NameCensus.

UK surname

Packard

An English occupational surname referring to a keeper or dweller of a park or enclosed forest.

In the 1881 census there were 305 people recorded with the Packard surname, ranking it #9,615 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 349, ranked #13,189, down from #9,615 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Saxmundham, London parishes and Stratford St Andrew. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Lindsey, Bracknell Forest and Torridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Packard is 420 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 14.4%.

1881 census count

305

Ranked #9,615

Modern count

349

2016, ranked #13,189

Peak year

1911

420 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Packard had 305 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,615 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 349 in 2016, ranked #13,189.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 420 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Packard surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Packard surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Packard 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 147 #13,084
1861 historical 171 #13,692
1881 historical 305 #9,615
1891 historical 318 #10,583
1901 historical 357 #10,280
1911 historical 420 #8,969
1997 modern 340 #12,428
1998 modern 360 #12,300
1999 modern 367 #12,202
2000 modern 352 #12,510
2001 modern 343 #12,545
2002 modern 367 #12,198
2003 modern 344 #12,577
2004 modern 342 #12,645
2005 modern 337 #12,738
2006 modern 331 #12,990
2007 modern 328 #13,196
2008 modern 325 #13,406
2009 modern 338 #13,302
2010 modern 335 #13,645
2011 modern 333 #13,577
2012 modern 333 #13,468
2013 modern 347 #13,260
2014 modern 350 #13,263
2015 modern 348 #13,221
2016 modern 349 #13,189

Geography

Back to top

Where Packards are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Saxmundham, London parishes, Stratford St Andrew, Sheffield and Ipswich St Mary Stoke. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Lindsey, Bracknell Forest, Torridge, Babergh and Derbyshire Dales. 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 Saxmundham Suffolk
2 London parishes London 3
3 Stratford St Andrew Suffolk
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Ipswich St Mary Stoke Suffolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Lindsey 003 East Lindsey
2 Bracknell Forest 002 Bracknell Forest
3 Torridge 007 Torridge
4 Babergh 011 Babergh
5 Derbyshire Dales 006 Derbyshire Dales

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Packard

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Packard

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Packard is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Packard is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Packard

The surname Packard originated in England and can be traced back to the 14th century. It is derived from the Old English word "packer," which referred to someone who packed goods or merchandise for transportation. The name was likely an occupational surname given to people who worked as packers or porters.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Packard surname is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where a William le Pakkere is listed. The use of the prefix "le" before the surname indicates the French influence on English surnames during the Norman Conquest.

In the 15th century, the Packard surname appeared in various spellings, such as Pakkard, Packarde, and Paccarde, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling during that time period. The name was particularly prevalent in the counties of Worcestershire, Staffordshire, and Warwickshire.

The Packard surname is also associated with several place names in England, including Packard's Green in Staffordshire and Packard's Nook in Derbyshire. These place names likely originated from individuals with the Packard surname who resided in or owned land in those areas.

Notable individuals with the Packard surname throughout history include:

1. Sir John Packard (c. 1540-1624), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Aylesbury. 2. Samuel Packard (1592-1684), an early American colonist who settled in Massachusetts in the 1630s. 3. Alpheus Packard (1798-1884), an American educator and founder of the Packard Institute in New York. 4. David Packard (1912-1996), co-founder of the Hewlett-Packard Company, a leading technology company. 5. Vance Packard (1914-1996), an American social critic and author known for his works on consumerism and corporate culture.

The Packard surname has a rich history rooted in the occupational and geographical origins of England. While its earliest recorded instances date back to the 14th century, the name has since spread globally and is associated with notable individuals across various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Packard families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Packard 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. Suffolk leads with 127 Packards recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.05x.

