NameCensus.

UK surname

Ledbury

A habitational name for someone from Ledbury, in Herefordshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 263 people recorded with the Ledbury surname, ranking it #10,692 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 496, ranked #10,038, up from #10,692 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lullington, Oldswinford and Tardebigg. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Vale of White Horse, Wiltshire and Sandwell.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ledbury is 534 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 88.6%.

1881 census count

263

Ranked #10,692

Modern count

496

2016, ranked #10,038

Peak year

1999

534 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ledbury had 263 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,692 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 496 in 2016, ranked #10,038.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 383 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Ledbury surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ledbury surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ledbury 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 108 #16,308
1861 historical 151 #15,209
1881 historical 263 #10,692
1891 historical 270 #12,027
1901 historical 371 #9,997
1911 historical 383 #9,597
1997 modern 505 #9,232
1998 modern 527 #9,222
1999 modern 534 #9,184
2000 modern 501 #9,619
2001 modern 492 #9,592
2002 modern 480 #9,940
2003 modern 500 #9,481
2004 modern 500 #9,529
2005 modern 476 #9,783
2006 modern 469 #9,937
2007 modern 473 #9,965
2008 modern 480 #9,948
2009 modern 480 #10,162
2010 modern 467 #10,570
2011 modern 476 #10,333
2012 modern 476 #10,213
2013 modern 490 #10,176
2014 modern 495 #10,145
2015 modern 497 #10,046
2016 modern 496 #10,038

Geography

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Where Ledburys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lullington, Oldswinford, Tardebigg, Bromsgrove, Upton Warren and Westbury. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Vale of White Horse, Wiltshire, Sandwell and Herefordshire. 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 Lullington Somerset
2 Oldswinford Worcestershire
3 Tardebigg Worcestershire
4 Bromsgrove, Upton Warren Worcestershire
5 Westbury Wiltshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Vale of White Horse 014 Vale of White Horse
2 Wiltshire 047 Wiltshire
3 Vale of White Horse 011 Vale of White Horse
4 Sandwell 010 Sandwell
5 Herefordshire 019 Herefordshire, County of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ledbury

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ledbury

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Ledbury is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ledbury is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ledbury falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Ledbury

The surname Ledbury originated in England and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is a locational name derived from the town of Ledbury in Herefordshire, which was first recorded as "Liedeberge" in the Domesday Book of 1086. The name is believed to come from the Old English "lede" meaning "a people or nation" and "burg" meaning "a fortified place or town".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Ledbury is found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "de Ledebur". This suggests that the name was initially used as a descriptive form referring to someone who hailed from the town of Ledbury.

In the 14th century, the name is found in various spellings such as "Ledebyre", "Ledeburi", and "Ledburi" in various records and manuscripts from the region. These variations highlight the evolution of the name over time.

Notable individuals with the surname Ledbury throughout history include:

1. John Ledbury (c. 1470 - c. 1540), an English clergyman and benefactor who founded a grammar school in Ledbury. 2. Robert Ledbury (c. 1510 - c. 1570), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Herefordshire in the 16th century. 3. Anne Ledbury (c. 1550 - c. 1620), an English landowner and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the town of Ledbury. 4. Thomas Ledbury (c. 1620 - c. 1680), an English soldier who fought in the English Civil War and later became a prominent figure in the town of Ledbury. 5. Elizabeth Ledbury (c. 1670 - c. 1740), an English writer and poet who published several works in the early 18th century.

The town of Ledbury itself has a rich history dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period, and it is likely that many individuals bearing the surname Ledbury were associated with the town and its surrounding areas throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ledbury families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ledbury 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. Worcestershire leads with 79 Ledburys recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.49x.

County Total Index
Worcestershire 79 23.49x
Somerset 30 7.24x
Staffordshire 30 3.45x
Wiltshire 28 12.29x
Lancashire 14 0.46x
Middlesex 14 0.54x
Warwickshire 14 2.16x
Surrey 11 0.88x
Gloucestershire 10 1.98x
Yorkshire 9 0.35x
Dorset 6 3.55x
Berkshire 5 2.59x
Glamorgan 5 1.12x
Kent 2 0.23x
Lanarkshire 2 0.24x
Essex 1 0.20x
Hampshire 1 0.19x
Lincolnshire 1 0.24x
Royal Navy 1 3.26x
Shropshire 1 0.45x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Redditch in Worcestershire leads with 17 Ledburys recorded in 1881 and an index of 249.27x.

