NameCensus.

UK surname

Pulling

A surname derived from a nickname or occupation related to pulling or tugging.

In the 1881 census there were 497 people recorded with the Pulling surname, ranking it #6,805 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 328, ranked #13,831, down from #6,805 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Holland, South Somerset and Herefordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pulling is 497 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 34.0%.

1881 census count

497

Ranked #6,805

Modern count

328

2016, ranked #13,831

Peak year

1881

497 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pulling had 497 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,805 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 328 in 2016, ranked #13,831.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 497 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Pulling surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pulling surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pulling 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 350 #6,733
1861 historical 367 #6,963
1881 historical 497 #6,805
1891 historical 485 #7,607
1901 historical 462 #8,539
1911 historical 461 #8,344
1997 modern 360 #11,929
1998 modern 389 #11,594
1999 modern 374 #12,026
2000 modern 374 #11,976
2001 modern 372 #11,855
2002 modern 349 #12,652
2003 modern 347 #12,479
2004 modern 346 #12,544
2005 modern 342 #12,579
2006 modern 355 #12,316
2007 modern 354 #12,489
2008 modern 352 #12,631
2009 modern 360 #12,688
2010 modern 369 #12,726
2011 modern 344 #13,249
2012 modern 339 #13,271
2013 modern 334 #13,648
2014 modern 339 #13,581
2015 modern 331 #13,739
2016 modern 328 #13,831

Geography

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Where Pullings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford and Laycock. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Holland, South Somerset, Herefordshire and Adur. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford London (South Districts)
5 Laycock Wiltshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Holland 007 South Holland
2 South Somerset 008 South Somerset
3 Herefordshire 008 Herefordshire, County of
4 Adur 001 Adur
5 Adur 004 Adur

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pulling

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pulling

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Pulling is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Pulling 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

Pulling falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Pulling is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Pulling

The surname PULLING is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "pull" or "pulle," meaning "a small stream or creek." The name likely originated as a topographic name, given to someone who lived near a small stream or brook.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname date back to the late 12th century in various counties across England, including Yorkshire, Norfolk, and Lincolnshire. Some early spellings of the name include Pullen, Pullan, and Pulham, reflecting regional variations.

One of the earliest documented references to the name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire from 1197, which mentions a William Pulle. Additionally, the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273 record a John Pulle.

The name is also associated with several place names in England, such as Pulham in Norfolk and Pulloxhill in Bedfordshire, suggesting that some bearers of the surname may have derived their names from these locations.

Notable individuals with the surname PULLING throughout history include:

1. William Pulling (c. 1530-1593), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Malmesbury in 1572. 2. John Pulling (1617-1681), an English clergyman and author, known for his work "The Divine Truth of the Christian Religion Asserted." 3. Alexander Pulling (1813-1895), a British architect and surveyor, responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London. 4. John Pulling (1891-1965), an English professional footballer who played as a forward for various clubs, including Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion. 5. Mary Pulling (1891-1971), an English artist and illustrator, best known for her illustrations in children's books and periodicals.

