NameCensus.

UK surname

Hobden

A toponymic surname derived from the location Hobden in Hampshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 706 people recorded with the Hobden surname, ranking it #5,148 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,262, ranked #4,737, up from #5,148 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Chailey, Tunbridge, Bidborough and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wealden, Sevenoaks and Maldon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hobden is 1,339 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 78.8%.

1881 census count

706

Ranked #5,148

Modern count

1,262

2016, ranked #4,737

Peak year

1998

1,339 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hobden had 706 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,148 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,262 in 2016, ranked #4,737.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,036 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Hobden surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hobden surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hobden 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 392 #6,129
1861 historical 452 #5,730
1881 historical 706 #5,148
1891 historical 705 #5,565
1901 historical 962 #4,885
1911 historical 1,036 #4,432
1997 modern 1,306 #4,385
1998 modern 1,339 #4,440
1999 modern 1,310 #4,570
2000 modern 1,315 #4,523
2001 modern 1,282 #4,539
2002 modern 1,310 #4,541
2003 modern 1,273 #4,562
2004 modern 1,226 #4,718
2005 modern 1,200 #4,758
2006 modern 1,207 #4,746
2007 modern 1,203 #4,809
2008 modern 1,188 #4,876
2009 modern 1,230 #4,847
2010 modern 1,236 #4,916
2011 modern 1,216 #4,917
2012 modern 1,237 #4,791
2013 modern 1,289 #4,687
2014 modern 1,273 #4,771
2015 modern 1,263 #4,757
2016 modern 1,262 #4,737

Geography

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Where Hobdens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Chailey, Tunbridge, Bidborough, London parishes, Ashburnham, Dallington, Brightling, Ninfield and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wealden, Sevenoaks, Maldon and Tonbridge and Malling. 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 Chailey Sussex
2 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
3 London parishes London 3
4 Ashburnham, Dallington, Brightling, Ninfield Sussex
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wealden 014 Wealden
2 Sevenoaks 002 Sevenoaks
3 Wealden 018 Wealden
4 Maldon 001 Maldon
5 Tonbridge and Malling 009 Tonbridge and Malling

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hobden

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hobden

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Hobden 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

Hobden is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hobden falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Hobden

The surname Hobden has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "hob," meaning a flat promontory or hill, and "dun," meaning a hill or low ridge. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near or on a small hill or promontory.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Hobbedene." This document was a census-like survey conducted in England during the reign of King Edward I, providing valuable insights into the distribution and variations of surnames at the time.

The Hobden surname is particularly associated with the counties of Sussex and Kent in the south-east of England. In the 16th century, references to the name can be found in parish records and manorial documents from these regions, often spelled as "Hobden" or "Hobdyn."

Notably, the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the Hobden surname. However, it does mention several place names that may have contributed to the development of the surname, such as "Hoddesdone" and "Hobedene."

Among the notable individuals bearing the Hobden surname throughout history are:

1. John Hobden (c. 1560-1641), an English churchman and theologian who served as the Archdeacon of Chichester from 1619 until his death. 2. William Hobden (1805-1875), a British painter and engraver known for his landscapes and historical scenes. 3. Henry Hobden (1820-1891), a prominent English architect and surveyor who designed several churches and public buildings in the Victorian era. 4. Elizabeth Hobden (1843-1919), a British suffragette and activist who campaigned for women's rights and education reform. 5. George Hobden (1876-1942), a British military officer who served in the Boer War and World War I, earning the Distinguished Service Order for his bravery.

While the Hobden surname may not be among the most common in England, it has a rich history spanning centuries and is deeply rooted in the country's cultural and linguistic heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hobden families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hobden 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. Sussex leads with 437 Hobdens recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.69x.

