NameCensus.

UK surname

Males

An English surname derived from the Old French term meaning "male persons".

In the 1881 census there were 364 people recorded with the Males surname, ranking it #8,525 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 585, ranked #8,879, down from #8,525 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Codicote, London parishes and Pirton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Hertfordshire, Cornwall and Ashfield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Males is 634 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 60.7%.

1881 census count

364

Ranked #8,525

Modern count

585

2016, ranked #8,879

Peak year

1911

634 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Males had 364 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,525 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 585 in 2016, ranked #8,879.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 634 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Males surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Males surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Males 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 253 #8,709
1861 historical 323 #7,888
1881 historical 364 #8,525
1891 historical 502 #7,408
1901 historical 555 #7,489
1911 historical 634 #6,555
1997 modern 610 #8,047
1998 modern 602 #8,376
1999 modern 623 #8,224
2000 modern 612 #8,310
2001 modern 592 #8,370
2002 modern 605 #8,415
2003 modern 581 #8,514
2004 modern 570 #8,643
2005 modern 553 #8,749
2006 modern 555 #8,752
2007 modern 553 #8,870
2008 modern 543 #9,060
2009 modern 564 #8,989
2010 modern 584 #8,962
2011 modern 570 #9,019
2012 modern 568 #8,958
2013 modern 580 #8,955
2014 modern 590 #8,922
2015 modern 585 #8,899
2016 modern 585 #8,879

Geography

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Where Males' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Codicote, London parishes, Pirton and Shitlington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Hertfordshire, Cornwall and Ashfield. 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 Codicote Hertfordshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Pirton Hertfordshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Shitlington Bedfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Hertfordshire 015 North Hertfordshire
2 North Hertfordshire 014 North Hertfordshire
3 Cornwall 057 Cornwall
4 North Hertfordshire 012 North Hertfordshire
5 Ashfield 007 Ashfield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Males

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Males

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Males, 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 Males surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Males 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Males is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Males 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

Males 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 Males 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 Males, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Males

The surname MALES has its origins in England, and it can be traced back to the late 12th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English word "mæl," which means "speech" or "discourse." It could have been initially used as a nickname for someone who was particularly talkative or eloquent.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the MALES surname appears in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, where a man named William Males is mentioned. Another early record is from the Curia Regis Rolls of Northamptonshire in 1201, which mentions a Hugo Males.

In the 13th century, the MALES name can be found in various records, such as the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1242, where a Richard Males is listed. The Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire from 1273 mention a John Males, while the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275 include a Walter Males.

During the 14th century, the MALES surname continued to appear in various historical documents. For instance, the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327 mention a Thomas Males, and the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield from 1348 include a Johannes Males.

One notable bearer of the MALES surname was Sir John Males (c. 1445-1518), who served as the Lord Mayor of London from 1507 to 1508. Another prominent figure was William Males (c. 1580-1662), an English clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Ely from 1612 until his death.

In the 16th century, the MALES name was also found in various records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Dorset from 1524, which mention a Richard Males. The Parish Registers of Prestbury, Gloucestershire, from 1558 include the baptism of a child named Johane Males.

Another notable individual with the MALES surname was John Males (c. 1590-1662), an English playwright and author who wrote several works, including "The Citie Conceits" and "The Antiquities of Love."

As the centuries passed, the MALES surname continued to be found throughout England, with various spellings and variations emerging, such as Mayles, Maille, and Mails. Despite its widespread use, the name remained relatively uncommon compared to other English surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Males families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Males 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. Hertfordshire leads with 135 Males' recorded in 1881 and an index of 54.86x.

County Total Index
Hertfordshire 135 54.86x
Middlesex 100 2.80x
Cambridgeshire 32 14.15x
Kent 19 1.56x
Lancashire 17 0.40x
Somerset 15 2.61x
Surrey 13 0.75x
Northamptonshire 9 2.68x
Cheshire 7 0.89x
Essex 5 0.71x
Wiltshire 4 1.27x
Hampshire 3 0.41x
Durham 2 0.19x
Channel Islands 1 0.95x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.21x
Royal Navy 1 2.35x
Suffolk 1 0.23x
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. Hitchin in Hertfordshire leads with 26 Males' recorded in 1881 and an index of 234.02x.

