NameCensus.

UK surname

Searles

Derived from a place name meaning "dweller by the sere (dry) wood" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 497 people recorded with the Searles surname, ranking it #6,805 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 595, ranked #8,776, down from #6,805 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Springfield and Bulmer. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sevenoaks, Kensington and Chelsea and Maldon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Searles is 837 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.7%.

1881 census count

497

Ranked #6,805

Modern count

595

2016, ranked #8,776

Peak year

1911

837 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Searles had 497 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,805 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 595 in 2016, ranked #8,776.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 837 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Searles surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Searles surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Searles 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 289 #7,860
1861 historical 384 #6,667
1881 historical 497 #6,805
1891 historical 599 #6,391
1901 historical 750 #5,941
1911 historical 837 #5,283
1997 modern 697 #7,271
1998 modern 716 #7,347
1999 modern 715 #7,401
2000 modern 694 #7,540
2001 modern 679 #7,532
2002 modern 685 #7,643
2003 modern 671 #7,647
2004 modern 670 #7,674
2005 modern 661 #7,679
2006 modern 656 #7,745
2007 modern 659 #7,784
2008 modern 679 #7,665
2009 modern 679 #7,828
2010 modern 679 #7,965
2011 modern 661 #8,051
2012 modern 618 #8,395
2013 modern 619 #8,526
2014 modern 630 #8,453
2015 modern 617 #8,541
2016 modern 595 #8,776

Geography

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Where Searles' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Springfield, Bulmer and Takeley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sevenoaks, Kensington and Chelsea, Maldon and Rochford. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Springfield Essex
3 London parishes London 3
4 Bulmer Suffolk
5 Takeley Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sevenoaks 002 Sevenoaks
2 Kensington and Chelsea 003 Kensington and Chelsea
3 Sevenoaks 001 Sevenoaks
4 Maldon 005 Maldon
5 Rochford 007 Rochford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Searles

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Searles

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Searles 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

Searles 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

Searles falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Searles 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 Searles, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Searles

The surname Searles has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from the Old English word "searul," meaning "seal" or "sea calf." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals who resided near areas where seals were found or with those who were involved in hunting seals.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Sereles." This entry refers to a landowner in Devonshire. Over time, the name evolved into various spellings, including Serles, Sarles, and eventually, Searles.

In the 13th century, records mention a John de Serles, who was a resident of Northamptonshire. This provides evidence of the name's continued presence in different regions of England during that era.

The name Searles has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such individual was William Searles (1570-1623), an English clergyman and theologian who served as a chaplain to King James I.

Another prominent figure was John Searles (1638-1698), a renowned English mathematician and astronomer. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society and contributed significantly to the field of celestial mechanics.

In the literary world, Mary Searles (1790-1840) was an English novelist and poet who gained recognition for her works, including "The Narrative of a Life" and "Constance de Beverley."

Moving into the 19th century, Edward Searles (1841-1920) was an American businessman and philanthropist. He amassed a considerable fortune through his investments in railroads and real estate and later became a notable patron of the arts, funding several educational institutions and cultural organizations.

Another notable figure was Walter Searles (1856-1924), an American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the state of Pennsylvania.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the surname Searles, highlighting its enduring presence and the diverse contributions made by those who bear this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Searles families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Searles 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. Essex leads with 133 Searles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.12x.

County Total Index
Essex 133 14.12x
Middlesex 90 1.89x
Kent 81 4.98x
Surrey 51 2.19x
Devon 15 1.51x
Hertfordshire 15 4.56x
Yorkshire 13 0.28x
Suffolk 11 1.89x
Buckinghamshire 9 3.12x
Warwickshire 9 0.75x
Lancashire 8 0.14x
Monmouthshire 8 2.32x
Norfolk 8 1.09x
Nottinghamshire 8 1.24x
Glamorgan 7 0.84x
Lincolnshire 5 0.66x
Hampshire 3 0.31x
Somerset 3 0.39x
Sussex 3 0.37x
Berkshire 2 0.56x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.66x
Gloucestershire 2 0.21x
Bedfordshire 1 0.40x
Cornwall 1 0.19x
Dorset 1 0.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chelsea London in Middlesex leads with 17 Searles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.83x.

