NameCensus.

UK surname

Maslen

A surname derived from the Old English word "maselen", meaning "steelyard".

In the 1881 census there were 627 people recorded with the Maslen surname, ranking it #5,643 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,054, ranked #5,534, up from #5,643 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Bishops Cannings. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, Cornwall and Reading.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Maslen is 1,159 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 68.1%.

1881 census count

627

Ranked #5,643

Modern count

1,054

2016, ranked #5,534

Peak year

1999

1,159 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Maslen had 627 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,643 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,054 in 2016, ranked #5,534.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,009 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Maslen surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Maslen surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Maslen 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 480 #5,191
1861 historical 271 #9,193
1881 historical 627 #5,643
1891 historical 697 #5,622
1901 historical 829 #5,463
1911 historical 1,009 #4,510
1997 modern 1,110 #5,032
1998 modern 1,128 #5,143
1999 modern 1,159 #5,072
2000 modern 1,143 #5,096
2001 modern 1,121 #5,086
2002 modern 1,127 #5,181
2003 modern 1,091 #5,214
2004 modern 1,084 #5,258
2005 modern 1,067 #5,270
2006 modern 1,053 #5,325
2007 modern 1,041 #5,437
2008 modern 1,047 #5,441
2009 modern 1,068 #5,461
2010 modern 1,084 #5,508
2011 modern 1,059 #5,549
2012 modern 1,047 #5,510
2013 modern 1,072 #5,496
2014 modern 1,067 #5,553
2015 modern 1,056 #5,550
2016 modern 1,054 #5,534

Geography

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Where Maslens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Bishops Cannings and Walcott, Charlcome. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, Cornwall, Reading and Crawley. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Bishops Cannings Wiltshire
5 Walcott, Charlcome Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 025 Wiltshire
2 Wiltshire 015 Wiltshire
3 Cornwall 017 Cornwall
4 Reading 015 Reading
5 Crawley 003 Crawley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Maslen

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Maslen

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

Maslen 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

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

Meaning and origin of Maslen

The surname Maslen is of English origin and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English personal name "Mæl", which means "cross" or "crucifix", and the suffix "-ing", which signifies "people" or "family". Therefore, Maslen essentially means "the family or descendants of Mæl".

The earliest known recorded instance of the surname Maslen can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, where it was spelled as "Malesling". This spelling variation suggests that the name may have been influenced by the Norman-French language during the Norman conquest of England.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various documents with spellings such as "Malesling", "Malyng", and "Mayllyng". These variations reflect the evolution of the English language and the influence of regional dialects on the pronunciation and spelling of surnames.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Maslen was John Maslen, who was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327. Another notable bearer of the name was William Maslen, a landowner from Oxfordshire, who was mentioned in the Feet of Fines records from 1438.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname Maslen became more widespread across England, particularly in the counties of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire. Several historical records from this period mention individuals with the surname, such as Thomas Maslen, who was born in Oxfordshire in 1578, and Robert Maslen, a landowner from Gloucestershire, who was recorded in the Hearth Tax records of 1672.

In the 18th century, the name Maslen appeared in various parish records and marriage registers across England. One notable bearer of the name was John Maslen, a renowned clockmaker from London, who was born in 1697 and was known for his innovative clock designs.

Another individual of historical significance was Samuel Maslen (1735-1811), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and played a crucial role in the Battle of the Capes in 1781.

Throughout the 19th century, the Maslen surname continued to be found in various records across England, with some individuals migrating to other parts of the world, such as Australia and North America. One notable figure from this period was William Maslen (1809-1892), a British artist and engraver who was known for his landscape paintings and illustrations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Maslen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Maslen 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. Wiltshire leads with 276 Maslens recorded in 1881 and an index of 51.03x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 276 51.03x
Middlesex 69 1.13x
Somerset 58 5.89x
Berkshire 33 7.19x
Gloucestershire 29 2.42x
Hampshire 29 2.31x
Glamorgan 24 2.25x
Lancashire 21 0.29x
Surrey 21 0.70x
Kent 19 0.91x
Sussex 11 1.07x
Yorkshire 10 0.17x
Cheshire 6 0.44x
Nottinghamshire 6 0.73x
Northamptonshire 5 0.87x
Monmouthshire 3 0.68x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.54x
Dorset 2 0.50x
Essex 1 0.08x
Herefordshire 1 0.40x
Midlothian 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Devizes St James in Wiltshire leads with 31 Maslens recorded in 1881 and an index of 431.15x.

