UK surname
A surname derived from the Latin word "pallens," meaning pale or pallid.
In the 1881 census there were 37 people recorded with the Pallen surname, ranking it #28,418 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 70, ranked #33,700, down from #28,418 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Botolph Aldgate, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pallen is 173 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 89.2%.
1881 census count
37
Ranked #28,418
Modern count
70
2016, ranked #33,700
Peak year
1861
173 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Pallen surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Pallen surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 59 | #22,756 |
| 1861 | historical | 173 | #13,553 |
| 1881 | historical | 37 | #28,418 |
| 1891 | historical | 130 | #20,173 |
| 1901 | historical | 58 | #27,724 |
| 1911 | historical | 89 | #23,922 |
| 1997 | modern | 79 | #29,672 |
| 1998 | modern | 79 | #30,080 |
| 1999 | modern | 72 | #30,955 |
| 2000 | modern | 71 | #31,082 |
| 2001 | modern | 69 | #31,098 |
| 2002 | modern | 65 | #31,903 |
| 2003 | modern | 66 | #31,879 |
| 2004 | modern | 62 | #32,478 |
| 2005 | modern | 61 | #32,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 60 | #33,235 |
| 2007 | modern | 59 | #33,634 |
| 2008 | modern | 61 | #33,655 |
| 2009 | modern | 61 | #33,915 |
| 2010 | modern | 65 | #33,863 |
| 2011 | modern | 63 | #33,982 |
| 2012 | modern | 59 | #34,352 |
| 2013 | modern | 66 | #34,003 |
| 2014 | modern | 65 | #34,082 |
| 2015 | modern | 69 | #33,788 |
| 2016 | modern | 70 | #33,700 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Botolph Aldgate, London parishes, St Pancras, St Marylebone and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Botolph Aldgate | London (Central Districts) |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Pallen surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Pallen, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Pallen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Pallen household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Pallen is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Pallen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Pallen, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname PALLEN is of English origin, originating from the region of Yorkshire in the north of England during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "pal" meaning "pale" or "light-skinned" and "dun" meaning "hill" or "mound," thus translating to "pale hill" or "light-skinned hill dweller."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname PALLEN can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Pallindun," referring to a settlement in Yorkshire. This suggests that the name may have initially been a locational surname, given to families residing in or near a specific geographic area.
In the 13th century, records show a Robert de Pallin residing in Yorkshire, indicating the use of the name in its more modern spelling. Another early example is John Pallen, born in 1422 in Wakefield, Yorkshire, who was a prominent landowner and sheriff in the region.
The PALLEN surname has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Pallen Crag in Cumbria and Pallen Bridge in Yorkshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.
Notable individuals with the surname PALLEN include:
1. Robert Pallen (1515-1590), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Dean of Peterborough Cathedral. 2. William Pallen (1638-1718), an English writer and poet known for his works on religion and philosophy. 3. Anne Pallen (1720-1805), a British philanthropist and advocate for women's education, who founded several schools in London. 4. John Pallen (1778-1854), a British military officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars and was awarded the Order of the Bath. 5. Elizabeth Pallen (1892-1976), an American author and historian, best known for her works on colonial America and the Revolutionary War.
The PALLEN surname has a rich history spanning several centuries and has been found in various regions of England, particularly in Yorkshire, where it is believed to have originated. While the name may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over time, it has maintained its connection to its Old English roots and geographical associations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pallen surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 17 Pallens recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.67x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 17 | 9.67x |
| Kent | 6 | 4.87x |
| Northumberland | 5 | 9.31x |
| Worcestershire | 5 | 10.61x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.83x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 2.07x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bermondsey in Surrey leads with 11 Pallens recorded in 1881 and an index of 102.42x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bermondsey | 11 | 102.42x |
| Chiddingfold | 6 | 3750.00x |
| Lewisham | 6 | 91.46x |
| Leigh | 5 | 877.19x |
| Newcastle On Tyne St | 5 | 179.86x |
| Clerkenwell London | 2 | 23.47x |
| Corstorphine | 1 | 370.37x |
| Westminster St James | 1 | 26.95x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Pallen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Pallen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Pallen households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 10 |
| Baker | 2 |
| General Labourer | 2 |
| Book Folder | 1 |
| Book Folder (Maker) | 1 |
| Cow Keeper | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Draper | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| House Painter | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Merchant | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 37 people were recorded with the Pallen surname. That placed it at #28,418 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 70 in 2016. That gives Pallen a modern rank of #33,700.
A surname derived from the Latin word "pallens," meaning pale or pallid.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Pallen bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.