NameCensus.

UK surname

Marsden

Derived from a place name meaning "boundary stone valley" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 12,387 people recorded with the Marsden surname, ranking it #342 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 14,113, ranked #446, down from #342 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Bradford and Sheffield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Chorley, Blackburn with Darwen and Sheffield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Marsden is 16,483 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 13.9%.

1881 census count

12,387

Ranked #342

Modern count

14,113

2016, ranked #446

Peak year

1911

16,483 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Marsden had 12,387 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #342 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 14,113 in 2016, ranked #446.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 16,483 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Marsden surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Marsden surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Marsden 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 7,619 #364
1861 historical 7,555 #375
1881 historical 12,387 #342
1891 historical 13,043 #334
1901 historical 14,964 #355
1911 historical 16,483 #292
1997 modern 13,839 #441
1998 modern 14,252 #442
1999 modern 14,413 #442
2000 modern 14,350 #440
2001 modern 14,054 #438
2002 modern 14,252 #441
2003 modern 13,925 #441
2004 modern 13,814 #446
2005 modern 13,570 #445
2006 modern 13,599 #446
2007 modern 13,674 #449
2008 modern 13,697 #450
2009 modern 14,095 #447
2010 modern 14,355 #448
2011 modern 14,185 #448
2012 modern 13,889 #448
2013 modern 14,302 #446
2014 modern 14,378 #446
2015 modern 14,230 #444
2016 modern 14,113 #446

Geography

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Where Marsdens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Bradford, Sheffield, Blackburn and Bolton-le-Moors. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Chorley, Blackburn with Darwen, Sheffield and Derbyshire Dales. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Blackburn Lancashire
5 Bolton-le-Moors Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Chorley 011 Chorley
2 Blackburn with Darwen 009 Blackburn with Darwen
3 Sheffield 075 Sheffield
4 Derbyshire Dales 005 Derbyshire Dales
5 Sheffield 039 Sheffield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Marsden

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Marsden

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Marsden surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Marsden household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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, Marsden 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.

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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

Marsden is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Marsden

The surname Marsden has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is a locational name derived from the place name Marsden, which can be found in various locations across the country, including West Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Lincolnshire. The name is thought to have originated from the Old English words "mersc," meaning marsh, and "denu," meaning valley, suggesting it referred to a person who lived in a marshy valley.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Marsden can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which documented the great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared as "Merscedene" in the section relating to Lincolnshire, indicating the presence of individuals bearing this surname in the region at that time.

The surname Marsden has been associated with notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was Ralph Marsden (1589-1677), an English clergyman and writer who authored several religious works, including "The Portraiture of a Christian Gentlewoman" and "The Excellent Woman." Another prominent bearer of the name was Sir James Marsden (1770-1843), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a Member of Parliament.

In the literary world, John Marsden (1950-present) is an acclaimed Australian author best known for his young adult fiction, particularly the "Tomorrow" series. His works have received numerous awards and critical acclaim for their exploration of themes such as survival, friendship, and moral dilemmas.

The name Marsden has also been associated with places and landmarks. For instance, the town of Marsden in West Yorkshire, England, is believed to have derived its name from the surname, reflecting the historical presence of individuals bearing this name in the area. Similarly, Marsden Rock in South Australia was named after Rev. Samuel Marsden, a prominent Anglican clergyman and missionary in the early 19th century.

Other notable individuals with the surname Marsden include Sir Robert Marsden (1892-1960), a British civil servant and diplomat who served as the Governor of Malta; and William Marsden (1754-1836), an English philologist and orientalist who made significant contributions to the study of Malay and Polynesian languages.

The surname Marsden has a rich history rooted in the English countryside, with its origins reflecting the geographic features of the areas where it first emerged. Over the centuries, it has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, writers, naval officers, and civil servants, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and historical landscape.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Marsden surname: questions and answers

How common was the Marsden surname in 1881?

In 1881, 12,387 people were recorded with the Marsden surname. That placed it at #342 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Marsden surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 14,113 in 2016. That gives Marsden a modern rank of #446.

What does the Marsden surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "boundary stone valley" in Old English.

What does the Marsden map show?

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