NameCensus.

UK surname

Herold

An occupational surname for a herald, an official messenger or proclaimer of news and announcements.

In the 1881 census there were 56 people recorded with the Herold surname, ranking it #25,733 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 126, ranked #26,686, down from #25,733 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northumberland, Watford and Kelso North.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Herold is 131 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 125.0%.

1881 census count

56

Ranked #25,733

Modern count

126

2016, ranked #26,686

Peak year

2002

131 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Herold had 56 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #25,733 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016, ranked #26,686.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 84 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Herold surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Herold surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Herold 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 8 #31,867
1861 historical 36 #29,463
1881 historical 56 #25,733
1891 historical 78 #27,035
1901 historical 84 #24,759
1911 historical 75 #25,322
1997 modern 119 #24,302
1998 modern 123 #24,449
1999 modern 122 #24,745
2000 modern 121 #24,824
2001 modern 118 #24,832
2002 modern 131 #23,793
2003 modern 117 #25,282
2004 modern 113 #25,999
2005 modern 116 #25,564
2006 modern 112 #26,415
2007 modern 120 #25,606
2008 modern 115 #26,635
2009 modern 115 #27,207
2010 modern 121 #27,005
2011 modern 119 #27,063
2012 modern 122 #26,696
2013 modern 124 #26,842
2014 modern 122 #27,358
2015 modern 125 #26,808
2016 modern 126 #26,686

Geography

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Where Herolds are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Northumberland, Watford, Kelso North, Sheffield and Rhondda Cynon Taf. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northumberland 035 Northumberland
2 Watford 004 Watford
3 Kelso North Scottish Borders
4 Sheffield 055 Sheffield
5 Rhondda Cynon Taf 027 Rhondda Cynon Taf

Forenames

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First names often paired with Herold

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Herold

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Herold surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Herold 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Herold is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Herold is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Herold 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 Herold is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Herold

The surname Herold is of German origin, derived from the ancient Germanic word "heru" meaning "army" and "waltan" meaning "to rule" or "to lead". It stems from the occupation of a herald, who served as an officer in medieval armies and bore messages, proclamations, and declarations on behalf of nobles and royals.

In the 11th century, the name appeared in various forms such as Herolt, Herald, and Heralde in medieval German records and manuscripts, reflecting its ancient roots. One of the earliest recorded instances was in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of charters and documents from Saxony, where a certain Herolt von Braunschweig was mentioned in the year 1147.

During the 12th century, the name gained prominence as the role of heralds became more established in feudal societies. In England, the name was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1191, where a William le Heraud is listed.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in connection with the Herold family, a noble lineage from the region of Hesse in central Germany. The family's ancestral seat was located in the town of Heroldstein, which likely influenced the spelling and adoption of the surname.

One notable figure bearing the name was Hans Herold, a German painter and engraver who lived from approximately 1470 to 1551. He is renowned for his intricate woodcut illustrations in various works, including the celebrated Nuremberg Chronicles published in 1493.

Another individual of historical significance was Johann Herold, a German theologian and reformer who lived from 1511 to 1567. He played a crucial role in the Protestant Reformation and served as a professor of theology at the University of Marburg.

In the 16th century, the name was also found in the Netherlands, where Dirk Herold, a prominent Dutch printer and publisher, operated his business in Antwerp between 1530 and 1567.

In the 17th century, Johann Gottfried Herold, a German botanist and physician, made significant contributions to the field of plant taxonomy. He was born in 1644 and published several works, including his influential treatise on the plants of the Netherlands, titled "Horti Academici Lugduno-Batavi Catalogus".

The surname Herold continued to be associated with individuals from various professions and backgrounds throughout the subsequent centuries, reflecting its enduring legacy and historical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Herold families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Herold 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 31 Herolds recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.68x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 31 5.68x
Durham 6 3.69x
Lancashire 6 0.93x
Buckinghamshire 3 9.09x
Surrey 3 1.13x
Hertfordshire 2 5.31x
Renfrewshire 2 4.73x
Essex 1 0.93x
Lanarkshire 1 0.57x
Sussex 1 1.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Whitechapel London in Middlesex leads with 10 Herolds recorded in 1881 and an index of 185.87x.

Place Total Index
Whitechapel London 10 185.87x
Everton 5 24.21x
Fulham London 5 63.13x
Islington London 5 9.45x
Paddington London 5 24.90x
Seaham 4 677.97x
Kensington London 3 9.88x
Upton Cum Chalvey 3 227.27x
Chipping Barnet 2 303.03x
Merton 2 425.53x
Stranton 2 36.56x
Barony 1 2.24x
Eaglesham 1 384.62x
Eastbourne 1 23.58x
Heybridge 1 322.58x
Poplar London 1 9.70x
Preston 1 5.77x
Southwark St Thomas 1 666.67x
St George Hanover Square 1 10.40x
St Marylebone London 1 3.43x
West Greenock 1 13.16x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Amelia 2
Eliza 2
Elizth. 2
Louise 2
Mary 2
Sophy 2
Anna 1
Charlotte 1
Eleanor 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Helena 1
Kate 1
Katherine 1
Martha 1
Philipine 1
Priscilla 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 4
William 3
Conrad 2
George 2
Adalbert 1
Adolph 1
Alex 1
Alexandra 1
Bertie 1
Charles 1
Ed. 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Franz 1
John 1
Joseph 1
Karl 1
Leonard 1
Nicholas 1
Robert 1
Thomas 1

FAQ

Herold surname: questions and answers

How common was the Herold surname in 1881?

In 1881, 56 people were recorded with the Herold surname. That placed it at #25,733 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Herold surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016. That gives Herold a modern rank of #26,686.

What does the Herold surname mean?

An occupational surname for a herald, an official messenger or proclaimer of news and announcements.

What does the Herold map show?

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