NameCensus.

UK surname

Olding

A surname derived from old or olde, meaning "old" or "mature" in age.

In the 1881 census there were 574 people recorded with the Olding surname, ranking it #6,073 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 527, ranked #9,622, down from #6,073 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Southampton St Mary and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Suffolk Coastal, Bromley and Caerphilly.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Olding is 627 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 8.2%.

1881 census count

574

Ranked #6,073

Modern count

527

2016, ranked #9,622

Peak year

1911

627 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Olding had 574 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,073 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 527 in 2016, ranked #9,622.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 627 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Olding surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Olding surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Olding 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 442 #5,570
1861 historical 368 #6,935
1881 historical 574 #6,073
1891 historical 592 #6,456
1901 historical 618 #6,904
1911 historical 627 #6,613
1997 modern 526 #8,963
1998 modern 576 #8,608
1999 modern 570 #8,736
2000 modern 559 #8,829
2001 modern 550 #8,799
2002 modern 548 #9,000
2003 modern 546 #8,884
2004 modern 556 #8,794
2005 modern 546 #8,827
2006 modern 551 #8,799
2007 modern 545 #8,965
2008 modern 563 #8,801
2009 modern 568 #8,944
2010 modern 570 #9,106
2011 modern 544 #9,358
2012 modern 529 #9,461
2013 modern 546 #9,392
2014 modern 547 #9,426
2015 modern 533 #9,553
2016 modern 527 #9,622

Geography

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Where Oldings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Southampton St Mary, Portsmouth, Portsea and Southwick, Farlington, Wymering, Widley, Boarhunt. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Suffolk Coastal, Bromley, Caerphilly, Test Valley and Mendip. 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 Southampton St Mary Hampshire
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 Southwick, Farlington, Wymering, Widley, Boarhunt Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Suffolk Coastal 003 Suffolk Coastal
2 Bromley 009 Bromley
3 Caerphilly 018 Caerphilly
4 Test Valley 001 Test Valley
5 Mendip 002 Mendip

Forenames

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First names often paired with Olding

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Olding

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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Olding 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

Olding is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Olding falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Olding

The surname Olding originates from England, with its earliest known records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "ealding," which means "the son of Ealda" or "the descendant of the elder." This suggests that the name was initially used as a patronymic, denoting a person's ancestry or lineage.

In medieval times, the name appeared in various forms, such as Oldynge, Oldinge, and Oldyng, reflecting the variation in spelling conventions during that era. One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, where it is recorded as "Richardus Oldinge."

The Olding surname has its roots in various regions of England, including Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Oxfordshire. It is believed that some branches of the family may have originated from place names containing the word "old," such as Oldbury or Oldfield, indicating their connection to a specific location.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Olding surname. One of the earliest recorded examples is John Olding, a clergyman from Gloucestershire who lived in the 14th century. Another prominent figure was Richard Olding, a merchant and landowner from Wiltshire, born in 1522 and active during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, the name is associated with William Olding, a Puritan minister and author from Oxfordshire, who published works on religious topics between 1630 and 1660. During the same period, Thomas Olding, born in 1620, was a notable landowner and justice of the peace in Gloucestershire.

The 18th century saw the rise of Samuel Olding, a prominent industrialist and entrepreneur from Yorkshire, who played a significant role in the development of the textile industry in the region. He was born in 1725 and lived a prosperous life, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and business acumen.

