NameCensus.

UK surname

Houlden

From the Old English words "holh" meaning hollow and "denu" meaning valley.

In the 1881 census there were 593 people recorded with the Houlden surname, ranking it #5,894 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 759, ranked #7,218, down from #5,894 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Revesby, Mareham-le-Fen and Blackburn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Lindsey, Lincoln and North Kesteven.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Houlden is 1,002 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 28.0%.

1881 census count

593

Ranked #5,894

Modern count

759

2016, ranked #7,218

Peak year

1911

1,002 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Houlden had 593 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,894 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 759 in 2016, ranked #7,218.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,002 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Houlden surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Houlden surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Houlden 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 439 #5,600
1861 historical 419 #6,133
1881 historical 593 #5,894
1891 historical 644 #6,030
1901 historical 808 #5,583
1911 historical 1,002 #4,539
1997 modern 788 #6,624
1998 modern 802 #6,735
1999 modern 812 #6,717
2000 modern 805 #6,734
2001 modern 793 #6,686
2002 modern 810 #6,703
2003 modern 797 #6,671
2004 modern 771 #6,872
2005 modern 775 #6,773
2006 modern 774 #6,813
2007 modern 779 #6,839
2008 modern 780 #6,893
2009 modern 797 #6,912
2010 modern 804 #6,994
2011 modern 790 #7,023
2012 modern 786 #6,945
2013 modern 783 #7,091
2014 modern 800 #7,001
2015 modern 779 #7,082
2016 modern 759 #7,218

Geography

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Where Houldens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Revesby, Mareham-le-Fen, Blackburn, Heckington with Garrick and Guiseley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Lindsey, Lincoln, North Kesteven and East Lindsey. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Revesby, Mareham-le-Fen Lincolnshire
3 Blackburn Lancashire
4 Heckington with Garrick Lincolnshire
5 Guiseley Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Lindsey 011 West Lindsey
2 Lincoln 004 Lincoln
3 North Kesteven 010 North Kesteven
4 North Kesteven 005 North Kesteven
5 East Lindsey 011 East Lindsey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Houlden

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Houlden

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Houlden is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Houlden is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Houlden falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Houlden

The surname Houlden originated in England during the late medieval period, derived from the Old English words "holh" meaning "hollow" or "sunken" and "denu" meaning "valley." It was likely first borne as a topographic surname, referring to someone who lived in a small valley or hollow area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Feet of Fines for Norfolk, dating back to 1293, where it is spelled "Holeden." This suggests the name was already established in the region by the late 13th century. Over time, various spellings emerged, such as Holden, Houlden, and Houlding.

In the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327, a William Holden is listed, indicating the surname's presence in southern England during the 14th century. Another early record is found in the Hearth Tax Returns of Oxfordshire from 1665, where a John Houlden is mentioned.

Among notable historical figures bearing this surname is James Houlden (1804-1867), an English architect responsible for designing several churches and other buildings in London and Kent. Another notable individual is Sir Jonathan Holden (1828-1899), a British naval officer who served as Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station.

During the 17th century, the name Houlden appeared in various places across England, such as the village of Holdenby in Northamptonshire, which likely derived its name from a similar Old English origin. Additionally, there are records of a Houlden family residing in the parish of Horbury, West Yorkshire, during the late 1600s.

In the 18th century, a notable figure was Samuel Houlden (1740-1805), an English engraver and artist known for his landscape etchings and illustrations. Another individual of note is William Houlden (1762-1838), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars.

Moving into the 19th century, one prominent figure was John Houlden (1817-1891), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in Manchester, including the Royal Exchange and the Manchester Town Hall extension.

While the surname Houlden is not as common as some other English surnames, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and can be traced back to its Old English origins, reflecting the geographical features of the areas where the earliest bearers lived.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Houlden families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Houlden 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. Yorkshire leads with 201 Houldens recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.54x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 201 3.54x
Lincolnshire 162 17.69x
Lancashire 69 1.02x
Cheshire 38 3.01x
Kent 27 1.38x
Gloucestershire 21 1.87x
Durham 11 0.65x
Middlesex 10 0.17x
Staffordshire 8 0.41x
Cambridgeshire 6 1.65x
Midlothian 6 0.78x
Norfolk 6 0.68x
Hertfordshire 5 1.27x
Cumberland 3 0.61x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.39x
Berkshire 2 0.47x
Essex 2 0.18x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.79x
Glamorgan 1 0.10x
Hampshire 1 0.09x
Leicestershire 1 0.16x
Northamptonshire 1 0.19x
Northumberland 1 0.12x
Surrey 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rawdon in Yorkshire leads with 32 Houldens recorded in 1881 and an index of 479.04x.

