UK surname
An occupational surname derived from the word "scholar," referring to a person associated with education or learning.
In the 1881 census there were 79 people recorded with the Scholar surname, ranking it #22,357 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 46, ranked #35,126, down from #22,357 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Redruth and Illogan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Scholar is 280 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 41.8%.
1881 census count
79
Ranked #22,357
Modern count
46
2016, ranked #35,126
Peak year
1861
280 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Scholar surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Scholar surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 93 | #17,946 |
| 1861 | historical | 280 | #8,953 |
| 1881 | historical | 79 | #22,357 |
| 1891 | historical | 93 | #24,965 |
| 1901 | historical | 61 | #27,379 |
| 1911 | historical | 71 | #25,742 |
| 1997 | modern | 50 | #32,658 |
| 1998 | modern | 51 | #32,816 |
| 1999 | modern | 56 | #32,461 |
| 2000 | modern | 52 | #32,916 |
| 2001 | modern | 56 | #32,379 |
| 2002 | modern | 58 | #32,564 |
| 2003 | modern | 60 | #32,446 |
| 2004 | modern | 50 | #33,566 |
| 2005 | modern | 48 | #33,932 |
| 2006 | modern | 46 | #34,415 |
| 2007 | modern | 48 | #34,488 |
| 2008 | modern | 49 | #34,580 |
| 2009 | modern | 45 | #34,972 |
| 2010 | modern | 47 | #35,009 |
| 2011 | modern | 47 | #34,989 |
| 2012 | modern | 51 | #34,756 |
| 2013 | modern | 52 | #34,780 |
| 2014 | modern | 51 | #34,865 |
| 2015 | modern | 46 | #35,109 |
| 2016 | modern | 46 | #35,126 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Redruth, Illogan, Breage and St Philip and Jacob. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff | Gloucestershire |
| 2 | Redruth | Cornwall |
| 3 | Illogan | Cornwall |
| 4 | Breage | Cornwall |
| 5 | St Philip and Jacob | Gloucestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Scholar surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Scholar, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Scholar surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Scholar household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Scholar is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Scholar is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Scholar, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname SCHOLAR has its origins in medieval England, deriving from the Middle English word "scolere," which meant a student or a learned person. This term traces its roots back to the Latin word "scholaris," meaning a scholar or a student attending a school or university.
The surname SCHOLAR emerged during the 12th and 13th centuries in various parts of England, particularly in regions where educational institutions or monastic schools were prevalent. It was initially used as an occupational surname, referring to individuals who were associated with academic pursuits or scholarly activities.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname SCHOLAR can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where a certain John le Scolere is mentioned. This document provides valuable insights into the widespread use of occupational surnames during the medieval period.
Throughout the centuries, the SCHOLAR surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Scoler, Scolere, and Scholer, reflecting the evolving nature of English orthography. These variations can be found in historical records, such as parish registers and tax rolls from different regions of England.
Notable individuals who bore the SCHOLAR surname include William Scoler (c. 1390-1460), a renowned English cleric and scholar who served as the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. Another prominent figure was John Scholer (c. 1495-1559), a Protestant reformer and theologian who played a significant role in the English Reformation.
During the 16th century, the surname SCHOLAR was also associated with the family of Sir John Scholar (1521-1583), a distinguished lawyer and member of the English gentry. His descendants continued to hold influential positions in various fields, including academia and government.
In the realm of literature, one cannot overlook the contributions of Thomas Scholar (1678-1753), an English poet and playwright who gained recognition for his works in the early 18th century.
As the surname SCHOLAR evolved over time, it became closely linked with intellectual pursuits and the pursuit of knowledge. Many prominent scholars, academics, and intellectuals bore this surname, reflecting the rich heritage and profound respect for learning associated with this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Scholar surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Cornwall leads with 39 Scholars recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.48x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cornwall | 39 | 46.48x |
| Gloucestershire | 8 | 5.50x |
| Essex | 6 | 4.10x |
| Dorset | 5 | 10.28x |
| Devon | 4 | 2.59x |
| Surrey | 4 | 1.11x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.34x |
| Leicestershire | 2 | 2.43x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.27x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.27x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.66x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Helston in Cornwall leads with 15 Scholars recorded in 1881 and an index of 1724.14x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Helston | 15 | 1724.14x |
| Redruth | 9 | 379.75x |
| West Ham | 6 | 18.58x |
| Bristol St Philip Jacob | 5 | 36.52x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 4 | 33.67x |
| Constantine | 3 | 612.24x |
| Haughton | 3 | 234.38x |
| Melcombe Regis | 3 | 148.51x |
| Sithney | 3 | 352.94x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 2 | 13.89x |
| Camborne | 2 | 57.80x |
| Castle Donnington | 2 | 294.12x |
| Gloucester Barton St Mary | 2 | 75.19x |
| Lambeth | 2 | 3.09x |
| Madron Penzance | 2 | 65.57x |
| Portland | 2 | 76.34x |
| Wendron | 2 | 172.41x |
| Aldershot | 1 | 19.65x |
| Breage | 1 | 129.87x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 2.11x |
| Menheniot | 1 | 285.71x |
| Newington | 1 | 3.65x |
| Oxenhall | 1 | 1666.67x |
| St Andrew Holborn | 1 | 39.84x |
| St Austell | 1 | 34.84x |
| St Botolph Aldgate | 1 | 99.01x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Scholar surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Scholar surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Scholar households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 16 |
| General Servant | 3 |
| Tin Miner | 3 |
| (8) Ostler | 1 |
| (T) Tanner | 1 |
| Accountant | 1 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Bag Maker Paper | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Blacksmith Employing 1 Boy | 1 |
| Bricklayers Labourer | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Engine Shunter | 1 |
| Engine Smith | 1 |
| Engine Smith (E & M) | 1 |
| Farm Servant | 1 |
| Formerly General Servant | 1 |
| General Domst Serv | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Grocers Shopman | 1 |
| Housekp (Dom) | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Jeweller | 1 |
| Joiner Out Of Employ | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Lead Miner | 1 |
| Masons Wife | 1 |
| Miller (Journeyman) | 1 |
| Miner | 1 |
| Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Shoemakers Wife | 1 |
| Shop Keeper | 1 |
| Tin Miners Wife | 1 |
| Tinman | 1 |
| Warehouseman | 1 |
| Warper | 1 |
| Weaver (Cotton) | 1 |
| Widow Of Tin Miner | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 79 people were recorded with the Scholar surname. That placed it at #22,357 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 46 in 2016. That gives Scholar a modern rank of #35,126.
An occupational surname derived from the word "scholar," referring to a person associated with education or learning.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Scholar bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.