NameCensus.

UK surname

Pendleton

From an English place name meaning "farm belonging to Penda," an Old English personal name meaning "brave."

In the 1881 census there were 1,102 people recorded with the Pendleton surname, ranking it #3,605 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,499, ranked #4,128, down from #3,605 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Basford, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bassetlaw, Gateshead and Knowsley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pendleton is 1,626 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.0%.

1881 census count

1,102

Ranked #3,605

Modern count

1,499

2016, ranked #4,128

Peak year

1999

1,626 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pendleton had 1,102 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,605 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,499 in 2016, ranked #4,128.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,534 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Pendleton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pendleton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pendleton 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 699 #3,733
1861 historical 730 #3,732
1881 historical 1,102 #3,605
1891 historical 1,242 #3,477
1901 historical 1,392 #3,613
1911 historical 1,534 #3,170
1997 modern 1,519 #3,869
1998 modern 1,540 #3,959
1999 modern 1,626 #3,811
2000 modern 1,594 #3,869
2001 modern 1,538 #3,903
2002 modern 1,572 #3,921
2003 modern 1,553 #3,878
2004 modern 1,547 #3,890
2005 modern 1,506 #3,944
2006 modern 1,528 #3,897
2007 modern 1,536 #3,908
2008 modern 1,544 #3,916
2009 modern 1,578 #3,926
2010 modern 1,610 #3,937
2011 modern 1,580 #3,954
2012 modern 1,516 #4,046
2013 modern 1,523 #4,106
2014 modern 1,534 #4,100
2015 modern 1,517 #4,097
2016 modern 1,499 #4,128

Geography

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Where Pendletons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Basford, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Toxteth Park, Manchester and West Derby. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bassetlaw, Gateshead, Knowsley, Sefton and Barnsley. 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 Basford Nottinghamshire
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 Toxteth Park Lancashire
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 West Derby Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bassetlaw 004 Bassetlaw
2 Gateshead 020 Gateshead
3 Knowsley 004 Knowsley
4 Sefton 034 Sefton
5 Barnsley 024 Barnsley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pendleton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pendleton

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Pendleton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Pendleton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Pendleton 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

Pendleton 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

Pendleton falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Pendleton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Pendleton

The surname Pendleton is of English origin, with roots that can be traced back to the early Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Old English words "penda" and "tun," meaning "valley" and "enclosure" or "settlement," respectively. It is believed to have originated as a place name referring to a settlement or village located in a valley.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Pendleton can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Pendelton." This seminal record of landholdings in England at the time of the Norman Conquest provides evidence that the name was already well-established in certain parts of the country by the late 11th century.

Over the centuries, the name has undergone various spelling variations, such as Pendilton, Pendeltun, and Pendelton, reflecting the evolving nature of language and regional dialects. Some of these variations may have been influenced by the place names from which the surname originated, such as the village of Pendleton in Lancashire or the town of Pendleton in Staffordshire.

One notable figure bearing the Pendleton surname was Sir George Pendleton (1539-1613), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament and held several important positions during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent individual was Nathaniel Pendleton (1756-1820), an American lawyer and politician who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and later became a judge in New York.

In the realm of literature, Pendleton Murrah (1834-1905) was an American novelist and poet known for his works that explored themes of Southern life and culture. Edmund Pendleton (1721-1803), a prominent Virginian statesman and judge, played a significant role in the American Revolution and the formation of the United States Constitution.

The name Pendleton has also been associated with various place names, such as Pendleton County in West Virginia and the city of Pendleton in Oregon, both of which were likely named after individuals bearing this surname.

Throughout history, the Pendleton surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, reflecting the rich tapestry of human experience and the enduring legacy of names that have spanned generations and continents.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pendleton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pendleton 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. Lancashire leads with 605 Pendletons recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.72x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 605 4.72x
Nottinghamshire 92 6.32x
Derbyshire 73 4.32x
Warwickshire 56 2.06x
Staffordshire 50 1.37x
Yorkshire 47 0.44x
Cheshire 31 1.30x
Middlesex 23 0.21x
Leicestershire 22 1.84x
Durham 18 0.56x
Glamorgan 12 0.64x
Surrey 12 0.23x
Flintshire 9 3.10x
Somerset 7 0.40x
Worcestershire 7 0.50x
Devon 6 0.27x
Gloucestershire 6 0.28x
Channel Islands 4 1.25x
Northumberland 4 0.25x
Sussex 4 0.22x
Angus 3 0.30x
Monmouthshire 3 0.38x
Ayrshire 2 0.25x
Hertfordshire 2 0.27x
Lincolnshire 2 0.12x
Northamptonshire 2 0.20x
Dorset 1 0.14x
Lanarkshire 1 0.03x
Ross-shire 1 0.34x
Royal Navy 1 0.78x
Shropshire 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Derby in Lancashire leads with 66 Pendletons recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.61x.

