NameCensus.

UK surname

Husbands

An antiquated occupational surname referring to the husband or master of a household.

In the 1881 census there were 305 people recorded with the Husbands surname, ranking it #9,615 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 738, ranked #7,396, up from #9,615 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ross Foreign and Ross Borough, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Herefordshire and South Northamptonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Husbands is 771 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 142.0%.

1881 census count

305

Ranked #9,615

Modern count

738

2016, ranked #7,396

Peak year

2010

771 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Husbands had 305 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,615 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 738 in 2016, ranked #7,396.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 489 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Husbands surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Husbands surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Husbands 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 213 #9,934
1861 historical 225 #10,843
1881 historical 305 #9,615
1891 historical 398 #8,910
1901 historical 392 #9,623
1911 historical 489 #7,959
1997 modern 698 #7,262
1998 modern 714 #7,362
1999 modern 688 #7,618
2000 modern 707 #7,436
2001 modern 686 #7,479
2002 modern 705 #7,467
2003 modern 701 #7,381
2004 modern 700 #7,400
2005 modern 692 #7,413
2006 modern 698 #7,366
2007 modern 709 #7,349
2008 modern 718 #7,335
2009 modern 754 #7,217
2010 modern 771 #7,234
2011 modern 761 #7,225
2012 modern 734 #7,351
2013 modern 763 #7,237
2014 modern 761 #7,281
2015 modern 749 #7,310
2016 modern 738 #7,396

Geography

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Where Husbands' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ross Foreign and Ross Borough, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Stretton Grandison, Yarkhill, Ashperton, Munsley, Putley, Woolhope, Upton Bishop, Weston Beggard, St and Ellesmere (Ellesmere), Welshampton, Whittington, Halston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Herefordshire and South Northamptonshire. 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 Ross Foreign and Ross Borough Herefordshire
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Stretton Grandison, Yarkhill, Ashperton, Munsley, Putley, Woolhope, Upton Bishop, Weston Beggard, St Herefordshire
5 Ellesmere (Ellesmere), Welshampton, Whittington, Halston Shropshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Herefordshire 022 Herefordshire, County of
2 South Northamptonshire 003 South Northamptonshire
3 Herefordshire 023 Herefordshire, County of
4 Herefordshire 017 Herefordshire, County of
5 Herefordshire 010 Herefordshire, County of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Husbands

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Husbands

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Husbands surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Husbands 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Husbands is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Husbands 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

Husbands falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Husbands

The surname Husbands is an occupational surname that originated in England during the medieval period. It derives from the Old English word "husbonda," which means the master or head of a household. The name likely referred to a trusted servant or steward who managed a lord's estate or household affairs.

Historically, the name Husbands can be traced back to the 13th century in various English records and manuscripts. One of the earliest recorded instances is in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which mentions a William le Husbonde. The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 also list a John Husbonde.

During the 14th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as Husbande, Husebonde, and Husbond, reflecting the evolving spelling of the English language. In the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1334, a Thomas Husbande is recorded in Lincolnshire.

The Husbands surname is also connected to several place names in England, such as Husbands Bosworth in Leicestershire and Husbands Crawley in Bedfordshire. These locations may have been named after early residents with the Husbands surname or derived from the Old English term "husbonda."

One notable figure in history with the surname Husbands was Sir John Husbands (1545-1628), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Gloucester in the 16th century. Another was Sir Edward Husbands (1616-1693), an English lawyer and member of the Long Parliament during the English Civil War.

Other historical figures with the Husbands surname include:

1. John Husbands (1608-1675), an English clergyman and author of several religious works. 2. Robert Husbands (1735-1810), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War. 3. William Husbands (1695-1749), an English mathematician and surveyor known for his work on navigation and astronomy. 4. Samuel Husbands (1642-1708), an English writer and translator who published works on religion and philosophy. 5. Thomas Husbands (1592-1647), an English Puritan minister and writer who was involved in the religious controversies of his time.

The Husbands surname continues to be present in various English-speaking countries, reflecting the global spread of migration from its origins in medieval England. Its occupational roots and historical connections make it a fascinating example of how surnames evolved and carried meaning over centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Husbands families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Husbands 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. Nottinghamshire leads with 66 Husbands' recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.46x.

