NameCensus.

UK surname

Neild

An English locational surname likely derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from a new field or clearing.

In the 1881 census there were 767 people recorded with the Neild surname, ranking it #4,821 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 826, ranked #6,731, down from #4,821 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester and Blackburn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Manchester, Halton and Ribble Valley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Neild is 982 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 7.7%.

1881 census count

767

Ranked #4,821

Modern count

826

2016, ranked #6,731

Peak year

1911

982 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Neild had 767 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,821 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 826 in 2016, ranked #6,731.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 982 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Neild surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Neild surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Neild 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 370 #6,426
1861 historical 492 #5,307
1881 historical 767 #4,821
1891 historical 824 #4,924
1901 historical 931 #5,008
1911 historical 982 #4,610
1997 modern 914 #5,906
1998 modern 908 #6,116
1999 modern 910 #6,150
2000 modern 886 #6,243
2001 modern 858 #6,293
2002 modern 882 #6,275
2003 modern 841 #6,390
2004 modern 841 #6,399
2005 modern 821 #6,469
2006 modern 818 #6,500
2007 modern 836 #6,460
2008 modern 838 #6,508
2009 modern 848 #6,576
2010 modern 861 #6,625
2011 modern 834 #6,706
2012 modern 824 #6,687
2013 modern 854 #6,607
2014 modern 858 #6,622
2015 modern 832 #6,710
2016 modern 826 #6,731

Geography

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Where Neilds are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester, Blackburn and Prestwich. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Manchester, Halton, Ribble Valley and Tameside. 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 Ashton-under-Lyne Lancashire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Blackburn Lancashire
4 Prestwich Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Manchester 002 Manchester
2 Manchester 050 Manchester
3 Halton 007 Halton
4 Ribble Valley 008 Ribble Valley
5 Tameside 014 Tameside

Forenames

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First names often paired with Neild

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Neild

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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, Neild 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

Neild 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

Neild falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Neild is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Neild, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Neild

The surname Neild originates from England and has its roots dating back to the medieval era. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word 'neohide,' meaning 'new hide,' which referred to a parcel of land granted to a landowner or tenant. This name is believed to have emerged as a toponymic surname, indicating that the earliest bearers lived near a newly cultivated area or resided on a newly acquired hide of land.

The name Neild has been found in various historical records and manuscripts throughout the centuries. One notable early reference is in the Domesday Book of 1086, where the surname appears as 'Neuhyde.' This comprehensive survey of landowners and tenants in England, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides insights into the geographical distribution of the name during the Norman period.

In the 13th century, records show several variants of the name, including 'Newyde,' 'Neuide,' and 'Newhide.' These variations reflect the evolution of spelling and pronunciation over time. Additionally, the name has been associated with various place names, such as Newydd in Wales, which may have influenced its development in certain regions.

Among the earliest recorded individuals bearing the surname Neild are John Neild, born in Rochdale, Lancashire, in 1520, and William Neild, a merchant from Chester, who lived in the late 16th century. In the 17th century, notable individuals include Reverend William Neild (1617-1679), an English clergyman and author from Cheshire, and Samuel Neild (1633-1707), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist from London.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, several prominent figures carried the Neild surname. John Camden Neild (1780-1852) was a British politician and reformer who advocated for the abolition of slavery and the improvement of prison conditions. Another notable figure was James Neild (1744-1814), a English prison reformer and philanthropist, who campaigned for better treatment of prisoners and improved prison conditions across Europe.

Other historical figures with the Neild surname include William Neild (1804-1876), a British architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in Manchester, and Alfred Neild (1846-1919), a British politician and businessman who served as a Member of Parliament for Hulme.

These individuals and their contributions across various fields, from religion and politics to architecture and philanthropy, highlight the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments associated with the Neild surname throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Neild families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Neild 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. Lancashire leads with 414 Neilds recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.69x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 414 4.69x
Cheshire 151 9.20x
Yorkshire 60 0.81x
Staffordshire 51 2.03x
Derbyshire 20 1.72x
Warwickshire 16 0.85x
Middlesex 9 0.12x
Sussex 9 0.72x
Gloucestershire 7 0.48x
Devon 6 0.39x
Flintshire 6 3.00x
Surrey 6 0.17x
Berkshire 3 0.54x
Argyllshire 1 0.48x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.21x
Denbighshire 1 0.36x
Kent 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Oldham in Lancashire leads with 48 Neilds recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.86x.

