NameCensus.

UK surname

Sandles

A surname derived from the occupation of sandal maker.

In the 1881 census there were 152 people recorded with the Sandles surname, ranking it #15,372 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 207, ranked #19,118, down from #15,372 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Oddington, Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick and Lewes St John-under-the-Castle. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cotswold, Tunbridge Wells and Suffolk Coastal.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sandles is 228 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.2%.

1881 census count

152

Ranked #15,372

Modern count

207

2016, ranked #19,118

Peak year

1891

228 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sandles had 152 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,372 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 207 in 2016, ranked #19,118.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 228 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Sandles surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sandles surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Sandles 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 127 #14,547
1861 historical 49 #27,768
1881 historical 152 #15,372
1891 historical 228 #13,582
1901 historical 194 #15,425
1911 historical 212 #14,423
1997 modern 206 #17,315
1998 modern 213 #17,431
1999 modern 211 #17,662
2000 modern 211 #17,603
2001 modern 208 #17,513
2002 modern 227 #16,877
2003 modern 214 #17,343
2004 modern 210 #17,644
2005 modern 199 #18,198
2006 modern 195 #18,564
2007 modern 192 #18,975
2008 modern 202 #18,528
2009 modern 207 #18,600
2010 modern 208 #18,956
2011 modern 208 #18,783
2012 modern 196 #19,463
2013 modern 210 #18,932
2014 modern 211 #19,002
2015 modern 210 #18,958
2016 modern 207 #19,118

Geography

Back to top

Where Sandles' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Oddington, Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick, Lewes St John-under-the-Castle, Bray, Maidenhead, Cookham and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cotswold, Tunbridge Wells, Suffolk Coastal, Braintree and Ceredigion. 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 Oddington Gloucestershire
2 Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick Worcestershire
3 Lewes St John-under-the-Castle Sussex
4 Bray, Maidenhead, Cookham Berkshire
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cotswold 002 Cotswold
2 Tunbridge Wells 009 Tunbridge Wells
3 Suffolk Coastal 004 Suffolk Coastal
4 Braintree 017 Braintree
5 Ceredigion 005 Ceredigion

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Sandles

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Sandles

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Sandles surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Sandles household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Sandles is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Sandles 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

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

Meaning and origin of Sandles

The surname Sandles has its origins in the English counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire, where it first appeared in the late 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "sandaleres," which referred to a maker or seller of sandals. This occupation-based surname was likely given to someone who worked with sandals or shoes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Sandles name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1195, where a person named William Sandalere is mentioned. This record provides evidence of the name's existence and usage during the medieval period.

Another early reference to the Sandles surname is found in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire from 1246, which lists a Adam le Saundaler. The use of the prefix "le" before the occupational name was a common practice in that era, indicating that Adam was known for his association with the sandal trade.

In the 14th century, the Sandles name appeared in various records, such as the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, where a John Sandaler is listed. This spelling variation highlights the fluidity of surnames during that time period.

One notable individual bearing the Sandles surname was Richard Sandles, a merchant and ship-owner from Yorkshire who lived in the late 16th century (c. 1550-1620). He was involved in the trade between England and the Baltic region, contributing to the economic prosperity of the region.

Another prominent figure was Sir Samuel Sandles (1615-1685), a English soldier and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Appleby during the Commonwealth period. He played a role in the English Civil War and was knighted for his service to the Parliamentarian cause.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Sandles surname spread across various parts of England, with notable individuals such as John Sandles (1670-1745), a prominent landowner and magistrate in Lincolnshire, and Elizabeth Sandles (1720-1795), a philanthropist and benefactor in the county of Norfolk.

The name Sandles has also been associated with several place names, such as Sandleswood in Yorkshire, which may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.

While the Sandles surname is not as prevalent today as it once was, its origins can be traced back to the occupational trades of medieval England, where it emerged as a distinctive marker of one's profession and lineage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Sandles families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sandles 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. Sussex leads with 35 Sandles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.00x.

County Total Index
Sussex 35 14.00x
Shropshire 29 22.64x
Worcestershire 13 6.71x
Middlesex 11 0.74x
Buckinghamshire 8 8.93x
Oxfordshire 8 8.74x
Warwickshire 8 2.14x
Derbyshire 7 3.02x
Gloucestershire 7 2.41x
Berkshire 6 5.39x
Lanarkshire 6 1.25x
Cheshire 5 1.53x
Staffordshire 4 0.80x
Perthshire 2 3.01x
Lincolnshire 1 0.42x
Wiltshire 1 0.76x
Yorkshire 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lewes St John Southover in Sussex leads with 9 Sandles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 535.71x.

Place Total Index
Lewes St John Southover 9 535.71x
Lewes St John Under 9 2647.06x
Shelve 9 11250.00x
Wentnor 9 2432.43x
Leighton 8 5333.33x
Wolverton 8 432.43x
Belper 7 155.56x
Chastleton 7 6363.64x
Chelsea London 7 15.67x
Wivelsfield 7 714.29x
Barony 6 4.94x
Little Compton 6 2400.00x
Brighton 5 9.91x
Alvechurch 4 487.80x
Cookham 4 115.27x
Maugersbury 4 1428.57x
Wednesbury 4 31.97x
Worcester St Clement 4 325.20x
Beddingham 3 1304.35x
Bromsgrove 3 46.01x
Greasby 3 2727.27x
Buscot 2 1052.63x
Perth St Pauls 2 129.87x
Tredington 2 377.36x
Westbury 2 303.03x
Bromley London 1 3.07x
Chipping Norton 1 47.17x
Cricklade St Mary 1 476.19x
Cubbington 1 200.00x
Eastington 1 104.17x
Gayton 1 909.09x
Glynde 1 714.29x
Harley 1 1111.11x
Higher Bebington 1 47.85x
Linton Upon Ouse 1 666.67x
Longborough 1 312.50x
Mumby 1 303.03x
Poulton 1 434.78x
Sambourn 1 370.37x
Seaford 1 117.65x
St Marylebone London 1 1.26x
St Pancras London 1 0.84x
Whitechapel London 1 6.84x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 9
Jane 7
Emma 4
Sarah 4
Ann 3
Harriet 3
Alice 2
E. 2
Elizabeth 2
Esther 2
Fanny 2
Martha 2
Caroline 1
Catharine 1
Charlotte 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Evis 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Harriett 1
Henrietta 1
Henry 1
Hilare 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Louisa 1
M. 1
Mabel 1
Maggie 1
Minnie 1
P. 1
Rachel 1
Ruth 1
Sary 1
Susan 1
Theresa 1
Thirza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 9
William 8
John 7
Thomas 7
Charles 6
Alfred 3
Joseph 3
David 2
Edward 2
Henry 2
James 2
Peter 2
Robert 2
Samuel 2
Thos. 2
Albert 1
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
Bernud 1
Enoch 1
Ernest 1
Finden 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Josiah 1
Pepter 1
R.Thomas 1

FAQ

Sandles surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sandles surname in 1881?

In 1881, 152 people were recorded with the Sandles surname. That placed it at #15,372 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sandles surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 207 in 2016. That gives Sandles a modern rank of #19,118.

What does the Sandles surname mean?

A surname derived from the occupation of sandal maker.

What does the Sandles map show?

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