NameCensus.

UK surname

Huggett

A nickname derived from the pet-form of Hugh, meaning "heart, mind or spirit".

In the 1881 census there were 1,386 people recorded with the Huggett surname, ranking it #2,976 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,642, ranked #3,793, down from #2,976 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to East Grinstead, Tunbridge, Bidborough and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirklees, Ashford and Shepway.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Huggett is 2,196 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18.5%.

1881 census count

1,386

Ranked #2,976

Modern count

1,642

2016, ranked #3,793

Peak year

1911

2,196 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Huggett had 1,386 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,976 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,642 in 2016, ranked #3,793.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,196 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Huggett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Huggett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Huggett 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 974 #2,866
1861 historical 756 #3,617
1881 historical 1,386 #2,976
1891 historical 1,537 #2,870
1901 historical 1,890 #2,793
1911 historical 2,196 #2,296
1997 modern 1,863 #3,232
1998 modern 1,915 #3,270
1999 modern 1,946 #3,252
2000 modern 1,889 #3,320
2001 modern 1,859 #3,303
2002 modern 1,851 #3,376
2003 modern 1,798 #3,398
2004 modern 1,767 #3,454
2005 modern 1,711 #3,522
2006 modern 1,659 #3,621
2007 modern 1,659 #3,653
2008 modern 1,646 #3,706
2009 modern 1,694 #3,685
2010 modern 1,734 #3,680
2011 modern 1,693 #3,715
2012 modern 1,653 #3,734
2013 modern 1,680 #3,741
2014 modern 1,673 #3,775
2015 modern 1,663 #3,764
2016 modern 1,642 #3,793

Geography

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Where Huggetts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around East Grinstead, Tunbridge, Bidborough, London parishes, Brighton and Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kirklees, Ashford, Shepway, Mid Sussex and Stockton-on-Tees. 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 East Grinstead Sussex
2 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
3 London parishes London 3
4 Brighton Sussex
5 Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead Surrey

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kirklees 048 Kirklees
2 Ashford 002 Ashford
3 Shepway 012 Shepway
4 Mid Sussex 001 Mid Sussex
5 Stockton-on-Tees 010 Stockton-on-Tees

Forenames

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First names often paired with Huggett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Huggett

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Huggett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Huggett household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Huggett is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

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Group profile

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Huggett is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Huggett 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 Huggett 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 Huggett, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Huggett

The surname Huggett is of English origin, originating in the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English personal name "Huget" or "Hughet", a diminutive form of the name "Hugh". This name ultimately traces its roots back to the Germanic name "Hugo", meaning "heart, mind, or spirit".

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Huggett can be found in various medieval records and documents from the 13th century onwards. One notable reference is in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275, which mentions a "Hughet de Grafton". The surname also appears in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in 1297, where a "Huget de Northfeld" is recorded.

During the 14th century, the surname Huggett began to spread across various regions of England, with variations in spelling such as "Hogget", "Hoggett", and "Huggitt". This was a common occurrence during that time, as spelling conventions were not yet standardized.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname Huggett was John Huggett, born around 1380 in Oxfordshire. He was a prominent landowner and is mentioned in several historical records from the early 15th century.

Another notable figure was Sir Walter Huggett (c. 1460-1537), a wealthy merchant and Lord Mayor of London in 1536. He was a prominent figure in the city's mercantile community and played a significant role in the political and economic affairs of his time.

In the 16th century, the surname Huggett was found in various regions of England, including Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. A notable bearer from this period was Thomas Huggett (c. 1550-1624), a clergyman and author who served as the Rector of West Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the surname Huggett continued to be present across England, with some bearers migrating to other parts of the British Isles and beyond. One notable figure from this period was John Huggett (1673-1737), a successful merchant and landowner in the county of Essex.

Another noteworthy individual was Samuel Huggett (1715-1792), a renowned clockmaker from Waltham Abbey in Essex. His clocks were highly regarded for their quality and craftsmanship, and several examples of his work can still be found in museums and private collections.

In the 19th century, the Huggett surname was also found in various parts of the United States, particularly in areas with strong English settlement, such as New England and the Mid-Atlantic regions. One notable American bearer of the name was William Huggett (1822-1895), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Philadelphia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Huggett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Huggett 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 417 Huggetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.49x.

