NameCensus.

UK surname

Littleford

One who hails from a small ford or stream crossing.

In the 1881 census there were 218 people recorded with the Littleford surname, ranking it #12,158 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 405, ranked #11,774, up from #12,158 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Kings Norton and Worfield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shropshire, Doncaster and St Albans.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Littleford is 445 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 85.8%.

1881 census count

218

Ranked #12,158

Modern count

405

2016, ranked #11,774

Peak year

1999

445 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Littleford had 218 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,158 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 405 in 2016, ranked #11,774.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 354 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Littleford surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Littleford surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Littleford 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 185 #11,077
1861 historical 222 #10,993
1881 historical 218 #12,158
1891 historical 262 #12,297
1901 historical 312 #11,339
1911 historical 354 #10,192
1997 modern 407 #10,869
1998 modern 422 #10,928
1999 modern 445 #10,535
2000 modern 430 #10,804
2001 modern 416 #10,898
2002 modern 421 #11,026
2003 modern 394 #11,384
2004 modern 408 #11,117
2005 modern 394 #11,308
2006 modern 393 #11,398
2007 modern 383 #11,751
2008 modern 386 #11,795
2009 modern 385 #12,070
2010 modern 395 #12,105
2011 modern 379 #12,343
2012 modern 382 #12,127
2013 modern 388 #12,204
2014 modern 404 #11,906
2015 modern 408 #11,737
2016 modern 405 #11,774

Geography

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Where Littlefords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Kings Norton, Worfield, Staines and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Shropshire, Doncaster, St Albans, Stratford-on-Avon and Solihull. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Kings Norton Worcestershire
3 Worfield Shropshire
4 Staines Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Shropshire 034 Shropshire
2 Doncaster 029 Doncaster
3 St Albans 001 St Albans
4 Stratford-on-Avon 012 Stratford-on-Avon
5 Solihull 022 Solihull

Forenames

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First names often paired with Littleford

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Littleford

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Littleford 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

Littleford is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Littleford 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 Littleford is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Littleford

The surname Littleford is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "lytel" meaning small or little, and "ford" referring to a shallow place where a river or stream can be crossed. This suggests that the name likely originated from a place name, referring to a small ford or crossing over a body of water.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Littleford can be traced back to the 13th century, with records showing individuals bearing this surname residing in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Kent. It is believed that the name may have originated as a descriptive name for someone who lived near a small ford or river crossing.

In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, an early census-like record, the name appears as "de Litelford," indicating that it was initially used as a locational surname. This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time, eventually becoming standardized as Littleford.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John de Litelford, who was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1285. Another notable individual was William Littleford, a landowner mentioned in the Court Rolls of Kent in 1327.

During the 15th century, the surname gained prominence with the emergence of the Littleford family in Lincolnshire. Robert Littleford, born in 1428, was a prominent merchant and landowner in the county. His son, Thomas Littleford (1460-1522), served as a member of the local gentry and held significant influence in the region.

In the 16th century, the name spread to other parts of England, with records showing Littlefords residing in counties such as Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. One notable figure from this period was Sir John Littleford (1525-1589), a successful lawyer and judge who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire.

The 17th century saw the rise of the Littleford family in Oxfordshire, with several members holding positions of influence within the local community. One such individual was Edward Littleford (1612-1678), a respected landowner and justice of the peace.

Throughout history, the Littleford surname has been associated with various occupations and professions, including merchants, lawyers, landowners, and members of the gentry. While not as widespread as some other English surnames, it has maintained a consistent presence in various regions of England over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Littleford families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Littleford 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. Shropshire leads with 41 Littlefords recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.32x.

County Total Index
Shropshire 41 22.32x
Staffordshire 38 5.29x
Middlesex 28 1.32x
Warwickshire 28 5.22x
Hertfordshire 19 12.96x
Lancashire 18 0.71x
Worcestershire 16 5.76x
Surrey 8 0.77x
Durham 6 0.95x
Cheshire 5 1.07x
Berkshire 2 1.25x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.74x
Derbyshire 1 0.30x
Dunbartonshire 1 1.75x
Kent 1 0.14x
Monmouthshire 1 0.65x
Norfolk 1 0.31x
Northamptonshire 1 0.50x
Wiltshire 1 0.53x
Yorkshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 21 Littlefords recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.75x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 21 11.75x
Kings Norton 16 64.26x
Wolverhampton 12 21.74x
Worfield 12 937.50x
Harmondsworth 9 681.82x
Kingston On Thames 8 32.14x
Gorton 6 25.30x
Kingswinford 6 23.02x
Medomsley 6 203.39x
Ashton Under Lyne 5 9.07x
Aston 5 3.39x
Birkenhead 5 13.36x
Bridgnorth St Mary 5 279.33x
Claverley 5 403.23x
Harborne 5 21.74x
Hertford St Andrew 5 276.24x
Quatt 5 2000.00x
Stanstead Abbots 5 561.80x
Uxbridge 5 205.76x
Acton Round 4 3076.92x
Alveley 4 547.95x
Castleton 4 15.87x
Kensington London 4 3.38x
Lichfield St Mary 4 193.24x
Little Amwell 4 784.31x
Brewood 3 144.93x
Hillingdon 3 44.25x
Hunsdon 3 789.47x
Isleworth 3 31.75x
Brickendon 2 294.12x
Cookham 2 40.16x
Edgbaston 2 12.03x
Lichfield St Chad 2 124.22x
Lt Wenlock 2 500.00x
Shipton 2 1538.46x
Stoke Upon Trent 2 2.63x
Twickenham 2 21.93x
Accrington 1 4.36x
Astley Abbotts 1 222.22x
Bishop Monkton 1 285.71x
Bridgnorth St Leonard 1 48.08x
Bushbury 1 77.52x
Carnforth 1 71.94x
Elythe College 1 1250.00x
Fisherton Anger 1 28.74x
Glossop Dale 1 6.41x
Hampstead London 1 3.02x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 1 10.18x
Lapley 1 185.19x
Manchester 1 0.88x
Monmouth 1 24.51x
Ogley Hay 1 67.11x
Old Kilpatrick 1 14.81x
Passenham 1 121.95x
St Marylebone London 1 0.88x
Upper Arley 1 188.68x
Walmer 1 31.75x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 13
Martha 8
Sarah 8
Ann 7
Elizabeth 7
Harriet 7
Eliza 5
Annie 4
Jane 4
Ellen 3
Emma 3
Ada 2
Alice 2
Charlotte 2
Fanny 2
Hannah 2
Isabella 2
Jenny 2
Louisa 2
Abigail 1
Allice 1
Barbara 1
Carlotte 1
Clara 1
Edna 1
Emily 1
Frances 1
Harriett 1
Joice 1
Katherine 1
Lucy 1
Minnie 1
Pheobe 1
Phoebe 1
Rhoda 1
Selina 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Littleford surname: questions and answers

How common was the Littleford surname in 1881?

In 1881, 218 people were recorded with the Littleford surname. That placed it at #12,158 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Littleford surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 405 in 2016. That gives Littleford a modern rank of #11,774.

What does the Littleford surname mean?

One who hails from a small ford or stream crossing.

What does the Littleford map show?

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