NameCensus.

UK surname

Padden

From an English place name meaning "frog marsh" or "marsh where frogs live."

In the 1881 census there were 253 people recorded with the Padden surname, ranking it #10,980 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 455, ranked #10,716, up from #10,980 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Rochdale and Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hyndburn, Wakefield and Lincoln.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Padden is 482 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 79.8%.

1881 census count

253

Ranked #10,980

Modern count

455

2016, ranked #10,716

Peak year

1999

482 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Padden had 253 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,980 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 455 in 2016, ranked #10,716.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 372 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Padden surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Padden surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Padden 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 112 #15,913
1861 historical 199 #12,062
1881 historical 253 #10,980
1891 historical 347 #9,894
1901 historical 372 #9,972
1911 historical 342 #10,445
1997 modern 462 #9,869
1998 modern 474 #10,004
1999 modern 482 #9,950
2000 modern 464 #10,187
2001 modern 452 #10,192
2002 modern 474 #10,027
2003 modern 437 #10,539
2004 modern 447 #10,369
2005 modern 427 #10,633
2006 modern 440 #10,435
2007 modern 442 #10,495
2008 modern 436 #10,710
2009 modern 446 #10,755
2010 modern 474 #10,461
2011 modern 444 #10,902
2012 modern 441 #10,828
2013 modern 458 #10,694
2014 modern 453 #10,830
2015 modern 457 #10,695
2016 modern 455 #10,716

Geography

Back to top

Where Paddens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Rochdale, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Stockport and Gateshead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hyndburn, Wakefield, Lincoln, Shropshire and Taunton Deane. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Rochdale Lancashire
3 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
4 Stockport Cheshire
5 Gateshead Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hyndburn 004 Hyndburn
2 Wakefield 022 Wakefield
3 Lincoln 004 Lincoln
4 Shropshire 026 Shropshire
5 Taunton Deane 005 Taunton Deane

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Padden

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Padden

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

Padden 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

Padden falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Padden is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Padden

The surname Padden is of English origin, believed to have originated in the northern counties of England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "pædd," meaning "frog" or "toad," and may have been an occupational surname for someone who caught or sold frogs.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Padden can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire from 1332, where a William Padden is mentioned. The name also appears in various other historical records from the 14th and 15th centuries, such as the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, where a Johannes Padden is listed.

The name Padden is closely associated with the Lancashire region, particularly the town of Padden, which is believed to have taken its name from the surname. This town is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is recorded as "Padene."

Notable individuals with the surname Padden include John Padden (c. 1510-1572), an English Catholic martyr who was executed during the Protestant Reformation for his religious beliefs. Another notable figure is Sir William Padden (1585-1658), a Member of Parliament for Lancashire during the English Civil War.

In the 17th century, the name Padden is found in various parish records and legal documents across northern England. One example is Robert Padden (1632-1701), a landowner and farmer from Yorkshire, whose will is preserved in the Borthwick Institute for Archives.

Moving into the 18th century, the name Padden appears in the records of the East India Company, with a James Padden (1712-1782) serving as a captain in the company's naval forces. Another significant figure is Thomas Padden (1765-1838), a renowned poet and playwright from Lancashire.

In the 19th century, the name Padden continued to be prevalent in northern England, with individuals such as Elizabeth Padden (1820-1892), a prominent philanthropist and social reformer, and John Padden (1842-1912), a successful businessman and industrialist from Manchester.