County Total Index
Sussex 437 37.69x
Middlesex 94 1.37x
Kent 76 3.24x
Surrey 35 1.04x
Lancashire 17 0.21x
Yorkshire 14 0.21x
Hampshire 13 0.92x
Wiltshire 7 1.15x
Bedfordshire 4 1.12x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.32x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.24x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.36x
Essex 1 0.07x
Gloucestershire 1 0.07x
Warwickshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 55 Hobdens recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.51x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 55 23.51x
Heathfield 30 638.30x
Tonbridge 24 28.36x
Keymer 20 244.20x
Ashburnham 18 989.01x
Chailey 18 501.39x
Falmer 17 1250.00x
Lindfield 15 306.12x
Southwick 15 244.70x
Herstmonceaux 13 372.49x
Lambeth 12 2.00x
Camberwell 11 2.50x
Kensington London 11 2.88x
Plumpton 11 1000.00x
Islington London 10 1.50x
Capel 9 681.82x
Hastings All Sts 9 82.34x
Hove 9 17.69x
Warbleton 9 260.12x
Clayton 8 183.07x
Hunton 8 390.24x
Lewisham 8 6.39x
Mayfield 8 116.62x
Rottingdean 8 202.02x
St George Bloomsbury 8 20.27x
Willesden 8 12.34x
Acton 7 17.36x
Burwash 7 130.11x
Buxted 7 154.19x
Edmonton 7 12.63x
Hamsey 7 534.35x
Kimberworth 7 18.51x
Lewes St John Southover 7 89.86x
Maresfield 7 143.15x
Rotherfield 7 68.56x
Staines 7 64.28x
Bexhill 6 103.81x
Erith 6 25.95x
Fisherton Anger 6 53.29x
Fulham London 6 6.02x
Hammersmith London 6 3.54x
Isfield 6 566.04x
Liverpool 6 1.21x
Maidstone 6 8.58x
Piddinghoe 6 1132.08x
Waldron 6 189.87x
Westmeston 6 779.22x
Wivelsfield 6 132.45x
Aldershot 5 10.59x
Battle 5 63.86x
Bermondsey 5 2.44x
Catsfield 5 301.20x
Dallington 5 400.00x
Hailsham 5 71.23x
Paddington London 5 1.98x
Penhurst 5 2000.00x
Widnes 5 8.49x
Bedford St Paul 4 16.38x
Croydon 4 2.15x
Cuckfield 4 34.16x
Ditchling 4 126.58x
Framfield 4 111.42x
Hackney London 4 1.04x
Horsted Keynes 4 148.15x
Iford 4 930.23x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 4 16.43x
Portsea 4 1.45x
St Pancras London 4 0.72x
Telscombe 4 1818.18x
West Hoathly 4 109.89x
Alverstoke 3 5.88x
Bolney 3 159.57x
Brenchley 3 35.71x
Chelsea London 3 1.45x
Deptford St Paul 3 1.66x
Horsham 3 13.32x
Hurstpierpoint 3 46.51x
Openshaw 3 7.85x
Preston 3 14.81x
Skegby 3 52.82x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 49
George 39
Henry 27
John 20
Alfred 18
Frederick 18
Thomas 17
Charles 15
James 14
Edward 13
Albert 9
Richard 8
Arthur 7
Samuel 7
Edwin 6
Frank 6
Joseph 6
Robert 6
Walter 5
Daniel 4
David 4
Ernest 4
Harry 4
Herbert 4
Sidney 4
Benjamin 2
Francis 2
Hildred 2
Jno. 2
Leonard 2
Thos. 2
Branch 1
Chas.R. 1
Christopher 1
Edwd. 1
Felix 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Gideon 1
H. 1
Harrold 1
Herbt. 1
Jesse 1
Jim 1
Jonah 1
Luther 1
Patrick 1
Richd.H. 1
Roland 1
Sam 1

FAQ

Hobden surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hobden surname in 1881?

In 1881, 706 people were recorded with the Hobden surname. That placed it at #5,148 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hobden surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,262 in 2016. That gives Hobden a modern rank of #4,737.

What does the Hobden surname mean?

A toponymic surname derived from the location Hobden in Hampshire, England.

What does the Hobden map show?

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