NameCensus.

UK surname

Pulford

English locational surname derived from a place with pul meaning "pool" and ford meaning "shallow river crossing".

In the 1881 census there were 770 people recorded with the Pulford surname, ranking it #4,802 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,144, ranked #5,154, down from #4,802 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Eastham, Sproxton and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Colchester, Wigan and Amber Valley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pulford is 1,214 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 48.6%.

1881 census count

770

Ranked #4,802

Modern count

1,144

2016, ranked #5,154

Peak year

2010

1,214 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pulford had 770 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,802 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,144 in 2016, ranked #5,154.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,087 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Pulford surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pulford surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Pulford 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 493 #5,073
1861 historical 517 #5,061
1881 historical 770 #4,802
1891 historical 800 #5,027
1901 historical 953 #4,927
1911 historical 1,087 #4,266
1997 modern 1,124 #4,979
1998 modern 1,161 #5,018
1999 modern 1,184 #4,992
2000 modern 1,162 #5,038
2001 modern 1,153 #4,979
2002 modern 1,187 #4,945
2003 modern 1,150 #4,991
2004 modern 1,165 #4,940
2005 modern 1,113 #5,088
2006 modern 1,117 #5,074
2007 modern 1,136 #5,043
2008 modern 1,155 #4,991
2009 modern 1,169 #5,052
2010 modern 1,214 #4,991
2011 modern 1,185 #5,039
2012 modern 1,180 #4,978
2013 modern 1,178 #5,075
2014 modern 1,180 #5,098
2015 modern 1,159 #5,119
2016 modern 1,144 #5,154

Geography

Back to top

Where Pulfords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Eastham, Sproxton, London parishes, Bourn and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Colchester, Wigan, Amber Valley, East Northamptonshire and Mid Suffolk. 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 Eastham Cheshire
2 Sproxton Leicestershire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Bourn Lincolnshire
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Colchester 003 Colchester
2 Wigan 012 Wigan
3 Amber Valley 012 Amber Valley
4 East Northamptonshire 008 East Northamptonshire
5 Mid Suffolk 001 Mid Suffolk

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Pulford

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Pulford

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

Pulford is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pulford 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 Pulford 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 Pulford, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Pulford

The surname Pulford is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the village of Pulford in Cheshire, England. This place name is derived from the Old English words "pul" meaning "pool" or "stream," and "ford," referring to a shallow crossing point over a river or stream. The name Pulford, therefore, signifies a dwelling or settlement near a ford across a pool or stream.

The earliest recorded mention of the name Pulford can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions a manor called "Pulford" held by a Norman lord named Robert FitzHugh.

In the 13th century, records show a Robert de Pulford, who was a landowner in the village of Pulford. This indicates that the surname had already been adopted by local residents as a hereditary name derived from the place where they lived or held property.

During the 14th century, the Pulford family gained prominence in Cheshire, with several members serving as knights and holding influential positions. One notable figure was Sir John Pulford (c. 1340-1415), who was a renowned military commander and served as the Sheriff of Cheshire in 1399.

The Pulford surname also spread to other parts of England, including Lancashire and Yorkshire. In the 16th century, a branch of the family settled in Yorkshire, where they became prominent landowners and members of the gentry class. One notable individual was Thomas Pulford (c. 1520-1589), who served as the High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1573.

Another prominent figure bearing the Pulford surname was Sir Richard Pulford (1609-1680), a wealthy merchant and politician from London. He served as an alderman of the City of London and was knighted by King Charles II in 1660.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, various spellings of the surname emerged, including Pulforde, Pulforth, and Pulferth. These variations were likely influenced by local dialects and pronunciation variations.

Throughout history, the Pulford surname has been associated with several notable individuals, including the English philosopher and writer Ralph Pulford (1870-1947), the American artist and illustrator George Pulford (1885-1960), and the British author and playwright Ronald Pulford (1931-2018).

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Pulford families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pulford 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 108 Pulfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.21x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 108 1.21x
Suffolk 100 10.92x
Cheshire 90 5.42x
Yorkshire 82 1.10x
Middlesex 79 1.05x
Norfolk 70 6.05x
Lincolnshire 62 5.16x
Surrey 33 0.90x
Leicestershire 27 3.24x
Essex 21 1.41x
Nottinghamshire 18 1.78x
Sussex 16 1.26x
Flintshire 14 6.92x
Northamptonshire 13 1.84x
Warwickshire 10 0.53x
Devon 6 0.38x
Pembrokeshire 6 2.51x
Durham 5 0.22x
Hampshire 3 0.19x
Anglesey 2 1.50x
Kent 2 0.08x
Rutland 2 3.62x
Derbyshire 1 0.08x
Hertfordshire 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wallasey in Cheshire leads with 23 Pulfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 407.08x.

