NameCensus.

UK surname

Sedman

A surname derived from the Old English "sæd" meaning "sated" or "satisfied."

In the 1881 census there were 342 people recorded with the Sedman surname, ranking it #8,902 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 436, ranked #11,062, down from #8,902 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ellerburn, Whitby and Hull Holy Trinity. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ryedale, Kingston upon Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sedman is 518 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.5%.

1881 census count

342

Ranked #8,902

Modern count

436

2016, ranked #11,062

Peak year

1911

518 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sedman had 342 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,902 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 436 in 2016, ranked #11,062.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 518 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Sedman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sedman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sedman 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 244 #8,950
1861 historical 230 #10,611
1881 historical 342 #8,902
1891 historical 445 #8,134
1901 historical 477 #8,343
1911 historical 518 #7,624
1997 modern 442 #10,209
1998 modern 472 #10,032
1999 modern 473 #10,069
2000 modern 455 #10,340
2001 modern 446 #10,312
2002 modern 448 #10,477
2003 modern 448 #10,325
2004 modern 447 #10,369
2005 modern 426 #10,649
2006 modern 431 #10,600
2007 modern 436 #10,597
2008 modern 431 #10,814
2009 modern 444 #10,797
2010 modern 455 #10,802
2011 modern 441 #10,958
2012 modern 419 #11,295
2013 modern 446 #10,911
2014 modern 440 #11,107
2015 modern 431 #11,206
2016 modern 436 #11,062

Geography

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Where Sedmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ellerburn, Whitby, Hull Holy Trinity, Driffield and Scarborough. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ryedale, Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire and Scarborough. 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 Ellerburn Yorkshire, North Riding
2 Whitby Yorkshire, North Riding
3 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
4 Driffield Yorkshire, East Riding
5 Scarborough Yorkshire, North Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ryedale 008 Ryedale
2 Kingston upon Hull 031 Kingston upon Hull, City of
3 East Riding of Yorkshire 003 East Riding of Yorkshire
4 Scarborough 002 Scarborough
5 Scarborough 004 Scarborough

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sedman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sedman

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Sedman is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Sedman is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Sedman falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Sedman

The surname Sedman originated in England and dates back to the early medieval period. It is a locational surname derived from the Old English words "sed" meaning "ruddy" or "reddish-brown" and "mann" meaning "man". This suggests that the name may have referred to someone with a ruddy complexion or reddish-brown hair.

The earliest known record of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Sedemann". This entry indicates that the name was already well-established in England by the late 11th century.

Over time, the name evolved into various spellings such as Sedman, Sedeman, and Seedman. These variations can be found in various historical records, including parish registers, tax rolls, and court documents from the 13th to the 17th centuries.

One notable bearer of the name was Sir John Sedman, a wealthy merchant and landowner from Sussex, England, who lived in the 14th century. He was a prominent figure in the local community and served as a magistrate and sheriff.

Another individual of note was William Sedman, a scholar and clergyman from Oxford, England, who lived during the late 15th century. He was known for his works on theology and philosophy, and served as a lecturer at Oxford University.

In the 16th century, a family by the name of Sedman held lands in the village of Sedgemoor, Somerset, England. The place name "Sedgemoor" is derived from the Old English words "sedge" meaning "rush" and "mor" meaning "marsh", suggesting a connection between the surname and this geographical location.

During the 17th century, a Robert Sedman was a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Bristol, England. He was involved in the trade of woolen goods and was known for his philanthropic efforts, including the founding of a school for poor children.

Another notable bearer of the name was Sir Edward Sedman, a military officer who fought in the English Civil War of the mid-17th century. He was a loyal supporter of King Charles I and played a role in several key battles during the conflict.

The Sedman surname has a long and varied history, with roots dating back to the early medieval period in England. While it may have originally referred to an individual's physical appearance, the name has been associated with various locations, occupations, and prominent individuals throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sedman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sedman 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. Yorkshire leads with 305 Sedmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.23x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 305 9.23x
Middlesex 11 0.33x
Surrey 6 0.37x
Lancashire 5 0.13x
Kent 4 0.35x
Cheshire 3 0.41x
Durham 3 0.30x
Staffordshire 3 0.27x
Devon 1 0.14x
Hampshire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Scarborough in Yorkshire leads with 49 Sedmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 163.12x.

