NameCensus.

UK surname

Matcham

An English locational surname derived from the settlements of Matcham in Essex or Hampshire.

In the 1881 census there were 353 people recorded with the Matcham surname, ranking it #8,708 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 442, ranked #10,943, down from #8,708 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Charlton-near-Dover and Dover St James, Dover St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Dover, East Northamptonshire and East Cambridgeshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Matcham is 462 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.2%.

1881 census count

353

Ranked #8,708

Modern count

442

2016, ranked #10,943

Peak year

1911

462 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Matcham had 353 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,708 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 442 in 2016, ranked #10,943.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 462 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Matcham surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Matcham surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Matcham 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 189 #10,896
1861 historical 213 #11,419
1881 historical 353 #8,708
1891 historical 432 #8,311
1901 historical 459 #8,577
1911 historical 462 #8,329
1997 modern 438 #10,282
1998 modern 455 #10,315
1999 modern 457 #10,342
2000 modern 445 #10,539
2001 modern 433 #10,561
2002 modern 431 #10,820
2003 modern 423 #10,805
2004 modern 410 #11,077
2005 modern 406 #11,061
2006 modern 409 #11,032
2007 modern 403 #11,315
2008 modern 406 #11,328
2009 modern 403 #11,659
2010 modern 428 #11,352
2011 modern 437 #11,036
2012 modern 423 #11,195
2013 modern 442 #10,997
2014 modern 453 #10,830
2015 modern 445 #10,921
2016 modern 442 #10,943

Geography

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Where Matchams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Charlton-near-Dover, Dover St James, Dover St Mary and Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Dover, East Northamptonshire, East Cambridgeshire and Shepway. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Charlton-near-Dover Kent
3 London parishes London 3
4 Dover St James, Dover St Mary Kent
5 Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory Northamptonshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Dover 010 Dover
2 East Northamptonshire 004 East Northamptonshire
3 East Cambridgeshire 005 East Cambridgeshire
4 Dover 014 Dover
5 Shepway 006 Shepway

Forenames

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First names often paired with Matcham

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Matcham

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Matcham is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Matcham 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

Matcham falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Matcham

The surname Matcham has its origins in England, dating back to the late 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "mæcca" meaning a companion or equal, and "ham" meaning a homestead or village. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a settlement of companions or a community of equals.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex from 1195, where it appears as "Macham." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also mention a John de Matcham in Sussex.

In the late 13th century, the name Matcham was associated with the village of East Marden in Sussex, which was known as "Matcham's Marden" or "Macham's Marden." This connection to a specific location likely contributed to the name's establishment and dissemination.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England compiled in 1086, does not include any direct references to the name Matcham. However, it does mention several places with similar-sounding names, such as "Maddingele" in Wiltshire and "Madene" in Berkshire, which may have influenced the development of the surname.

Notable individuals with the surname Matcham throughout history include:

1. William Matcham (c. 1450 - c. 1520), a prominent landowner and Member of Parliament for Horsham in Sussex during the reign of Henry VIII.

2. John Matcham (c. 1550 - 1625), a renowned architect and master builder who worked on several prominent buildings in London, including the reconstruction of the Royal Exchange after the Great Fire of 1666.

3. George Matcham (1753 - 1833), a renowned English cricketer who played for the famous Hambledon Club in the late 18th century.

4. Richard Matcham (1819 - 1892), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Sussex, who donated significant funds for the construction of schools and churches in the region.

5. Sir Frank Matcham (1854 - 1920), a prolific and influential theatre architect who designed over 90 theatres across the United Kingdom, including the London Palladium and the Blackpool Grand Theatre.

The surname Matcham has a rich history, with its roots firmly planted in the English countryside. Its evolution over centuries has seen variations in spelling and associations with specific locations, but it has maintained a strong presence throughout the centuries, producing notable figures in various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Matcham families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Matcham 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. Kent leads with 93 Matchams recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.92x.

County Total Index
Kent 93 7.92x
Dorset 79 34.96x
Hampshire 44 6.23x
Middlesex 31 0.90x
Surrey 25 1.49x
Somerset 20 3.61x
Devon 13 1.81x
Northamptonshire 11 3.40x
Wiltshire 11 3.61x
Sussex 10 1.72x
Suffolk 7 1.67x
Yorkshire 4 0.12x
Leicestershire 2 0.52x
Berkshire 1 0.39x
Durham 1 0.10x
Northumberland 1 0.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Charlton in Kent leads with 14 Matchams recorded in 1881 and an index of 179.49x.

