NameCensus.

UK surname

Nobles

A surname referring to a person of noble rank, or one who served in a noble household.

In the 1881 census there were 217 people recorded with the Nobles surname, ranking it #12,188 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 97, ranked #31,585, down from #12,188 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Prestbury, Wellingborough and Duston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Dorset, Wellingborough and Bedford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nobles is 401 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 55.3%.

1881 census count

217

Ranked #12,188

Modern count

97

2016, ranked #31,585

Peak year

1851

401 bearers

Map years

7

1851 to 1998

Key insights

  • Nobles had 217 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,188 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 97 in 2016, ranked #31,585.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 401 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Nobles surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nobles surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nobles 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 401 #6,031
1861 historical 307 #8,262
1881 historical 217 #12,188
1891 historical 286 #11,497
1901 historical 232 #13,769
1911 historical 163 #16,939
1997 modern 114 #24,967
1998 modern 113 #25,731
1999 modern 114 #25,766
2000 modern 109 #26,381
2001 modern 103 #26,927
2002 modern 102 #27,596
2003 modern 102 #27,383
2004 modern 101 #27,813
2005 modern 101 #27,854
2006 modern 97 #28,793
2007 modern 95 #29,493
2008 modern 94 #29,950
2009 modern 88 #31,352
2010 modern 86 #32,081
2011 modern 91 #31,442
2012 modern 101 #30,078
2013 modern 103 #30,235
2014 modern 101 #30,855
2015 modern 99 #31,168
2016 modern 97 #31,585

Geography

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Where Nobles' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Prestbury, Wellingborough, Duston, London parishes and Northampton All Saints. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Dorset, Wellingborough, Bedford, Huntingdonshire and Kirklees. 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 Prestbury Cheshire
2 Wellingborough Northamptonshire
3 Duston Northamptonshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Northampton All Saints Northamptonshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Dorset 007 North Dorset
2 Wellingborough 010 Wellingborough
3 Bedford 004 Bedford
4 Huntingdonshire 015 Huntingdonshire
5 Kirklees 058 Kirklees

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nobles

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Nobles

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

Nobles 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

Nobles falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Nobles

The surname Nobles is of English origin, derived from the Old French word "noble," meaning someone of noble birth or rank. This name first appeared in England in the 12th century, shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066.

The earliest known bearers of the name were likely individuals of noble or aristocratic lineage, as the surname was used to distinguish those of high social status. In some cases, the name may have been adopted by families who aspired to a noble lifestyle or held positions of authority within their local communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nobles can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1194, where a person named Roger Nobles is mentioned. This suggests that the surname was already established in parts of England by the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the Nobles surname appeared in various historical records, such as the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire (1273), where a William le Noble is listed. The use of the prefix "le" or "de" before the name was common practice during this period, indicating the family's connection to a specific location or estate.

The Nobles surname has been prominent throughout English history, with several notable individuals bearing the name. One example is Sir William Nobles (c.1453-1518), a member of the English gentry who served as a Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire in the early 16th century.

Another prominent figure was Sir Andrew Nobles (1597-1672), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Lincolnshire during the Commonwealth period. He was a prominent supporter of Oliver Cromwell and the Parliamentary cause during the English Civil War.

In the realm of literature, the name Nobles is associated with the English poet and playwright John Nobles (1584-1647), best known for his play "The Feign'd Courtezans" and several poetic works published in the early 17th century.

The Nobles surname also gained recognition in the field of science with the contributions of Robert Nobles (1676-1753), an English mathematician and astronomer who served as the Savilian Professor of Astronomy at the University of Oxford.

During the 19th century, the name Nobles was further established with individuals such as Sir Aretas Akers-Nobles (1851-1927), a British civil servant and politician who served as the Secretary of the Admiralty during the early 20th century.

While the Nobles surname originated in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through migration and colonization. However, its roots can be traced back to the noble lineages and prestigious positions held by its earliest bearers in medieval and early modern England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Nobles families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nobles 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. Northamptonshire leads with 76 Nobles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 38.18x.

County Total Index
Northamptonshire 76 38.18x
Yorkshire 35 1.67x
Middlesex 24 1.13x
Bedfordshire 15 13.69x
Cheshire 13 2.78x
Lancashire 13 0.52x
Buckinghamshire 8 6.25x
Hampshire 7 1.61x
Staffordshire 6 0.84x
Derbyshire 4 1.21x
Surrey 3 0.29x
Warwickshire 3 0.56x
Hertfordshire 2 1.37x
Kent 2 0.28x
Sussex 2 0.56x
Essex 1 0.24x
Glamorgan 1 0.27x
Lincolnshire 1 0.30x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Duston in Northamptonshire leads with 15 Nobles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 828.73x.

Place Total Index
Duston 15 828.73x
Fulstone 14 915.03x
Wellingborough 12 119.88x
Northampton Priory St 11 92.05x
Hampstead London 8 24.27x
Raunds 8 394.09x
Kingsthorpe 7 316.74x
Macclesfield 7 33.70x
Portsea 7 8.23x
Rushden 7 263.16x
Swinton In Rotherham 7 126.13x
Chester St Peter St 6 1200.00x
Hillingdon 6 88.89x
Leek Lowe 6 63.09x
Northampton St Giles 6 79.16x
Pitchcott 6 20000.00x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 6 61.60x
Bedford St Peter 5 175.44x
Accrington 4 17.52x
Bedford St Paul 4 53.19x
Carlton 4 1176.47x
Dallington 4 341.88x
Derby St Alkmund 4 40.28x
Islington London 4 1.95x
Layton With Warbreck 4 43.38x
Allesley 3 428.57x
Ashton Under Lyne 3 5.47x
Ardwick 2 8.83x
Hove 2 12.77x
Newington 2 2.56x
Newport Pagnell 2 74.63x
Northampton All Sts 2 29.59x
Sheffield 2 3.00x
Almondbury 1 9.86x
Bexley 1 15.67x
Bletsoe 1 416.67x
Chelsea London 1 1.57x
Crick 1 149.25x
Hackney London 1 0.84x
Hardingstone 1 52.63x
Hertford All Saints 1 121.95x
Hertford St John 1 46.08x
Honley 1 27.25x
Huddersfield 1 3.27x
Irthlingborough 1 51.28x
Langsett 1 500.00x
Lewisham 1 2.60x
North Collingham 1 149.25x
Northampton St Sepulchre 1 9.87x
Paddington London 1 1.29x
Putney 1 10.36x
Sharnbrook 1 163.93x
St Pancras London 1 0.59x
Swansea Town 1 3.31x
Thorpe On The Hill 1 476.19x
West Ham 1 1.08x
Westminster St 1 12.82x
Westminster St John 1 3.88x
Wooldale 1 28.09x
York St Giles In 1 50.51x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 13
George 12
Thomas 12
James 9
John 6
Charles 5
Henry 5
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Joseph 3
Robert 3
Ambrose 2
Harry 2
Joe 2
Peter 2
Richard 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Austin 1
Boynton 1
Claude 1
David 1
Ernest 1
Ferdinand 1
Head 1
Jas. 1
Jessey 1
Joshua 1
Richd. 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Nobles surname: questions and answers

How common was the Nobles surname in 1881?

In 1881, 217 people were recorded with the Nobles surname. That placed it at #12,188 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Nobles surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 97 in 2016. That gives Nobles a modern rank of #31,585.

What does the Nobles surname mean?

A surname referring to a person of noble rank, or one who served in a noble household.

What does the Nobles map show?

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