Place Total Index
Chelsea London 17 11.83x
Bishop Stortford 15 136.61x
Great Leighs 14 1138.21x
Springfield 14 338.98x
Maidstone 13 26.82x
Camberwell 11 3.61x
Faversham 11 70.88x
Lambeth 10 2.40x
St Pancras London 10 2.60x
Birmingham 9 2.24x
Dartford 9 54.09x
Great Waltham 9 234.38x
Beddington 8 88.99x
Bow London 8 13.17x
Brentwood 8 139.37x
Enfield 8 25.56x
Farningham 8 547.95x
Heigham 8 20.32x
South Hanningfield 8 2105.26x
St Woollos 8 20.79x
Sudbury St Gregory 8 171.67x
Westminster St James 8 16.31x
Witham 8 164.95x
Wooburn 8 201.51x
Cardiff St Mary 7 15.30x
Deptford St Paul 7 5.58x
Hackney London 7 2.62x
Margate St John Baptist 7 23.49x
Rose Ash 7 843.37x
Tolleshunt D Arcy 7 522.39x
Boreham 6 370.37x
Bulmer 6 526.32x
Ecclesall Bierlow 6 6.24x
Islington London 6 1.30x
Woodham Walter 6 697.67x
Broughton In Salford 5 9.66x
Fulham London 5 7.23x
High Ongar 5 287.36x
Little Braxted 5 2631.58x
Tottenham 5 6.58x
Zeal Monachorum 5 657.89x
Ashford 4 25.24x
Bermondsey 4 2.82x
Erith 4 24.95x
Greenwich 4 5.27x
Hemsworth 4 147.06x
Maldon St Peter 4 83.33x
Newington 4 2.27x
Nottingham St Mary 4 2.41x
Shoreditch London 4 1.93x
Sittingbourne 4 31.13x
Bridgewater 3 14.40x
Chelmsford 3 18.58x
Cold Norton 3 1000.00x
Crowland 3 62.76x
Great Totham 3 245.90x
Ham 3 288.46x
Radford 3 9.19x
Rochester St Margaret 3 17.48x
Southwark Christchurch 3 13.42x
St Clement Danes 3 38.86x
Wimbledon 3 11.49x
Writtle 3 77.92x
Colchester St James 2 52.36x
Cookham 2 17.92x
Eastwood 2 243.90x
Eltham 2 20.96x
Everton 2 1.11x
Farnborough 2 19.47x
Kensington London 2 0.75x
Little Leighs 2 1000.00x
Mile End Old Town 2 2.66x
Monk Soham 2 307.69x
Southminster 2 96.62x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 2.08x
St Martin Lincoln 2 28.25x
Sutton At Hone 2 59.17x
Terling 2 141.84x
West Ham 2 0.96x
Luton 1 2.34x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 23
Mary 22
Emma 17
Elizabeth 15
Eliza 12
Ellen 12
Emily 11
Jane 10
Annie 7
Alice 6
Ann 6
Hannah 6
Louisa 4
Caroline 3
Charlotte 3
Edith 3
Harriet 3
Isabella 3
Kate 3
Rose 3
Sophia 3
Agnes 2
Anne 2
Celia 2
Clara 2
Elizth. 2
Ethel 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Grace 2
Jessie 2
Lydia 2
Matilda 2
Minnie 2
Rosa 2
Selina 2
Susannah 2
Adia 1
Amelia 1
Betsey 1
Carolina 1
Catherine 1
Dora 1
Dorothy 1
E. 1
Elizh. 1
Elz. 1
Harriett 1
Jessey 1
Johanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 29
John 22
James 19
Charles 17
George 15
Henry 11
Walter 11
Alfred 10
Robert 7
Albert 5
Arthur 5
Frederick 5
Samuel 5
Thomas 5
Benjamin 4
Edward 4
Ernest 4
Joseph 4
Richard 4
Edwin 3
Stephen 3
Andrew 2
Earnest 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Herbert 2
Percy 2
Thos. 2
Chas.Edwd. 1
Cornelius 1
David 1
Edwd. 1
Francis 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.G. 1
Fredrick 1
Gaffer 1
Gavin 1
H. 1
Harry 1
J. 1
Jesse 1
Job 1
Michael 1
Orris 1
Owen 1
Peter 1
Roland 1
Sidney 1
Wyndham 1

FAQ

Searles surname: questions and answers

How common was the Searles surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Searles surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 595 in 2016. That gives Searles a modern rank of #8,776.

What does the Searles surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "dweller by the sere (dry) wood" in Old English.

What does the Searles map show?

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