As the Olding surname spread throughout England, it became associated with various professions and social classes, from clergymen and landowners to merchants and industrialists. While the name's origins can be traced back to Old English roots, its prevalence and significance have endured through the centuries, leaving an indelible mark on English history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Olding families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Olding 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. Hampshire leads with 191 Oldings recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.58x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 191 16.58x
Middlesex 65 1.16x
Devon 60 5.13x
Somerset 59 6.52x
Suffolk 41 5.99x
Surrey 25 0.91x
Sussex 22 2.32x
Wiltshire 22 4.43x
Argyllshire 20 12.79x
Lancashire 13 0.20x
Kent 11 0.57x
Nottinghamshire 10 1.32x
Gloucestershire 9 0.82x
Yorkshire 6 0.11x
Buckinghamshire 3 0.88x
Essex 3 0.27x
Lincolnshire 3 0.33x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.56x
Dorset 2 0.54x
Glamorgan 2 0.20x
Leicestershire 2 0.32x
Derbyshire 1 0.11x
Monmouthshire 1 0.25x
Northamptonshire 1 0.19x
Royal Navy 1 1.49x
Staffordshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 44 Oldings recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.49x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 44 19.49x
Berkley 25 4032.26x
Kilfinan 20 479.62x
Snape 19 1938.78x
South Stoneham 17 68.05x
Southampton St Mary 16 22.09x
Lambeth 13 2.65x
Southwick 13 1015.63x
Bovey Tracey 12 293.40x
Fareham 12 86.71x
Drewsteignton 11 709.68x
Titchfield 11 126.73x
Bulwell 10 60.72x
Beckington 9 505.62x
St George Hanover 9 12.27x
Stoke Newington London 9 20.57x
Farlington 8 340.43x
Hammersmith London 8 5.78x
Hove 8 19.24x
Michelmersh 8 358.74x
West Tytherley 8 975.61x
Bedminster 7 8.24x
Eling 7 60.03x
Ipswich St Mary Stoke 7 110.24x
Lewisham 7 6.85x
Bishopstrow 6 1276.60x
Broadwater 6 27.61x
Exeter St Thomas The 6 50.34x
Habergham Eaves 6 9.85x
Ipswich St Margaret 6 25.84x
Ipswich St Mathew 6 31.28x
Westminster St James 6 10.39x
Amport 5 381.68x
Broughton 5 287.36x
Houghton 5 602.41x
Lyncombe Widcombe 5 21.11x
Monxton 5 961.54x
Preston 5 2.80x
St Marylebone London 5 1.67x
St Pancras London 5 1.11x
Sway 5 324.68x
Bingley 4 11.28x
Boyton 4 677.97x
Bristol St James St Paul 4 10.89x
Chagford 4 142.86x
Corsham 4 55.17x
Frome 4 18.49x
Hackney London 4 1.27x
Hemington 4 353.98x
Lustleigh 4 563.38x
Romsey Extra 4 58.39x
St George Bloomsbury 4 12.41x
Streatham 4 9.59x
Battersea 3 1.45x
Bow London 3 4.19x
Cheltenham 3 3.53x
Chesham 3 23.96x
Clerkenwell London 3 2.26x
Crediton 3 27.08x
East Stonehouse 3 13.02x
Kingston 3 186.34x
Moreton Hampstead 3 99.34x
Taunton St Mary 3 18.07x
Westham 3 155.44x
Wolborough 3 20.30x
Woodgreen 3 535.71x
Alverstoke 2 4.80x
Barnes 2 17.27x
Brighton 2 1.05x
Codford St Mary 2 303.03x
Exeter St Sidwell 2 7.47x
Fordingbridge 2 31.95x
Heston 2 10.72x
Manthorpe Cum Little 2 29.11x
Paddington London 2 0.97x
St Andrewthe Less 2 4.92x
Stockton 2 434.78x
West Ham 2 0.82x
Westminster St 2 9.66x
Yoxford 2 98.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 31
Elizabeth 22
Sarah 21
Annie 13
Eliza 12
Emily 11
Emma 10
Alice 9
Ellen 9
Louisa 8
Ann 7
Jane 7
Charlotte 6
Agnes 5
Frances 5
Maria 5
Anne 4
Bessie 4
Harriet 4
Rose 4
Ada 3
Anna 3
Florence 3
Hannah 3
Harriett 3
Kate 3
Rosa 3
Susan 3
Amelia 2
Edith 2
Elizth. 2
Esther 2
Fanny 2
Jessie 2
Julia 2
Lucy 2
Martha 2
Matilda 2
Phoebe 2
Bertha 1
Bridget 1
Caroline 1
Elesebeth 1
Ellin 1
Elsie 1
Hella 1
Hephzibah 1
Hilda 1
Infant 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 35
John 33
George 17
James 17
Charles 15
Henry 14
Edward 10
Arthur 9
Thomas 9
Alfred 7
Albert 6
Walter 6
Frederick 5
Joseph 4
Richard 4
Samuel 4
Frank 3
Stephen 3
Thos. 3
Chas. 2
Edwin 2
Ernest 2
Fred 2
Fredk. 2
Fredrick 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Jehu 2
Job 2
Nathaniel 2
Oliver 2
Robert 2
W. 2
Wm. 2
Andrew 1
Aubrey 1
Chas.W. 1
Cornelius 1
E.P. 1
Elias 1
Florance 1
Fredc. 1
Geo. 1
Gilbert 1
Jack 1
Josh. 1
Lee 1
Llewellyn 1
Peter 1
Rich. 1

FAQ

Olding surname: questions and answers

How common was the Olding surname in 1881?

In 1881, 574 people were recorded with the Olding surname. That placed it at #6,073 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Olding surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 527 in 2016. That gives Olding a modern rank of #9,622.

What does the Olding surname mean?

A surname derived from old or olde, meaning "old" or "mature" in age.

What does the Olding map show?

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