County Total Index
Suffolk 127 35.05x
Yorkshire 46 1.56x
Surrey 25 1.72x
Middlesex 21 0.71x
Derbyshire 17 3.65x
Essex 17 2.89x
Kent 10 0.99x
Lancashire 9 0.25x
Leicestershire 8 2.43x
Dorset 6 3.07x
Sussex 5 1.00x
Nottinghamshire 4 1.00x
Warwickshire 3 0.40x
Staffordshire 2 0.20x
Cornwall 1 0.30x
Gloucestershire 1 0.17x
Hampshire 1 0.16x
Herefordshire 1 0.82x
Lincolnshire 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Framlingham in Suffolk leads with 35 Packards recorded in 1881 and an index of 1361.87x.

Place Total Index
Framlingham 35 1361.87x
Saxmundham 18 1343.28x
Bramford 11 808.82x
St Pancras London 11 4.59x
Stratford St Andrews 11 5500.00x
Eckington 10 88.34x
Hunslet 9 19.58x
Birkdale 8 89.59x
Ipswich St Margaret 8 65.04x
Lambeth 8 3.08x
Kimcote Knaptoft 7 1555.56x
Mildenhall 7 181.82x
Nether Hallam 7 17.55x
Battersea 6 5.48x
Brightside Bierlow 6 10.38x
Charlton Next Woolwich 6 56.66x
Ecclesall Bierlow 6 10.01x
Farnham 6 3157.89x
Iwerne Courtnay 6 458.02x
Leiston 6 240.96x
Sheffield 6 6.39x
West Ham 6 4.63x
Beverley St Martin 5 101.63x
Camberwell 5 2.63x
Heeley 5 55.80x
Ipswich St Mary Stoke 4 119.05x
Shoreditch London 4 3.10x
Totley 4 588.24x
Wrentham 4 396.04x
Aldringham 3 576.92x
Birmingham 3 1.20x
Dedham 3 168.54x
Dunwich 3 1200.00x
Frant 3 84.51x
Holmesfield 3 600.00x
Leigh 3 147.06x
Radford 3 14.73x
Walthamstow 3 14.19x
Wandsworth 3 10.47x
Chelmondiston 2 227.27x
Eastbourne 2 8.67x
Honington 2 666.67x
Islington London 2 0.69x
Kingston On Thames 2 5.74x
Poplar London 2 3.56x
Stutton 2 363.64x
Woodbridge 2 43.20x
Annesley 1 66.23x
Blythburgh 1 119.05x
Burnley 1 3.36x
Burton Upon Trent 1 4.26x
Deal 1 11.55x
Dennington 1 125.00x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.28x
Eardisley 1 113.64x
Eastwood 1 196.08x
Falmouth 1 8.39x
Frimley 1 24.21x
Giggleswick 1 101.01x
Knighton 1 53.76x
Milton In Gravesend 1 6.57x
Oddington 1 196.08x
Pelsall 1 33.44x
Petersfield 1 59.52x
Settle 1 44.25x
Shotley 1 156.25x
St Bartholomew Less 1 65.36x
Ulceby 1 86.21x
West Wickham 1 102.04x
Whitechapel London 1 3.41x
Wivenhoe 1 42.92x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Sarah 14
Elizabeth 10
Eliza 6
Ellen 6
Emma 6
Ada 4
Annie 4
Caroline 4
Harriett 4
Maria 4
Alice 3
Edith 3
Rachel 3
Agnes 2
Amy 2
Anna 2
Anne 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Jane 2
Laura 2
Louisa 2
Margaret 2
Priscilla 2
Rose 2
Sophia 2
Ann 1
Blanch 1
Blanche 1
Cordelia 1
Elizath. 1
Elizh. 1
Ella 1
Ethel 1
Flora 1
Georgina 1
Harriet 1
Kate 1
Katherine 1
Lucy 1
Margrat 1
Matilda 1
Mildred 1
Mrs. 1
Nellie 1
Nina 1
Phyllis 1
Winnefred 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Packard surname: questions and answers

How common was the Packard surname in 1881?

In 1881, 305 people were recorded with the Packard surname. That placed it at #9,615 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Packard surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 349 in 2016. That gives Packard a modern rank of #13,189.

What does the Packard surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a keeper or dweller of a park or enclosed forest.

What does the Packard map show?

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