NameCensus.

UK surname

Osler

An English surname derived from the Old French word "osier" meaning "willow tree".

In the 1881 census there were 343 people recorded with the Osler surname, ranking it #8,889 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 398, ranked #11,924, down from #8,889 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dunnichen, London parishes and Methwold. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Kingston upon Hull and Dairsie Ceres and Dunino.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Osler is 438 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16.0%.

1881 census count

343

Ranked #8,889

Modern count

398

2016, ranked #11,924

Peak year

2010

438 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Osler had 343 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,889 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 398 in 2016, ranked #11,924.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 427 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Osler surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Osler surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Osler 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 228 #9,418
1861 historical 161 #14,392
1881 historical 343 #8,889
1891 historical 408 #8,733
1901 historical 427 #9,054
1911 historical 356 #10,148
1997 modern 395 #11,106
1998 modern 418 #11,009
1999 modern 434 #10,784
2000 modern 436 #10,701
2001 modern 415 #10,925
2002 modern 433 #10,780
2003 modern 423 #10,805
2004 modern 419 #10,903
2005 modern 419 #10,802
2006 modern 422 #10,785
2007 modern 416 #11,020
2008 modern 419 #11,058
2009 modern 429 #11,094
2010 modern 438 #11,140
2011 modern 423 #11,333
2012 modern 408 #11,567
2013 modern 397 #11,988
2014 modern 401 #11,979
2015 modern 406 #11,781
2016 modern 398 #11,924

Geography

Back to top

Where Oslers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dunnichen, London parishes, Methwold, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Abbots Langley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Kingston upon Hull, Dairsie Ceres and Dunino and Rochford. 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 Dunnichen Forfar
2 London parishes London 3
3 Methwold Norfolk
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Abbots Langley Hertfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 019 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
2 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 018 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
3 Kingston upon Hull 017 Kingston upon Hull, City of
4 Dairsie Ceres and Dunino Fife
5 Rochford 008 Rochford

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Osler

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Osler

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Osler 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

Osler is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Osler falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Osler

The surname Osler originated in England, traced back to the early Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "oslere," meaning a supplier or dealer of wood ash. This ash was an essential component in the soap-making process during that era.

The earliest known recorded mention of the Osler surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Oslarius." This suggests that individuals bearing this name were likely involved in the trade or production of wood ash around the time of the Norman Conquest.

During the 13th century, the name was documented in various records from counties such as Shropshire and Staffordshire, where the Osler family had established roots. One notable entry comes from the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which mentions a Robert le Oslere from Shropshire.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, including Oslere, Oseler, and Oslier, reflecting the inconsistencies in spelling conventions during that period. One example is found in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327, which lists a John Oslere from Staffordshire.

Sir William Osler (1849-1919), a renowned Canadian physician and one of the founding professors at Johns Hopkins Hospital, is perhaps the most famous bearer of this surname. He is often referred to as the "Father of Modern Medicine" for his significant contributions to medical education and practice.

Another notable figure was John Osler (1760-1824), an English engraver and printmaker known for his landscape etchings and aquatints. His works were highly regarded during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

In the 16th century, the surname Osler was associated with several place names in England, such as Osler's Green in Staffordshire and Osler's Wood in Worcestershire, further reinforcing the connection to the ash trade or production.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Osler family continued to spread throughout various regions of England, with records indicating their presence in counties like Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, and Oxfordshire.

One additional notable figure was Reverend Edward Osler (1798-1863), an English clergyman and author who published several works on religion and theology during the Victorian era.

The surname Osler has a rich history rooted in the early English countryside, initially associated with the trade and production of wood ash. Over the centuries, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including renowned medical professionals, artists, and scholars.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Osler families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Osler 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 102 Oslers recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.83x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 102 19.83x
Angus 77 24.84x
Middlesex 30 0.90x
Perthshire 15 9.99x
Warwickshire 11 1.30x
Cambridgeshire 10 4.72x
Hertfordshire 10 4.34x
Midlothian 9 2.01x
Suffolk 9 2.21x
Yorkshire 9 0.27x
Surrey 8 0.49x
Devon 7 1.01x
Fife 7 3.53x
Bedfordshire 6 3.46x
Hampshire 6 0.87x
Durham 5 0.50x
Cornwall 3 0.79x
Kent 3 0.26x
Lancashire 3 0.08x
Staffordshire 3 0.27x
Essex 2 0.30x
Northamptonshire 2 0.64x
Berkshire 1 0.40x
Lanarkshire 1 0.09x
Lincolnshire 1 0.19x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.22x
Renfrewshire 1 0.39x
Worcestershire 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Southery in Norfolk leads with 74 Oslers recorded in 1881 and an index of 5441.18x.

