UK surname
A Swedish toponymic surname referring to someone living near or at the end of a heath or moor.
In the 1881 census there were 17 people recorded with the Hedman surname, ranking it #31,170 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 70, ranked #33,700, down from #31,170 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Northfleet, Abinger, Ockley, Wotton with Oakwood and Clifton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hedman is 217 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 311.8%.
1881 census count
17
Ranked #31,170
Modern count
70
2016, ranked #33,700
Peak year
1861
217 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hedman surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hedman surname density by area, 1861 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 | 47 | #24,810 |
| 1861 | historical | 217 | #11,220 |
| 1881 | historical | 17 | #31,170 |
| 1891 | historical | 74 | #27,538 |
| 1901 | historical | 16 | #32,260 |
| 1911 | historical | 26 | #30,547 |
| 1997 | modern | 55 | #32,114 |
| 1998 | modern | 62 | #31,735 |
| 1999 | modern | 69 | #31,223 |
| 2000 | modern | 57 | #32,417 |
| 2001 | modern | 56 | #32,379 |
| 2002 | modern | 57 | #32,661 |
| 2003 | modern | 57 | #32,704 |
| 2004 | modern | 60 | #32,684 |
| 2005 | modern | 59 | #33,008 |
| 2006 | modern | 65 | #32,743 |
| 2007 | modern | 67 | #32,871 |
| 2008 | modern | 75 | #32,373 |
| 2009 | modern | 80 | #32,277 |
| 2010 | modern | 82 | #32,492 |
| 2011 | modern | 79 | #32,743 |
| 2012 | modern | 79 | #32,966 |
| 2013 | modern | 82 | #32,903 |
| 2014 | modern | 73 | #33,587 |
| 2015 | modern | 70 | #33,717 |
| 2016 | modern | 70 | #33,700 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Northfleet, Abinger, Ockley, Wotton with Oakwood, Clifton, Preston and Wisborough Green (Billingshurst, Sussex), Cranley, Albury (Albury), Alfold, Ewhurst, Shere (Albury). 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 | Northfleet | Kent |
| 2 | Abinger, Ockley, Wotton with Oakwood | Surrey |
| 3 | Clifton | Gloucestershire |
| 4 | Preston | Sussex |
| 5 | Wisborough Green (Billingshurst, Sussex), Cranley, Albury (Albury), Alfold, Ewhurst, Shere (Albury) | Surrey |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hedman 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 Hedman, 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 Hedman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hedman 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, Hedman 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 Hedman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hedman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HEDMAN originated in Sweden during the late medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old Norse word "hedhr," which means "honor" or "esteem." The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 15th century in the regions around Stockholm and Uppsala.
In the 16th century, a notable figure by the name of Erik Hedman was mentioned in the town records of Västerås, a city located in central Sweden. He was a respected merchant and guild member who played a significant role in the local trade industry during that era.
As the name spread across Sweden, it underwent slight variations in spelling, such as Hedmann, Hedhman, and Heedman. These variations were often due to regional dialects and the inconsistencies in record-keeping during the time.
One of the earliest documented references to the HEDMAN surname can be found in the parish records of Norrköping, a city in eastern Sweden, dating back to the early 17th century. These records mention a family by the name of Hedman who were landowners and farmers in the area.
In the 18th century, a renowned Swedish botanist named Pehr Hedman (1719-1789) made significant contributions to the study of flora in his native country. He is credited with cataloging and describing numerous plant species found in the Swedish landscape.
During the 19th century, the HEDMAN surname gained further prominence with the birth of Johan Edvard Hedman (1828-1898), a Swedish architect who designed several notable buildings in Stockholm, including the Stockholm City Hall and the Engelbrekt Church.
Another notable figure with the HEDMAN surname was Nils Hedman (1865-1935), a Swedish politician and trade unionist who played a crucial role in the labor movement of the early 20th century. He served as a member of the Riksdag (Swedish parliament) and advocated for workers' rights and social reforms.
Over the centuries, the HEDMAN surname has been associated with various professions and backgrounds, from farmers and merchants to scientists and artists. While its origins can be traced back to Sweden, the name has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and family lineages.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hedman 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. Surrey leads with 5 Hedmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.20x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 5 | 6.20x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 1.81x |
| Kent | 2 | 3.54x |
| Durham | 1 | 2.03x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 2.95x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.51x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 8.35x |
| Sussex | 1 | 3.58x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 2.39x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 4.62x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camberwell in Surrey leads with 5 Hedmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 47.26x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Camberwell | 5 | 47.26x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 21.72x |
| Acton | 1 | 103.09x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 7.18x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 1 | 64.10x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 37.88x |
| Higham | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Newport | 1 | 175.44x |
| Portsea | 1 | 15.04x |
| Salehurst | 1 | 833.33x |
| Stockton On Tees | 1 | 42.02x |
| Whistones | 1 | 625.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hedman surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 17 people were recorded with the Hedman surname. That placed it at #31,170 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 70 in 2016. That gives Hedman a modern rank of #33,700.
A Swedish toponymic surname referring to someone living near or at the end of a heath or moor.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hedman 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.