Place Total Index
Rawdon 32 479.04x
Knutsford Nether 16 209.42x
Horsforth 13 104.50x
Bristol St James St Paul 12 32.04x
Canterbury St George 11 470.09x
Horncastle 10 105.82x
Leyland 10 84.60x
Tabley Superior 10 1123.60x
Alne 9 937.50x
Baumber 9 1323.53x
Blackburn 9 4.98x
Driby 9 3913.04x
Hayton 9 2142.86x
Wakefield 9 20.66x
Bugthorpe 8 1702.13x
Dunnington In York 8 547.95x
Revesby 8 720.72x
Sprotborough 8 1777.78x
Withern 8 888.89x
Aby 7 1014.49x
Altrincham 7 31.69x
Beeston 7 121.95x
Dover St James 7 81.78x
Louth 7 33.37x
Mareham Le Fen 7 486.11x
Partney 7 804.60x
Wood Enderby 7 2121.21x
Barnsley 6 10.25x
Belchford 6 625.00x
Burnley 6 10.49x
Burton Upon Trent 6 13.27x
Everton 6 2.77x
Sutton 6 92.74x
West Walton 6 355.03x
Barkway 5 322.58x
Brinkhill 5 1724.14x
Bristol Temple 5 67.66x
Croft 5 335.57x
Fulletby 5 1000.00x
Habergham Eaves 5 8.05x
Leeds 5 1.56x
Little Bolton 5 5.72x
Stickney 5 367.65x
Stranton 5 8.72x
Toynton All Sts 5 757.58x
West Derby 5 2.52x
Accrington 4 6.48x
Barrow In Furness 4 4.33x
Batley 4 7.42x
Boston 4 14.40x
Bucknall 4 606.06x
Doncaster 4 9.65x
East Keal 4 512.82x
Ecclesall Bierlow 4 3.47x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 4 22.04x
Elland Cum Greetland 4 15.65x
Faxfleet 4 816.33x
Great Grimsby 4 6.88x
Hartford 4 139.86x
Headingley Cum Burley 4 10.95x
Kirkburton 4 59.79x
North Somercotes 4 166.67x
Toxteth Park 4 1.74x
Waddington 4 239.52x
York St Sampson 4 327.87x
Almondbury 3 10.93x
Bicker 3 211.27x
Castleton 3 4.42x
Dover Castle 3 211.27x
Gomersal 3 11.33x
Heworth 3 8.94x
Kimberworth 3 9.53x
Newark Upon Trent 3 10.81x
Somersby 3 3750.00x
Stansfield 3 14.37x
Stillingfleet With 3 416.67x
Towton 3 1578.95x
Westminster St John 3 4.30x
York St Giles In 3 56.07x
York St Mary Castlegate 3 179.64x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 43
Sarah 24
Elizabeth 21
Ann 15
Alice 11
Jane 10
Margaret 10
Martha 8
Ellen 7
Hannah 7
Annie 6
Fanny 6
Harriet 6
Isabella 6
Caroline 5
Edith 5
Eliza 5
Ada 4
Betsy 4
Charlotte 4
Emily 4
Louisa 4
Maria 4
Agnes 3
Amelia 3
Emma 3
Florence 3
Kate 3
Lucy 3
Catherine 2
Frances 2
Helen 2
Innocent 2
Maggie 2
Minnie 2
Rebecca 2
Susannah 2
Betty 1
Drusilla 1
Eden 1
Elizbth. 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Ester 1
Gertrude 1
Harriett 1
Henrietta 1
Hester 1
Jacob 1
Janett 1
Thamsin 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 39
John 35
Thomas 22
George 21
James 13
Henry 12
Charles 11
Robert 11
Joseph 10
Arthur 7
Richard 7
Alfred 5
Edward 5
Herbert 5
Geo. 4
Benjamin 3
Frank 3
Harry 3
Tom 3
Walter 3
David 2
Ernest 2
Fred 2
Martin 2
Archibald 1
Authar 1
Bengimam 1
Burton 1
Char. 1
Dawson 1
Edwin 1
Ellen 1
Farrell 1
Fredc. 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Fredric 1
G. 1
Gilbert 1
Hodson 1
Horace 1
Hugh 1
Ina 1
Jesse 1
Joell 1
Jos. 1
Joshua 1
Mark 1
Mathew 1
Wm.Thos. 1

FAQ

Houlden surname: questions and answers

How common was the Houlden surname in 1881?

In 1881, 593 people were recorded with the Houlden surname. That placed it at #5,894 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Houlden surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 759 in 2016. That gives Houlden a modern rank of #7,218.

What does the Houlden surname mean?

From the Old English words "holh" meaning hollow and "denu" meaning valley.

What does the Houlden map show?

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