NameCensus.

UK surname

Paddon

An English surname derived from the word "paddock" meaning a small enclosure or field.

In the 1881 census there were 736 people recorded with the Paddon surname, ranking it #4,976 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 697, ranked #7,728, down from #4,976 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Winkleigh and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Devon, Teignbridge and Torridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Paddon is 987 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 5.3%.

1881 census count

736

Ranked #4,976

Modern count

697

2016, ranked #7,728

Peak year

1911

987 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Paddon had 736 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,976 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 697 in 2016, ranked #7,728.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 987 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Paddon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Paddon surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Paddon 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 659 #3,932
1861 historical 604 #4,388
1881 historical 736 #4,976
1891 historical 824 #4,924
1901 historical 942 #4,966
1911 historical 987 #4,588
1997 modern 710 #7,174
1998 modern 739 #7,185
1999 modern 754 #7,125
2000 modern 741 #7,171
2001 modern 732 #7,102
2002 modern 750 #7,108
2003 modern 724 #7,192
2004 modern 733 #7,141
2005 modern 712 #7,229
2006 modern 703 #7,326
2007 modern 695 #7,467
2008 modern 690 #7,567
2009 modern 695 #7,682
2010 modern 702 #7,761
2011 modern 709 #7,627
2012 modern 702 #7,589
2013 modern 720 #7,578
2014 modern 713 #7,662
2015 modern 709 #7,646
2016 modern 697 #7,728

Geography

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Where Paddons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Winkleigh, Portsmouth, Portsea and Bideford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Devon, Teignbridge, Torridge, West Devon and East Devon. 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 Winkleigh Devon
3 London parishes London 3
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 Bideford Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Devon 010 North Devon
2 Teignbridge 004 Teignbridge
3 Torridge 007 Torridge
4 West Devon 003 West Devon
5 East Devon 008 East Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Paddon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Paddon

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Paddon 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

Paddon is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Paddon falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Paddon

The surname Paddon has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "paeddene," which referred to a small enclosed plot of land or a paddock. This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname given to those who worked on or owned such lands.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Paddon surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Padene" and "Paddene," indicating its early development.

During the 13th century, the Paddon surname began to emerge more prominently in various historical records. For instance, a certain Robert Paddon was recorded as a landowner in Wiltshire in 1273. Additionally, the Paddon name can be linked to several place names, such as Paddon Hill in Somerset and Paddon Farm in Devon, further solidifying its connection to land ownership or occupation.

Notable individuals bearing the Paddon surname include John Paddon (c. 1545-1612), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Salisbury during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent figure was Sir William Paddon (1604-1671), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Somerset, who played a significant role in the English Civil War by supporting the Parliamentarian cause.

In the 18th century, the Paddon family continued to maintain a presence in various parts of England. One noteworthy individual was Thomas Paddon (1738-1823), a renowned architect from Devon who designed several churches and public buildings in the region.

Moving into the 19th century, the Paddon surname gained further prominence with individuals such as James Paddon (1811-1892), a successful businessman and industrialist from Bristol, who established a thriving manufacturing company specializing in metalwork and engineering.

Throughout its history, the Paddon surname has been associated with various occupations, from landowners and farmers to merchants, architects, and industrialists. While the name may have originated from humble beginnings, it has evolved to encompass a rich tapestry of individuals who have contributed to various aspects of British society over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Paddon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Paddon 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. Devon leads with 330 Paddons recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.96x.

County Total Index
Devon 330 21.96x
Middlesex 96 1.33x
Surrey 70 1.99x
Durham 38 1.77x
Gloucestershire 27 1.91x
Hampshire 24 1.62x
Somerset 24 2.07x
Lancashire 21 0.25x
Sussex 18 1.48x
Glamorgan 17 1.35x
Hertfordshire 10 2.01x
Kent 9 0.37x
Cornwall 7 0.86x
Berkshire 6 1.11x
Essex 5 0.35x
Lanarkshire 5 0.21x
Lincolnshire 5 0.43x
Royal Navy 5 5.81x
Cheshire 4 0.25x
Bedfordshire 3 0.80x
Denbighshire 3 1.10x
Dorset 3 0.63x
Wiltshire 3 0.47x
Monmouthshire 2 0.38x
Yorkshire 2 0.03x
Channel Islands 1 0.47x
Norfolk 1 0.09x
Staffordshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bideford in Devon leads with 33 Paddons recorded in 1881 and an index of 204.97x.

