NameCensus.

UK surname

Mumford

From an English place name meaning "Mumma's ford," referring to a river crossing belonging to a person called Mumma.

In the 1881 census there were 2,889 people recorded with the Mumford surname, ranking it #1,554 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,446, ranked #1,979, down from #1,554 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and St John Hackney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Babergh, Isles of Scilly and South Northamptonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mumford is 3,760 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.3%.

1881 census count

2,889

Ranked #1,554

Modern count

3,446

2016, ranked #1,979

Peak year

1911

3,760 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mumford had 2,889 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,554 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,446 in 2016, ranked #1,979.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,760 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Mumford surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mumford surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mumford 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 1,893 #1,530
1861 historical 1,570 #1,815
1881 historical 2,889 #1,554
1891 historical 2,861 #1,659
1901 historical 3,702 #1,514
1911 historical 3,760 #1,378
1997 modern 3,553 #1,822
1998 modern 3,722 #1,811
1999 modern 3,711 #1,832
2000 modern 3,690 #1,827
2001 modern 3,623 #1,822
2002 modern 3,667 #1,845
2003 modern 3,544 #1,866
2004 modern 3,553 #1,857
2005 modern 3,514 #1,858
2006 modern 3,464 #1,880
2007 modern 3,437 #1,906
2008 modern 3,439 #1,928
2009 modern 3,484 #1,954
2010 modern 3,517 #1,979
2011 modern 3,471 #1,977
2012 modern 3,374 #1,997
2013 modern 3,492 #1,963
2014 modern 3,513 #1,968
2015 modern 3,464 #1,970
2016 modern 3,446 #1,979

Geography

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Where Mumfords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, St John Hackney and St Martin, St Mary, Trescoe, Bryher, Sampson, St Agnes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Babergh, Isles of Scilly, South Northamptonshire, Gwynedd and Caerphilly. 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 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 St John Hackney London (North Districts)
5 St Martin, St Mary, Trescoe, Bryher, Sampson, St Agnes Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Babergh 007 Babergh
2 Isles of Scilly 001 Isles of Scilly
3 South Northamptonshire 006 South Northamptonshire
4 Gwynedd 017 Gwynedd
5 Caerphilly 001 Caerphilly

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mumford

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mumford

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

Mumford 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

Mumford falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mumford

The surname Mumford has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from the place name "Mundeford" or "Mumford" in Norfolk. The name is composed of two Old English elements, "mund" meaning "protection" and "ford" meaning "a shallow river crossing."

One of the earliest records of the name Mumford can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Mundefort." This suggests that the name was already established in England by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Mundeford," "Munford," and "Momford," reflecting the variations in spelling common during that time period.

Notable individuals with the surname Mumford include:

1. William Mumford (c. 1570-1644), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Swinhope in Lincolnshire.

2. Thomas Mumford (1628-1696), an early settler in Rhode Island and one of the founders of the town of Warwick.

3. George Mumford (1738-1805), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and rose to the rank of Admiral.

4. James Gregory Mumford (1815-1904), an American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina.

5. Lewis Mumford (1895-1990), an influential American historian, sociologist, philosopher, and literary critic known for his studies of cities and urban planning.

The name Mumford has also been associated with several place names in England, such as Mumford Green in Suffolk and Mumford's Farm in Hampshire. Additionally, variations of the name, like Mumford's Brook and Mumford's Croft, can be found in various regions of England, reflecting the widespread distribution of the surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mumford families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mumford 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. Middlesex leads with 467 Mumfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.66x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 467 1.66x
Essex 348 6.25x
Surrey 200 1.45x
Warwickshire 197 2.77x
Devon 189 3.22x
Kent 142 1.48x
Worcestershire 125 3.39x
Suffolk 97 2.82x
Hertfordshire 87 4.47x
Lancashire 81 0.24x
Hampshire 75 1.30x
Cheshire 72 1.16x
Cornwall 63 1.97x
Staffordshire 62 0.65x
Northamptonshire 57 2.15x
Yorkshire 57 0.20x
Gloucestershire 52 0.94x
Norfolk 47 1.08x
Buckinghamshire 38 2.23x
Lincolnshire 37 0.82x
Huntingdonshire 35 6.25x
Oxfordshire 32 1.84x
Somerset 29 0.64x
Herefordshire 27 2.33x
Montgomeryshire 27 4.18x
Glamorgan 24 0.49x
Nottinghamshire 22 0.58x
Durham 21 0.25x
Wiltshire 20 0.80x
Berkshire 19 0.90x
Pembrokeshire 17 1.90x
Shropshire 16 0.66x
Sussex 16 0.34x
Cambridgeshire 15 0.84x
Bedfordshire 13 0.89x
Dorset 11 0.59x
Leicestershire 10 0.32x
Denbighshire 7 0.66x
Lanarkshire 7 0.08x
Monmouthshire 7 0.34x
Midlothian 5 0.13x
Derbyshire 4 0.09x
Royal Navy 4 1.19x
Northumberland 3 0.07x
Renfrewshire 2 0.09x
Ayrshire 1 0.05x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.09x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.08x
Cumberland 1 0.04x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 0.24x
Rutland 1 0.48x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Ham in Essex leads with 66 Mumfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.37x.

