NameCensus.

UK surname

Sandham

A habitational surname derived from a place name in England referring to a sandy homestead or dwelling.

In the 1881 census there were 767 people recorded with the Sandham surname, ranking it #4,821 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 879, ranked #6,408, down from #4,821 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lancaster Borough, Glossop and Poulton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Flintshire, Selby and South Ribble.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sandham is 1,111 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 14.6%.

1881 census count

767

Ranked #4,821

Modern count

879

2016, ranked #6,408

Peak year

1911

1,111 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sandham had 767 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,821 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 879 in 2016, ranked #6,408.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,111 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Sandham surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sandham surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sandham 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 394 #6,105
1861 historical 435 #5,918
1881 historical 767 #4,821
1891 historical 845 #4,831
1901 historical 983 #4,828
1911 historical 1,111 #4,178
1997 modern 913 #5,910
1998 modern 953 #5,884
1999 modern 968 #5,861
2000 modern 946 #5,942
2001 modern 917 #5,993
2002 modern 900 #6,198
2003 modern 891 #6,140
2004 modern 876 #6,220
2005 modern 873 #6,169
2006 modern 876 #6,164
2007 modern 885 #6,163
2008 modern 878 #6,255
2009 modern 897 #6,285
2010 modern 899 #6,389
2011 modern 890 #6,370
2012 modern 883 #6,331
2013 modern 898 #6,353
2014 modern 896 #6,394
2015 modern 875 #6,449
2016 modern 879 #6,408

Geography

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Where Sandhams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lancaster Borough, Glossop, Poulton, Cockerham (Ellel), Lancaster (Preesall with Hackersall) , Garstang (Pilling) and Preston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Flintshire, Selby, South Ribble and South Lakeland. 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 Lancaster Borough Lancashire
2 Glossop Derbyshire
3 Poulton Lancashire
4 Cockerham (Ellel), Lancaster (Preesall with Hackersall) , Garstang (Pilling) Lancashire
5 Preston Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Flintshire 002 Flintshire
2 Selby 005 Selby
3 South Ribble 009 South Ribble
4 South Lakeland 002 South Lakeland
5 South Lakeland 012 South Lakeland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sandham

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sandham

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Sandham 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

Sandham 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

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

Meaning and origin of Sandham

The surname Sandham has its origins in England, dating back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English words "sand" and "ham," which together mean "sandy homestead" or "sandy village." The name is believed to have originated in the counties of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Somerset, where many settlements bore the name "Sandham."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Sandham can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1198, where a person named Richard de Sandham is mentioned. This record suggests that the name was already in use as a locative surname, indicating a person's place of origin or residence.

The Sandham name also appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Wiltshire from 1327, where a certain John de Sandham is listed. These early records provide valuable insights into the geographical distribution and evolution of the surname over time.

In the 15th century, a notable figure bearing the Sandham surname was John Sandham, a merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire. He is recorded as having owned properties in the village of Sandham, further solidifying the connection between the surname and the place name.

Another prominent individual with the Sandham surname was Sir William Sandham (1548-1623), a London merchant and alderman who served as Sheriff of London in 1601. He was a member of the Worshipful Company of Drapers and played an influential role in the city's affairs during the reign of King James I.

In the 17th century, the Sandham family had connections to the village of Sandham in Somerset. Thomas Sandham (1630-1695) was a respected landowner and farmer in the area, and his descendants continued to reside in the region for several generations.

During the 18th century, the Sandham surname gained further recognition with the birth of Reverend James Sandham (1760-1832), an Anglican clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Boxwell in Gloucestershire. He published several theological works and was known for his scholarly contributions to the Church of England.

Throughout its history, the Sandham surname has been associated with various place names, such as Sandham in Gloucestershire, Sandham in Wiltshire, and Sandham in Somerset. These place names, derived from the Old English words "sand" and "ham," have played a significant role in shaping the identity and distribution of the Sandham surname across England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sandham families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sandham 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 507 Sandhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.69x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 507 5.69x
Cumberland 42 6.49x
Yorkshire 40 0.54x
Derbyshire 37 3.15x
Middlesex 32 0.43x
Westmorland 18 10.90x
Staffordshire 15 0.59x
Sussex 15 1.18x
Cheshire 12 0.72x
Surrey 11 0.30x
Lanarkshire 10 0.41x
Denbighshire 7 2.47x
Flintshire 6 2.97x
Kent 6 0.23x
Hampshire 3 0.19x
Durham 2 0.09x
Lincolnshire 2 0.17x
Warwickshire 2 0.11x
Berkshire 1 0.18x
Glamorgan 1 0.08x
Royal Navy 1 1.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Preston in Lancashire leads with 76 Sandhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.87x.

