NameCensus.

UK surname

Leopold

A German surname derived from the Old High German words "liut," meaning people, and "bald," meaning bold or brave.

In the 1881 census there were 35 people recorded with the Leopold surname, ranking it #28,715 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 178, ranked #21,160, up from #28,715 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch and St Mary Whitechapel. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Powys, Stratford-on-Avon and Woking.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Leopold is 188 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 408.6%.

1881 census count

35

Ranked #28,715

Modern count

178

2016, ranked #21,160

Peak year

2013

188 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Leopold had 35 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,715 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 178 in 2016, ranked #21,160.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 145 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Leopold surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Leopold surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Leopold 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 4 #32,658
1861 historical 21 #31,242
1881 historical 35 #28,715
1891 historical 78 #27,035
1901 historical 101 #22,726
1911 historical 145 #18,255
1997 modern 150 #21,119
1998 modern 153 #21,387
1999 modern 149 #21,924
2000 modern 161 #20,822
2001 modern 166 #20,129
2002 modern 163 #20,767
2003 modern 170 #20,023
2004 modern 162 #20,756
2005 modern 159 #20,983
2006 modern 175 #19,850
2007 modern 180 #19,745
2008 modern 180 #19,946
2009 modern 184 #20,079
2010 modern 182 #20,662
2011 modern 181 #20,579
2012 modern 181 #20,531
2013 modern 188 #20,352
2014 modern 179 #21,186
2015 modern 179 #21,069
2016 modern 178 #21,160

Geography

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Where Leopolds are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch, St Mary Whitechapel and Kings Norton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Powys, Stratford-on-Avon, Woking and Ealing. 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 London parishes London 1
2 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 St Mary Whitechapel London (East Districts)
4 London parishes London 3
5 Kings Norton Worcestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Powys 011 Powys
2 Stratford-on-Avon 015 Stratford-on-Avon
3 Woking 009 Woking
4 Ealing 018 Ealing
5 Woking 007 Woking

Forenames

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First names often paired with Leopold

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Leopold

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Leopold surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Leopold 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Leopold 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

Leopold 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

Leopold falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Leopold

The surname Leopold has its origins in the German language and is derived from a Germanic personal name that dates back to the 8th century. The name is composed of two elements: "leud" meaning "people" and "bald" meaning "bold" or "brave." The name was originally spelled "Leutbald" or "Luitbald."

The earliest recorded instance of the name Leopold can be found in the Codex Traditionum Monasterii Raittenbuch, a 9th-century manuscript from the Benedictine monastery in Reittenbuch, Bavaria. This document mentions a nobleman named "Liutpaldus" who donated land to the monastery in the year 825.

During the Middle Ages, the name Leopold became popular among the nobility and ruling families of Central Europe, particularly in Austria and Germany. One of the most famous historical figures with this surname was Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor from 1658 to 1705. He was born in Vienna in 1640 and played a significant role in the Wars of the Holy League against the Ottoman Empire.

Another notable Leopold was Leopold II, Duke of Austria, who lived from 1050 to 1095. He was a prominent figure during the Investiture Controversy, a power struggle between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Papacy over the appointment of bishops and abbots.

In the 13th century, a Leopold von Babenberg, known as Leopold VI, Duke of Austria and Styria, was a prominent figure in the Crusades. He participated in the Fifth Crusade and died in 1230 during the Siege of Damietta in Egypt.

The name Leopold also has a connection to the famous explorer and naturalist, Leopold von Buch, who lived from 1774 to 1853. He was a pioneer in the field of geology and made significant contributions to the understanding of volcanic activity and the formation of rocks.

During the 19th century, the name Leopold became more widespread across Europe and was adopted by families outside of Germany and Austria. One notable example is Leopold Kronecker, a German mathematician who lived from 1823 to 1891 and made important contributions to the field of algebra and number theory.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Leopold families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Leopold 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. Middlesex leads with 21 Leopolds recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.01x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 21 5.01x
Channel Islands 9 72.46x
Lancashire 8 1.61x
Glamorgan 3 4.11x
Cheshire 1 1.08x
Surrey 1 0.49x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Helier in Channel Islands leads with 9 Leopolds recorded in 1881 and an index of 222.77x.

Place Total Index
St Helier 9 222.77x
Whitechapel London 7 169.49x
Chelsea London 6 47.51x
Liverpool 4 13.24x
Baglan Lower 3 3750.00x
Islington London 3 7.38x
Salford 3 20.51x
Altrincham 1 61.73x
Broughton In Salford 1 21.98x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 11.85x
St Botolph Aldgate London 1 116.28x
St George Hanover Square 1 13.53x
St Paul Covent Garden 1 238.10x
Westminster St John 1 19.57x
Westminster St Margaret 1 49.51x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Charlotte 2
Mary 2
Ann 1
Bertha 1
Berthold 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Florence 1
Henrietta 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Matilda 1
Nell 1
Rosay 1
Susette 1
Thersa 1
Veronica 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Arthur 2
Joseph 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Bourdier 1
Charles 1
Edward 1
Francis 1
Frederick 1
Fritz 1
Henry 1
Isaac 1
Lewis 1
Marie 1
Max 1
Percy 1
Sigismund 1
Sigmund 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Leopold surname: questions and answers

How common was the Leopold surname in 1881?

In 1881, 35 people were recorded with the Leopold surname. That placed it at #28,715 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Leopold surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 178 in 2016. That gives Leopold a modern rank of #21,160.

What does the Leopold surname mean?

A German surname derived from the Old High German words "liut," meaning people, and "bald," meaning bold or brave.

What does the Leopold map show?

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