NameCensus.

UK surname

Pelham

From an English place name meaning "enclosure with a pool," derived from the Old English elements poll and ham.

In the 1881 census there were 433 people recorded with the Pelham surname, ranking it #7,531 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 596, ranked #8,758, down from #7,531 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Angmering, Poling, Rustington, East Preston, London parishes and Tunbridge, Bidborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Woking, Arun and Camden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pelham is 651 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 37.6%.

1881 census count

433

Ranked #7,531

Modern count

596

2016, ranked #8,758

Peak year

1999

651 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pelham had 433 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,531 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 596 in 2016, ranked #8,758.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 624 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Pelham surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pelham surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pelham 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 317 #7,308
1861 historical 244 #10,087
1881 historical 433 #7,531
1891 historical 482 #7,652
1901 historical 613 #6,958
1911 historical 624 #6,636
1997 modern 638 #7,776
1998 modern 650 #7,904
1999 modern 651 #7,931
2000 modern 634 #8,086
2001 modern 628 #7,995
2002 modern 640 #8,050
2003 modern 634 #7,978
2004 modern 626 #8,077
2005 modern 611 #8,162
2006 modern 604 #8,246
2007 modern 596 #8,397
2008 modern 600 #8,417
2009 modern 632 #8,252
2010 modern 649 #8,252
2011 modern 640 #8,257
2012 modern 585 #8,763
2013 modern 605 #8,691
2014 modern 616 #8,616
2015 modern 601 #8,723
2016 modern 596 #8,758

Geography

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Where Pelhams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Angmering, Poling, Rustington, East Preston, London parishes, Tunbridge, Bidborough and Horley, Leigh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Woking, Arun, Camden and Hammersmith and Fulham. 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 Angmering, Poling, Rustington, East Preston Sussex
2 London parishes London 1
3 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
4 London parishes London 3
5 Horley, Leigh Surrey

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Woking 011 Woking
2 Arun 005 Arun
3 Camden 016 Camden
4 Hammersmith and Fulham 024 Hammersmith and Fulham
5 Woking 004 Woking

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pelham

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pelham

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

Pelham 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

Pelham falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Pelham is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Pelham

The surname Pelham originated in England and has a long history dating back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name is derived from the Old English words "pell" meaning "hill" and "ham" meaning "homestead" or "village". It is believed to have originated from the place name Pelham in Hertfordshire, which was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Pelham".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Pelham can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Hertfordshire from the year 1166, where a Robert de Pelham is mentioned. The name continued to appear in various historical records throughout the Middle Ages, often associated with notable individuals and families from the county of Hertfordshire.

In the 13th century, Sir Walter de Pelham was a prominent figure who served as Lord of the Manor of Pelham. He was also a member of the English Parliament and played a role in the negotiation of the Magna Carta in 1215. Another notable bearer of the name was Sir John Pelham, who lived in the late 14th century and served as a knight in the service of King Edward III.

During the Tudor period, the Pelham family gained significant influence and wealth. Sir William Pelham (1456-1538) was a successful lawyer and Member of Parliament who served as Lord Chief Justice of Ireland from 1520 to 1538. His son, also named William Pelham (1486-1567), was a prominent statesman and courtier who served as Lord Deputy of Ireland and Lord Lieutenant of Middlesex.

In the 17th century, Thomas Pelham (1597-1654) was a prominent English lawyer and politician who served as Chief Baron of the Exchequer and Speaker of the House of Commons. His son, Thomas Pelham (1628-1712), was created Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1757 to 1762.

The Pelham name has also been associated with various places and landmarks throughout England. For example, the town of Pelham in Hertfordshire, as well as Pelham Hall and Pelham Park in the same county, are named after the historic Pelham family.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pelham families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pelham 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. Sussex leads with 119 Pelhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.60x.

County Total Index
Sussex 119 16.60x
Middlesex 105 2.47x
Surrey 73 3.52x
Hampshire 30 3.44x
Kent 28 1.93x
Lancashire 21 0.42x
Yorkshire 11 0.26x
Lincolnshire 9 1.32x
Suffolk 7 1.35x
Durham 4 0.32x
Norfolk 4 0.61x
Buckinghamshire 3 1.17x
Cheshire 3 0.32x
Derbyshire 3 0.45x
Northumberland 3 0.47x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.74x
Royal Navy 2 3.95x
Shropshire 2 0.54x
Berkshire 1 0.31x
Dorset 1 0.36x
Essex 1 0.12x
Gloucestershire 1 0.12x
Northamptonshire 1 0.25x
Wiltshire 1 0.27x
Worcestershire 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leigh in Surrey leads with 24 Pelhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 3157.89x.

