NameCensus.

UK surname

Seddon

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "seat hill" or "dry hill."

In the 1881 census there were 4,863 people recorded with the Seddon surname, ranking it #916 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6,023, ranked #1,120, down from #916 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Eccles, Manchester and Dean. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wigan and Bolton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Seddon is 6,342 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 23.9%.

1881 census count

4,863

Ranked #916

Modern count

6,023

2016, ranked #1,120

Peak year

1999

6,342 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Seddon had 4,863 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #916 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 6,023 in 2016, ranked #1,120.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6,289 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Seddon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Seddon surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Seddon 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 2,938 #989
1861 historical 2,532 #1,156
1881 historical 4,863 #916
1891 historical 4,563 #1,029
1901 historical 5,603 #995
1911 historical 6,289 #819
1997 modern 6,082 #1,078
1998 modern 6,145 #1,104
1999 modern 6,342 #1,080
2000 modern 6,266 #1,086
2001 modern 6,210 #1,076
2002 modern 6,245 #1,092
2003 modern 6,050 #1,098
2004 modern 6,002 #1,106
2005 modern 5,942 #1,100
2006 modern 5,959 #1,097
2007 modern 5,985 #1,102
2008 modern 6,067 #1,092
2009 modern 6,244 #1,087
2010 modern 6,303 #1,103
2011 modern 6,185 #1,106
2012 modern 6,049 #1,107
2013 modern 6,157 #1,107
2014 modern 6,169 #1,113
2015 modern 6,095 #1,114
2016 modern 6,023 #1,120

Geography

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Where Seddons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Eccles, Manchester, Dean, Leigh 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 Wigan and Bolton. 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 Eccles Lancashire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Dean Lancashire
4 Leigh Lancashire
5 Bolton-le-Moors Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wigan 010 Wigan
2 Wigan 007 Wigan
3 Wigan 004 Wigan
4 Bolton 034 Bolton
5 Wigan 012 Wigan

Forenames

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First names often paired with Seddon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Seddon

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Seddon, 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 Seddon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Seddon 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, Seddon 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

Seddon 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

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

Meaning and origin of Seddon

The surname Seddon has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "sed," meaning a small hill or ridge. This suggests that the name was initially a locational surname, given to individuals who lived near a prominent hill or ridge.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Sedun." This historical document was commissioned by William the Conqueror to survey the lands and resources of England after the Norman Conquest.

During the 13th century, the name evolved into various spellings such as "Seddon," "Sedden," and "Sedon." These variations likely stemmed from regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time.

The Seddon family had a notable presence in Lancashire, particularly in the township of Seddon, near Bury. This area is believed to have contributed to the widespread use of the surname in the region.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Seddon was John Seddon, born in 1495 in Lancashire. He was a prominent landowner and played a role in local affairs during the Tudor period.

Another notable figure was Robert Seddon (1610-1685), an English clergyman and author who served as the Vicar of Eton and Provost of King's College, Cambridge.

In the 18th century, James Seddon (1715-1795) was a successful merchant and landowner from Liverpool. He amassed significant wealth through his business ventures and left a lasting legacy in the city.

During the 19th century, Richard Seddon (1845-1906) was a prominent New Zealand politician who served as the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1893 to 1906. He played a significant role in shaping the country's policies and is remembered for his commitment to social welfare initiatives.

Another notable individual was John Pollard Seddon (1827-1906), an English architect known for his contributions to the Gothic Revival style. He designed several notable buildings, including the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

The surname Seddon has a rich history that spans centuries, originating from the English landscape and evolving through various spellings and regional variations. It has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including landowners, clergymen, merchants, politicians, and architects, contributing to the cultural tapestry of England and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Seddon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Seddon 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 4,143 Seddons recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.36x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 4,143 7.36x
Cheshire 183 1.75x
Yorkshire 160 0.34x
Middlesex 76 0.16x
Surrey 49 0.21x
Derbyshire 46 0.62x
Kent 34 0.21x
Lanarkshire 28 0.18x
Staffordshire 22 0.14x
Lincolnshire 17 0.22x
Durham 13 0.09x
Denbighshire 12 0.67x
Leicestershire 12 0.23x
Warwickshire 12 0.10x
Herefordshire 8 0.41x
Glamorgan 7 0.08x
Shropshire 7 0.17x
Nottinghamshire 6 0.09x
Flintshire 5 0.39x
Isle of Man 5 0.57x
Northumberland 3 0.04x
Westmorland 3 0.29x
Gloucestershire 2 0.02x
Suffolk 2 0.03x
Cumberland 1 0.02x
Devon 1 0.01x
Dorset 1 0.03x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.10x
Hampshire 1 0.01x
Hertfordshire 1 0.03x
Oxfordshire 1 0.03x
Royal Navy 1 0.18x
Stirlingshire 1 0.06x
Sussex 1 0.01x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westhoughton in Lancashire leads with 170 Seddons recorded in 1881 and an index of 113.12x.