Place Total Index
Redditch 17 249.27x
Bromsgrove 14 123.67x
Belbroughton 13 747.13x
Lullington 12 10000.00x
Westbury 12 225.56x
Ipsley 10 840.34x
Pelsall 10 387.60x
Frome 9 90.82x
Whittington 9 2727.27x
Lambeth 8 3.56x
Pemberton 8 65.68x
West Bromwich 8 16.08x
Bradford On Avon 7 96.02x
Rowley Regis 6 24.77x
Shepton Mallet 6 129.03x
Stourbridge 6 69.36x
Trowbridge 6 59.58x
Bristol St George 5 21.40x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 5 10.52x
Cattistock 5 1063.83x
Kings Norton 5 16.58x
The Hill 5 231.48x
Upperswinford 5 175.44x
West Swallowfield 5 543.48x
Ystradyfodwg 5 12.71x
Green Hammerton 4 1538.46x
Warrington 4 11.04x
Denaby 3 208.33x
Himbleton 3 750.00x
Isleworth 3 26.20x
Kensington London 3 2.10x
Lyncombe Widcombe 3 27.65x
Mile End Old Town London 3 5.47x
Bredicot 2 3333.33x
Govan 2 0.97x
High Offley 2 277.78x
Southwark Christchurch 2 16.57x
Walton On Hill 2 12.08x
Warminster 2 40.08x
Wolverhampton 2 2.99x
Alcester 1 46.73x
Aston 1 0.56x
Berrington 1 114.94x
Birmingham 1 0.46x
Brewood 1 39.84x
Coleby West Halton 1 454.55x
Cuddington 1 208.33x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.48x
Edgbaston 1 4.97x
Eling 1 18.69x
Halifax 1 2.67x
Hammersmith London 1 1.58x
Maidstone 1 3.82x
Royal Navy 1 3.81x
Sheffield 1 1.23x
St Bartholomew Great 1 42.74x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.20x
St Mary Le Strand London 1 106.38x
Steeple Ashton 1 163.93x
Walsall Foreign 1 2.23x
West Ham 1 0.89x
Willesden 1 4.12x
Wimborne 1 48.78x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 21
Sarah 11
Elizabeth 9
Eliza 8
Jane 8
Alice 6
Ann 5
Ellen 4
Hannah 4
Annie 3
Lavinia 3
Bertha 2
Caroline 2
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Emma 2
Fanny 2
Gertrude 2
Harriet 2
Lousia 2
Martha 2
Phoebe 2
Polly 2
Rose 2
Salome 2
Agnes 1
Albert 1
Amelia 1
Anne 1
Beatrice 1
Catharine 1
Catherine 1
Edith 1
Ellinir 1
Emily 1
Florence 1
Helen 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Louisa 1
Lydia 1
Mabel 1
Margaret 1
Margret 1
Maria 1
Mira 1
Myra 1
Nellie 1
Rebecca 1
Selina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 17
John 14
James 9
Henry 8
George 7
Thomas 7
Alfred 5
Edward 5
Joseph 5
Arthur 4
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Charles 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Hugh 2
Robert 2
Victor 2
Albert 1
Ben 1
Benjamin 1
Bertie 1
Chas.A. 1
Chas.Hary 1
David 1
Godfrey 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
Joshua 1
Louis 1
Pharoah 1
Reginald 1
Rowland 1
Stephen 1
Tho. 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1
Willie 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Ledbury surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ledbury surname in 1881?

In 1881, 263 people were recorded with the Ledbury surname. That placed it at #10,692 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ledbury surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 496 in 2016. That gives Ledbury a modern rank of #10,038.

What does the Ledbury surname mean?

A habitational name for someone from Ledbury, in Herefordshire, England.

What does the Ledbury map show?

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