NameCensus.

UK surname

Poulsen

A Danish patronymic surname meaning "son of Poul," with Poul being a variant of Paul.

In the 1881 census there were 28 people recorded with the Poulsen surname, ranking it #29,646 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 152, ranked #23,516, up from #29,646 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Southwark, Windsor and Maidenhead and West Dorset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Poulsen is 158 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 442.9%.

1881 census count

28

Ranked #29,646

Modern count

152

2016, ranked #23,516

Peak year

2002

158 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Poulsen had 28 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,646 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 152 in 2016, ranked #23,516.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 87 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Poulsen surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Poulsen surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Poulsen 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 18 #31,580
1881 historical 28 #29,646
1891 historical 29 #31,963
1901 historical 53 #28,271
1911 historical 87 #24,147
1997 modern 126 #23,461
1998 modern 149 #21,755
1999 modern 147 #22,110
2000 modern 147 #22,081
2001 modern 139 #22,541
2002 modern 158 #21,178
2003 modern 136 #23,045
2004 modern 135 #23,326
2005 modern 140 #22,774
2006 modern 136 #23,378
2007 modern 139 #23,377
2008 modern 139 #23,635
2009 modern 138 #24,276
2010 modern 150 #23,482
2011 modern 151 #23,204
2012 modern 143 #24,019
2013 modern 141 #24,670
2014 modern 146 #24,274
2015 modern 152 #23,507
2016 modern 152 #23,516

Geography

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Where Poulsens 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 Southwark, Windsor and Maidenhead, West Dorset, Shepway and Chirnside and Area. 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 Southwark 020 Southwark
2 Windsor and Maidenhead 018 Windsor and Maidenhead
3 West Dorset 009 West Dorset
4 Shepway 015 Shepway
5 Chirnside and Area Scottish Borders

Forenames

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First names often paired with Poulsen

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Poulsen

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Poulsen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Poulsen 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Poulsen is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Poulsen 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

Poulsen falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Poulsen 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Poulsen

The surname Poulsen has its origins in Denmark, where it first emerged in the 14th century. It is derived from the Old Danish personal name 'Poul', which was a variant of the name 'Palle', itself a pet form of the name 'Paulinus'. This name ultimately traces its roots back to the Latin name 'Paulus', meaning 'small' or 'humble'.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Poulsen can be found in the Danish Census of 1474, which lists a farmer named Niels Poulsen residing in the village of Skive. The name also appears in the Lensregnskaber, a collection of Danish administrative records from the 16th and 17th centuries, where it is spelled variously as 'Poulsen', 'Paulsen', and 'Poulßen'.

In the 16th century, the name Poulsen was particularly prominent in the region of Jutland, where it was often associated with families of farmers and landowners. One notable bearer of the name from this time was Peder Poulsen (1543-1615), a Lutheran clergyman who served as the Bishop of Viborg from 1597 until his death.

The 18th century saw the rise of several Poulsen families in the fields of science and academia. Johan Poulsen (1720-1788) was a renowned astronomer and mathematician who made important contributions to the development of celestial cartography. His contemporary, Andreas Poulsen (1726-1801), was a noted philologist and linguist who served as the rector of the University of Copenhagen.

In the 19th century, the name Poulsen was associated with several prominent figures in the fields of engineering and industry. Valdemar Poulsen (1869-1942) was a Danish inventor and engineer who pioneered the development of the magnetic wire recorder, an early form of audio recording technology. His cousin, Poul Poulsen (1874-1949), was a successful businessman and industrialist who founded the Poulsen & Co. shipping company.

Moving into the 20th century, the name Poulsen was borne by several notable artists and writers. Viggo Poulsen (1908-1992) was a celebrated Danish painter known for his vibrant, expressionist landscapes. Tage Poulsen (1914-1994) was a popular Danish author and playwright who wrote several novels and screenplays throughout his career.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Poulsen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Poulsen 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. Yorkshire leads with 10 Poulsens recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.70x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 10 3.70x
Middlesex 6 2.20x
Renfrewshire 5 23.64x
Hampshire 2 3.58x
Aberdeenshire 1 3.96x
Essex 1 1.86x
Lancashire 1 0.31x
Northumberland 1 2.46x
Surrey 1 0.75x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sculcoates in Yorkshire leads with 10 Poulsens recorded in 1881 and an index of 233.10x.

Place Total Index
Sculcoates 10 233.10x
Hackney London 5 32.68x
West Greenock 5 131.58x
Aberdeen Old Machar 1 18.94x
Forest Gate 1 1428.57x
Newington 1 9.92x
North Shields 1 123.46x
Portsmouth 1 77.52x
Southampton 1 2500.00x
St Marylebone London 1 6.86x
West Derby 1 10.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Agnes 1
Aline 1
Ann 1
Evelyn 1
Jane 1
Laura 1
Louisa 1
Maria 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Hans 2
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Carl 1
Cecil 1
Charles 1
Emil 1
Frederick 1
Henery 1
Nils 1
Oscar 1
Robert 1

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 Poulsen households.

FAQ

Poulsen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Poulsen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 28 people were recorded with the Poulsen surname. That placed it at #29,646 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Poulsen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 152 in 2016. That gives Poulsen a modern rank of #23,516.

What does the Poulsen surname mean?

A Danish patronymic surname meaning "son of Poul," with Poul being a variant of Paul.

What does the Poulsen map show?

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