Place Total Index
Scarborough 49 163.12x
Burniston 28 7000.00x
Great Driffield 24 353.98x
Lockton 15 3260.87x
Whitby 15 134.65x
West Ayton 12 2307.69x
Farmanby 11 1964.29x
Holy Trinity 11 13.83x
Flamborough 10 625.00x
Hutton Bushell 8 1403.51x
Stanghow 8 597.01x
Cloughton 7 1129.03x
Thixendale 7 2413.79x
Atwick 6 1621.62x
Hornsea 6 285.71x
Leeds 6 3.21x
New Malton 6 151.90x
Norton In Malton 6 149.63x
Ruswarp 6 163.04x
Wilton In Pickering 6 3157.89x
Camberwell 5 2.35x
Pickering 5 120.19x
Sherburn 5 183.82x
St George Martyr 5 88.97x
Beverley St Mary 4 82.82x
Fylingdales 4 242.42x
Holy Trinity St Mary 4 79.52x
Lewisham 4 6.59x
Stainton Dale 4 1481.48x
Toxteth Park 4 2.98x
Chester St Oswald 3 22.51x
Darlington 3 7.83x
East Ayton 3 652.17x
Hawsker Cum Stainsacre 3 272.73x
Norton Canes 3 73.17x
Sneaton 3 1153.85x
Aislaby In Pickering 2 1250.00x
Bethnal Green London 2 1.38x
Broxa 2 3333.33x
Caytn Deepdal Kilrby 2 285.71x
Kilham 2 143.88x
Paddington London 2 1.63x
Rillington 2 200.00x
Thornholm 2 1666.67x
Falsgrave 1 20.53x
Garston 1 8.56x
Gomersal 1 6.48x
Harwood Dale 1 416.67x
Hunslet 1 1.94x
Kensington London 1 0.54x
Kirkleatham 1 22.42x
Merton 1 35.21x
Morebath 1 196.08x
Morley 1 5.82x
Portsmouth 1 6.35x
Scalby In Scarborough 1 144.93x
Sculcoates 1 1.91x
Seamer In Scarborough 1 93.46x
Snainton 1 112.36x
Thornton Dale 1 113.64x
Westminster St John 1 2.46x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 27
Ann 17
Jane 17
Elizabeth 13
Sarah 12
Annie 5
Emily 5
Hannah 5
Alice 4
Margaret 4
Anne 3
Emma 3
Harriet 3
Louisa 3
Ada 2
Eliza 2
Elizth. 2
Ellen 2
Georgina 2
Rachel 2
Rose 2
Agusta 1
Betsy 1
Catherine 1
Christiana 1
Christine 1
Clara 1
Diana 1
Dinah 1
Edith 1
Esther 1
Everill 1
Eveyln 1
Florence 1
Gose 1
Grace 1
Hanah 1
Henrietta 1
Isabella 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lucy 1
Mabel 1
Margt. 1
Maria 1
Minnie 1
Miriam 1
Rebecca 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 28
William 22
George 19
Thomas 14
Robert 12
Joseph 9
Henry 7
Christopher 4
Francis 4
Allison 3
Arthur 3
Walter 3
Alfred 2
Benjamin 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Harold 2
James 2
Richard 2
Stephen 2
Willis 2
Albert 1
Anthony 1
Buton 1
Edwin 1
Frederick 1
G. 1
G.H. 1
Geo. 1
Georg 1
Harry 1
Hazlewood 1
Herbert 1
Hodgson 1
Hornby 1
Isaac 1
Job 1
Jonahadab 1
Kit 1
Kitson 1
Lot 1
Pearson 1
Rachab 1
Robt. 1
Tom 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Sedman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sedman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 342 people were recorded with the Sedman surname. That placed it at #8,902 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sedman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 436 in 2016. That gives Sedman a modern rank of #11,062.

What does the Sedman surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English "sæd" meaning "sated" or "satisfied."

What does the Sedman map show?

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