Place Total Index
Westhoughton 170 113.12x
Wigan 163 20.71x
Worsley 148 42.64x
Salford 147 8.88x
Manchester 127 5.01x
Atherton 126 61.47x
Pendleton In Salford 124 18.48x
Aspull 120 90.59x
Great Bolton 114 15.28x
Oldham 110 6.05x
Pendlebury 91 76.53x
Farnworth 89 26.38x
Pilkington 83 38.80x
Liverpool 79 2.31x
Little Bolton 74 10.22x
Windle 73 23.04x
North Meols 71 12.88x
Everton 66 3.68x
Eccleston In Prescot 65 22.99x
Hulme 65 5.53x
Chorlton On Medlock 62 6.93x
Kearsley 59 49.79x
Little Hulton 58 62.20x
West Derby 54 3.28x
Hindley 51 21.24x
Westleigh 48 37.54x
Tonge With Haulgh 45 41.05x
Toxteth Park 45 2.36x
Halliwell 43 20.98x
Preston 42 2.79x
Bury 41 6.37x
Middle Hulton 39 116.94x
Chorley 37 11.71x
Sutton 35 18.53x
Barton Upon Irwell 34 8.02x
Gorton 34 6.42x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 34 20.97x
Ince In Makerfield 33 12.59x
Radcliffe 33 12.16x
Tottington Lower End 33 12.33x
Chadderton 32 11.62x
Blackrod 31 44.30x
Bootle Cum Linacre 31 6.93x
Lathom 30 44.12x
Ashton In Makerfield 29 18.09x
Bedford 28 23.77x
Ashton Under Lyne 26 2.11x
Kirkdale 25 2.64x
Parr 25 12.41x
Scarisbrick 25 38.24x
Dukinfield 23 4.75x
Sculcoates 22 2.95x
Warrington 22 3.30x
Widnes 22 5.42x
Bredbury 21 34.64x
Moss Side 21 7.09x
Skelmersdale 21 22.38x
Stretford 21 6.78x
Ardwick 20 3.94x
Aughton 20 35.86x
Elton 20 10.28x
Hayfield 20 43.88x
Bickerstaffe 19 51.55x
Broughton In Salford 19 3.69x
Pennington In Leigh 19 17.58x
Stockport 19 3.52x
Cheetham 18 4.29x
Blackburn 17 1.13x
Clifton 17 40.24x
Great Lever 17 28.45x
Haydock 17 17.52x
Bradford 16 6.07x
Huddersfield 16 2.34x
Leyland 16 16.33x
Whiston 16 36.42x
Burnley 15 3.16x
Govan 15 0.40x
Liscard 15 7.95x
Rainford 15 24.63x
Shoreditch London 15 0.73x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 406
Elizabeth 238
Sarah 170
Alice 141
Ann 135
Ellen 130
Margaret 119
Jane 99
Hannah 70
Martha 63
Annie 46
Eliza 43
Emma 42
Catherine 37
Emily 31
Harriet 24
Betty 20
Edith 20
Maria 20
Nancy 20
Ada 19
Isabella 18
Fanny 17
Elizth. 15
Louisa 15
Betsy 14
Esther 14
Frances 14
Anne 13
Clara 12
Lucy 12
Margt. 11
Susannah 11
Agnes 10
Florence 10
Rachel 10
Ruth 10
Bertha 9
Lydia 9
Sophia 8
Amelia 7
Caroline 7
Helen 7
Kate 7
Maggie 7
Minnie 7
Charlotte 6
Ethel 6
Grace 6
Selina 6

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 402
James 268
William 268
Thomas 237
Joseph 116
George 89
Robert 71
Henry 69
Edward 68
Richard 61
Samuel 50
Peter 47
Charles 42
Ralph 25
Alfred 23
Wm. 21
Arthur 20
Walter 19
Frederick 18
Albert 16
Herbert 16
Adam 15
Thos. 15
Edwin 14
Harry 11
David 10
Chas. 8
Daniel 8
Frank 8
Isaac 8
Francis 7
Fred 7
Harold 7
Jesse 7
Abraham 6
Benjamin 6
Edmund 6
Ernest 6
Geo. 6
Jas. 6
Job 6
Joshua 6
Moses 6
Giles 5
Matthew 5
Reuben 5
Robt. 5
Elijah 4
Fredk. 4
Nathan 4

FAQ

Seddon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Seddon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4,863 people were recorded with the Seddon surname. That placed it at #916 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Seddon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 6,023 in 2016. That gives Seddon a modern rank of #1,120.

What does the Seddon surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "seat hill" or "dry hill."

What does the Seddon map show?

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