NameCensus.

UK surname

Pendle

A surname deriving from a geographical region, likely Pendle Hill in Lancashire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 199 people recorded with the Pendle surname, ranking it #12,880 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 320, ranked #14,096, down from #12,880 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Worlingworth, London parishes and Soham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Cambridgeshire, Suffolk Coastal and Great Yarmouth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pendle is 351 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 60.8%.

1881 census count

199

Ranked #12,880

Modern count

320

2016, ranked #14,096

Peak year

1998

351 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pendle had 199 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,880 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 320 in 2016, ranked #14,096.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 318 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Pendle surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pendle surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pendle 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 146 #13,157
1861 historical 137 #16,465
1881 historical 199 #12,880
1891 historical 258 #12,440
1901 historical 280 #12,193
1911 historical 318 #10,988
1997 modern 344 #12,319
1998 modern 351 #12,511
1999 modern 345 #12,755
2000 modern 339 #12,857
2001 modern 339 #12,641
2002 modern 340 #12,884
2003 modern 332 #12,914
2004 modern 320 #13,311
2005 modern 318 #13,302
2006 modern 320 #13,289
2007 modern 313 #13,648
2008 modern 318 #13,604
2009 modern 318 #13,863
2010 modern 322 #14,034
2011 modern 318 #14,023
2012 modern 308 #14,259
2013 modern 319 #14,141
2014 modern 317 #14,269
2015 modern 314 #14,275
2016 modern 320 #14,096

Geography

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Where Pendles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Worlingworth, London parishes, Soham, Hockwell with Wilton and Dover St James, Dover St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Cambridgeshire, Suffolk Coastal, Great Yarmouth and Teignbridge. 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 Worlingworth Suffolk
2 London parishes London 3
3 Soham Cambridgeshire
4 Hockwell with Wilton Norfolk
5 Dover St James, Dover St Mary Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Cambridgeshire 001 East Cambridgeshire
2 Suffolk Coastal 002 Suffolk Coastal
3 Great Yarmouth 010 Great Yarmouth
4 Teignbridge 006 Teignbridge
5 Great Yarmouth 006 Great Yarmouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pendle

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pendle

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

Pendle is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pendle falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Pendle

The surname Pendle has its origins in England, with the earliest recorded use dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated from the place name "Pendle Hill," located in Lancashire, England. The name is derived from the Old English words "pen" meaning hill and "hyll" meaning hill, essentially meaning "hill hill."

The Pendle area of Lancashire has a rich history, particularly in relation to the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612, where several people were accused and executed for witchcraft. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Pendle can be found in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire from 1292, where a John de Pendhill is mentioned.

In the 14th century, records show a William de Penhull, who was a landowner in the Pendle area. This spelling variation demonstrates the evolution of the surname over time. Another notable figure from this era was Roger de Penhill, who was mentioned in the Lancashire Inquests and Extents from 1311-1333.

During the 16th century, the surname Pendle appeared in various historical documents, including the Wills and Inventories of the Archdeaconry of Richmond, where a Christopher Pendell was recorded in 1557. Additionally, a Richard Pendle was mentioned in the Ecclesiastical Court Records of the Diocese of Chester in 1592.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname in the United States can be found in the passenger lists of the ship "Planter," which arrived in Virginia in 1635. The list includes a John Pendle, who was likely one of the early settlers in the Americas.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Pendle. One such figure was Sir Richard Pendle (1605-1677), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Lancashire during the 17th century. Another was William Pendle (1720-1793), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War.

In the 19th century, James Pendle (1823-1897) was a prominent industrialist and businessman from Lancashire, known for his contributions to the textile industry. Additionally, Mary Pendle (1845-1923) was a noted author and poet, whose works explored themes of nature and spirituality.

The surname Pendle has a rich history deeply rooted in the Lancashire region of England, with its origins dating back to the 13th century. While the spelling has evolved over time, the name's connection to the Pendle Hill area remains a defining feature of its etymology.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pendle families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pendle 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. Suffolk leads with 61 Pendles recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.80x.