County Total Index
Nottinghamshire 66 16.46x
Herefordshire 53 43.45x
Shropshire 45 17.51x
Surrey 19 1.31x
Leicestershire 18 5.46x
Middlesex 17 0.57x
Lancashire 13 0.37x
Lincolnshire 12 2.52x
Gloucestershire 9 1.54x
Staffordshire 9 0.90x
Yorkshire 9 0.31x
Derbyshire 8 1.72x
Radnorshire 8 33.33x
Cumberland 7 2.73x
Monmouthshire 6 2.79x
Essex 2 0.34x
Kent 2 0.20x
Cheshire 1 0.15x
Montgomeryshire 1 1.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lenton in Nottinghamshire leads with 25 Husbands' recorded in 1881 and an index of 264.55x.

Place Total Index
Lenton 25 264.55x
Brampton Abbotts 16 7272.73x
Ellesmere Cockshutt 16 5161.29x
Radford 12 58.91x
Foy 11 3333.33x
Upton Bishop 10 1388.89x
Belton 8 1904.76x
Newington 8 7.28x
Presteigne 8 526.32x
Ashby De La Zouch 7 91.50x
Aspatria 7 284.55x
Derby St Peter 7 47.17x
Gainsborough 7 62.44x
Hackney London 7 4.20x
Heaton Norris 7 34.84x
Snenton 7 44.42x
Leintwardine 6 483.87x
Nottingham St Mary 6 5.78x
Oswestry Rural 6 152.28x
Bristol St Michael 5 100.00x
Burslem 5 17.38x
Lambeth 5 1.93x
Whittington 5 232.56x
Bramcote 4 519.48x
Clunbury 4 400.00x
Llangattock Llingoed 4 2222.22x
Marden 4 465.12x
Mile End Old Town London 4 6.32x
Ross 4 82.47x
Shipley 4 26.14x
St Giles In Fields London 4 27.40x
Westbury On Trym 4 20.23x
York St Cuthbert 4 148.15x
Beeston 3 65.08x
Ewyas Harold 3 535.71x
Great Grimsby 3 9.94x
Reigate Foreign 3 19.11x
Wem 3 78.53x
Arnold 2 34.19x
Battersea 2 1.83x
Burton Upon Trent 2 8.51x
East Bridgford 2 219.78x
Greasley 2 22.10x
Middle 2 285.71x
Salford 2 1.93x
Sheepshed 2 44.25x
Shire Newton 2 256.41x
Standard Hill 2 208.33x
Willenhall 2 10.63x
Bishops Castle In 1 66.67x
Blackburn 1 1.06x
Bodenham 1 111.11x
Camberwell 1 0.53x
Canon Pyon 1 140.85x
Castle Donnington 1 36.50x
Chester St Oswald 1 8.41x
Derby St Alkmund 1 7.16x
Everton 1 0.89x
Fulbeck 1 151.52x
Harlaxton 1 256.41x
Harwich St Nicholas 1 22.03x
Hornsey 1 2.66x
Leigh 1 49.02x
Llanfyllin 1 55.56x
North Meols 1 2.89x
Oswestry Town 1 12.15x
Oxton 1 188.68x
Sellack 1 285.71x
Southowram 1 11.11x
St Devereux 1 476.19x
St George Bloomsbury 1 5.86x
Stanford 1 333.33x
Tonbridge 1 2.73x
W Felton 1 91.74x
Weston Under Penyard 1 116.28x
Windle 1 5.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 22
John 16
Thomas 12
Henry 10
George 9
Charles 8
Edward 5
James 5
Joseph 5
Richard 5
Robert 4
Samuel 4
Alfred 3
Frederick 3
Albert 2
Arthur 2
Edmund 2
Edwin 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Walter 2
Will 2
Arthura 1
Auther 1
Chas.Thomas 1
Daniel 1
Emanuel 1
Enoch 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.K. 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Herbt. 1
Jno. 1
Joe 1
Jonathan 1
Leonard 1
Lewis 1
Manuel 1
Owen 1
Reed 1
Sidney 1
Tom 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Husbands surname: questions and answers

How common was the Husbands surname in 1881?

In 1881, 305 people were recorded with the Husbands surname. That placed it at #9,615 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Husbands surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 738 in 2016. That gives Husbands a modern rank of #7,396.

What does the Husbands surname mean?

An antiquated occupational surname referring to the husband or master of a household.

What does the Husbands map show?

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