NameCensus.

UK surname

Nudd

A nickname derived from "nude" referring to someone who went unclothed.

In the 1881 census there were 190 people recorded with the Nudd surname, ranking it #13,270 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 259, ranked #16,393, down from #13,270 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Catfield, Hickling and St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Norfolk, North West Leicestershire and Broadland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nudd is 309 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.3%.

1881 census count

190

Ranked #13,270

Modern count

259

2016, ranked #16,393

Peak year

1911

309 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Nudd had 190 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,270 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 259 in 2016, ranked #16,393.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 309 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Nudd surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nudd surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Nudd 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 126 #14,626
1861 historical 120 #18,255
1881 historical 190 #13,270
1891 historical 224 #13,760
1901 historical 255 #12,965
1911 historical 309 #11,203
1997 modern 301 #13,492
1998 modern 289 #14,208
1999 modern 287 #14,374
2000 modern 276 #14,724
2001 modern 264 #14,958
2002 modern 287 #14,402
2003 modern 268 #14,897
2004 modern 270 #14,913
2005 modern 258 #15,323
2006 modern 266 #15,076
2007 modern 265 #15,295
2008 modern 261 #15,597
2009 modern 250 #16,421
2010 modern 250 #16,791
2011 modern 256 #16,383
2012 modern 255 #16,296
2013 modern 261 #16,309
2014 modern 264 #16,288
2015 modern 268 #16,007
2016 modern 259 #16,393

Geography

Back to top

Where Nudds are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Catfield, Hickling, St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a, St Mary Islington and Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Norfolk, North West Leicestershire and Broadland. 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 Catfield Norfolk
2 Hickling Norfolk
3 St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a Norfolk
4 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)
5 Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Norfolk 014 North Norfolk
2 North West Leicestershire 001 North West Leicestershire
3 North Norfolk 013 North Norfolk
4 Broadland 016 Broadland
5 Broadland 014 Broadland

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Nudd

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Nudd

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

Nudd 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

Nudd falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Nudd is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Nudd

The surname Nudd is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the county of Cornwall. It is thought to derive from the Old English word "nudd," which means "promontory" or "headland." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a prominent cliff or coastal feature.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Nudd can be traced back to the 13th century. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John Nudd, who was mentioned in the Cornish Subsidy Rolls of 1292. These rolls were tax records that documented individuals who were required to pay a portion of their income to the Crown.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various forms, such as "Nude," "Nud," and "Nyde," which likely reflect regional variations in pronunciation and spelling. For example, a William Nude was recorded in the Lay Subsidy Rolls for Cornwall in 1327.

The surname Nudd has been linked to several place names in Cornwall, including Newquay, which was formerly known as "Nu-yewe" or "New-hay" in the 16th century. This suggests that some early bearers of the Nudd surname may have hailed from or been associated with this area.

One notable historical figure with the surname Nudd was Sir John Nudd (1495-1558), who served as the Sheriff of Cornwall in 1548. He was a prominent landowner and held estates in several parishes across the county.

Another individual of note was Samuel Nudd (1619-1692), who was a Puritan clergyman and author. He served as the rector of Tawstock in Devon and published several religious works during his lifetime.

In the 18th century, a man named Thomas Nudd (1732-1809) gained recognition as a skilled surveyor and cartographer. He produced detailed maps of various parts of Cornwall, which were widely used and praised for their accuracy.

The Nudd surname also has connections to Wales, where it is sometimes spelled "Nudd" or "Nydd." One notable Welsh bearer of the name was Gwilym Nudd (1570-1634), who was a poet and writer during the Renaissance period.

Moving into the 19th century, a man named Joseph Nudd (1829-1901) made significant contributions to the field of geology. He was a member of the Geological Society of London and conducted extensive research on the geology of Cornwall and Devon.

While the surname Nudd is relatively uncommon today, it has a rich history that can be traced back to the medieval period in England, particularly in the county of Cornwall. The name's origins are deeply rooted in the geographical features and place names of the region, reflecting the connection between surnames and the environments in which they originated.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Nudd families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nudd 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. Norfolk leads with 121 Nudds recorded in 1881 and an index of 42.46x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 121 42.46x
Middlesex 33 1.78x
Sussex 12 3.84x
Hampshire 8 2.11x
Suffolk 5 2.21x
Nottinghamshire 4 1.60x
Yorkshire 4 0.22x
Durham 1 0.18x
Kent 1 0.16x
Northumberland 1 0.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hickling in Norfolk leads with 53 Nudds recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Hickling 53 10000.00x
Great Yarmouth 34 144.07x
Islington London 33 18.37x
Heigham 12 78.48x
Catfield 10 2500.00x
Graffham 8 3076.92x
Idsworth 7 2800.00x
Littlehampton 4 160.64x
Norwich St Etheldred 4 1000.00x
Nottingham St Mary 4 6.19x
Thorpe Next Norwich 4 132.45x
Newmarket St Mary 3 173.41x
Linthorpe 2 18.25x
Ormesby 2 40.49x
Harton 1 45.87x
Holdenhurst 1 10.04x
Hopton 1 178.57x
Lowestoft 1 9.38x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 7.00x
Norwich St Peter Mancroft 1 69.93x
Palling 1 344.83x
Rainham 1 57.47x
Rollesby 1 277.78x
Runham 1 175.44x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 17
Robert 15
William 13
James 9
George 7
Alfred 4
Walter 4
Albert 3
Charles 3
Henry 3
Joshua 3
Thomas 3
Michael 2
Arthur 1
Cubitt 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Frederick 1
Gustavus 1
Herbert 1
Jno.Richard 1
Oliver 1
Robt.Jas 1

FAQ

Nudd surname: questions and answers

How common was the Nudd surname in 1881?

In 1881, 190 people were recorded with the Nudd surname. That placed it at #13,270 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Nudd surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 259 in 2016. That gives Nudd a modern rank of #16,393.

What does the Nudd surname mean?

A nickname derived from "nude" referring to someone who went unclothed.

What does the Nudd map show?

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