Place Total Index
Wallasey 23 407.08x
Everton 22 7.73x
Ince In Makerfield 19 45.75x
Whitby 18 469.97x
Bourn 16 164.78x
Ipswich St Mathew 16 62.33x
Shoreditch London 16 4.91x
Sproxton 16 1860.47x
Islington London 15 2.06x
Croydon 13 6.39x
Kensington London 13 3.11x
Sheffield 13 5.48x
Sutton St Mary 13 114.34x
Hunslet 12 10.33x
Manchester 12 2.99x
Manningham 12 13.07x
Martham 12 424.03x
Tichmarsh 12 504.20x
Great Yarmouth 10 10.44x
Overpool 10 4545.45x
Sculcoates 10 8.46x
Southwark Christchurch 9 25.54x
Grantham 8 51.05x
Great Totham 8 414.51x
Hulme 8 4.29x
Leeds 8 1.90x
Bungay Holy Trinity 7 148.94x
Childer Thornton 7 437.50x
Finchley 7 24.28x
Great Meolse 7 673.08x
Liverpool 7 1.29x
Redisham 7 1489.36x
Rickinghall Superior 7 476.19x
Rye 7 58.09x
Toxteth Park 7 2.32x
Wenhaston 7 309.73x
Beccles 6 40.71x
Broome 6 454.55x
Didsbury 6 50.63x
Ecclesall Bierlow 6 3.96x
Great Ashfield 6 588.24x
Great Grimsby 6 7.86x
Leicester St Margaret 6 2.95x
Norwich St Clement 6 44.78x
St Issells 6 118.81x
Tormoham 6 9.06x
Wilsthorpe 6 2857.14x
Wombwell 6 27.61x
Woodbridge 6 51.24x
Arnold 5 33.78x
Aslackby 5 427.35x
Aston 5 0.96x
Chester St Oswald 5 16.63x
Chorlton On Medlock 5 3.53x
Durham St Nicholas 5 90.91x
Hastings St Mary 5 15.84x
Hendon 5 18.48x
Holywell 5 19.70x
Lambeth 5 0.76x
Newark Upon Trent 5 13.72x
Romford 5 21.30x
Stokesby With Herringby 5 581.40x
Tranmere 5 8.20x
Wherstead 5 735.29x
Caistor Next Yarmouth 4 98.28x
Gislingham 4 281.69x
Great Sutton 4 465.12x
Halliwell 4 12.32x
Hucknall Torkard 4 15.56x
Kirkdale 4 2.66x
Ormesby St Michael 4 540.54x
Tryddyn 4 91.12x
West Derby 4 1.53x
Birkenhead 3 2.27x
Bradford 3 1.66x
Frant 3 33.41x
Heigham 3 4.83x
Ilketshall St Andrew 3 245.90x
Spalding 3 12.57x
St Luke London 3 2.49x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 56
John 41
George 33
Charles 24
James 20
Thomas 15
Henry 14
Joseph 14
Arthur 13
Robert 12
Alfred 10
Samuel 10
Albert 7
Frederick 6
Peter 6
Richard 6
Edward 5
Frank 5
Walter 5
Fredk. 3
Harry 3
Wm. 3
David 2
Dickinson 2
Francis 2
Herbert 2
Hugh 2
Thos. 2
Thos.H. 2
Charlie 1
Ebenezer 1
Ed.Jackson 1
Egerton 1
Fred. 1
Fredk.Louis 1
Geo.T. 1
Godman 1
H. 1
Harold 1
Jonathan 1
Leonard 1
Levi 1
Llewellyn 1
Louis 1
Mark 1
Montague 1
Morris 1
Moses 1
Oliver 1
Wm.John 1

FAQ

Pulford surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pulford surname in 1881?

In 1881, 770 people were recorded with the Pulford surname. That placed it at #4,802 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pulford surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,144 in 2016. That gives Pulford a modern rank of #5,154.

What does the Pulford surname mean?

English locational surname derived from a place with pul meaning "pool" and ford meaning "shallow river crossing".

What does the Pulford map show?

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