NameCensus.

UK surname

Middleditch

A locational surname referring to someone who lived in the middle ditch or middle of a marshy area.

In the 1881 census there were 544 people recorded with the Middleditch surname, ranking it #6,344 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 751, ranked #7,283, down from #6,344 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St James and Hollesley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Suffolk Coastal, Waveney and Mid Suffolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Middleditch is 855 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.1%.

1881 census count

544

Ranked #6,344

Modern count

751

2016, ranked #7,283

Peak year

1999

855 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Middleditch had 544 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,344 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 751 in 2016, ranked #7,283.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 769 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Middleditch surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Middleditch surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Middleditch 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 403 #6,004
1861 historical 523 #5,015
1881 historical 544 #6,344
1891 historical 644 #6,030
1901 historical 713 #6,189
1911 historical 769 #5,636
1997 modern 807 #6,497
1998 modern 834 #6,533
1999 modern 855 #6,452
2000 modern 849 #6,462
2001 modern 840 #6,401
2002 modern 845 #6,490
2003 modern 814 #6,558
2004 modern 826 #6,499
2005 modern 801 #6,611
2006 modern 800 #6,629
2007 modern 807 #6,634
2008 modern 789 #6,834
2009 modern 793 #6,944
2010 modern 800 #7,029
2011 modern 795 #6,992
2012 modern 776 #7,033
2013 modern 781 #7,110
2014 modern 783 #7,124
2015 modern 764 #7,196
2016 modern 751 #7,283

Geography

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Where Middleditchs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St James, Hollesley and Hawkedon. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Suffolk Coastal, Waveney, Mid Suffolk and Braintree. 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 St James Suffolk
3 Hollesley Suffolk
4 London parishes London 3
5 Hawkedon Suffolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Suffolk Coastal 007 Suffolk Coastal
2 Suffolk Coastal 004 Suffolk Coastal
3 Waveney 014 Waveney
4 Mid Suffolk 004 Mid Suffolk
5 Braintree 002 Braintree

Forenames

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First names often paired with Middleditch

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Middleditch

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Middleditch is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Middleditch 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

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

Meaning and origin of Middleditch

The surname Middleditch is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval era. It is derived from the Old English words "middel" and "dīc," which collectively mean "middle ditch" or "middle stream." This suggests that the name may have originated from a geographical feature or a location where the first bearers resided near a central watercourse or ditch.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in medieval records from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable mention is in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1279, where a William de Middeldich is listed. This demonstrates the name's evolution from its original Old English form to a more Anglicized spelling.

In the 14th century, the Middleditch surname appears in various records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1332, where a John de Middeldich is documented. The name's spelling variations during this period include Myddeldych, Mydelditche, and Middeldiche, reflecting the inconsistencies in medieval record-keeping.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Middleditch surname was William Middelditch, who was born in Berkshire, England, in the late 15th century. Records indicate that he served as a clerk and scribe in the court of King Henry VII, demonstrating the family's standing during the Tudor era.

Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Middleditch, born in Gloucestershire in 1612. He was a renowned military commander who fought in the English Civil War and was knighted for his service to the Royalist cause by King Charles I in 1643.

In the 18th century, the Middleditch surname gained prominence with the birth of John Middleditch (1719-1795), a renowned clockmaker and inventor from Derbyshire. His innovative designs and contributions to the field of horology earned him recognition as one of the leading horologists of his time.

The 19th century saw the emergence of Edward Middleditch (1823-1901), a prominent banker and philanthropist from London. He played a crucial role in the establishment of several charitable organizations and institutions, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of philanthropy.

Lastly, one cannot overlook the literary contributions of the Middleditch family. Emily Middleditch (1867-1944), a renowned poet and author from Yorkshire, gained critical acclaim for her poetic works and writings that captured the essence of rural life in England during the late Victorian era.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Middleditch families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Middleditch 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. Suffolk leads with 191 Middleditchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.34x.

County Total Index
Suffolk 191 29.34x
Middlesex 97 1.81x
Essex 84 7.96x
Surrey 33 1.27x
Yorkshire 33 0.62x
Cambridgeshire 18 5.32x
Kent 14 0.77x
Sussex 13 1.44x
Lancashire 11 0.17x
Wiltshire 9 1.90x
Cheshire 7 0.59x
Norfolk 7 0.85x
Staffordshire 7 0.39x
Dorset 5 1.43x
Glamorgan 4 0.43x
Gloucestershire 3 0.29x
Hertfordshire 3 0.81x
Channel Islands 2 1.26x
Royal Navy 2 3.14x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.31x
Hampshire 1 0.09x
Herefordshire 1 0.46x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.14x
Worcestershire 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hollesley in Suffolk leads with 28 Middleditchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2978.72x.

