NameCensus.

UK surname

Leydon

An Anglicized spelling of the Scottish surname Leyden, itself derived from the topographic place name referring to a high hill or ridge.

In the 1881 census there were 69 people recorded with the Leydon surname, ranking it #23,816 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 197, ranked #19,777, up from #23,816 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newcastle upon Tyne, Birmingham and Dartford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Leydon is 202 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 185.5%.

1881 census count

69

Ranked #23,816

Modern count

197

2016, ranked #19,777

Peak year

2011

202 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Leydon had 69 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #23,816 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 197 in 2016, ranked #19,777.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 69 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Leydon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Leydon surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Leydon 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 17 #30,267
1861 historical 46 #28,170
1881 historical 69 #23,816
1891 historical 55 #29,744
1901 historical 33 #30,384
1911 historical 25 #30,654
1997 modern 159 #20,339
1998 modern 162 #20,673
1999 modern 174 #19,870
2000 modern 185 #19,118
2001 modern 175 #19,484
2002 modern 187 #19,083
2003 modern 181 #19,277
2004 modern 183 #19,251
2005 modern 180 #19,395
2006 modern 172 #20,073
2007 modern 178 #19,887
2008 modern 190 #19,246
2009 modern 197 #19,218
2010 modern 194 #19,819
2011 modern 202 #19,154
2012 modern 200 #19,207
2013 modern 191 #20,124
2014 modern 199 #19,775
2015 modern 199 #19,640
2016 modern 197 #19,777

Geography

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Where Leydons 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 Newcastle upon Tyne, Birmingham and Dartford. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne 020 Newcastle upon Tyne
2 Birmingham 014 Birmingham
3 Birmingham 020 Birmingham
4 Newcastle upon Tyne 026 Newcastle upon Tyne
5 Dartford 012 Dartford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Leydon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Leydon

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Leydon, 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 Leydon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Leydon household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Leydon is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Leydon 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

Leydon 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 Leydon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

This describes the area pattern most associated with Leydon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Leydon

The surname Leydon has its origins in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "leah," meaning a meadow or clearing in a forest, and "dun," meaning a hill or mound. The name likely originated from a place name, referring to someone who lived near a meadow on a hill.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Leydon can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where a Robert de Leydon is mentioned. The Hundred Rolls were administrative records compiled in England during the reign of King Edward I.

In the 16th century, the name Leydon appeared in various spellings, such as Leyden, Leydon, and Leighton, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling at the time. One notable individual from this era was John Leydon (1508-1565), an English Protestant reformer and martyr who was burned at the stake during the Marian Persecutions.

The 17th century saw the rise of several prominent figures with the surname Leydon. Thomas Leydon (1629-1701) was an English Puritan minister and author who wrote extensively on religious topics. William Leydon (1635-1689) was a renowned English philosopher and mathematician who made significant contributions to the development of calculus.

In the 18th century, the name Leydon was associated with several notable writers and poets. Samuel Leydon (1716-1786) was an English poet and playwright who wrote several popular plays and poems during his lifetime. Mary Leydon (1742-1819) was a celebrated English novelist and essayist, known for her witty and insightful writings on social and cultural issues.

The 19th century saw the emergence of Leydon as a prominent name in the field of exploration and adventure. John Leydon (1810-1876) was an English explorer and naturalist who embarked on several expeditions to Africa and Asia, contributing significantly to the understanding of the natural world and indigenous cultures.

Throughout its history, the surname Leydon has been associated with various professions and endeavors, from religion and philosophy to literature and exploration. While its origins can be traced back to the English countryside, the name has left an indelible mark on various aspects of history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Leydon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Leydon 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. Lanarkshire leads with 18 Leydons recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.27x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 18 8.27x
Durham 12 5.99x
Midlothian 12 13.31x
Middlesex 7 1.04x
Lancashire 5 0.63x
Angus 4 6.41x
Roxburghshire 3 24.61x
Staffordshire 3 1.32x
Northumberland 2 2.00x
Argyllshire 1 5.34x
Berkshire 1 1.98x
Dunbartonshire 1 5.53x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 9 Leydons recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.29x.

Place Total Index
Glasgow 9 23.29x
Edinburgh Trinity 8 2758.62x
Bishopwearmouth 7 40.72x
St Marylebone London 7 19.48x
Barony 5 9.08x
Sunderland 5 141.24x
Govan 4 7.43x
Liverpool 4 8.25x
St Vigeans 4 118.69x
Sedgley 3 35.55x
South Leith 3 29.56x
Wilton 3 223.88x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 2 33.44x
Bootle Cum Linacre 1 15.77x
Campbeltown 1 44.25x
Dumbarton 1 39.68x
Edinburgh Greenside S 1 303.03x
Old Windsor 1 172.41x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Amy 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Jane 1
Minnie 1
Rose 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 5
James 3
Michael 3
Martin 2
Aaron 1
Peter 1
Thomas 1
William 1

FAQ

Leydon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Leydon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 69 people were recorded with the Leydon surname. That placed it at #23,816 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Leydon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 197 in 2016. That gives Leydon a modern rank of #19,777.

What does the Leydon surname mean?

An Anglicized spelling of the Scottish surname Leyden, itself derived from the topographic place name referring to a high hill or ridge.

What does the Leydon map show?

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