Place Total Index
Hitchin 26 234.02x
Codicote 22 1496.60x
Pirton 20 1449.28x
St Marylebone London 18 9.44x
Benwick 17 1700.00x
Islington London 14 4.05x
Winsford 14 2372.88x
Bethnal Green London 12 7.74x
Hackney London 12 6.00x
Whittlesey St Mary St 12 151.90x
Stevenage 11 287.96x
Hatfield 9 180.36x
Sarratt 9 1046.51x
Borough Fen 8 4444.44x
Clerkenwell London 8 9.49x
Lewisham 8 12.32x
Golborne 7 126.81x
South Mimms 7 142.86x
Watford 7 36.69x
Brinnington 6 81.52x
Hemel Hempstead 6 54.10x
St George Hanover 6 12.88x
Wheathampstead 6 211.27x
Baldock 5 216.45x
Deptford St Paul 5 5.32x
Hammersmith London 5 5.69x
Manchester 5 2.62x
Britford 4 192.31x
Southwark St Saviour 4 21.80x
St Anne Soho London 4 19.62x
Tottenham 4 7.03x
Elsworth 3 365.85x
Hulme 3 3.39x
Weston 3 252.10x
Aldershot 2 8.16x
Chelmsford 2 16.54x
Eastwell 2 1428.57x
Hartlepool 2 13.25x
Hertford St Andrew 2 65.79x
Kew 2 198.02x
Sandridge 2 194.17x
St Albans St Peter 2 24.10x
St Bartholomew Great 2 61.54x
Streatham 2 7.55x
Westminster St James 2 5.45x
Barking 1 44.44x
Barking 1 4.85x
Bletchingley 1 44.05x
Broxbourne 1 20.49x
Cheetham 1 3.16x
Chislehurst 1 15.31x
Clapham 1 2.24x
Elstree 1 123.46x
Fulham London 1 1.93x
Harpenden 1 26.67x
Hornsey 1 2.21x
Ince 1 243.90x
Kensington London 1 0.50x
Kimpton 1 86.96x
Kings Langley 1 55.87x
Lambeth 1 0.32x
Milton In Gravesend 1 5.47x
Minster In Sheppey 1 4.96x
Newington 1 0.76x
Norwood 1 12.25x
Nottingham St Mary 1 0.80x
Portishead 1 23.42x
Portsmouth 1 5.93x
Rawdon 1 23.98x
Royal Navy 1 2.75x
Shoreditch London 1 0.65x
St Helier 1 2.90x
Stoke Newington London 1 3.60x
Ufford 1 526.32x
Wandsworth 1 2.91x
West Ham 1 0.64x
Wigan 1 1.69x
Woodford 1 12.53x
Woolwich 1 2.22x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 25
Elizabeth 17
Sarah 17
Emma 8
Ann 7
Eliza 7
Jane 7
Annie 4
Elizth. 4
Louisa 4
Margaret 4
Martha 4
Alice 3
Charlotte 3
Ellen 3
Fanny 3
Lizzie 3
Lucy 3
Amy 2
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Emily 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Kate 2
Katherine 2
Rebecca 2
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Anne 1
Charllotte 1
Daisey 1
Elizth 1
Ellinor 1
Ester 1
Gertrude 1
Joannah 1
Kezia 1
Laura 1
Maria 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
Mildred 1
Mrs 1
Nellie 1
Nelly 1
Priscilla 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 30
George 17
James 14
Charles 13
John 12
Joseph 12
Edward 6
Ernest 6
Arthur 5
Herbert 5
Robert 5
Walter 5
Albert 4
Alfred 4
Frederick 4
Thomas 4
Henry 3
Amos 2
Augustus 2
David 2
Edmond 2
Josiah 2
Michael 2
Patrick 2
Richard 2
Willie 2
...orge 1
Bertie 1
Charlotte 1
Daniel 1
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Harry 1
Jeremiah 1
Jesse 1
Morris 1
Nelson 1
Peter 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Tho. 1
Thos.Ed. 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Males surname: questions and answers

How common was the Males surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Males surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 585 in 2016. That gives Males a modern rank of #8,879.

What does the Males surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old French term meaning "male persons".

What does the Males map show?

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