UK surname
An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "heather-covered valley."
In the 1881 census there were 75 people recorded with the Hedden surname, ranking it #22,893 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 68, ranked #33,826, down from #22,893 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lambourn, Newbury and Tormoham with Torquay. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hedden is 123 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 9.3%.
1881 census count
75
Ranked #22,893
Modern count
68
2016, ranked #33,826
Peak year
1891
123 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hedden surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hedden surname density by area, 1891 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 | 75 | #20,268 |
| 1861 | historical | 104 | #20,477 |
| 1881 | historical | 75 | #22,893 |
| 1891 | historical | 123 | #20,939 |
| 1901 | historical | 92 | #23,800 |
| 1911 | historical | 99 | #22,850 |
| 1997 | modern | 80 | #29,554 |
| 1998 | modern | 92 | #28,680 |
| 1999 | modern | 90 | #29,056 |
| 2000 | modern | 91 | #28,952 |
| 2001 | modern | 86 | #29,281 |
| 2002 | modern | 83 | #30,070 |
| 2003 | modern | 84 | #29,978 |
| 2004 | modern | 82 | #30,468 |
| 2005 | modern | 78 | #31,058 |
| 2006 | modern | 80 | #31,149 |
| 2007 | modern | 85 | #30,954 |
| 2008 | modern | 91 | #30,431 |
| 2009 | modern | 92 | #30,820 |
| 2010 | modern | 80 | #32,670 |
| 2011 | modern | 83 | #32,336 |
| 2012 | modern | 88 | #32,064 |
| 2013 | modern | 87 | #32,472 |
| 2014 | modern | 76 | #33,423 |
| 2015 | modern | 70 | #33,717 |
| 2016 | modern | 68 | #33,826 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lambourn, Newbury, Tormoham with Torquay, Cardiff St John and St Mary and Pilton. 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 | Lambourn | Berkshire |
| 2 | Newbury | Berkshire |
| 3 | Tormoham with Torquay | Devon |
| 4 | Cardiff St John and St Mary | Glamorganshire |
| 5 | Pilton | Devon |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hedden 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 Hedden, 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 Hedden surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hedden 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, Hedden 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 Hedden is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hedden, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hedden has its origins in England and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "heden," meaning a person who lived in a heathland or uncultivated area. This name was likely given to individuals who resided in such areas, which were abundant in the English countryside during that period.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Hedden name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1208, where a certain Radulfus de Hedene is mentioned. This document provides evidence of the name's existence and its association with the region of Yorkshire.
In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as Hedon, Heddon, and Hedun, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common during that era. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention a William de Hedon, while the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379 list a John de Heddon.
Throughout the centuries, the Hedden name has been associated with several notable individuals. One such figure was Sir William Hedden, born in 1522, who served as a member of the English Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent bearer of the name was John Hedden, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in Lincolnshire in the late 16th century.
The Hedden surname also has ties to various place names in England. For instance, the village of Heddon-on-the-Wall in Northumberland may have derived its name from the same Old English word that gave rise to the surname. Similarly, the town of Hedon in East Yorkshire could have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the name in that region.
Other notable individuals with the Hedden surname include:
1. Thomas Hedden (1670-1742), a prominent farmer and landowner in colonial New Jersey. 2. Mary Hedden (1829-1899), an American author and educator from Ohio. 3. William Hedden (1788-1846), a British military officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars. 4. Elizabeth Hedden (1792-1867), an English painter known for her landscapes and portraits. 5. John Hedden (1835-1912), a Canadian politician and businessman from Ontario.
While the Hedden surname may have evolved and spread to different parts of the world over time, its roots can be traced back to the heathlands of medieval England, where it originated as a descriptive name for those who inhabited such areas.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hedden 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. Devon leads with 44 Heddens recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.90x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 44 | 28.90x |
| Berkshire | 8 | 14.57x |
| Essex | 5 | 3.46x |
| Glamorgan | 4 | 3.14x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.41x |
| Wiltshire | 3 | 4.64x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 1.21x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.70x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.67x |
| Kincardineshire | 1 | 11.22x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.41x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.28x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.54x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.05x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Welcombe in Devon leads with 23 Heddens recorded in 1881 and an index of 46000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Welcombe | 23 | 46000.00x |
| Pilton | 12 | 2400.00x |
| Tormoham | 6 | 93.17x |
| Speen | 5 | 555.56x |
| West Ham | 5 | 15.68x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 4 | 56.98x |
| Aldbourn | 3 | 789.47x |
| Lambourn | 3 | 555.56x |
| St George In East London | 3 | 43.60x |
| Clapham | 1 | 10.93x |
| Devonport | 1 | 57.14x |
| Horfield | 1 | 69.44x |
| Morwenstow | 1 | 500.00x |
| Pillerton Hersey | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 1 | 8.53x |
| Portsea | 1 | 3.40x |
| St Cyrus | 1 | 270.27x |
| Stoke Damerel | 1 | 9.38x |
| West Bromwich | 1 | 7.07x |
| Worcester St Nicholas | 1 | 222.22x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hedden surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Hedden surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 75 people were recorded with the Hedden surname. That placed it at #22,893 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 68 in 2016. That gives Hedden a modern rank of #33,826.
An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "heather-covered valley."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hedden 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.