Place Total Index
Bideford 33 204.97x
Winkleigh 23 761.59x
Bishopwearmouth 22 11.94x
East Teignmouth 16 260.16x
Portsea 15 5.17x
Tiverton 15 57.96x
Croydon 14 7.17x
Newington 14 5.25x
Ottery St Mary 14 141.99x
Stoke Damerel 14 13.31x
Lambeth 13 2.07x
Swansea Town 13 12.62x
Paddington London 12 4.52x
Shadwell London 12 59.41x
Modbury 11 286.46x
Tamerton Foliott 11 380.62x
Wolborough 11 57.93x
Bristol St Paul In 10 26.51x
Clifton 10 13.97x
Kensington London 10 2.49x
West Teignmouth 10 87.03x
Littleham 9 81.89x
North Tawton 9 194.81x
Bridgewater 8 25.36x
Whitestone 8 701.75x
High Bickington 7 411.76x
Holcombe Burnell 7 1296.30x
Hove 7 13.11x
Barnstaple 6 25.45x
Bermondsey 6 2.79x
Bovey Tracey 6 114.07x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 6 4.50x
Bromley London 6 3.78x
Burnley 6 8.32x
Chorlton On Medlock 6 4.41x
Clawton 6 545.45x
Dunsford 6 312.50x
Ford 6 93.31x
Hastings All Sts 6 52.31x
Hertford All Saints 6 215.83x
Mile End Old Town 6 5.27x
New Windsor 6 32.93x
Plymouth St Andrew 6 5.18x
Wandsworth 6 8.63x
Ashwater 5 234.74x
Eastbourne 5 8.93x
Hackney London 5 1.24x
Inwardleigh 5 393.70x
Monkwearmouth Shore 5 11.93x
Royal Navy 5 6.80x
St Pancras London 5 0.86x
Tottenham 5 4.35x
Abbots Kerswell 4 370.37x
Chelsea London 4 1.84x
Clovelly 4 204.08x
Coedfrank 4 45.92x
Exeter St Thomas The 4 26.11x
Greenwich 4 3.48x
Hammersmith London 4 2.25x
Highweek 4 74.63x
Iddesleigh 4 392.16x
Landkey 4 270.27x
Lymington 4 36.80x
Mitcham 4 17.99x
Orpington 4 53.05x
Parkham 4 202.02x
Reigate Foreign 4 10.50x
Ruishton 4 341.88x
Rusholme 4 17.51x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 2.75x
Stoke 4 65.79x
Walcot 4 6.46x
Chulmleigh 3 87.72x
Govan 3 0.52x
Poundstock 3 232.56x
Shoreditch London 3 0.96x
St Luke London 3 2.59x
Tunstall 3 28.06x
Westminster St John 3 3.41x
Wrexham Regis 3 14.81x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 55
Elizabeth 44
Sarah 22
Eliza 15
Ann 14
Annie 12
Ellen 12
Alice 11
Jane 11
Ada 7
Emily 7
Charlotte 6
Louisa 6
Maria 6
Amelia 5
Anne 5
Julia 5
Lydia 5
Margaret 5
Bridget 4
Catherine 4
Emma 4
Esther 4
Fanny 4
Hannah 4
Kate 4
Lucy 4
Caroline 3
Florence 3
Harriet 3
Agnes 2
Amy 2
Bessie 2
E. 2
Frances 2
Grace 2
Helen 2
Jessie 2
L. 2
Laura 2
Louise 2
Mabel 2
Maud 2
Maude 2
Minnie 2
Rebecca 2
Rhoda 2
Susannah 2
Bessey 1
Elizth. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 56
John 46
George 30
Thomas 25
Charles 21
Henry 19
James 16
Samuel 11
Alfred 7
Edwin 7
Robert 7
Edward 6
Albert 5
Richard 5
Wm. 4
Arthur 3
Bartholomew 3
Fred 3
Joseph 3
Albany 2
Edwd. 2
Francis 2
Fredk. 2
Harry 2
Patrick 2
Ralph 2
Sidney 2
Tom 2
W. 2
E.F. 1
Edmund 1
Flora 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
G.H. 1
Geo. 1
Geoge 1
Gustavus 1
H. 1
Jno. 1
Mannasseh 1
Martin 1
Matthew 1
Michael 1
Morris 1
Nathaniel 1
Nevill 1
Octavius 1
Philip 1
Wm.George 1

FAQ

Paddon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Paddon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 736 people were recorded with the Paddon surname. That placed it at #4,976 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Paddon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 697 in 2016. That gives Paddon a modern rank of #7,728.

What does the Paddon surname mean?

An English surname derived from the word "paddock" meaning a small enclosure or field.

What does the Paddon map show?

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