NameCensus.

UK surname

Padfield

An English toponymic surname derived from a place called "Padfield" and likely referring to someone who lived near an open field or meadow.

In the 1881 census there were 787 people recorded with the Padfield surname, ranking it #4,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,194, ranked #4,988, down from #4,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Mynyddyslwyn, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Pilton, North Wootton, Shepton Mallet, Croscombe. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Epping Forest, Blaenau Gwent and Mendip.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Padfield is 1,227 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 51.7%.

1881 census count

787

Ranked #4,721

Modern count

1,194

2016, ranked #4,988

Peak year

1999

1,227 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Padfield had 787 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,194 in 2016, ranked #4,988.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,190 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Padfield surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Padfield surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Padfield 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 423 #5,770
1861 historical 531 #4,945
1881 historical 787 #4,721
1891 historical 894 #4,606
1901 historical 1,064 #4,535
1911 historical 1,190 #3,943
1997 modern 1,182 #4,774
1998 modern 1,226 #4,792
1999 modern 1,227 #4,824
2000 modern 1,220 #4,828
2001 modern 1,190 #4,826
2002 modern 1,172 #5,005
2003 modern 1,151 #4,988
2004 modern 1,140 #5,035
2005 modern 1,132 #5,011
2006 modern 1,145 #4,950
2007 modern 1,151 #4,979
2008 modern 1,161 #4,967
2009 modern 1,180 #5,008
2010 modern 1,205 #5,025
2011 modern 1,204 #4,954
2012 modern 1,179 #4,983
2013 modern 1,206 #4,961
2014 modern 1,219 #4,950
2015 modern 1,195 #4,989
2016 modern 1,194 #4,988

Geography

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Where Padfields are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Mynyddyslwyn, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Pilton, North Wootton, Shepton Mallet, Croscombe, Midsomer Norton, Paulton, Chilcompton and Bedwelty. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Epping Forest, Blaenau Gwent, Mendip and Forest of Dean. 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 Mynyddyslwyn Monmouthshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Pilton, North Wootton, Shepton Mallet, Croscombe Somerset
4 Midsomer Norton, Paulton, Chilcompton Somerset
5 Bedwelty Monmouthshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Epping Forest 003 Epping Forest
2 Blaenau Gwent 008 Blaenau Gwent
3 Mendip 002 Mendip
4 Epping Forest 010 Epping Forest
5 Forest of Dean 001 Forest of Dean

Forenames

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First names often paired with Padfield

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Padfield

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Padfield is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Padfield is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Padfield 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 Padfield is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Padfield

The surname Padfield originated in England, with records dating back to the late 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "padd" meaning "toad" and "feld" meaning "field" or "open land." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a field frequented by toads or someone who worked on such land.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1190, which mention a Hugo de Padfeld. The Padfield family later established themselves in various parts of England, including Derbyshire, where they held land and property.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Padfeld, Padfelde, and Padfilde, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common during that time period. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 record a Richard de Padfelde in Derbyshire, while the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 list a John de Padfeld in the same county.

The Padfield name has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was Sir William Padfield (1505-1574), a member of the English gentry who served as Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1560. Another prominent figure was Samuel Padfield (1637-1714), an English Puritan minister and writer who authored several religious works.

During the English Civil War, Richard Padfield (1620-1679) was a prominent supporter of the Parliamentarian cause and served as a colonel in the Parliamentary army. In the 18th century, Thomas Padfield (1758-1824) was a successful businessman and philanthropist in Bristol, known for his charitable contributions to the city.

The Padfield name also appears in various place names, such as Padfield in Derbyshire, which was likely named after the family that held lands in the area. Similarly, Padfield Green in Staffordshire may have derived its name from the same source.

While the Padfield surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and immigration. However, this history focuses primarily on the origins and early records of the name within England, where it first emerged and established itself as a prominent surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Padfield families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Padfield 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. Somerset leads with 459 Padfields recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.05x.

