NameCensus.

UK surname

Marriage

From the French word for marriage, referring to an immigrant or freeman.

In the 1881 census there were 309 people recorded with the Marriage surname, ranking it #9,517 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 370, ranked #12,591, down from #9,517 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Springfield, London parishes and Chelmsford, Broomfield, Writtle, Widford, Chignal St James, Chignal Smealy. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Chelmsford, Wiltshire and Basildon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Marriage is 421 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.7%.

1881 census count

309

Ranked #9,517

Modern count

370

2016, ranked #12,591

Peak year

2000

421 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Marriage had 309 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,517 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 370 in 2016, ranked #12,591.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 412 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Marriage surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Marriage surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Marriage 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 171 #11,730
1861 historical 223 #10,942
1881 historical 309 #9,517
1891 historical 370 #9,429
1901 historical 356 #10,305
1911 historical 412 #9,097
1997 modern 394 #11,129
1998 modern 409 #11,172
1999 modern 416 #11,110
2000 modern 421 #10,984
2001 modern 406 #11,096
2002 modern 402 #11,405
2003 modern 399 #11,284
2004 modern 391 #11,468
2005 modern 375 #11,752
2006 modern 387 #11,514
2007 modern 386 #11,676
2008 modern 393 #11,641
2009 modern 385 #12,070
2010 modern 400 #11,992
2011 modern 378 #12,363
2012 modern 376 #12,262
2013 modern 382 #12,337
2014 modern 383 #12,390
2015 modern 369 #12,627
2016 modern 370 #12,591

Geography

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Where Marriages are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Springfield, London parishes, Chelmsford, Broomfield, Writtle, Widford, Chignal St James, Chignal Smealy, Tottenham and St Matthew Bethnal Green. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Chelmsford, Wiltshire, Basildon and South Cambridgeshire. 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 Springfield Essex
2 London parishes London 3
3 Chelmsford, Broomfield, Writtle, Widford, Chignal St James, Chignal Smealy Essex
4 Tottenham Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
5 St Matthew Bethnal Green London (East Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Chelmsford 003 Chelmsford
2 Wiltshire 029 Wiltshire
3 Basildon 012 Basildon
4 Chelmsford 002 Chelmsford
5 South Cambridgeshire 019 South Cambridgeshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Marriage

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Marriage

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Marriage 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

Marriage 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

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

Meaning and origin of Marriage

The surname "MARRIAGE" is believed to have originated in England during the late medieval period, specifically in the county of Yorkshire. It is derived from the Old English word "mar," meaning "marsh" or "swamp," combined with the suffix "-idge," which denotes a location or place name. This suggests that the name initially referred to individuals who lived near or owned land in a marshy area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "MARRIAGE" can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This indicates that the name was already well-established in parts of England by the late 11th century.

During the 13th century, a notable figure bearing the name "MARRIAGE" was Sir John Marriage, a nobleman and landowner in the village of Adwick-le-Street, near Doncaster in South Yorkshire. Records from this period often show variations in spelling, such as "Marriche" or "Marryge," which further attests to the name's longevity and evolution.

In the 16th century, a prominent individual named Thomas Marriage (1550-1622) gained recognition as a successful merchant and philanthropist in the city of Norwich. He was instrumental in establishing charitable institutions and schools in the area, leaving a lasting impact on the local community.

Another noteworthy bearer of the surname was William Marriage (1670-1746), a renowned clockmaker from Gloucestershire. His exquisite timepieces were highly sought after, and several of his works are now preserved in various museums and private collections around the world.

Moving into the 18th century, the name "MARRIAGE" can be found associated with several notable figures, including John Marriage (1725-1801), a prominent architect and surveyor who designed several churches and public buildings in the counties of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Throughout its history, the surname "MARRIAGE" has remained strongly rooted in England, particularly in the northern and midland counties. While not as widespread as some other English surnames, it has persisted over the centuries, reflecting the rich tapestry of local histories and regional identities that have shaped the country's cultural landscape.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Marriage families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Marriage 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. Essex leads with 160 Marriages recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.16x.