Place Total Index
Devizes St James 31 431.15x
All Cannings 30 2857.14x
Devizes St Mary 26 475.32x
Walcot 23 43.87x
Devizes St John 17 418.72x
Oystermouth 17 206.31x
Lyncombe Widcombe 16 62.06x
Thatcham 15 212.16x
Bristol St James St Paul 14 35.00x
Woodborough 14 1686.75x
Preshute 12 360.36x
Stanton St Bernard 12 1690.14x
Box 11 238.61x
Islington London 11 1.86x
St Pancras London 11 2.23x
Twerton 11 108.37x
Bow London 10 12.84x
Enford 9 489.13x
Reading St Giles 9 19.98x
Southampton St Mary 9 11.42x
Bradford On Avon 8 46.19x
Lewisham 8 7.19x
Liddington 8 919.54x
Thornaby 8 35.32x
Brighton 7 3.36x
Habergham Eaves 7 10.55x
Hambledon 7 165.48x
Rowde 7 280.00x
Stoke Newington London 7 14.69x
Tilshead 7 700.00x
Urchfont 7 315.32x
Westbury 7 55.47x
Birkenhead 6 5.57x
Hornsey 6 7.76x
Margate St John Baptist 6 15.70x
Nottingham St Mary 6 2.81x
Potterne 6 247.93x
Reading St Mary 6 16.32x
Tooting Graveney 6 72.38x
West Overton 6 425.53x
Birkdale 5 27.23x
Calne 5 44.88x
Chelsea London 5 2.71x
Clerkenwell London 5 3.46x
Frampton On Severn 5 247.52x
Melksham 5 53.25x
Newington 5 2.21x
Paddington London 5 2.22x
Pewsey 5 125.63x
Portsea 5 2.04x
Semington 5 561.80x
Shrewton 5 352.11x
Warkworth 5 96.53x
West Derby 5 2.35x
Aberavon 4 40.82x
Camberwell 4 1.02x
Charlton 4 253.16x
Salisbury St Edmund 4 46.08x
Sheet 4 294.12x
Thornbury 4 48.78x
Bathford 3 148.51x
Caerleon 3 129.87x
Edington 3 153.85x
Gloucester St Michael 3 109.09x
Newchurch 3 5.05x
North Newnton 3 384.62x
Streatham 3 6.61x
Swansea Town 3 3.44x
Westbury On Trym 3 7.38x
Bethnal Green London 2 0.75x
Deptford St Paul 2 1.24x
Fisherton Anger 2 19.98x
Melcombe Regis 2 12.02x
Odiham 2 36.36x
Old Alresford 2 194.17x
Ringmer 2 68.73x
St George Hanover 2 2.51x
West Lavington 2 77.22x
Wilcott 2 169.49x
Winterbourne Monkton 2 434.78x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 41
Sarah 26
Elizabeth 23
Ann 14
Emily 12
Jane 12
Ellen 10
Hannah 10
Alice 9
Eliza 9
Annie 8
Emma 8
Louisa 8
Florence 6
Margaret 6
Ada 5
Caroline 5
Fanny 5
Kate 5
Lucy 5
Eleanor 4
Isabella 4
Leah 4
Martha 4
Charlotte 3
Frances 3
Laura 3
Lydia 3
Rose 3
Sophia 3
Susan 3
Agnes 2
Amelia 2
Anna 2
Bessie 2
Elizth. 2
Emmeline 2
Ethel 2
Georgina 2
Harriet 2
Minnie 2
Polly 2
Rachel 2
Rosa 2
Catherine 1
Celia 1
Christania 1
Eth.Ann 1
Lily 1
Teresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 48
John 27
George 25
Thomas 23
Charles 20
Henry 20
James 20
Joseph 13
Albert 11
Stephen 8
Edward 7
Frederick 7
Arthur 6
Frank 6
Alfred 5
Thos. 3
Daniel 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Fredk. 2
Harry 2
Isaac 2
Jasper 2
Levi 2
Richard 2
Samuel 2
Chas. 1
Chas.H. 1
Daniell 1
David 1
Edwin 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fredk.C. 1
Fredrick 1
H. 1
Herbert 1
Jacob 1
Jesse 1
Job 1
Louie 1
Matthew 1
Noah 1
Oliver 1
Radford 1
Robert 1
Sidney 1
Sydney 1
Thos 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Maslen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Maslen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 627 people were recorded with the Maslen surname. That placed it at #5,643 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Maslen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,054 in 2016. That gives Maslen a modern rank of #5,534.

What does the Maslen surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English word "maselen", meaning "steelyard".

What does the Maslen map show?

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