, North Riding
5 Snaith Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hambleton 010 Hambleton
2 Hambleton 009 Hambleton
3 Berwickshire Central Scottish Borders
4 County Durham 049 County Durham
5 Hambleton 008 Hambleton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hebdon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hebdon

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Hebdon 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

Hebdon is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hebdon falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hebdon 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 Hebdon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Hebdon

The surname Hebdon has its origins in England and dates back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the village of Hebden, located in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The name is thought to have evolved from the Old English words "hefe" meaning "heave" and "denu" meaning "valley," referring to the undulating landscape of the area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hebdon can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land and property commissioned by William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a landowner named Godric de Hebdene, indicating the presence of the name in the region during that time.

In the 13th century, records show a Robert de Hebden who was a prominent landowner in the village of Hebden. His descendants likely adopted the surname Hebdon, which was a common practice during that era.

During the 16th century, the spelling of the name evolved to its modern form of Hebdon. In 1567, a Thomas Hebdon is recorded as being a merchant in the city of York, suggesting that members of the family had begun to venture into other professions beyond landholding.

One notable individual with the surname Hebdon was John Hebdon (1617-1679), an English Puritan clergyman and writer. He was a prominent figure during the English Civil War and served as a chaplain in the Parliamentary army.

Another historical figure was William Hebdon (1751-1825), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. He rose to the rank of Captain and was known for his bravery and leadership in several significant naval battles.

In the 19th century, a prominent Hebdon family lived in the village of Hebden Bridge, which was named after the nearby River Hebden. This family included James Hebdon (1812-1892), a successful industrialist who owned a textile mill and played a significant role in the local economy.

Another notable Hebdon was Emily Hebdon (1875-1957), a British suffragette and activist who campaigned tirelessly for women's rights and equality. She was arrested multiple times for her involvement in protests and demonstrations, earning her a place in the annals of the women's suffrage movement.

The name Hebdon has also been found in various other parts of England, as well as in other English-speaking countries where British settlers migrated, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hebdon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hebdon 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. Yorkshire leads with 106 Hebdons recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.25x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 106 5.25x
Durham 51 8.41x
Lancashire 23 0.95x
Lincolnshire 12 3.68x
Middlesex 8 0.39x
Surrey 7 0.70x
Cheshire 1 0.22x
Royal Navy 1 4.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Middleton In Teesdale in Durham leads with 30 Hebdons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1875.00x.

Place Total Index
Middleton In Teesdale 30 1875.00x
Scotton In Richmond 15 18750.00x
Easingwold 13 909.09x
Barrow In Furness 12 36.47x
Stokesley 11 873.02x
Great Driffield 10 240.96x
Garthorpe 8 2051.28x
Gate Fulford 8 169.49x
Bethnal Green London 7 7.90x
Elstob 7 14000.00x
Stockton On Tees 7 23.95x
Westoe 6 17.45x
Camberwell 5 3.84x
Chorlton On Medlock 5 13.01x
Knaresborough 5 157.73x
Ormesby 5 92.08x
Winton 5 8333.33x
Habergham Eaves 4 18.09x
Heighington 4 769.23x
Shipley 4 38.17x
South Kirkby 4 909.09x
Calverley Cum Farsley 3 52.26x
Leeds 3 2.63x
Bermondsey 2 3.30x
Brotton 2 75.76x
Ecclesall Bierlow 2 4.87x
Horton In Bradford 2 6.34x
Preston 2 3.09x
Richmond 2 63.29x
Beeford 1 200.00x
Cleasby 1 833.33x
Hale 1 64.52x
Halifax 1 3.37x
Manningham 1 4.02x
Newton Upon Ouse 1 243.90x
Patrck Brmptn Newton 1 277.78x
Pudsey 1 9.26x
Royal Navy 1 4.81x
Scarborough 1 5.45x
Sessay 1 434.78x
Skelton In Guisbrough 1 18.32x
Stranton 1 4.90x
Tadcaster West 1 62.50x
Westminster St James 1 4.77x
Wheldrake 1 238.10x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 9
Mary 8
Ann 6
Annie 6
Jane 6
Anne 4
Hannah 4
Alice 3
Eliza 3
Emma 3
M. 3
Margaret 3
Sarah 3
Ada 2
Charlotte 2
Esther 2
Ethel 2
Isabella 2
Adina 1
Agnes 1
Amie 1
Amy 1
Edith 1
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Fanny 1
Georgina 1
Grace 1
Helen 1
Helena 1
Issabell 1
Issabella 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lydia 1
Malinda 1
Margt. 1
Maria 1
Nellie 1
Rosanna 1
S. 1
Tabitha 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 22
William 11
Thomas 10
Joseph 8
George 5
James 5
Frederick 3
Henry 3
Robert 3
Alfred 2
Charles 2
Christr. 2
Herbert 2
Jonathan 2
Marmaduke 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2
Albert 1
Bernard 1
Christopher 1
Cornelius 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Enoch 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Geo. 1
Harry 1
Hezekiah 1
Horace 1
Isaac 1
Jonathn. 1
Jos. 1
Leonard 1
Matthew 1
Michael 1
Sam 1
Saml. 1
Stephen 1
Thompson 1
Wiliam 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Hebdon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hebdon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 207 people were recorded with the Hebdon surname. That placed it at #12,555 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hebdon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 308 in 2016. That gives Hebdon a modern rank of #14,479.

What does the Hebdon surname mean?

A locational surname from a place in Yorkshire, England, derived from Old English words for "high valley."

What does the Hebdon map show?

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