Place Total Index
West Derby 66 17.61x
Basford 36 53.66x
Liverpool 35 4.50x
Everton 30 7.35x
Middleton In Oldham 30 78.08x
Salford 29 7.70x
Newcastle Under Lyme 26 40.31x
Aston 25 3.33x
Manchester 24 4.16x
Toxteth Park 23 5.30x
Bootle Cum Linacre 22 21.62x
Birmingham 18 1.98x
Kirkdale 18 8.35x
Cheetham 17 17.79x
Litherland 17 63.46x
Nottingham St Mary 17 4.52x
Prescot 17 73.37x
Eccleston In Prescot 15 23.32x
Walton On Hill 15 21.61x
Oldham 13 3.14x
Orrell 13 81.61x
Wavertree 12 29.25x
Birkenhead 11 5.79x
Boldon 11 96.07x
Eckington 11 26.78x
Huyton With Roby 11 73.28x
Windle 11 15.26x
Ashton Under Lyne 10 3.57x
Coventry St Michael 10 11.43x
Mansfield 10 19.85x
Barrow In Furness 9 5.16x
Claylane 9 38.30x
Downholland 9 508.47x
Hale 9 426.54x
Leicester Black Friars 9 115.53x
Pendleton In Salford 9 5.90x
Rhuddlan 9 35.23x
Chesterfield 8 12.62x
Hasland 8 46.48x
Simonswood 8 465.12x
Warrington 8 5.27x
Broughton In Salford 7 5.97x
Chorlton On Medlock 7 3.44x
Clevedon 7 38.72x
Crumpsall 7 23.18x
Heeley 7 21.53x
Thornham 7 101.01x
Withington 7 16.96x
Worcester St Peter 7 26.23x
Aspull 6 19.91x
Aylestone 6 63.56x
Burton Joyce 6 241.94x
Chester Le Street 6 24.32x
Clerkenwell London 6 2.35x
Failsworth 6 20.46x
Farnworth 6 7.82x
Handsworth 6 6.68x
Holy Trinity 6 2.33x
Islington London 6 0.57x
Little Hulton 6 28.28x
Llandaff 6 9.59x
Mansfield Woodhouse 6 61.98x
Moss Side 6 8.90x
Newton 6 6.08x
Radcliffe 6 9.71x
Southwark St Saviour 6 10.81x
Stoke Damerel 6 3.81x
West Kirby 6 144.58x
Wigan 6 3.35x
Blackley 5 22.26x
Ince In Makerfield 5 8.39x
Leicester St Margaret 5 1.71x
Manningham 5 3.79x
Nottingham St Nicholas 5 25.23x
Roath 5 5.85x
South Mimms 5 33.76x
Stapleton 5 12.44x
Tibshelf 5 60.31x
Willenhall 5 7.32x
Wolstanton 5 4.52x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 106
Sarah 52
Elizabeth 50
Ann 33
Alice 30
Jane 23
Margaret 23
Eliza 21
Ellen 19
Annie 15
Martha 15
Hannah 12
Fanny 8
Charlotte 7
Emily 7
Emma 7
Edith 6
Esther 6
Louisa 6
Ada 5
Frances 5
Agnes 4
Anne 4
Catherine 4
Susannah 4
Florence 3
Grace 3
Harriet 3
Harriett 3
Julia 3
Lucy 3
Mabel 3
Rebecca 3
Clara 2
Elizth. 2
Gertrude 2
Helen 2
Henrietta 2
Isabella 2
Janet 2
Kate 2
Maria 2
Matilda 2
Nancy 2
Rachael 2
Rachel 2
Rosetta 2
Elizh. 1
Elizth 1
Thomasin 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 81
John 75
James 37
Thomas 32
George 31
Henry 24
Joseph 18
Samuel 14
Alfred 12
Charles 12
Edward 12
Peter 12
Richard 12
Robert 12
Walter 12
Ernest 6
Frederick 6
Herbert 6
Daniel 5
Frank 5
Harry 5
Joshua 5
Edwin 4
Evan 4
Adam 3
Arthur 3
David 3
Elias 3
Matthew 3
Norman 3
Paul 3
Richd. 3
Robt. 3
Thos. 3
Albert 2
Benjamin 2
Bernard 2
Edmund 2
Guy 2
Jno. 2
Josiah 2
Louis 2
Percy 2
Wm. 2
Eddie 1
Geo. 1
Geo.H. 1
Levi 1
Lewis 1
Wm.Edward 1

FAQ

Pendleton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pendleton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,102 people were recorded with the Pendleton surname. That placed it at #3,605 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pendleton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,499 in 2016. That gives Pendleton a modern rank of #4,128.

What does the Pendleton surname mean?

From an English place name meaning "farm belonging to Penda," an Old English personal name meaning "brave."

What does the Pendleton map show?

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