NameCensus.

UK surname

Ponsford

A locational surname deriving from a place name meaning "ford by the bridge".

In the 1881 census there were 692 people recorded with the Ponsford surname, ranking it #5,239 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 959, ranked #5,992, down from #5,239 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Drewsteington, Hittisleigh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, West Devon and Teignbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ponsford is 1,015 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.6%.

1881 census count

692

Ranked #5,239

Modern count

959

2016, ranked #5,992

Peak year

1999

1,015 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ponsford had 692 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,239 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 959 in 2016, ranked #5,992.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 988 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Ponsford surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ponsford surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ponsford 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 504 #4,961
1861 historical 430 #5,979
1881 historical 692 #5,239
1891 historical 819 #4,943
1901 historical 926 #5,033
1911 historical 988 #4,579
1997 modern 958 #5,678
1998 modern 991 #5,713
1999 modern 1,015 #5,649
2000 modern 1,013 #5,623
2001 modern 980 #5,666
2002 modern 992 #5,732
2003 modern 950 #5,833
2004 modern 944 #5,870
2005 modern 961 #5,729
2006 modern 936 #5,864
2007 modern 930 #5,936
2008 modern 933 #5,965
2009 modern 960 #5,961
2010 modern 983 #5,960
2011 modern 993 #5,853
2012 modern 966 #5,895
2013 modern 965 #5,999
2014 modern 981 #5,950
2015 modern 970 #5,957
2016 modern 959 #5,992

Geography

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Where Ponsfords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Drewsteington, Hittisleigh and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, West Devon, Teignbridge, Mid Sussex and Havant. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Drewsteington, Hittisleigh Devon
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 019 Wiltshire
2 West Devon 001 West Devon
3 Teignbridge 001 Teignbridge
4 Mid Sussex 007 Mid Sussex
5 Havant 010 Havant

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ponsford

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ponsford

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

Ponsford is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ponsford falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Ponsford

The surname Ponsford has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "pund" and "ford," meaning "a pound" and "a ford or river crossing," respectively. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a river crossing where tolls were collected.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ponsford can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279, where it appears as "Pundesford." This ancient document, which recorded landholdings and property ownership, provides evidence of the name's early existence in this region of England.

During the Middle Ages, the name Ponsford appeared in various spellings, such as "Poundesford" and "Pundisford," reflecting the inconsistencies in spelling and record-keeping at the time. These variations likely stemmed from local dialects and the interpretations of scribes.

In the 16th century, a notable bearer of the name was William Ponsford (1520-1589), a prominent merchant and landowner from Somerset. His substantial wealth and influence in the region suggest that the Ponsford family had established itself as a respected lineage by this period.

Another historical figure of note was Sir John Ponsford (1648-1723), a Member of Parliament for Taunton in the late 17th century. He played a significant role in local politics and contributed to the development of his community.

The Ponsford name also appears in connection with various place names, such as Ponsford Manor in Devon and Ponsford Park in Somerset. These locations likely derived their names from the presence of Ponsford families in those areas, further reinforcing the surname's historical roots.

In the 18th century, Samuel Ponsford (1720-1795) gained recognition as a prominent scholar and theologian. He served as a fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge, and authored several influential works on religious subjects.

During the Victorian era, Sir Edward Ponsford (1824-1892) made his mark as a prominent judge and legal scholar. He served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria in Australia, contributing significantly to the development of the country's legal system.

Throughout its history, the surname Ponsford has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, politicians, scholars, and legal professionals, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and achievements of those who bear this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ponsford families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ponsford 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. Devon leads with 246 Ponsfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.63x.