County Total Index
Essex 160 27.16x
Middlesex 90 3.02x
Surrey 31 2.13x
Kent 6 0.59x
Durham 5 0.56x
Yorkshire 4 0.14x
Hampshire 2 0.33x
Hertfordshire 2 0.97x
Derbyshire 1 0.21x
Lanarkshire 1 0.10x
Lancashire 1 0.03x
Lincolnshire 1 0.21x
Northumberland 1 0.23x
Somerset 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tottenham in Middlesex leads with 22 Marriages recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.28x.

Place Total Index
Tottenham 22 46.28x
Islington London 17 5.88x
Bethnal Green London 16 12.34x
Broomfield 16 1720.43x
West Ham 15 11.53x
Writtle 14 580.91x
Felstead 11 544.55x
Springfield 11 426.36x
Dagenham 10 284.90x
Chelmsford 9 89.02x
Colchester St James 9 376.57x
Leyton Low 9 75.13x
Croydon 8 9.91x
Edmonton 7 29.11x
Great Baddow 7 333.33x
Willingale Doe 7 1627.91x
Beddington 6 106.76x
Blackmore 6 1034.48x
Camberwell 6 3.15x
Colchester St Giles 6 103.09x
Hornchurch 6 207.61x
St Katherine 6 1666.67x
Bishopwearmouth 5 6.56x
Bletchingley 5 263.16x
Wanstead 5 48.45x
St Pancras London 4 1.66x
Whitechapel London 4 13.60x
Ingatestone 3 315.79x
Kingston On Thames 3 8.59x
Little Baddow 3 535.71x
Mountnessing 3 337.08x
Wapping London 3 131.58x
Ashford 2 20.16x
Clerkenwell London 2 2.84x
Fulham London 2 4.62x
Lambeth 2 0.77x
Romford 2 21.48x
Westminster St 2 18.18x
Ardleigh 1 61.35x
Ault Hucknall 1 129.87x
Bocking 1 28.25x
Chartham 1 39.37x
Christchurch 1 7.54x
Colchester St Mary At 1 47.85x
East Torrington 1 769.23x
Epping 1 41.84x
Govan 1 0.42x
Great Hadham 1 75.19x
Great Saling 1 277.78x
Hackney London 1 0.60x
Hampstead London 1 2.15x
Hitchin 1 10.76x
Hythe St Leonard 1 27.78x
Lewisham 1 1.84x
Maidstone 1 3.30x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 1 17.12x
Reigate Foreign 1 6.35x
Ringwood 1 25.58x
Saffron Walden 1 16.05x
Scarborough 1 3.72x
Sculcoates 1 2.13x
Shoreditch London 1 0.77x
Southcoates 1 6.09x
St Bartholomew Less 1 64.94x
St Marylebone London 1 0.63x
Tendring 1 114.94x
West Mersea 1 88.50x
Winscombe 1 76.92x
Withnell 1 46.08x
York St Mary 1 8.16x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 13
John 10
James 9
Joseph 9
Charles 7
Herbert 6
Henry 5
Samuel 5
Edward 4
Ernest 4
Francis 4
George 4
Thomas 4
Frederick 3
Alfred 2
Dan 2
Fred 2
Frederic 2
Laurence 2
Percy 2
Sampson 2
Thos. 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Albert 1
Alexander 1
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Bernard 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Eustace 1
Frank 1
Hugh 1
Humphrey 1
Jacob 1
Jas.B. 1
Kay 1
Llewellyn 1
Mark 1
Montagu 1
Octavius 1
Phillip 1
Reginald 1
Stephen 1
W. 1
Wilfred 1
Wilson 1

FAQ

Marriage surname: questions and answers

How common was the Marriage surname in 1881?

In 1881, 309 people were recorded with the Marriage surname. That placed it at #9,517 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Marriage surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 370 in 2016. That gives Marriage a modern rank of #12,591.

What does the Marriage surname mean?

From the French word for marriage, referring to an immigrant or freeman.

What does the Marriage map show?

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