NameCensus.

UK surname

Scholes

A surname denoting "a person from Scholes," locative places in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

In the 1881 census there were 3,470 people recorded with the Scholes surname, ranking it #1,311 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,085, ranked #2,185, down from #1,311 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Manchester and Blackburn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rossendale, Bolton and Oldham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Scholes is 4,237 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 11.1%.

1881 census count

3,470

Ranked #1,311

Modern count

3,085

2016, ranked #2,185

Peak year

1911

4,237 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Scholes had 3,470 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,311 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,085 in 2016, ranked #2,185.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4,237 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Scholes surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Scholes surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Scholes 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 2,095 #1,388
1861 historical 2,095 #1,382
1881 historical 3,470 #1,311
1891 historical 3,606 #1,332
1901 historical 4,095 #1,375
1911 historical 4,237 #1,226
1997 modern 3,179 #2,022
1998 modern 3,295 #2,032
1999 modern 3,285 #2,062
2000 modern 3,286 #2,051
2001 modern 3,210 #2,051
2002 modern 3,222 #2,086
2003 modern 3,169 #2,074
2004 modern 3,120 #2,099
2005 modern 3,062 #2,116
2006 modern 3,042 #2,136
2007 modern 3,055 #2,143
2008 modern 3,059 #2,151
2009 modern 3,130 #2,160
2010 modern 3,216 #2,148
2011 modern 3,144 #2,168
2012 modern 3,097 #2,158
2013 modern 3,146 #2,163
2014 modern 3,145 #2,181
2015 modern 3,114 #2,175
2016 modern 3,085 #2,185

Geography

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Where Scholes' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Manchester, Blackburn, Huddersfield and Bolton-le-Moors. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rossendale, Bolton and Oldham. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Blackburn Lancashire
4 Huddersfield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Bolton-le-Moors Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rossendale 004 Rossendale
2 Rossendale 010 Rossendale
3 Bolton 019 Bolton
4 Bolton 024 Bolton
5 Oldham 013 Oldham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Scholes

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Scholes

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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, Scholes 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

Scholes is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Scholes 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 Scholes is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Scholes

The surname SCHOLES has its origins in the north of England, primarily in the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "sceol," meaning a temporary shelter or hut. This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived in a small dwelling or shed.

During the medieval period, the surname SCHOLES was prevalent in the areas around Oldham and Rochdale in Lancashire, as well as in the West Riding of Yorkshire. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1177, where it is listed as "Richard de Scholes."

The Domesday Book, a extensive survey of land ownership in England compiled in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname SCHOLES. However, it does mention several place names that may have influenced the development of the surname, such as Sholes in Derbyshire and Scholesfield in Yorkshire.

In the 13th century, the surname SCHOLES was often spelled in various ways, including Sholles, Sholez, and Scolez, reflecting the regional dialects and variations in spelling at the time. Many of these variations can be found in historical records and documents from the period.

One notable bearer of the SCHOLES surname was John Scholes, a prominent English Catholic who lived from 1566 to 1637. He was a dedicated missionary and served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Northern Districts of England during a time of religious persecution.

Another individual of note was James Scholes, born in 1838 in Oldham, Lancashire. He was a renowned journalist and author, best known for his work as the editor of the Oldham Standard newspaper and his book "A History of Oldham."

In the realm of sports, Paul Scholes, born in 1974, is one of the most famous bearers of the SCHOLES surname. He was a highly successful English football player who spent his entire professional career with Manchester United, winning numerous titles and accolades.

Emily Scholes, born in 1819 in Yorkshire, was a notable figure in the early feminist movement in England. She campaigned tirelessly for women's rights and was involved in various philanthropic efforts, including the establishment of schools for underprivileged children.

Finally, Robert Scholes, born in 1929, was a prominent American literary critic and academic. He made significant contributions to the field of literary theory and criticism and authored several influential books, including "Structuralism in Literature" and "Textual Power."

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Scholes families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Scholes 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 2,224 Scholes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.53x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 2,224 5.53x
Yorkshire 736 2.19x
Cheshire 166 2.22x
Middlesex 62 0.18x
Lincolnshire 54 1.00x
Derbyshire 43 0.81x
Northamptonshire 23 0.72x
Kent 22 0.19x
Hampshire 13 0.19x
Surrey 13 0.08x
Cumberland 12 0.41x
Durham 11 0.11x
Lanarkshire 9 0.08x
Buckinghamshire 7 0.34x
Essex 7 0.10x
Rutland 7 2.81x
Gloucestershire 6 0.09x
Norfolk 6 0.12x
Staffordshire 6 0.05x
Warwickshire 6 0.07x
Ayrshire 5 0.20x
Monmouthshire 5 0.20x
Flintshire 4 0.44x
Hertfordshire 4 0.17x
Shropshire 4 0.14x
Worcestershire 4 0.09x
Denbighshire 3 0.23x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.04x
Renfrewshire 2 0.08x
Cornwall 1 0.03x
Isle of Man 1 0.16x
Leicestershire 1 0.03x
Midlothian 1 0.02x
Royal Navy 1 0.25x
Somerset 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Oldham in Lancashire leads with 344 Scholes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.52x.

