NameCensus.

UK surname

Heddon

A locational surname referring to someone from Heddon, an area in Northumberland, England.

In the 1881 census there were 217 people recorded with the Heddon surname, ranking it #12,188 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 111, ranked #29,049, down from #12,188 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton, Gateshead and Newcastle St John. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newcastle upon Tyne, Exeter and North Tyneside.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Heddon is 268 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 48.8%.

1881 census count

217

Ranked #12,188

Modern count

111

2016, ranked #29,049

Peak year

1901

268 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Heddon had 217 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,188 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 111 in 2016, ranked #29,049.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 268 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Heddon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Heddon surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Heddon 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 175 #11,542
1861 historical 183 #12,903
1881 historical 217 #12,188
1891 historical 228 #13,582
1901 historical 268 #12,553
1911 historical 247 #13,016
1997 modern 113 #25,106
1998 modern 124 #24,316
1999 modern 115 #25,620
2000 modern 114 #25,717
2001 modern 103 #26,927
2002 modern 105 #27,123
2003 modern 101 #27,561
2004 modern 104 #27,338
2005 modern 111 #26,260
2006 modern 109 #26,872
2007 modern 108 #27,391
2008 modern 107 #27,844
2009 modern 112 #27,685
2010 modern 114 #28,017
2011 modern 114 #27,784
2012 modern 111 #28,332
2013 modern 107 #29,561
2014 modern 108 #29,658
2015 modern 108 #29,512
2016 modern 111 #29,049

Geography

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Where Heddons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton, Gateshead, Newcastle St John, Braunton and Georgeham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newcastle upon Tyne, Exeter and North Tyneside. 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 Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton Devon
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Newcastle St John Northumberland
4 Braunton Devon
5 Georgeham Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newcastle upon Tyne 014 Newcastle upon Tyne
2 Exeter 010 Exeter
3 Newcastle upon Tyne 004 Newcastle upon Tyne
4 Newcastle upon Tyne 021 Newcastle upon Tyne
5 North Tyneside 006 North Tyneside

Forenames

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First names often paired with Heddon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Heddon

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Heddon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Heddon household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Heddon is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Heddon is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Heddon 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 Heddon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Heddon

The surname Heddon has its origins in England, tracing back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "hege" meaning "hedge" and "dun" meaning "hill" or "down." This suggests that the name may have originated from a place name referring to a hedged or enclosed hill, possibly indicating a fortified settlement or a farm surrounded by hedges.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Heddon can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it appears as "Heggedun." This reference suggests that the name was already well-established in the region at that time.

The Heddon surname is also mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, indicating its presence in different parts of England during the medieval period.

In the 16th century, records show a family of Heddons residing in the village of Heddon-on-the-Wall in Northumberland. This place name, which means "hill near the wall," likely influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname in that area.

Notable individuals with the surname Heddon include John Heddon, a prominent merchant from Newcastle upon Tyne, who lived in the late 15th century and was involved in trade with the Netherlands and Scotland.

Another figure of historical significance is William Heddon, born in 1585 in Northumberland, who was a renowned clockmaker and inventor. He is credited with developing the first pocket watch with a minute hand, revolutionizing timekeeping.

In the 18th century, Samuel Heddon, born in 1710 in Yorkshire, was a respected scholar and author who wrote several treatises on philosophy and theology.

Elizabeth Heddon, born in 1765 in Cumbria, was a notable philanthropist and social reformer who worked tirelessly to improve the living conditions of the poor and advocated for women's education.

Lastly, Sir Robert Heddon, born in 1820 in Northumberland, was a prominent politician and Member of Parliament who played a significant role in the debates surrounding the Reform Acts of the 19th century.

While the Heddon surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and other countries, carried by descendants of English emigrants over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Heddon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Heddon 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. Devon leads with 71 Heddons recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.12x.

County Total Index
Devon 71 16.12x
Northumberland 41 13.02x
Cornwall 29 12.10x
Middlesex 21 0.99x
Gloucestershire 16 3.85x
Surrey 10 0.97x
Yorkshire 9 0.43x
Glamorgan 6 1.63x
Monmouthshire 5 3.27x
Hampshire 4 0.92x
Durham 3 0.48x
Lancashire 1 0.04x
Somerset 1 0.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Braunton in Devon leads with 14 Heddons recorded in 1881 and an index of 939.60x.

Place Total Index
Braunton 14 939.60x
Barnstaple 12 173.41x
Stoke Damerel 10 32.44x
Plymouth St Andrew 9 26.52x
Benwell 8 232.56x
Bridgerule West 7 4117.65x
Islington London 7 3.41x
Penge 7 51.78x
South Petherwin 7 1166.67x
St Ives 7 149.25x
Clifton 6 28.59x
Cowpen 6 82.76x
Launcells 6 1500.00x
Morpeth 6 162.16x
Bedlington 5 47.53x
Eltringham 5 1470.59x
Landulph 5 1351.35x
Paddington London 5 6.43x
Shoreditch London 5 5.45x
St John Near Swansea 5 109.65x
St Woollos 5 29.27x
Elswick 4 15.92x
Georgeham 4 727.27x
Horfield 4 95.69x
Iron Acton 4 476.19x
Middleton Quernhow 4 6666.67x
Pilton 4 275.86x
Portsea 4 4.70x
Clotherholme 3 30000.00x
Wolsingham 3 52.26x
Bideford 2 42.37x
Byker 2 12.85x
Preston In Tynemouth 2 161.29x
St George Hanover Square 2 5.36x
Barton Upon Irwell 1 5.29x
Berrynarbor 1 200.00x
Bishops Tawton 1 72.99x
Bradford 1 1.97x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 1 2.56x
Croydon 1 1.75x
Devonport 1 19.76x
Exminster 1 63.29x
Hartland 1 72.99x
Heddon On Wall 1 263.16x
Ilfracombe 1 22.03x
Kensington London 1 0.85x
Kingston On Thames 1 4.04x
Kirby Fleetham 1 250.00x
Lyng 1 454.55x
Madron Penzance 1 11.48x
Marhamchurch 1 256.41x
Marwood 1 169.49x
Newburn 1 111.11x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 6.13x
Newington 1 1.28x
Plympton St Mary 1 39.22x
Quethiock 1 285.71x
Saltash 1 53.76x
St Pancras London 1 0.59x
Stoke 1 56.18x
Swansea St Thomas 1 27.03x
Westbury On Trym 1 7.11x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 20
Ann 12
Elizabeth 7
Caroline 5
Ellen 5
Frances 4
Sarah 4
Alice 3
Jane 3
Susan 3
Eliza 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Adelaide 1
Adeliade 1
Anne 1
Bessie 1
C.E. 1
Catherine 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Elenor 1
Elizth. 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Elleanor 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Georgina 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Helena 1
Lavinia 1
Lilian 1
Lilly 1
Lily 1
Lovedy 1
M.A. 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
Minnie 1
Nellie 1
Sophia 1
Susannah 1
Teresa 1
W. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 21
William 19
Thomas 11
Robert 7
George 6
Richard 4
Francis 3
Frederick 3
Henry 3
James 3
Ralph 3
Samuel 3
W.P. 2
A. 1
Anne 1
Arthur 1
Chas.Jas. 1
Christopher 1
Claude 1
Daniel 1
F.R. 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
Joseph 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Thos. 1
W. 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Heddon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Heddon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 217 people were recorded with the Heddon surname. That placed it at #12,188 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Heddon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 111 in 2016. That gives Heddon a modern rank of #29,049.

What does the Heddon surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from Heddon, an area in Northumberland, England.

What does the Heddon map show?

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