Place Total Index
Charlton 14 179.49x
Long Critchell 14 7368.42x
Southampton All Sts 14 115.61x
Plymouth St Andrew 12 21.73x
Keinton Mandeville 10 1587.30x
Kettering 10 76.34x
Lambeth 10 3.33x
Southampton St Mary 10 22.53x
St Pancras London 9 3.25x
Kensington London 8 4.18x
Bath St James 7 121.11x
Bekesbourne 7 1750.00x
Bermondsey 7 6.83x
Bishops Waltham 7 238.10x
Fordington 7 143.74x
Littlebourne 7 786.52x
Sibertswold 7 1129.03x
Throwley 7 958.90x
Charlton Marshall 6 779.22x
Folkestone 6 26.33x
Gussage St Michael 6 1935.48x
Moreton 6 1666.67x
Portsea 6 4.34x
Puddle Hinton 6 1276.60x
Tottenham 6 10.94x
Whiteparish 6 461.54x
Whitfield 6 1621.62x
East Lulworth 5 1162.79x
Eastry 5 306.75x
Elham 5 357.14x
Lowestoft 5 25.24x
Preston 5 49.31x
Sixpenny Handley 5 450.45x
Tonbridge 5 11.80x
Bulkington 4 1904.76x
Iwerne Courtnay 4 263.16x
Kingston On Thames 4 9.93x
North Stoneham 4 250.00x
Ospringe 4 275.86x
Brighton 3 2.56x
Child Okeford 3 300.00x
Islington London 3 0.90x
Sherborne 3 45.05x
Sittingbourne 3 32.33x
Winterborne Stickland 3 526.32x
Alkham 2 294.12x
Chalbury 2 800.00x
Chelsea London 2 1.93x
Chislet 2 150.38x
Croydon 2 2.15x
East Orchard 2 740.74x
Faversham 2 17.86x
Holy Trinity 2 2.44x
Ipswich St Mathew 2 17.02x
Leicester St Margaret 2 2.15x
Margate St John Baptist 2 9.30x
Molash 2 512.82x
Sheffield 2 1.84x
Street 2 66.67x
Tarrant Hinton 2 833.33x
Wimborne Minster 2 54.64x
Abingdon St Nicholas 1 138.89x
Blandford Forum 1 22.42x
Christchurch 1 6.54x
Coldred 1 555.56x
Dover St James 1 19.42x
Eastbourne 1 3.74x
Egham 1 9.71x
Fisherton Anger 1 17.73x
Frant 1 24.33x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 1 14.84x
Petersfield 1 51.55x
Pinner 1 33.11x
Plympton Maurice 1 74.07x
Pointington 1 714.29x
Ramsgate 1 5.21x
Sandwich St Clement 1 101.01x
St George Hanover 1 2.22x
Swanage 1 35.84x
Wimborne 1 36.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Elizabeth 12
Sarah 9
Alice 8
Louisa 8
Caroline 7
Eliza 7
Emily 7
Emma 6
Jane 6
Ann 5
Annie 5
Charlotte 5
Ellen 5
Florence 4
Lucy 4
Fanny 3
Hannah 3
Harriet 3
Kate 3
Rose 3
Ada 2
Anna 2
Edith 2
Ethel 2
Frances 2
Harriett 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Adeline 1
Anne 1
Bessy 1
Betsy 1
Catherine 1
Christina 1
Elizh. 1
Elizth. 1
Emley 1
Ester 1
Esther 1
Eveline 1
Isabella 1
J.R. 1
James 1
Julia 1
Kezia 1
Laura 1
Lavina 1
Lillie 1
Thiriza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 26
George 17
James 13
John 13
Charles 11
Henry 11
Thomas 11
Alfred 9
Walter 7
Edward 6
Arthur 4
Frederick 4
Stephen 4
Ernest 3
Albert 2
Andrew 2
Edwin 2
Eli 2
Richard 2
David 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Gibert 1
Herbert 1
Joseph 1
Levi 1
Nelson 1
Percy 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Sydney 1
Theodore 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Matcham surname: questions and answers

How common was the Matcham surname in 1881?

In 1881, 353 people were recorded with the Matcham surname. That placed it at #8,708 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Matcham surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 442 in 2016. That gives Matcham a modern rank of #10,943.

What does the Matcham surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from the settlements of Matcham in Essex or Hampshire.

What does the Matcham map show?

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