County Total Index
Devon 246 17.63x
Middlesex 106 1.58x
Somerset 56 5.19x
Hampshire 49 3.57x
Surrey 41 1.26x
Gloucestershire 32 2.43x
Kent 21 0.92x
Essex 19 1.44x
Glamorgan 19 1.63x
Lancashire 18 0.23x
Cornwall 13 1.71x
Leicestershire 11 1.48x
Yorkshire 11 0.17x
Monmouthshire 10 2.06x
Staffordshire 7 0.31x
Berwickshire 4 4.93x
Channel Islands 4 2.01x
Oxfordshire 4 0.97x
Royal Navy 3 3.76x
Sussex 3 0.27x
Berkshire 2 0.40x
Norfolk 2 0.19x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.25x
Dorset 1 0.23x
Hertfordshire 1 0.22x
Lincolnshire 1 0.09x
Northamptonshire 1 0.16x
Wiltshire 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 32 Ponsfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.89x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 32 11.89x
West Ham 19 6.51x
Bedminster 17 16.77x
St Pancras London 15 2.78x
Lambeth 14 2.40x
Cheriton Bishop 13 955.88x
Dunsford 12 674.16x
Kenwyn 12 60.48x
West Teignmouth 12 112.46x
St George Martyr 11 97.35x
Leicester St Margaret 10 5.52x
Plymouth Charles The 10 16.27x
Tiverton 10 41.61x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 9 7.27x
Clifton 9 13.54x
Drewsteignton 9 486.49x
Southampton St Mary 9 10.42x
Southwark St George Martyr 9 6.67x
Topsham 9 136.78x
Weston Super Mare 9 33.04x
Bromley London 8 5.43x
Exminster 8 159.36x
Harberton 8 251.57x
Hittisleigh 8 1509.43x
Islington London 8 1.23x
Moreton Hampstead 8 221.61x
Washfield 8 879.12x
Willesden 8 12.66x
Bampton 7 163.93x
Chagford 7 209.58x
Chudleigh 7 158.01x
Churston Ferrers 7 479.45x
Deptford St Paul 7 3.97x
Ecclesall Bierlow 7 5.18x
Exeter St Paul 7 253.62x
Lee 7 21.08x
Stokeinteignhead 7 466.67x
Stone 7 24.20x
Bristol St Paul In 6 17.13x
Cheriton 6 64.38x
Exeter St Leonard 6 157.07x
Exeter St Sidwell 6 18.78x
Newport 6 25.96x
Paddington London 6 2.44x
Stoke Damerel 6 6.15x
Swansea Higher 6 49.38x
Tormoham 6 10.17x
Twerton 6 53.96x
Westminster St 6 24.28x
Bermondsey 5 2.51x
Burlescombe 5 264.55x
Camberwell 5 1.17x
Chelsea London 5 2.48x
Crediton 5 37.82x
Liverpool 5 1.04x
St Clement Danes 5 46.08x
Tedburn St Mary 5 340.14x
Walcot 5 8.70x
Bristol St George 4 6.58x
Coldstream 4 68.14x
East Budleigh 4 60.88x
Eglwysilan 4 19.75x
Exeter St David 4 33.56x
Exeter St Olave 4 222.22x
Hackney London 4 1.06x
Hampstead London 4 3.83x
Hound 4 42.92x
Kensington London 4 1.07x
Roath 4 7.55x
Rockbeare 4 370.37x
St Marylebone London 4 1.12x
St Woollos 4 7.40x
Whimple 4 259.74x
Wigan 4 3.60x
Wolborough 4 22.69x
Acton 3 7.64x
Charlinch 3 652.17x
Llandaff 3 7.73x
Oxford St Giles 3 15.20x
St Sepulchre London 3 30.58x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 40
Elizabeth 29
Sarah 19
Eliza 15
Emma 11
Alice 10
Ann 10
Emily 10
Jane 10
Ellen 9
Louisa 9
Annie 8
Charlotte 8
Fanny 8
Florence 7
Harriett 7
Grace 6
Martha 6
Ada 4
Harriet 4
Margaret 4
Rosina 4
Susan 4
Amelia 3
Edith 3
Ethel 3
Hannah 3
Jessie 3
Kate 3
Maria 3
Matilda 3
Amanda 2
Bessie 2
Caroline 2
Elizth. 2
Frances 2
Julia 2
Lillian 2
Lucy 2
Alic 1
Army 1
Catherine 1
Elith.Ellen 1
Elizth.Jane 1
Elvia 1
Emelene 1
Hester 1
Hilda 1
Isabel 1
William 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 54
John 46
George 35
James 27
Henry 22
Richard 14
Thomas 13
Samuel 11
Alfred 8
Charles 8
Arthur 7
Harry 7
Joseph 7
Albert 6
Frederick 5
Robert 5
Wm. 5
Ernest 4
Frank 4
Walter 4
Edward 3
Benjamin 2
Daniel 2
Fredk. 2
Herbert 2
Jas. 2
Jeremiah 2
Sidney 2
Willm. 2
Chas.W. 1
Cornelius 1
Edwin 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Geo.Hy. 1
Hermon 1
Jeromiah 1
Larry 1
Leonard 1
Mark 1
Mary 1
Percy 1
Reginald 1
Samual 1
Sanl. 1
Say 1
Septimus 1
Sevi 1
Spencer 1
Wm.Edwd. 1

FAQ

Ponsford surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ponsford surname in 1881?

In 1881, 692 people were recorded with the Ponsford surname. That placed it at #5,239 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ponsford surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 959 in 2016. That gives Ponsford a modern rank of #5,992.

What does the Ponsford surname mean?

A locational surname deriving from a place name meaning "ford by the bridge".

What does the Ponsford map show?

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