County Total Index
Sussex 417 18.49x
Surrey 310 4.76x
Kent 264 5.79x
Middlesex 258 1.93x
Monmouthshire 28 2.90x
Essex 15 0.57x
Hampshire 13 0.47x
Lanarkshire 13 0.30x
Devon 7 0.25x
Lancashire 7 0.04x
Yorkshire 7 0.05x
Somerset 6 0.28x
Dunbartonshire 5 1.39x
Hertfordshire 5 0.54x
Warwickshire 5 0.15x
Berkshire 3 0.30x
Cumberland 2 0.17x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.12x
Cornwall 1 0.07x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.38x
Isle of Man 1 0.40x
Oxfordshire 1 0.12x
Shropshire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Eastbourne in Sussex leads with 98 Huggetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 94.45x.

Place Total Index
Eastbourne 98 94.45x
East Grinstead 63 197.37x
Brighton 58 12.75x
Croydon 57 15.76x
Tonbridge 51 30.99x
Shoreditch London 39 6.73x
St Marylebone London 29 4.06x
Bermondsey 28 7.03x
Reigate Foreign 24 34.01x
Bow London 20 11.75x
Horne 20 625.00x
Horley 19 173.99x
Camberwell 17 1.99x
Kensington London 17 2.29x
Preston 17 43.18x
Bletchingley 16 188.24x
Frant 16 100.13x
Mile End Old Town London 16 5.62x
Hackney London 15 2.00x
Lewes St John Southover 15 99.08x
Rotherhithe 15 9.08x
St Pancras London 14 1.30x
Tottenham 14 6.57x
West Ham 14 2.40x
Brookland 13 653.27x
Chatham 13 10.36x
Battersea 12 2.44x
Dorking 12 27.42x
Lambeth 12 1.03x
Lewes St Ann 12 156.25x
Lewisham 12 4.93x
Portsea 12 2.23x
Wilmington 12 1061.95x
Brenchley 11 67.36x
Bromley 11 15.82x
Cliffe 11 144.36x
Deptford St Paul 11 3.13x
Redwick 11 924.37x
Greenwich 10 4.70x
Islington London 10 0.77x
Paddington London 10 2.03x
West Malling 10 97.37x
Bethnal Green London 9 1.55x
Hastings St Mary In The 9 18.71x
Wateringbury 9 151.01x
Burham 8 126.98x
Ealing 8 6.69x
East Malling 8 73.39x
Hastings St Mary 8 14.26x
Higham 8 129.87x
St Luke London 8 3.73x
Caterham 7 24.31x
Coulsdon 7 59.07x
Glasgow 7 0.91x
Horsted Keynes 7 133.08x
Margate St John Baptist 7 8.38x
Southwark St Saviour 7 10.18x
Willingdon 7 122.38x
Wrotham 7 46.30x
Ashford 6 13.50x
Govan 6 0.56x
Hollington 6 74.72x
Ivychurch 6 504.20x
North Chapel 6 165.29x
Sutton 6 12.73x
Trull 6 136.36x
Upper Llanvrechva 6 39.95x
Alfriston 5 186.57x
Bonhill 5 8.67x
Chipping Barnet 5 142.45x
Gillingham 5 5.31x
Goldcliff 5 480.77x
Hellingly 5 66.23x
Lewes All Sts 5 55.68x
Lingfield 5 39.37x
Southwark Christchurch 5 7.98x
St Faith Under St Pauls 5 462.96x
Thornbury 5 349.65x
Woolwich 5 2.97x
Worth 5 30.54x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 74
John 60
George 59
Thomas 46
Henry 33
James 33
Alfred 31
Frederick 23
Charles 22
Richard 22
Albert 17
Arthur 16
Edward 13
Joseph 12
Walter 12
Harry 11
Herbert 9
Robert 9
David 8
Stephen 8
Geo. 7
Daniel 6
Ernest 6
Frank 6
Samuel 6
Abraham 4
Benjamin 4
Edgar 4
Fredk. 4
Jesse 4
Reuben 4
Tom 4
Wm. 4
Allan 3
Ebenezer 3
Fred 3
Sydney 3
Thos. 3
Alexander 2
Chas.F. 2
Earnest 2
Edwin 2
Ira 2
Jno. 2
Jonathan 2
Leonard 2
Spencer 2
Victor 2
Burt 1
Edmund 1

FAQ

Huggett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Huggett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,386 people were recorded with the Huggett surname. That placed it at #2,976 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Huggett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,642 in 2016. That gives Huggett a modern rank of #3,793.

What does the Huggett surname mean?

A nickname derived from the pet-form of Hugh, meaning "heart, mind or spirit".

What does the Huggett map show?

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