Place Total Index
Southery 74 5441.18x
Kirriemuir 11 143.79x
Liff Benvie 11 23.38x
Methwold 11 662.65x
Abbots Langley 10 291.55x
Dundee 10 8.64x
Dunnichen 10 613.50x
Kinfauns 10 1470.59x
Hilgay 9 466.32x
Edgbaston 8 30.58x
Camberwell 7 3.28x
Forgan 7 184.70x
Kensington London 7 3.76x
Kingoldrum 7 1555.56x
South Leith 7 13.88x
Waterbeach 7 404.62x
Luton 6 20.01x
Rendham 6 1428.57x
St Giles Cripplegate 6 135.14x
Bethnal Green London 5 3.44x
Bishopwearmouth 5 5.85x
Monifieth 5 45.66x
Sherfield Upon Loddon 5 675.68x
Caputh 4 169.49x
Hampstead London 4 7.68x
Kirkden 4 206.19x
Strathmartine 4 291.97x
Wimbotsham 4 615.38x
Aston 3 1.29x
Burton Upon Trent 3 11.36x
Glamis 3 160.43x
Melton 3 187.50x
Panbride 3 186.34x
Stoke 3 461.54x
Stracathro 3 535.71x
Tealing 3 344.83x
Tormoham 3 10.18x
Toxteth Park 3 2.23x
Brightside Bierlow 2 3.08x
Ecclesfield 2 8.23x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 2 1.11x
Falmouth 2 14.91x
Kettins 2 192.31x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 2 12.95x
Leyton Low 2 14.89x
Lidford 2 63.90x
Peterborough 2 8.78x
Rawmarsh 2 17.08x
South Molton 2 52.22x
St Giles In Fields 2 17.33x
Cargill 1 64.10x
Cathcart 1 7.13x
Chelsea London 1 0.99x
Downham Market 1 28.33x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 1.48x
Fulbourn 1 49.26x
Glasgow 1 0.52x
Hackney London 1 0.53x
Haddenham 1 50.25x
Halifax 1 2.05x
Hanwell 1 16.86x
Islington London 1 0.31x
Kilham 1 71.94x
Littleport 1 24.69x
Madron Penzance 1 7.26x
Montrose 1 5.32x
Norwich St Michael At 1 33.56x
Nottingham St Mary 1 0.86x
Oldbury 1 4.65x
Ringwood 1 22.78x
Scawby 1 56.50x
Southwark Christchurch 1 6.38x
St Clement Danes 1 18.45x
St Pancras London 1 0.37x
Wokingham 1 17.45x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Eliza 9
Elizabeth 8
Sarah 7
Ellen 4
Emma 4
Frances 4
Hannah 4
Margaret 4
Alice 3
Ann 3
Martha 3
Susan 3
Susanah 3
Catherine 2
Charlotte 2
Hanah 2
Jane 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2
Ada 1
Adelaide 1
Anna 1
Annphillis 1
Bertha 1
Christopher 1
Dinah 1
Eliz. 1
Emily 1
Ethel 1
Eunice 1
Florence 1
Harriet 1
Isabella 1
Jessie 1
Leah 1
Lidia 1
Lilian 1
Lizzie 1
Lois 1
Margeret 1
Maria 1
Maude 1
Nancy 1
Rachael 1
Rachel 1
Rebecca 1
Tamer 1
Thriza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 15
George 14
John 11
Thomas 7
Henry 6
James 6
Charles 5
Joseph 5
Alfred 3
Richard 3
Robert 3
Albert 2
Arthur 2
David 2
Edwin 2
Abraham 1
Ben 1
Benjn. 1
C. 1
Christopher 1
Daniel 1
Edward 1
Elijah 1
Ernest 1
F.W. 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Geo.W. 1
Jarvis 1
Jonathan 1
Julian 1
Nathan 1
Perry 1
Philip 1
Porter 1
Proctor 1
Richd. 1
Samuel 1
Shadreck 1
Timothy 1
Victor 1
Walter 1
Wesley 1
Wm. 1
Wm.W. 1

FAQ

Osler surname: questions and answers

How common was the Osler surname in 1881?

In 1881, 343 people were recorded with the Osler surname. That placed it at #8,889 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Osler surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 398 in 2016. That gives Osler a modern rank of #11,924.

What does the Osler surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old French word "osier" meaning "willow tree".

What does the Osler map show?

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