NameCensus.

UK surname

Ledden

A topographic surname originating in Scotland, referring to a dweller near a hill or slope.

In the 1881 census there were 31 people recorded with the Ledden surname, ranking it #29,218 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 118, ranked #27,873, up from #29,218 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Scarborough, Conwy and Purbeck.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ledden is 139 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 280.6%.

1881 census count

31

Ranked #29,218

Modern count

118

2016, ranked #27,873

Peak year

2011

139 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ledden had 31 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,218 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 118 in 2016, ranked #27,873.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 79 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Ledden surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ledden surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ledden 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 47 #24,810
1861 historical 39 #29,099
1881 historical 31 #29,218
1891 historical 72 #27,804
1901 historical 63 #27,134
1911 historical 79 #24,903
1997 modern 124 #23,669
1998 modern 128 #23,828
1999 modern 134 #23,378
2000 modern 125 #24,351
2001 modern 125 #24,011
2002 modern 129 #24,021
2003 modern 125 #24,265
2004 modern 134 #23,425
2005 modern 130 #23,848
2006 modern 131 #23,942
2007 modern 130 #24,389
2008 modern 133 #24,350
2009 modern 133 #24,817
2010 modern 135 #25,127
2011 modern 139 #24,507
2012 modern 124 #26,432
2013 modern 127 #26,452
2014 modern 121 #27,503
2015 modern 118 #27,833
2016 modern 118 #27,873

Geography

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Where Leddens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Scarborough, Conwy, Purbeck, Kingston upon Hull 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Scarborough 011 Scarborough
2 Conwy 009 Conwy
3 Purbeck 002 Purbeck
4 Kingston upon Hull 003 Kingston upon Hull, City of
5 Herefordshire 023 Herefordshire, County of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ledden

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ledden

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Ledden surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Ledden household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Ledden 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

Ledden is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ledden falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Ledden

The surname Ledden originated in England and has its roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "lead," meaning a path or road, and "denu," meaning a valley. This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who lived near a valley or in a location with a well-known road or path.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1191, where it appears as "Robert de Ledene." This indicates that the name was already established in that region during the 12th century.

In the 13th century, the name was also mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, where it was spelled as "Ledene." This variation in spelling was common during that time, as standardized spellings were not yet established.

The Ledden surname has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One such individual was Sir John Ledden (1550-1631), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Southwark during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Thomas Ledden (1685-1753), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Archdeacon of Taunton in Somerset. He was known for his contributions to theological writings and his involvement in ecclesiastical affairs.

In the 18th century, the name appeared in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Nottinghamshire, where a family by the name of Ledden resided in the village of Lowdham. This suggests that the name had spread to various regions of England by that time.

One of the earliest known instances of the name in the United States can be traced back to Thomas Ledden, who arrived in Virginia in 1654. This indicates that the name had begun to establish a presence in the American colonies during the 17th century.

Another notable figure with the Ledden surname was William Ledden (1790-1868), an Irish-born Australian settler who played a significant role in the early development of the city of Sydney. He was a successful businessman and landowner and was involved in various civic and philanthropic endeavors.

The Ledden surname has undergone various spelling variations over the centuries, including Leden, Ledene, Leyden, and Leydon, among others. These variations reflect the regional dialects and scribal practices of the time, as well as the influence of different languages on the spelling of the name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ledden families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ledden 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. Lancashire leads with 15 Leddens recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.18x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 15 4.18x
Middlesex 5 1.65x
Surrey 5 3.39x
Devon 4 6.36x
Hampshire 1 1.61x
Yorkshire 1 0.33x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bootle Cum Linacre in Lancashire leads with 6 Leddens recorded in 1881 and an index of 210.53x.

Place Total Index
Bootle Cum Linacre 6 210.53x
Barnes 5 806.45x
Hammersmith London 5 67.11x
Kirkdale 5 82.78x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 82.47x
Everton 2 17.48x
West Derby 2 19.05x
Holy Trinity St Mary 1 217.39x
Portsmouth 1 69.93x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Ann 2
Elizth. 2
Catherine 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Hetta 1
Julia 1
Lidia 1
Margaret 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Ledden surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ledden surname in 1881?

In 1881, 31 people were recorded with the Ledden surname. That placed it at #29,218 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ledden surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 118 in 2016. That gives Ledden a modern rank of #27,873.

What does the Ledden surname mean?

A topographic surname originating in Scotland, referring to a dweller near a hill or slope.

What does the Ledden map show?

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