The surname PULLING has a long history in England, with its origins stretching back to the medieval period. While it may have originated as a topographic name related to small streams or brooks, it has since become a well-established surname carried by individuals from various walks of life.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pulling families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pulling 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. Middlesex leads with 106 Pullings recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.20x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 106 2.20x
Herefordshire 53 26.82x
Sussex 46 5.66x
Surrey 44 1.87x
Lincolnshire 40 5.19x
Kent 33 2.01x
Devon 27 2.69x
Gloucestershire 17 1.80x
Glamorgan 12 1.43x
Hampshire 10 1.01x
Lancashire 10 0.17x
Warwickshire 9 0.74x
Wiltshire 9 2.11x
Berkshire 7 1.94x
Durham 7 0.49x
Suffolk 7 1.19x
Hertfordshire 6 1.81x
Northamptonshire 6 1.32x
Brecknockshire 5 5.19x
Cornwall 5 0.92x
Leicestershire 5 0.94x
Monmouthshire 5 1.44x
Cheshire 3 0.28x
Dorset 3 0.95x
Worcestershire 3 0.48x
Yorkshire 3 0.06x
Essex 2 0.21x
Merionethshire 2 2.27x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.34x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.51x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.33x
Cumberland 1 0.24x
Northumberland 1 0.14x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.15x
Oxfordshire 1 0.34x
Royal Navy 1 1.74x
Rutland 1 2.83x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 21 Pullings recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.50x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 21 4.50x
Kensington London 17 6.35x
Tillington 15 1027.40x
Hereford All Sts 14 154.70x
Petworth 13 268.04x
Hammersmith London 12 10.11x
Deptford St Paul 10 7.89x
Great Gonerby 10 505.05x
Heanton Punchardon 10 1369.86x
Hereford St Owen 10 153.14x
Hereford St Peter 10 189.39x
Dunsby 9 2432.43x
Lambeth 9 2.14x
Shoreditch London 9 4.31x
Temple Bruer 9 2727.27x
Croydon 8 6.14x
Southwark St George Martyr 8 8.25x
Ullingswick 8 1666.67x
West Malling 8 216.22x
Bishopwearmouth 7 5.69x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 7 7.87x
Aston 6 1.79x
Brackley St Peter 6 192.93x
Hackney London 6 2.22x
Lancing 6 269.06x
Tottenham 6 7.82x
Brecknock St David 5 193.05x
Egloskerry 5 694.44x
Friern Barnet 5 47.13x
Roath 5 13.12x
Shobdon 5 793.65x
St Marylebone London 5 1.94x
Westminster St James 5 10.09x
Ardingly 4 155.04x
Kingston On Thames 4 7.09x
Lee 4 16.76x
Mildenhall 4 64.10x
Minster In Sheppey 4 14.68x
Pinhoe 4 444.44x
Portsea 4 2.07x
Rumbolds Wyke 4 268.46x
Streatham 4 11.19x
Titchfield 4 53.76x
Watford 4 15.53x
Westhide 4 1481.48x
Ardwick 3 5.82x
Ashford 3 1111.11x
Chester St Oswald 3 15.58x
Clifton 3 6.28x
Crumpsall 3 22.26x
Everton 3 1.65x
Exeter Holy Trinity 3 76.34x
Grantham 3 29.88x
Lewisham 3 3.42x
Melksham 3 40.54x
Paddington London 3 1.69x
Portland 3 17.64x
South Hamlet 3 51.28x
Spalding 3 19.62x
Streatley 3 280.37x
Sunninghill 3 59.76x
Swindon 3 9.07x
Ystradyfodwg 3 4.08x
Ash Normandy 2 62.70x
Birmingham 2 0.49x
Blackawton 2 114.29x
Bourn 2 32.15x
Deptford St Nicholas 2 15.33x
Fulham London 2 2.86x
Llanfihangel Y Traethau 2 39.92x
Mile End Old Town 2 2.63x
Pencombe 2 465.12x
Southwark St Saviour 2 8.07x
Southwick 2 46.51x
Trevethin 2 6.08x
Walmer 2 27.97x
West Ham 2 0.95x
Westminster St John 2 3.41x
Woking 2 14.13x
Woodbridge 2 26.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 26
Mary 22
Sarah 16
Eliza 12
Emily 10
Ann 9
Emma 9
Annie 8
Alice 6
Caroline 6
Maria 6
Ada 5
Charlotte 5
Jane 5
Lucy 5
Ellen 4
Fanny 4
Hannah 4
Louisa 4
Margaret 4
Martha 4
Edith 3
Florence 3
Gertrude 3
Kate 3
Lydia 3
Sophia 3
Amelia 2
Clara 2
Eliz. 2
Ethel 2
Florance 2
Frances 2
Harriet 2
Julia 2
Lilian 2
Lily 2
Mabel 2
Agnes 1
Amy 1
Bessie 1
Betsy 1
Camilla 1
Elizth. 1
Elizth.M. 1
Ellea 1
Elsbeth 1
Jemima 1
John 1
Zoe 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 34
John 25
George 22
Thomas 19
Henry 17
James 17
Charles 8
Albert 7
Edward 7
Frederick 7
Arthur 5
Joseph 5
Robert 4
Samuel 4
Alfred 3
Geo. 3
Alexander 2
Benjamin 2
Daniel 2
Edmund 2
Edwin 2
Ephraim 2
Francis 2
Oliver 2
Richd. 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Alexandra 1
Andrew 1
Augustine 1
Author 1
Elijah 1
Elizabeth 1
Ernest 1
F.W. 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Geor. 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Jacob 1
Jesse 1
Jos. 1
Matthew 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Saml. 1
Thos. 1
Wm.L. 1

FAQ

Pulling surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pulling surname in 1881?

In 1881, 497 people were recorded with the Pulling surname. That placed it at #6,805 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pulling surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 328 in 2016. That gives Pulling a modern rank of #13,831.

What does the Pulling surname mean?

A surname derived from a nickname or occupation related to pulling or tugging.

What does the Pulling map show?

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