County Total Index
Suffolk 61 25.80x
Middlesex 34 1.75x
Norfolk 28 9.38x
Yorkshire 23 1.20x
Essex 12 3.13x
Cambridgeshire 10 8.13x
Warwickshire 8 1.63x
Berkshire 6 4.12x
Hampshire 6 1.51x
Bedfordshire 2 1.99x
Durham 2 0.35x
Northamptonshire 2 1.10x
Surrey 2 0.21x
Derbyshire 1 0.33x
Kent 1 0.15x
Lincolnshire 1 0.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dennington in Suffolk leads with 11 Pendles recorded in 1881 and an index of 2115.38x.

Place Total Index
Dennington 11 2115.38x
Halstead 9 201.34x
Melton 9 967.74x
Feltwell Feltwell Anchor 8 1481.48x
Kildwick 8 457.14x
Rendham 8 3333.33x
Wakefield 8 54.16x
Eaton St Andrew 7 843.37x
Panxworth 7 7777.78x
Holy Trinity 6 12.97x
Islington London 6 3.19x
Kensington London 6 5.56x
Portsmouth 6 65.50x
St Pancras London 6 3.84x
Tannington 6 4285.71x
Bow London 5 20.23x
Buckland 5 1041.67x
Hacheston 5 1724.14x
Iken 5 2272.73x
Linton 5 427.35x
Shoreditch London 5 5.94x
Aston 4 2.97x
Bungay St Mary 4 341.88x
Edgbaston 4 26.35x
Soham 4 150.94x
St George Hanover 4 15.79x
Felixstow 3 517.24x
Hockwold Cum Wilton 3 588.24x
Stradbroke 3 375.00x
Dagenham 2 87.72x
Gateshead 2 4.63x
Intwood 2 10000.00x
Occold 2 571.43x
Wellingborough 2 21.79x
Woodbridge 2 66.23x
Bedford St Paul 1 14.51x
Biggleswade 1 30.40x
Bramford 1 112.36x
Bury St Edmunds St James 1 15.85x
Camberwell 1 0.81x
Clerkenwell London 1 2.18x
Croydon 1 1.90x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.96x
Framlingham 1 59.52x
Great Grimsby 1 5.08x
Hildersham 1 625.00x
Newbury 1 21.41x
Sculcoates 1 3.28x
St Marylebone London 1 0.97x
Staveley 1 18.55x
Thorpe Next Norwich 1 31.65x
West Ham 1 1.18x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Emma 11
Elizabeth 10
Alice 8
Mary 6
Eliza 5
Hannah 4
Jane 4
Sarah 4
Agnes 3
Anne 3
Edith 3
Ellen 3
Ada 2
Annie 2
Charlotte 2
Harriet 2
Kate 2
Maria 2
Matilda 2
Adelaide 1
Alma 1
Amelia 1
Bessie 1
Charlet 1
Clara 1
Elizth. 1
Elsie 1
Emily 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Geogeanna 1
Gristina 1
Harriett 1
Jessie 1
Keturah 1
Lilian 1
Lilly 1
Margaret 1
Nellie 1
Phoebe 1
Rhoda 1
Rose 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 10
George 9
Charles 8
James 7
John 7
Albert 4
Edward 4
Thomas 4
Arthur 3
Ernest 3
Henry 3
Joseph 3
David 2
Frederick 2
Harry 2
Richard 2
Samuel 2
Alfred 1
Frank 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Geo.Saml. 1
Giles 1
Herbert 1
Hilton 1
Horace 1
Leopold 1
Michael 1
Nathan 1
Ralph 1
Robert 1
Wallace 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Pendle surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pendle surname in 1881?

In 1881, 199 people were recorded with the Pendle surname. That placed it at #12,880 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pendle surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 320 in 2016. That gives Pendle a modern rank of #14,096.

What does the Pendle surname mean?

A surname deriving from a geographical region, likely Pendle Hill in Lancashire, England.

What does the Pendle map show?

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