NameCensus.

UK surname

Nottingham

Habitational surname referring to someone from the city of Nottingham, England, meaning "homestead of Snot's people."

In the 1881 census there were 800 people recorded with the Nottingham surname, ranking it #4,654 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 887, ranked #6,366, down from #4,654 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Old Warden, Willesden and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Powys, Wakefield and Tewkesbury.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nottingham is 1,050 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10.9%.

1881 census count

800

Ranked #4,654

Modern count

887

2016, ranked #6,366

Peak year

1911

1,050 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Nottingham had 800 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,654 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 887 in 2016, ranked #6,366.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,050 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Nottingham surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nottingham surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nottingham 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 475 #5,239
1861 historical 621 #4,305
1881 historical 800 #4,654
1891 historical 901 #4,577
1901 historical 929 #5,021
1911 historical 1,050 #4,383
1997 modern 855 #6,214
1998 modern 906 #6,130
1999 modern 919 #6,100
2000 modern 918 #6,092
2001 modern 887 #6,137
2002 modern 875 #6,312
2003 modern 886 #6,161
2004 modern 892 #6,143
2005 modern 882 #6,110
2006 modern 881 #6,132
2007 modern 892 #6,127
2008 modern 889 #6,186
2009 modern 901 #6,262
2010 modern 930 #6,219
2011 modern 913 #6,258
2012 modern 897 #6,261
2013 modern 912 #6,289
2014 modern 913 #6,305
2015 modern 897 #6,341
2016 modern 887 #6,366

Geography

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Where Nottinghams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Old Warden, Willesden, London parishes, Brimfield and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Powys, Wakefield, Tewkesbury, North Lincolnshire and Huntingdonshire. 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 Old Warden Bedfordshire
2 Willesden Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 Brimfield Worcestershire
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Powys 021 Powys
2 Wakefield 019 Wakefield
3 Tewkesbury 002 Tewkesbury
4 North Lincolnshire 012 North Lincolnshire
5 Huntingdonshire 001 Huntingdonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nottingham

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Nottingham

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

Nottingham is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Nottingham

The surname Nottingham is an English locational surname that originated in the medieval county of Nottinghamshire. It is derived from the Old English words "Snotingaham," which translates to "the homestead or village of Snot's people."

The earliest known record of the name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Snotingeham." This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 11th century, likely referring to people who lived in or came from the town of Nottingham.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "de Notingham," "de Notyngham," and "de Notingheham," reflecting the evolution of the English language and the influence of Norman scribes.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname was William de Notingham, a prominent landowner who lived in the late 12th century. Another notable figure was John de Notyngham, a 14th-century cleric and author who wrote several theological works.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the spelling of the surname became more standardized as "Nottingham." Sir John Nottingham (1537-1623) was a notable figure of this era, serving as Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in England.

In the 17th century, Edward Nottingham (1627-1691) was a prominent English lawyer and statesman who served as Lord Chancellor of England under King William III.

The 18th century saw the rise of Heneage Nottingham (1719-1786), a British politician and diplomat who served as Secretary of State for the Northern Department.

In the 19th century, John Nottingham (1787-1863) was a prominent English industrialist and entrepreneur who played a significant role in the development of the Nottinghamshire lace industry.

Throughout its history, the surname Nottingham has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including politicians, lawyers, clergymen, and industrialists. Its origins can be traced back to the medieval town of Nottingham, and its evolution reflects the changing linguistic and cultural landscape of England over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Nottingham families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nottingham 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. Yorkshire leads with 183 Nottinghams recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.36x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 183 2.36x
Lancashire 105 1.13x
Bedfordshire 74 18.24x
Middlesex 64 0.82x
Lincolnshire 46 3.67x
Northamptonshire 45 6.11x
Herefordshire 44 13.70x
Surrey 40 1.05x
Gloucestershire 33 2.15x
Buckinghamshire 26 5.49x
Worcestershire 16 1.56x
Durham 15 0.64x
Warwickshire 14 0.71x
Sussex 12 0.91x
Leicestershire 11 1.27x
Shropshire 10 1.48x
Hampshire 9 0.56x
Cheshire 8 0.46x
Monmouthshire 8 1.41x
Derbyshire 7 0.57x
Kent 6 0.22x
Caernarfonshire 5 1.58x
Essex 5 0.32x
Hertfordshire 4 0.74x
Huntingdonshire 3 1.93x
Channel Islands 2 0.86x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.19x
Somerset 2 0.16x
Berkshire 1 0.17x
Dorset 1 0.19x
Royal Navy 1 1.07x
Suffolk 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brimfield in Herefordshire leads with 30 Nottinghams recorded in 1881 and an index of 1764.71x.