Place Total Index
Leigh 24 3157.89x
Uckfield 19 607.03x
Brighton 14 9.68x
St George Hanover 13 23.42x
Kingston On Thames 12 24.11x
Bromley 10 45.21x
Hampstead London 10 15.10x
Newhaven 10 171.82x
Seaford 10 409.84x
Southcoates 10 42.74x
Acton 9 36.10x
Angmering 9 629.37x
Manchester 9 3.97x
St Marylebone London 9 3.96x
Basingstoke 8 79.76x
Bethnal Green London 8 4.33x
Chelsea London 8 6.24x
Lewes St Michael 8 563.38x
Littlehampton 8 139.86x
Portsea 8 4.68x
Charlton 7 72.61x
South Stoneham 6 31.73x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 7.01x
St Pancras London 6 1.75x
Buckland In Dover 5 103.95x
Caythorpe 5 381.68x
Kensington London 5 2.11x
Kirkley 5 115.47x
Lambeth 5 1.35x
Lewes St Ann 5 204.92x
St Anne Soho London 5 20.58x
Brocklesby 4 1052.63x
Egham 4 31.45x
Everton 4 2.49x
Hornsey 4 7.44x
Horsham 4 28.72x
Mile End Old Town 4 5.96x
Ringmer 4 198.02x
St Sepulchre London 4 64.21x
West Derby 4 2.71x
Westham 4 273.97x
Westminster St James 4 9.15x
Altrincham 3 18.29x
Battersea 3 1.92x
Broadwater 3 18.24x
Derby St Peter 3 14.14x
East Blatchington 3 967.74x
Goring 3 389.61x
Liverpool 3 0.98x
Newington 3 1.91x
Putney 3 15.48x
St Martin In Fields 3 11.78x
Westgate 3 7.66x
Woking 3 24.02x
Ashington 2 540.54x
Coates 2 2857.14x
Cound 2 289.86x
Eling 2 22.65x
Fareham 2 19.08x
Grantchester 2 119.05x
Lewes St John Southover 2 41.49x
Monkwearmouth 2 16.52x
Norwich St Mary In Marsh 2 273.97x
Portsmouth 2 9.97x
Reigate Foreign 2 8.91x
Royal Navy 2 4.62x
Singleton 2 246.91x
Southwark Christchurch 2 10.04x
St Clement Danes 2 29.07x
Stoke Newington London 2 6.04x
Stony Stratford East 2 188.68x
Wadhurst 2 42.46x
Westminster St John 2 3.86x
Aldershot 1 3.42x
Bishopwearmouth 1 0.92x
Camberwell 1 0.37x
Canford Magna 1 62.11x
Clifton 1 2.37x
Westerham 1 29.85x
Woolwich 1 1.87x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 31
Charles 20
George 16
John 14
James 12
Thomas 12
Frederick 11
Henry 11
Arthur 9
Walter 7
Edward 5
Albert 4
Frank 4
Harry 4
Richard 4
Peter 3
Robert 3
Alfred 2
Francis 2
Geo. 2
Herbert 2
Joseph 2
Cecil 1
Chas. 1
Chas.Fred. 1
Cornelius 1
Dudley 1
Eddie 1
Edgar 1
Edwin 1
Ephraim 1
Ernest 1
Evelyn 1
F.S. 1
Fred 1
Fred.S. 1
Fred.Saml. 1
Frederic 1
Fredrick 1
G. 1
Henery 1
Herman 1
Luther 1
Mathew 1
Owen 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Victor 1
W.H. 1
Wm.Thomas 1

FAQ

Pelham surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pelham surname in 1881?

In 1881, 433 people were recorded with the Pelham surname. That placed it at #7,531 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pelham surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 596 in 2016. That gives Pelham a modern rank of #8,758.

What does the Pelham surname mean?

From an English place name meaning "enclosure with a pool," derived from the Old English elements poll and ham.

What does the Pelham map show?

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