Place Total Index
Oldham 344 26.52x
Tottington Lower End 91 47.65x
Huddersfield 85 17.38x
Little Bolton 83 16.06x
Radcliffe 82 42.33x
Leeds 73 3.85x
Chadderton 71 36.14x
Elton 69 49.69x
Middleton In Oldham 68 56.43x
Little Lever 67 130.38x
Oswaldtwistle 62 43.66x
Great Bolton 58 10.90x
Blackburn 55 5.14x
Pilkington 49 32.10x
Over Darwen 45 14.02x
Accrington 44 12.04x
Morley 43 24.64x
Dewsbury 41 11.91x
Birkenhead 39 6.54x
Newchurch 36 10.95x
Salford 36 3.05x
Ashton Under Lyne 35 3.98x
Prestwich 34 33.91x
Royton 34 27.66x
Cheetham 33 11.01x
Manchester 33 1.83x
Ardwick 32 8.83x
Bury 31 6.75x
Glossop Dale 29 11.68x
Manningham 27 6.53x
Holy Trinity 24 2.97x
Halliwell 23 15.73x
Heap 22 10.32x
Kimberworth 22 11.81x
Sheffield 22 2.06x
Broughton In Salford 21 5.71x
Gorton 21 5.56x
Barnby On Don 20 312.50x
Pendleton In Salford 20 4.18x
Barton Upon Irwell 19 6.28x
Openshaw 19 10.09x
Rawmarsh 19 16.02x
Wakefield 19 7.37x
Hackney London 18 0.95x
Spotland 18 4.03x
Crumpsall 17 17.95x
Hulme 17 2.03x
Sharples 17 39.00x
Haughton 16 27.29x
Stockport 16 4.16x
Blackley 15 21.29x
Droylsden 15 11.44x
Farnworth 15 6.23x
Preston 15 1.40x
Almondbury 14 8.63x
Clayton Le Moors 14 17.95x
Darcy Lever 14 60.50x
Golborne 14 26.73x
Headingley Cum Burley 14 6.48x
Hyde 14 6.35x
Stamford All Sts 14 46.17x
Castleton 13 3.24x
Dukinfield 13 3.76x
Hopwood 13 24.74x
Bramley In Bramley 12 9.34x
Church 12 21.15x
Cowpe Lench Newhall Hey 12 27.95x
Greasbrough 12 27.08x
Harwood 12 57.14x
Liverpool 12 0.49x
Newton In Ashton Under 12 16.27x
Wigan 12 2.14x
Batley 11 3.45x
Heaton Norris 11 4.81x
Hunslet 11 2.10x
Liversedge 11 7.36x
Portsea 11 0.81x
Stretford 11 4.97x
Haslingden 10 6.01x
Tonbridge 10 2.40x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 317
Sarah 178
Elizabeth 112
Alice 101
Ann 82
Hannah 62
Jane 62
Ellen 61
Annie 54
Martha 44
Margaret 41
Emma 39
Eliza 33
Emily 23
Maria 22
Betty 21
Clara 19
Lucy 19
Nancy 18
Ada 17
Harriet 17
Betsy 15
Edith 15
Esther 14
Louisa 14
Fanny 13
Florence 13
Rachel 13
Catherine 12
Charlotte 12
Frances 10
Susan 10
Caroline 8
Amy 7
Bertha 7
Elizth. 7
Grace 7
Harriett 7
Leah 7
Anna 6
Ethel 6
Lizzie 6
Rebecca 6
Ruth 6
Gertrude 5
Kate 5
Lavinia 5
Matilda 5
May 5
Polly 5

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 244
William 159
James 158
Thomas 116
George 94
Joseph 81
Samuel 50
Henry 43
Charles 38
Robert 38
Richard 31
Albert 29
Edward 25
Alfred 22
Arthur 21
Peter 21
Harry 20
Fred 19
Walter 17
Frederick 16
Herbert 13
Jacob 13
Thos. 13
David 11
Ernest 10
Frank 10
Wm. 10
Abraham 9
Benjamin 9
Edmund 9
Joe 9
Edwin 8
Joshua 8
Ralph 7
Roger 7
Tom 7
Francis 6
Jas. 6
Lawrence 6
Jno. 5
Percy 5
Sam 5
Isaac 4
Jonathan 4
Willie 4
Wright 4
Ben 3
Josiah 3
Rodger 3
Saml. 3

FAQ

Scholes surname: questions and answers

How common was the Scholes surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,470 people were recorded with the Scholes surname. That placed it at #1,311 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Scholes surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,085 in 2016. That gives Scholes a modern rank of #2,185.

What does the Scholes surname mean?

A surname denoting "a person from Scholes," locative places in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

What does the Scholes map show?

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