Place Total Index
Brimfield 30 1764.71x
Cheltenham 21 17.72x
Wakefield 15 25.17x
Aston 14 2.57x
Camberwell 14 2.80x
Goxhill 14 453.07x
Shillington 14 234.51x
Blackburn 13 5.26x
Pendlebury 12 61.16x
West Derby 12 4.41x
Barton St Mary 11 175.16x
Greenhalgh With 11 1078.43x
Kirkdale 11 7.04x
Old Warden 11 827.07x
Preston 11 4.42x
Cople 10 813.01x
Lambeth 10 1.46x
St Marylebone London 10 2.39x
Willesden 10 13.54x
Wycombe 10 28.33x
Normanby In 9 43.37x
Northill 9 237.47x
Pilsgate 9 2647.06x
Upper Rawcliffe With 9 542.17x
Wilshampstead 9 409.09x
Bishopwearmouth 8 4.00x
Nortonwith 8 506.33x
Peakirk 8 1212.12x
Quorndon 8 164.27x
South Otterington 8 851.06x
St Pancras London 8 1.27x
St Woollos 8 12.66x
Brimington 7 75.19x
Claines 7 24.94x
East Cottingwith 7 1014.49x
Great Grimsby 7 8.81x
Higham Ferrers 7 175.00x
Holbeck 7 13.61x
Islington London 7 0.92x
Kempston 7 76.00x
Lytham 7 49.33x
Newton On Derwent 7 1320.75x
Thornaby 7 24.14x
York St Maurice 7 47.88x
Beverley St Nicholas 6 94.19x
Great Marlow 6 46.95x
Harswell 6 4000.00x
Medlar With Wesham 6 215.05x
Rainford 6 59.70x
Stayley 6 30.36x
Thorganby Cum West 6 550.46x
Thornton Curtis 6 476.19x
Ufford 6 1395.35x
Warmington 6 324.32x
Bedford St Mary 5 47.85x
Bielby 5 847.46x
Eastbourne 5 8.23x
Gloucester St Aldate 5 263.16x
Hessle In Sculcoates 5 72.99x
Holy Trinity 5 2.68x
Leeds 5 1.14x
Llanrhychwyn 5 349.65x
Sancton Houghton 5 505.05x
Sandal Magna 5 43.55x
Southwark Christchurch 5 13.62x
St Clement Danes 5 39.43x
St George Martyr 5 37.88x
Twining 5 216.45x
Ventnor 5 32.74x
Willington 5 37.12x
Avenbury 4 366.97x
Clifton Upon Teme 4 333.33x
Croydon 4 1.89x
Marholm 4 888.89x
Princes Risborough 4 63.09x
Purston Jaglin 4 211.64x
Sculcoates 4 3.25x
Shoreditch London 4 1.18x
West Ham 4 1.17x
Whistones 4 53.98x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 54
Elizabeth 39
Sarah 32
Ellen 18
Jane 14
Ann 13
Annie 13
Emma 13
Martha 13
Eliza 12
Alice 9
Caroline 9
Anne 8
Ada 7
Emily 7
Maria 7
Hannah 6
Rose 6
Edith 5
Harriet 5
Amy 4
Clara 4
Louisa 4
Susan 4
Esther 3
Fanny 3
Harriett 3
Louise 3
Lucy 3
Margaret 3
Agnes 2
Bertha 2
Catherine 2
Florence 2
Grace 2
Isabella 2
Isbella 2
Josephine 2
Kate 2
Lydia 2
Matilda 2
Minnie 2
Rachel 2
Selina 2
Barbara 1
Beatrice 1
Daisy 1
Diana 1
Elizth 1
Zilpah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 61
John 49
Thomas 37
Henry 21
George 19
James 16
Robert 13
Charles 12
Edward 12
Joseph 10
Arthur 9
Herbert 9
Albert 7
Ernest 7
Hugh 7
Francis 6
Alfred 5
Edwin 5
Harry 5
Wm. 5
Fred 4
Frederick 4
Samuel 4
Frank 3
Geo. 3
Amos 2
Benjamin 2
Edgar 2
Reuben 2
Richard 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
W. 2
Walter 2
Aubury 1
Bartholomew 1
Benjam 1
Benjan 1
Benjm. 1
Clement 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Ellis 1
Ephraim 1
Jacob 1
Jas.Rd. 1
Joe 1
Laytham 1
Louis 1
Mark 1

FAQ

Nottingham surname: questions and answers

How common was the Nottingham surname in 1881?

In 1881, 800 people were recorded with the Nottingham surname. That placed it at #4,654 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Nottingham surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 887 in 2016. That gives Nottingham a modern rank of #6,366.

What does the Nottingham surname mean?

Habitational surname referring to someone from the city of Nottingham, England, meaning "homestead of Snot's people."

What does the Nottingham map show?

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