Place Total Index
Hollesley 28 2978.72x
Bury St Edmunds St James 23 132.26x
Kensington London 19 6.39x
Hawkedon 18 3529.41x
Lambeth 15 3.22x
West Ham 14 6.01x
Barningham 12 1558.44x
Islington London 12 2.32x
Bardwell 11 791.37x
Newington 11 5.57x
Doncaster 10 25.84x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 9 73.65x
Hazeleigh 9 4090.91x
Highworth 9 149.01x
Moulton 9 967.74x
Wanstead 9 48.70x
Bredfield 8 1012.66x
Glemsford 8 175.05x
Terling 8 506.33x
Barking 7 22.68x
Burton Upon Trent 7 16.58x
Coney Weston 7 1944.44x
Great Little Marsden 7 24.09x
Halifax 7 9.00x
Poplar London 7 6.94x
Tranmere 7 16.14x
Alderton 6 612.24x
Broadwater 6 29.03x
Hartest 6 530.97x
St Marylebone London 6 2.10x
Stanningfield 6 1224.49x
Teddington London 6 49.55x
Tottenham 6 7.05x
Bradford 5 3.90x
Bromley London 5 4.25x
Castle Camps 5 306.75x
Chelmsford 5 27.62x
Chelsea London 5 3.10x
Elsenham 5 581.40x
Felstead 5 138.12x
Great Burstead 5 130.21x
Hackney London 5 1.67x
Kinson 5 72.89x
Maldon All Sts 5 239.23x
Sutton 5 480.77x
Bexhill 4 89.09x
Camberwell 4 1.17x
Chippenham 4 338.98x
Eccleshill 4 31.03x
Gillingham 4 10.64x
Helion Bumpstead 4 281.69x
Lidgate 4 526.32x
Swansea Town 4 5.24x
Beckenham 3 12.58x
Botesdale 3 297.03x
Clerkenwell London 3 2.38x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 3 20.33x
Fulbourn 3 92.59x
Hampstead London 3 3.60x
Hemel Hempstead 3 18.07x
Horton In Bradford 3 3.63x
Lewisham 3 3.08x
Long Melford 3 49.59x
Paddington London 3 1.53x
Shoreditch London 3 1.29x
Skerton 3 57.58x
Spitalfields London 3 7.46x
West Bilney 3 731.71x
Wimbish 3 192.31x
Burwell 2 49.26x
Frindsbury 2 29.11x
Ipswich St Margaret 2 9.05x
Ipswich St Peter 2 22.83x
Leyton 2 11.00x
Pulham St Mary Virgin 2 132.45x
St George In East 2 5.50x
Stanton 2 129.87x
Sudbury All Sts 2 101.01x
Westminster St John 2 3.07x
Woodham Mortimer 2 327.87x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 45
George 24
John 24
James 15
Charles 13
Henry 13
Arthur 12
Alfred 9
Joseph 9
Robert 7
Edward 6
David 5
Thomas 5
Walter 5
Harry 4
Frederick 3
Richard 3
Samuel 3
Amos 2
Ben 2
Ernest 2
Mark 2
Matthew 2
Miles 2
Simeon 2
Arther 1
Benjaman 1
Benjm. 1
Chas. 1
Earni 1
Eber 1
Edmond 1
Ezekiel 1
Fredk. 1
Garibaldi 1
Geo. 1
Henery 1
Hermon 1
Jabez 1
Javis 1
Jessie 1
Johnny 1
Josiah 1
Mach 1
Mike 1
Nathaniel 1
Nelson 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Woolfrey 1

FAQ

Middleditch surname: questions and answers

How common was the Middleditch surname in 1881?

In 1881, 544 people were recorded with the Middleditch surname. That placed it at #6,344 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Middleditch surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 751 in 2016. That gives Middleditch a modern rank of #7,283.

What does the Middleditch surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone who lived in the middle ditch or middle of a marshy area.

What does the Middleditch map show?

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