NameCensus.

UK surname

Mudge

An English locational surname derived from a place named Mudge or Mudgely, referring to a place of wet soil.

In the 1881 census there were 892 people recorded with the Mudge surname, ranking it #4,269 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 731, ranked #7,448, down from #4,269 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Paignton, Tormoham with Torquay and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Devon, Torbay and Bedford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mudge is 1,121 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 18.0%.

1881 census count

892

Ranked #4,269

Modern count

731

2016, ranked #7,448

Peak year

1911

1,121 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mudge had 892 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,269 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 731 in 2016, ranked #7,448.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,121 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Mudge surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mudge surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mudge 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 638 #4,070
1861 historical 561 #4,697
1881 historical 892 #4,269
1891 historical 935 #4,426
1901 historical 1,055 #4,553
1911 historical 1,121 #4,148
1997 modern 778 #6,686
1998 modern 822 #6,617
1999 modern 815 #6,693
2000 modern 798 #6,787
2001 modern 776 #6,807
2002 modern 781 #6,910
2003 modern 764 #6,910
2004 modern 753 #7,000
2005 modern 741 #7,027
2006 modern 723 #7,180
2007 modern 709 #7,349
2008 modern 717 #7,349
2009 modern 714 #7,527
2010 modern 762 #7,301
2011 modern 742 #7,373
2012 modern 713 #7,499
2013 modern 741 #7,417
2014 modern 745 #7,420
2015 modern 735 #7,438
2016 modern 731 #7,448

Geography

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Where Mudges are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Paignton, Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes, Cornwood and Tavistock. Whitechurch, St Peter Tavy. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Devon, Torbay, Bedford and Plymouth. 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 Paignton Devon
2 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
3 London parishes London 3
4 Cornwood Devon
5 Tavistock. Whitechurch, St Peter Tavy Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Devon 006 West Devon
2 Torbay 017 Torbay
3 Bedford 004 Bedford
4 West Devon 005 West Devon
5 Plymouth 031 Plymouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mudge

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mudge

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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Mudge 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

Mudge is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Mudge

The surname MUDGE originated in England and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "mudig", meaning "proud" or "arrogant". The earliest recorded spelling of the name was found in the Essex Fines from 1199 as "Matillida Modye".

The name MUDGE is believed to have originated in the county of Essex in the east of England. It was a locational name given to someone who lived on or near a small hill or mound. This is supported by the existence of place names like "Mudge Green" in Essex and "Mudge Farm" in Somerset.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was William Mudge, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1230. Another early example is John Mudge, who was listed in the Hundred Rolls of Sussex in 1275.

The MUDGE name appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of landowners and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror after the Norman conquest of England. However, the specific entry has not been definitively identified due to variations in spelling and transcription.

Notable individuals with the surname MUDGE include:

1. Zachary Mudge (1694-1769), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the headmaster of the prestigious Bingham School in Cirencester.

2. Thomas Mudge (1715-1794), a renowned English clockmaker and inventor who greatly improved the accuracy and reliability of timekeepers, contributing to the development of marine chronometers.

3. Thomas Mudge Jr. (1760-1843), a British Army officer and surveyor who worked on the principal triangulation of Britain and Ireland, known as the Trigonometrical Survey.

4. William Mudge (1762-1821), an English writer and playwright who authored several successful plays and novels, including "The Choleric Man" and "The Contemplatist".

5. Richard Zachariah Mudge (1790-1854), an English artist and engraver known for his topographical and architectural illustrations, particularly of ancient buildings in Normandy.

The MUDGE surname has a rich history spanning several centuries and has been associated with notable figures in various fields, including religion, horology, surveying, literature, and art.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mudge families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mudge 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. Devon leads with 404 Mudges recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.86x.

County Total Index
Devon 404 21.86x
Kent 93 3.07x
Middlesex 77 0.87x
Hampshire 51 2.80x
Surrey 50 1.16x
Cornwall 44 4.38x
Lancashire 25 0.24x
Berkshire 21 3.15x
Channel Islands 19 7.22x
Gloucestershire 18 1.03x
Glamorgan 14 0.91x
Wiltshire 12 1.53x
Essex 10 0.57x
Ayrshire 6 0.90x
Cumberland 6 0.79x
Dorset 6 1.03x
Yorkshire 6 0.07x
Merionethshire 5 3.08x
Sussex 5 0.33x
Angus 4 0.49x
Caernarfonshire 4 1.11x
Cheshire 4 0.20x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.33x
Royal Navy 4 3.78x
Somerset 4 0.28x
Bedfordshire 3 0.65x
Durham 3 0.11x
Herefordshire 2 0.55x
Renfrewshire 2 0.29x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.18x
Lanarkshire 1 0.03x
Norfolk 1 0.07x
Worcestershire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cornwood in Devon leads with 51 Mudges recorded in 1881 and an index of 1444.76x.

