NameCensus.

UK surname

Parchment

A surname referring to a maker or seller of parchment, a writing material made from animal skin.

In the 1881 census there were 55 people recorded with the Parchment surname, ranking it #25,862 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 443, ranked #10,921, up from #25,862 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Redditch, Leicester and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Parchment is 463 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 705.5%.

1881 census count

55

Ranked #25,862

Modern count

443

2016, ranked #10,921

Peak year

2014

463 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Parchment had 55 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #25,862 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 443 in 2016, ranked #10,921.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 70 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Parchment surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Parchment surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Parchment 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 21 #29,550
1861 historical 21 #31,242
1881 historical 55 #25,862
1891 historical 39 #31,257
1901 historical 47 #28,929
1911 historical 70 #25,853
1997 modern 300 #13,530
1998 modern 315 #13,452
1999 modern 318 #13,444
2000 modern 338 #12,877
2001 modern 333 #12,817
2002 modern 365 #12,246
2003 modern 360 #12,152
2004 modern 381 #11,700
2005 modern 378 #11,692
2006 modern 394 #11,383
2007 modern 411 #11,144
2008 modern 413 #11,185
2009 modern 436 #10,965
2010 modern 454 #10,833
2011 modern 458 #10,630
2012 modern 438 #10,896
2013 modern 457 #10,705
2014 modern 463 #10,659
2015 modern 447 #10,873
2016 modern 443 #10,921

Geography

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Where Parchments are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Redditch, Leicester, Birmingham, Kirklees and Barking and Dagenham. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Redditch 003 Redditch
2 Leicester 004 Leicester
3 Birmingham 053 Birmingham
4 Kirklees 034 Kirklees
5 Barking and Dagenham 021 Barking and Dagenham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Parchment

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Parchment

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Parchment, 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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Parchment surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Parchment 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Parchment is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Parchment is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Parchment 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 Parchment 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Parchment

The surname Parchment is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be an occupational name, derived from the Old English word "parchemin," which referred to a person who made or sold parchment, a writing material made from animal skins.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Parchment can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, dated 1182, which mentions a John Parcheminer. The name was also found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296, where a William Parchment is listed.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Parchmener, Parchemenor, and Parcheminour, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation at the time. The name was particularly prevalent in areas where the parchment-making trade flourished, such as London and the surrounding counties.

During the Tudor period, the Parchment family played a notable role in the city of London. John Parchment (1520-1582) was a prominent merchant and alderman who served as the Sheriff of London in 1567. His son, William Parchment (1558-1624), followed in his footsteps and became a successful businessman and member of the Worshipful Company of Skinners.

In the 17th century, the name Parchment was associated with several individuals who made significant contributions to various fields. Thomas Parchment (1635-1692) was a renowned English clergyman and author, known for his theological works. Another notable figure was Elizabeth Parchment (1678-1743), a skilled calligrapher and illuminator whose intricate works were highly sought after by the nobility.

The 18th century saw the rise of Richard Parchment (1722-1795), a celebrated architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Parchment Mansion, which still stands today. Meanwhile, Samuel Parchment (1755-1823) was a respected scholar and linguist who made significant contributions to the study of ancient languages.

As the centuries passed, the surname Parchment continued to be represented in various fields, from literature and the arts to science and politics. Notable individuals include the poet Emily Parchment (1845-1921), whose works captured the essence of Victorian England, and Sir William Parchment (1879-1958), a pioneering chemist and recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Parchment families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Parchment 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. Essex leads with 21 Parchments recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.83x.

County Total Index
Essex 21 19.83x
Middlesex 20 3.73x
Surrey 9 3.44x
Kent 2 1.09x
Norfolk 2 2.43x
Lancashire 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 16 Parchments recorded in 1881 and an index of 68.67x.

Place Total Index
Bethnal Green London 16 68.67x
Burnham 8 2051.28x
Horndon On Hill 7 6363.64x
Camberwell 6 17.51x
Croydon 3 20.68x
Dagenham 2 317.46x
Hackney London 2 6.65x
Lewisham 2 20.49x
North Runcton 2 5000.00x
Purleigh 2 1250.00x
St Pancras London 2 4.63x
Braintree 1 105.26x
Liverpool 1 2.59x
Springfield 1 217.39x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 5
Eliza 4
Emma 3
Charlotte 2
Sarah 2
Elizabeth 1
Emily 1
Esther 1
Harriet 1
Julia 1
Laura 1
Louisa 1
Lousa 1
Margaret 1

Top male names

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

Top occupations

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 Parchment households.

FAQ

Parchment surname: questions and answers

How common was the Parchment surname in 1881?

In 1881, 55 people were recorded with the Parchment surname. That placed it at #25,862 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Parchment surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 443 in 2016. That gives Parchment a modern rank of #10,921.

What does the Parchment surname mean?

A surname referring to a maker or seller of parchment, a writing material made from animal skin.

What does the Parchment map show?

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