NameCensus.

UK surname

Mabon

A Welsh surname referring to a descendant of Mabon, a legendary character from medieval Welsh literature.

In the 1881 census there were 364 people recorded with the Mabon surname, ranking it #8,525 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 521, ranked #9,701, down from #8,525 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Melrose, Chirnside and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Selkirk, Winchburgh, Bridgend and Philpstoun and Northumberland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mabon is 529 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 43.1%.

1881 census count

364

Ranked #8,525

Modern count

521

2016, ranked #9,701

Peak year

2010

529 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mabon had 364 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,525 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 521 in 2016, ranked #9,701.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 382 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Mabon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mabon surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mabon 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 166 #11,986
1861 historical 211 #11,508
1881 historical 364 #8,525
1891 historical 382 #9,203
1901 historical 371 #9,997
1911 historical 128 #19,664
1997 modern 472 #9,716
1998 modern 497 #9,638
1999 modern 497 #9,698
2000 modern 484 #9,873
2001 modern 470 #9,906
2002 modern 497 #9,684
2003 modern 476 #9,830
2004 modern 484 #9,729
2005 modern 474 #9,826
2006 modern 482 #9,737
2007 modern 486 #9,771
2008 modern 499 #9,646
2009 modern 518 #9,588
2010 modern 529 #9,640
2011 modern 515 #9,745
2012 modern 499 #9,870
2013 modern 503 #9,979
2014 modern 521 #9,788
2015 modern 525 #9,669
2016 modern 521 #9,701

Geography

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Where Mabons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Melrose, Chirnside, Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Selkirk, Winchburgh, Bridgend and Philpstoun, Northumberland, Hawick North and Bonnyton and Town Centre. 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 Melrose Roxburgh
2 Chirnside Berwick
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Selkirk Scottish Borders
2 Winchburgh, Bridgend and Philpstoun West Lothian
3 Northumberland 002 Northumberland
4 Hawick North Scottish Borders
5 Bonnyton and Town Centre East Ayrshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mabon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mabon

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

Established but Challenged

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Mabon 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

Mabon is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mabon falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mabon

The surname MABON has its origins in Wales, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Welsh word "mab," which means "son" or "boy," and was often used as a prefix to indicate lineage or descent.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name MABON can be found in the Welsh Triads, a collection of traditional bardic literature from the Middle Ages. The Triads refer to a figure named Mabon ap Modron, who was a legendary figure in Welsh mythology and is associated with the ancient celebration of Mabon, the autumn equinox.

The name MABON is also found in various historical records from Wales, such as the Peniarth Manuscripts, which date back to the 13th and 14th centuries. These manuscripts contain genealogies and pedigrees of Welsh families, including those bearing the MABON surname.

In the 16th century, a notable individual with the surname MABON was Sir John Mabon, a Welsh lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Carmarthenshire. He lived from around 1520 to 1584.

Another prominent figure bearing the MABON surname was Evan Mabon, a Welsh clergyman and author who lived in the 17th century. He was born around 1635 and is known for his work "Hanes Cymru" (History of Wales), which provided a comprehensive account of Welsh history and culture.

In the 19th century, a well-known individual with the MABON surname was Thomas Mabon, a Welsh trade unionist and labor leader. He was born in 1856 and played a significant role in the early labor movement in Wales, advocating for better working conditions and worker's rights.

The name MABON is also associated with certain place names in Wales, such as Mabon's Court, a historic farmhouse located in the village of Llantrisant, and Mabon's Cove, a coastal area near Tenby in Pembrokeshire.

While the MABON surname is predominantly Welsh in origin, it has also been adopted by families in other parts of the world, particularly in areas with historical Welsh settlements or connections.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mabon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mabon 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. Roxburghshire leads with 91 Mabons recorded in 1881 and an index of 143.06x.

County Total Index
Roxburghshire 91 143.06x
Northumberland 54 10.34x
Selkirkshire 48 151.09x
Berwickshire 37 87.02x
Lanarkshire 35 3.08x
Lancashire 22 0.53x
Middlesex 19 0.54x
Midlothian 19 4.04x
East Lothian 14 30.10x
Durham 12 1.15x
Surrey 5 0.29x
Kirkcudbrightshire 3 5.90x
Yorkshire 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Jedburgh in Roxburghshire leads with 36 Mabons recorded in 1881 and an index of 577.85x.

Place Total Index
Jedburgh 36 577.85x
Govan 24 8.54x
Melrose 20 250.00x
Galashiels 17 144.80x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 12 6.34x
Selkirk 11 122.91x
Chorlton On Medlock 10 15.11x
Edrom 10 549.45x
Hutton 10 862.07x
Kelso 10 157.73x
Shoreston 10 6666.67x
Ancroft 9 489.13x
Chirnside 9 494.51x
Morebattle 8 655.74x
Southdean 8 909.09x
Belford 7 630.63x
Elswick 7 16.79x
Haddington 7 101.89x
Humbie 7 636.36x
Islington London 7 2.06x
Salford 7 5.71x
Ancrum 6 363.64x
Barony 6 2.09x
East Chevington 6 344.83x
South Leith 6 11.33x
St Gilesin Fields 6 292.68x
Whitsome 6 895.52x
Blackwell 5 961.54x
Gorbals 5 74.18x
Hobkirk 5 625.00x
Lambeth 5 1.63x
Lilliesleaf 5 581.40x
Bedlington 4 22.92x
Holywell 4 148.70x
Melrose 4 72.73x
St Giles 4 61.35x
Byker 3 11.61x
Hawick 3 21.07x
Urr 3 45.39x
Bowden 2 215.05x
Chiswick 2 10.42x
Clerkenwell London 2 2.41x
Earlston 2 93.90x
Farnworth 2 8.01x
Newbiggin In Morpeth 2 119.76x
Pittington 2 68.03x
Poulton Le Fylde 2 135.14x
Sprouston 2 162.60x
Alnwick 1 11.14x
Crumpsall 1 10.18x
Eckford 1 90.91x
Edinburgh St Stephens 1 10.80x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 1 2.21x
St Boswells 1 86.96x
St Clement Danes 1 17.61x
St Pancras London 1 0.35x
Westgate 1 3.09x
Whixley 1 158.73x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 9
Margaret 9
Jane 7
Mary 4
Isabella 3
Caroline 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Amelia 1
Aurelie 1
Barbara 1
Costance 1
Deborah 1
Dorthy 1
E.J. 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Elizh. 1
Ellen 1
Ethel 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Helena 1
Isabel 1
Janet 1
Jennet 1
Johanna 1
Louisa 1
Lousia 1
Margt. 1
Susan 1
Susannah 1
Williamion 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 12
William 8
James 5
Walter 5
Andrew 4
Robert 3
Thomas 3
David 2
Joseph 2
Phillip 2
Alexander 1
Charles 1
Edward 1
Philip 1
Thos.W. 1
Wm.Thos. 1

FAQ

Mabon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mabon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 364 people were recorded with the Mabon surname. That placed it at #8,525 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mabon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 521 in 2016. That gives Mabon a modern rank of #9,701.

What does the Mabon surname mean?

A Welsh surname referring to a descendant of Mabon, a legendary character from medieval Welsh literature.

What does the Mabon map show?

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