Throughout its history, the surname Padden has maintained its strong ties to northern England, particularly the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire, where it has been most commonly found. While variations in spelling, such as Paddin and Padden, have existed over time, the core meaning and origins of the name remain rooted in its Old English derivation.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Padden families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Padden 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. Lancashire leads with 58 Paddens recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.97x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 58 1.97x
Yorkshire 41 1.66x
Somerset 38 9.49x
Devon 28 5.41x
Middlesex 23 0.92x
Durham 13 1.76x
Glamorgan 13 3.00x
Staffordshire 10 1.19x
Gloucestershire 6 1.23x
East Lothian 5 15.18x
Herefordshire 5 4.90x
Surrey 4 0.33x
Northumberland 2 0.54x
Roxburghshire 2 4.44x
Royal Navy 2 6.75x
Hampshire 1 0.20x
Midlothian 1 0.30x
Monmouthshire 1 0.56x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.30x
Renfrewshire 1 0.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Toxteth Park in Lancashire leads with 14 Paddens recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.01x.

Place Total Index
Toxteth Park 14 14.01x
Leeds 13 9.34x
Roath 12 61.01x
Gateshead 11 19.86x
St Pancras London 10 4.99x
Wolverhampton 10 15.49x
Farnworth 9 50.91x
Halifax 9 24.88x
St Giles In The Wood 8 1038.96x
Everton 7 7.44x
Walcot 7 32.83x
Wardleworth 7 41.49x
Burnley 6 24.14x
Spaxton 6 769.23x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 6 52.40x
Bedminster 5 13.29x
Bethnal Green London 5 4.63x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 5 10.89x
Haddington 5 102.88x
Hereford All Sts 5 107.07x
Holy Trinity 5 8.43x
Keighley 5 19.03x
Midsomer Norton 5 132.63x
Whitechapel London 5 20.39x
Wolborough 5 76.45x
Bishopsteignton 4 408.16x
Bridgewater 4 36.80x
Abbas Temple Coombe 3 1428.57x
Keynsham 3 104.17x
Manchester 3 2.26x
Newchurch 3 12.43x
Ashreigney 2 350.88x
Bermondsey 2 2.70x
Eccleston In Prescot 2 13.50x
Exminster 2 107.53x
Great Bolton 2 5.12x
Hawick 2 19.84x
Huntspill 2 121.95x
Oldham 2 2.10x
Royal Navy 2 7.89x
Sheffield 2 2.55x
Sidmouth 2 67.57x
Stranton 2 8.03x
Abbey 1 3.40x
Benwell 1 24.69x
Berrow 1 263.16x
Cardiff St Mary 1 4.19x
Churchstow 1 322.58x
Clevedon 1 24.04x
Clifton 1 4.06x
Dunsford 1 151.52x
Edinburgh Tron Church 1 64.10x
Hulme 1 1.62x
Hunslet 1 2.60x
Kensington London 1 0.72x
Layton With Warbreck 1 9.23x
Mansfield 1 8.62x
Mitcham 1 13.05x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 1 4.52x
Newport 1 11.66x
Paddington London 1 1.09x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 2.51x
Portsea 1 1.00x
Poulton Le Fylde 1 95.24x
Shoreditch London 1 0.93x
Stokefleming 1 153.85x
Totnes 1 33.00x
Weston Super Mare 1 9.89x
Witley 1 117.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 22
Ann 8
Margaret 8
Alice 6
Bridget 6
Elizabeth 6
Sarah 6
Annie 4
Florence 4
Jane 4
Caroline 3
Catherine 3
Susan 3
Amelia 2
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Mabel 2
Ada 1
Adela 1
Allice 1
Beatrice 1
Bessie 1
Blanche 1
Catharine 1
Elizth. 1
Emma 1
Eva 1
Grace 1
Isabella 1
Issett 1
Janie 1
Jemima 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Kezia 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Maria 1
Matilda 1
Minnie 1
Rachel 1
Rosie 1
Selina 1
Susannah 1
Trena 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Padden surname: questions and answers

How common was the Padden surname in 1881?

In 1881, 253 people were recorded with the Padden surname. That placed it at #10,980 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Padden surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 455 in 2016. That gives Padden a modern rank of #10,716.

What does the Padden surname mean?

From an English place name meaning "frog marsh" or "marsh where frogs live."

What does the Padden map show?

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