Place Total Index
Preston 76 31.87x
Lancaster 37 69.77x
Thornton In Fylde 35 179.49x
Dalton In Furness 28 81.40x
Dearham 28 328.25x
Tonge With Haulgh 16 92.22x
Warton With Lindeth 15 401.07x
Blackburn 14 5.90x
Newchurch 14 19.20x
Chelsea London 13 5.74x
Chorley 13 25.99x
Glossop Dale 12 21.79x
Hulme 11 5.91x
Liverpool 11 2.03x
Manchester 11 2.74x
Upper Allithwaite E 11 763.89x
Alfreton 10 27.99x
Bispham With Norbreck 10 534.76x
East Broughton 10 393.70x
Lambeth 10 1.53x
Monks Coppenhall 10 15.98x
Walton Le Dale 10 41.75x
Fishwick 9 163.34x
Great Bolton 9 7.62x
Beard 8 208.88x
Burton 8 459.77x
Islington London 8 1.10x
Lower Booths 8 50.09x
Meathop Ulpha 8 2105.26x
Over Darwen 8 11.24x
Pennington In Ulverston 8 180.59x
Pilling 8 191.39x
Quernmore 8 533.33x
Harrington 7 89.63x
Middleton In Lancaster 7 1750.00x
Millom 7 35.32x
North Cave Drewton 7 238.91x
Wrexham Regis 7 33.22x
Aspull 6 28.63x
Carnforth 6 122.45x
Everton 6 2.11x
Haighton 6 1090.91x
Heysham 6 370.37x
Holywell 6 23.67x
Marchington 6 517.24x
Newcastle Under Lyme 6 13.37x
Rogate 6 236.22x
Shipley 6 15.53x
Yealand Conyers 6 759.49x
Addingham 5 89.93x
Ashton Under Lyne 5 2.57x
Barony 5 0.81x
Droylsden 5 17.19x
Glasgow 5 1.16x
Halton 5 265.96x
Mellor 5 156.25x
Stoke Newington London 5 8.55x
Upper Holker 5 238.10x
Walton On Hill 5 10.36x
Barton In Preston 4 421.05x
Bolton Le Sands 4 198.02x
Bradford 4 2.22x
Bramley In Bramley 4 14.04x
Brighton 4 1.57x
Dartford 4 15.27x
Horsforth 4 24.51x
Kirkdale 4 2.67x
Layton With Warbreck 4 12.23x
Linthorpe 4 9.01x
Oldham 4 1.39x
Skerton 4 54.64x
Caton 3 107.53x
Claughton In Garstang 3 212.77x
Lower Allithwaite 3 140.85x
Radcliffe 3 6.98x
Salford 3 1.14x
St Pancras London 3 0.50x
Ulverston 3 11.56x
Washington 3 138.25x
West Derby 3 1.15x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 69
Elizabeth 52
Jane 28
Margaret 20
Alice 16
Isabella 16
Sarah 15
Ellen 14
Ann 11
Eliza 9
Martha 7
Emma 6
Fanny 6
Agnes 5
Annie 5
Hannah 5
Maria 5
Edith 4
Esther 4
Susannah 4
Clara 3
Margret 3
Rachel 3
Amy 2
Anne 2
Betsy 2
Betty 2
Catharine 2
Catherine 2
Eleanor 2
Eliz. 2
Florence 2
Harriet 2
John 2
Kate 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2
Minnie 2
Roseamund 2
Sarrah 2
Ame 1
Amelia 1
Bridget 1
Elaine 1
Eliz.A. 1
Laura 1
Lettice 1
Lilian 1
Lily 1
Winnefred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 66
William 54
James 42
Thomas 36
Richard 29
George 17
Robert 15
Henry 10
Stephen 8
Joseph 7
Charles 5
Peter 5
Walter 5
Alfred 4
Edward 4
Jas. 4
Albert 3
Edwin 3
Frederick 3
Isaac 3
Wm. 3
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
Frank 2
Herbert 2
Luke 2
Richd. 2
Robt. 2
Samuel 2
Tom 2
Andrew 1
David 1
Elijah 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fredrick 1
Herbin 1
Howorth 1
Joe 1
Jos. 1
Michael 1
Nicholas 1
Percy 1
Rd. 1
Rich. 1
Robt 1
Saml.Richd. 1
Septimus 1
Sidney 1
Stepn. 1

FAQ

Sandham surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sandham surname in 1881?

In 1881, 767 people were recorded with the Sandham surname. That placed it at #4,821 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sandham surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 879 in 2016. That gives Sandham a modern rank of #6,408.

What does the Sandham surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a place name in England referring to a sandy homestead or dwelling.

What does the Sandham map show?

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