Place Total Index
Cornwood 51 1444.76x
Paignton 44 312.94x
Plymouth St Andrew 37 25.99x
Tormoham 34 43.49x
Rainham 27 324.52x
Drewsteignton 23 938.78x
Southampton St Mary 19 16.61x
St Peter Port 19 39.05x
Bodmin 17 102.22x
Wolborough 15 64.21x
Hammersmith London 14 6.40x
Highweek 14 212.44x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 13 7.93x
Exeter St Mary Major 13 116.70x
West Teignmouth 13 91.94x
Grange Gillingham 12 895.52x
Newton Abbot St Mary 12 77.42x
Deptford St Paul 11 4.71x
Islington London 10 1.16x
Ringwood 10 85.91x
St Peter Tavy 10 1063.83x
Barnes 9 49.21x
Bexley 9 33.61x
Milton In Milton 9 69.93x
Phillack 9 69.39x
Reading St Giles 9 13.77x
Toxteth Park 9 2.52x
West Ham 9 2.33x
Basingstoke 8 38.22x
Bromley London 8 4.10x
Chilton Foliat 8 467.84x
Ermington 8 119.05x
Kensington London 8 1.62x
Neath 8 25.44x
Tottenham 8 5.66x
Whitchurch 8 246.15x
Chadderton 7 13.59x
Exeter St Leonard 7 138.34x
Lambeth 7 0.90x
Stokeinteignhead 7 351.76x
Brixham 6 28.02x
Buckland Monachorum 6 151.90x
Chiswick 6 12.37x
Lamerton 6 170.94x
Loudoun 6 37.55x
Millom 6 25.62x
Mylor 6 89.15x
Newington 6 1.83x
Penge 6 10.58x
St Marylebone London 6 1.27x
Wandsworth 6 7.02x
Aldbourn 5 109.41x
Bickington 5 684.93x
Calstock 5 25.37x
Camberwell 5 0.88x
Combeinteignhead 5 378.79x
Deptford St Nicholas 5 20.80x
Exeter St Thomas The 5 26.54x
Liverpool 5 0.78x
Llanaber 5 77.76x
St George Hanover 5 4.32x
Swindon 5 8.21x
Topsham 5 57.34x
Ystradyfodwg 5 3.69x
Abbots Kerswell 4 303.03x
Battersea 4 1.22x
Bideford 4 20.21x
Dundee 4 1.30x
Exeter St George The 4 196.08x
Gillingham 4 6.41x
Llanberis 4 43.29x
Lower Halstow 4 181.82x
Nottingham St Mary 4 1.29x
Oxton 4 36.10x
Plymouth Charles The 4 4.91x
Plympton St Mary 4 37.45x
Ringmer 4 94.79x
Kirkdale 3 1.69x
Newington 3 12.39x
Wyke Regis 3 35.89x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 73
John 55
George 37
Thomas 32
James 24
Henry 23
Charles 19
Richard 17
Robert 11
Alfred 9
Arthur 9
Edward 8
Edwin 8
Joseph 5
Albert 4
Andrew 4
David 4
Ernest 4
Francis 4
Frederick 4
Harry 4
Edmund 3
Frank 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Elias 2
Geo. 2
Herbert 2
Jabez 2
Michael 2
Moses 2
Percy 2
Tom 2
Benjamin 1
Daniel 1
E.M. 1
Ed. 1
F.G. 1
Ford 1
Frances 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
Guerlaied 1
Jason 1
Joses 1
Joshua 1
Matthew 1
Not 1
Philip 1
Zacharia 1

FAQ

Mudge surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mudge surname in 1881?

In 1881, 892 people were recorded with the Mudge surname. That placed it at #4,269 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mudge surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 731 in 2016. That gives Mudge a modern rank of #7,448.

What does the Mudge surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from a place named Mudge or Mudgely, referring to a place of wet soil.

What does the Mudge map show?

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