Place Total Index
Oldham 48 16.86x
Manchester 39 9.83x
Ashton Under Lyne 37 19.19x
Salford 37 14.26x
Blackburn 26 11.08x
Hulme 25 13.58x
Uttoxeter 21 163.55x
Glossop Dale 16 29.36x
Chester St Mary On Hill 15 106.53x
Brightside Bierlow 14 9.69x
Everton 14 4.98x
Runcorn 13 34.36x
Livesey 12 77.52x
Macclesfield 12 16.45x
Northenden 12 401.34x
Widnes 11 17.29x
Great Bolton 10 8.56x
Stretford 10 20.61x
Aston 9 1.74x
Leeds 9 2.16x
Moss Side 9 19.39x
Over Darwen 9 12.78x
Altrincham 8 27.90x
Crompton 8 31.85x
Linchmere 8 909.09x
Norbury 8 209.42x
Parr 8 25.35x
Birmingham 7 1.12x
Bristol St James St Paul 7 14.40x
Chorlton On Medlock 7 5.00x
Dukinfield 7 9.23x
Huddersfield 7 6.52x
Preston 7 2.97x
Radcliffe 7 16.46x
Rusholme 7 29.75x
Wavertree 7 24.80x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 7 47.95x
Ardwick 6 7.54x
Burwardsley 6 530.97x
Chester Holy Trinity 6 78.02x
Chester St Oswald 6 20.20x
Harpurhey 6 49.02x
Openshaw 6 14.52x
Peckforton 6 1132.08x
Plymouth St Andrew 6 5.03x
Poulton Cum Seacombe 6 31.80x
Audley Talk O Th Hill 5 110.62x
Barton Upon Irwell 5 7.53x
Bradford 5 12.11x
Burslem 5 6.96x
Sheffield 5 2.13x
Spotland 5 5.10x
Tarvin Pryors Hayes 5 229.36x
Toxteth Park 5 1.67x
Walton Le Dale 5 21.10x
Castle Church 4 26.53x
Headingley Cum Burley 4 8.44x
Hope 4 40.24x
Idle 4 11.71x
Over Whitley 4 512.82x
Stafford St Mary 4 11.26x
West Derby 4 1.55x
Wolstanton 4 5.25x
Ashborne 3 37.93x
Atherton 3 9.34x
Camberwell 3 0.63x
Gomersal 3 8.73x
Gorton 3 3.62x
Hayes 3 39.58x
Hipperholme Cum 3 9.27x
Hyde 3 6.20x
Kirkdale 3 2.02x
Nantwich 3 15.73x
Reading St Giles 3 5.48x
Shipley 3 7.85x
Sutton In Macclesfield 3 17.62x
Wimbledon 3 7.38x
Worsley 3 5.52x
Altofts 2 24.60x
Golborne Bellow 2 952.38x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 53
Elizabeth 30
Sarah 27
Hannah 25
Alice 15
Ann 15
Annie 14
Jane 14
Margaret 14
Emma 11
Martha 10
Ellen 9
Harriet 9
Maria 8
Eliza 6
Ada 5
Emily 5
Agnes 4
Betty 4
Fanny 4
Lucy 4
Nancy 4
Rose 4
Bertha 3
Caroline 3
Catherine 3
Clara 3
Edith 3
Esther 3
Frances 3
Isabella 3
Jessie 3
Louisa 3
Amelia 2
Charlotte 2
Constance 2
Flora 2
Helen 2
Selina 2
Susannah 2
Beatrice 1
Betsy 1
Eden 1
Edward 1
Eleanor 1
Elloner 1
Emelina 1
Henrietta 1
Isabbella 1
James 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 52
John 51
Thomas 29
James 27
George 18
Charles 17
Joseph 14
Robert 12
Arthur 10
Alfred 9
Samuel 8
Frederick 7
Henry 7
Richard 7
Peter 6
Jacob 5
Job 5
Edward 4
Herbert 4
Walter 4
Albert 3
Edwin 3
Francis 3
Harry 3
Abel 2
Dan 2
Edmund 2
Enoch 2
Ernest 2
Fredk. 2
Harold 2
Hugh 2
Mark 2
Patrick 2
Roger 2
Wm. 2
Andrew 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Douglas 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Gilbert 1
Jno. 1
Jonathan 1
Nathaniel 1
Newman 1
Newton 1
Oliver 1
Wright 1

FAQ

Neild surname: questions and answers

How common was the Neild surname in 1881?

In 1881, 767 people were recorded with the Neild surname. That placed it at #4,821 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Neild surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 826 in 2016. That gives Neild a modern rank of #6,731.

What does the Neild surname mean?

An English locational surname likely derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from a new field or clearing.

What does the Neild map show?

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