County Total Index
Somerset 459 37.05x
Monmouthshire 72 12.94x
Gloucestershire 57 3.78x
Middlesex 54 0.70x
Glamorgan 31 2.31x
Dorset 30 5.94x
Lancashire 27 0.30x
Hampshire 19 1.20x
Yorkshire 10 0.13x
Surrey 8 0.21x
Devon 5 0.31x
Durham 5 0.22x
Wiltshire 4 0.59x
Berkshire 2 0.35x
Essex 2 0.13x
Brecknockshire 1 0.65x
Royal Navy 1 1.09x
Sussex 1 0.08x
Warwickshire 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. Kilmersdon in Somerset leads with 67 Padfields recorded in 1881 and an index of 1094.77x.

Place Total Index
Kilmersdon 67 1094.77x
Paulton 42 740.74x
Holcombe 34 2411.35x
Stoke Lane 30 1694.92x
Leigh On Mendip 28 2314.05x
Walcot 22 33.34x
Ashwick 18 900.00x
Writhlington 18 1666.67x
Shaftesbury St James 17 643.94x
Chilcompton 16 941.18x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 15 10.55x
Camerton 15 415.51x
Risca 15 142.99x
Walton 15 1063.83x
Frome 14 47.25x
Llanover 14 73.68x
Bedminster 12 10.31x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 12 87.27x
Cardiff St Mary 11 14.90x
Aberystruth 10 20.39x
Bedwellty 10 10.18x
Ince In Makerfield 10 23.53x
Lower Machen 10 364.96x
Shepton Mallet 10 71.94x
Clutton 9 334.57x
Doulting 9 566.04x
Margaret Marsh 9 5000.00x
Midsomer Norton 9 77.12x
Trevethin 9 17.13x
Ystradyfodwg 9 7.66x
Bath St James 8 61.92x
Binsted 8 133.11x
Clifton 8 10.48x
Elm 8 851.06x
Kensington London 8 1.87x
Manningham 8 8.51x
Portsea 8 2.59x
West Pennard 8 402.01x
Bathwick 7 51.06x
Blackley 7 43.72x
Blaisdon 7 1272.73x
Finchley 7 23.72x
Loxton 7 2000.00x
Roath 7 11.50x
Toxteth Park 7 2.26x
Chelsea London 6 2.59x
Greenford 6 422.54x
Islington London 6 0.80x
Evercreech 5 167.79x
Exeter St Leonard 5 114.16x
Kelloe 5 202.43x
Radstock 5 61.35x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 3.23x
Timsbury 5 133.33x
Twerton 5 39.15x
Bow London 4 4.08x
Hackney London 4 0.93x
Wellow 4 109.89x
Wells St Cuthbert 4 47.34x
Westbury On Trym 4 7.82x
Batheaston 3 70.75x
Bristol St James St Paul 3 5.96x
Moston 3 32.75x
West Cranmore 3 400.00x
Wickwar 3 123.97x
Banwell 2 44.25x
Bower Chalk 2 180.18x
Bristol St Michael 2 15.46x
Camberwell 2 0.41x
Chew Magna 2 46.08x
Chisledon 2 64.52x
Dunkerton 2 74.63x
Ewenny 2 259.74x
Gillingham 2 23.04x
Henllys 2 224.72x
Hornsey 2 2.05x
Lyndhurst 2 46.30x
Mile End Old Town 2 1.65x
St Pancras London 2 0.32x
St Woollos 2 3.22x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 41
George 37
John 33
James 22
Henry 16
Charles 14
Edward 14
Joseph 13
Edwin 10
Thomas 10
Albert 9
Alfred 9
Frank 8
Harry 8
Isaac 8
David 6
Frederick 6
Arthur 5
Francis 5
Richard 5
Samuel 5
Herbert 4
Robert 4
Tom 4
Walter 4
Benjamin 3
Mark 3
Andrew 2
F. 2
Farnham 2
Gilbert 2
Jacob 2
Joshua 2
Leonard 2
Lewis 2
Paul 2
Peter 2
Seward 2
Stephen 2
Auther 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
Clement 1
Daniel 1
Enock 1
Enos 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Zebede 1

FAQ

Padfield surname: questions and answers

How common was the Padfield surname in 1881?

In 1881, 787 people were recorded with the Padfield surname. That placed it at #4,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Padfield surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,194 in 2016. That gives Padfield a modern rank of #4,988.

What does the Padfield surname mean?

An English toponymic surname derived from a place called "Padfield" and likely referring to someone who lived near an open field or meadow.

What does the Padfield map show?

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