Place Total Index
West Ham 66 5.37x
Hackney London 49 3.10x
Scilly Islands St Mary 48 384.92x
Plymouth St Andrew 45 9.95x
Lambeth 43 1.75x
St Pancras London 33 1.45x
Birmingham 32 1.35x
Islington London 32 1.17x
Kingston On Thames 31 9.39x
Stoke Damerel 30 7.30x
Aston 29 1.48x
Deptford St Paul 29 3.91x
Kensington London 29 1.85x
Plymouth Charles The 26 10.05x
Camberwell 25 1.39x
Fulham London 25 6.11x
Ryde 25 20.13x
Shipston On Stour 25 149.16x
Waltham Holy Cross 24 46.11x
St George Hanover 21 5.70x
Bishop Stortford 20 30.79x
Bromley 20 13.63x
Stansted Mountfitchet 20 142.15x
Birkenhead 19 3.83x
Kimbolton 19 161.02x
Pillerton Hersey 19 1310.34x
Bermondsey 18 2.14x
Chelsea London 18 2.12x
Leyton Low 18 15.90x
Poplar London 18 3.38x
South Littleton 18 573.25x
Pershore Holy Cross 17 72.00x
Battersea 16 1.54x
Bromley London 15 2.42x
Everton 15 1.41x
Chartham 14 58.36x
Kidderminster Borough 14 6.49x
St Marylebone London 14 0.93x
Bethnal Green London 13 1.06x
Brailes 13 119.05x
Chilham 13 94.89x
Chobham 13 53.56x
Oldham 13 1.20x
Pembroke St Mary 13 11.26x
Walthamstow 13 6.49x
Clerkenwell London 12 1.80x
Ealing 12 4.76x
Kings Walden 12 109.09x
Kyo 12 30.37x
Plympton St Mary 12 35.36x
Sudbury St Gregory 12 43.57x
Tottenham 12 2.67x
Wednesbury 12 5.04x
Northampton Priory St 11 6.91x
Paddington London 11 1.06x
Whatcote 11 758.62x
Boston 10 7.31x
Calstock 10 15.97x
Claughton With Grange 10 35.26x
Hornsey 10 2.80x
Lower Bullingham 10 217.86x
Pillerton Priors 10 751.88x
Portsea 10 0.88x
Shoreditch London 10 0.82x
St Andrew Holborn 10 10.46x
Thorpe Next Norwich 10 21.75x
Thurston 10 148.81x
Worcester Blockhouse 10 49.43x
Cardiff St Mary 9 3.33x
Hammersmith London 9 1.30x
Isleworth 9 7.18x
Kings Sutton 9 76.34x
Liscard 9 8.02x
Monks Coppenhall 9 3.83x
Newtown 9 21.77x
Northwood 9 10.93x
Plymstock 9 29.27x
Romford 9 10.22x
Southwark St George Martyr 9 1.59x
Warwick St Mary 9 14.57x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 168
Sarah 102
Elizabeth 100
Alice 66
Eliza 55
Ellen 52
Emma 48
Jane 48
Annie 41
Ann 34
Emily 33
Caroline 26
Lucy 26
Louisa 24
Martha 24
Charlotte 22
Hannah 22
Harriet 22
Catherine 20
Florence 20
Maria 20
Ada 16
Edith 16
Kate 16
Anne 15
Amelia 13
Margaret 13
Susan 13
Amy 12
Agnes 10
Esther 10
Julia 10
Lydia 10
Clara 9
Elizth. 9
Fanny 9
Minnie 9
Maud 8
Gertrude 7
Susannah 7
Frances 6
Rachel 6
Rebecca 6
Rose 6
Sophia 6
Beatrice 5
Bessie 5
Grace 5
Jessie 5
Susanna 5

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 212
John 156
George 125
Thomas 83
Charles 73
James 69
Henry 55
Edward 41
Alfred 38
Joseph 37
Richard 37
Frederick 27
Samuel 25
Arthur 24
Walter 24
Harry 23
Robert 22
Albert 20
Frank 17
Ernest 15
Wm. 15
Francis 13
Herbert 12
David 11
Edwin 7
Fredk. 7
Fredrick 7
Thos. 7
Daniel 6
Stephen 6
Percy 5
Richd. 5
Sydney 5
Fred 4
Jno. 4
Sidney 4
Simon 4
Benjamin 3
Chas. 3
Clement 3
Harold 3
Horace 3
Jesse 3
Mark 3
Peter 3
Philip 3
Saml. 3
Tom 3
Willm. 3
Cornelius 2

FAQ

Mumford surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mumford surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,889 people were recorded with the Mumford surname. That placed it at #1,554 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mumford surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,446 in 2016. That gives Mumford a modern rank of #1,979.

What does the Mumford surname mean?

From an English place name meaning "Mumma's ford," referring to a river crossing belonging to a person called Mumma.

What does the Mumford map show?

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