NameCensus.

UK surname

Selden

A habitational surname originally denoting someone from Selden, a location in Suffolk, England.

In the 1881 census there were 103 people recorded with the Selden surname, ranking it #19,410 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 117, ranked #28,033, down from #19,410 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Devonport Stonehouse, East, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sevenoaks, Woking and Wealden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Selden is 149 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 13.6%.

1881 census count

103

Ranked #19,410

Modern count

117

2016, ranked #28,033

Peak year

1998

149 bearers

Map years

7

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Selden had 103 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,410 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 117 in 2016, ranked #28,033.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 120 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Mature Families.

Selden surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Selden surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Selden 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 112 #15,913
1861 historical 86 #22,810
1881 historical 103 #19,410
1891 historical 98 #24,313
1901 historical 115 #21,050
1911 historical 120 #20,447
1997 modern 134 #22,608
1998 modern 149 #21,755
1999 modern 147 #22,110
2000 modern 145 #22,259
2001 modern 137 #22,740
2002 modern 143 #22,595
2003 modern 137 #22,939
2004 modern 134 #23,425
2005 modern 130 #23,848
2006 modern 127 #24,384
2007 modern 120 #25,606
2008 modern 124 #25,371
2009 modern 125 #25,823
2010 modern 131 #25,656
2011 modern 123 #26,512
2012 modern 118 #27,250
2013 modern 121 #27,255
2014 modern 122 #27,358
2015 modern 119 #27,684
2016 modern 117 #28,033

Geography

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Where Seldens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Devonport Stonehouse, East, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, London parishes, Ore and Caple, Tudeley, Pembury. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sevenoaks, Woking, Wealden and Tonbridge and Malling. 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 Devonport Stonehouse, East Devon
2 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
3 London parishes London 1
4 Ore Sussex
5 Caple, Tudeley, Pembury Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sevenoaks 002 Sevenoaks
2 Woking 005 Woking
3 Wealden 006 Wealden
4 Wealden 004 Wealden
5 Tonbridge and Malling 010 Tonbridge and Malling

Forenames

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First names often paired with Selden

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Selden

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Established Mature Families

Nationally, the Selden surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Mature Families, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Selden household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples predominate, many with older dependent children. Detached housing is common. Homeownership rates are the highest within this Supergroup. The presence of some students suggests that households are towards the end of a child rearing phase. Many residents have degree level qualifications, and the occupational profile is heavily skewed towards managerial and professional occupations. Residential developments commonly occur on the periphery of major urban cities or conurbations.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Selden 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

Selden is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Selden falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Selden is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Selden

The surname Selden is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "seld" meaning "hall" or "dwelling," and "dun" meaning "hill." It likely originated in the southeastern region of England, particularly in the counties of Kent and Sussex, where it was associated with specific locations or settlements.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Selden appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Selenduna" or "Seldene," referring to a place name in Kent. This suggests that the surname emerged from a place name, a common practice during the Middle Ages.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Seldene," "Seldenne," and "Seldune," reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common in that era. It is worth noting that the modern spelling "Selden" became more standardized in the 16th and 17th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the surname Selden was John Selden (1584-1654), an English jurist, scholar, and antiquarian. He made significant contributions to the study of ancient law and was a member of the English Parliament during the tumultuous period of the English Civil War.

Another notable figure was Reverend John Selden (1625-1689), an English minister and author who wrote several theological works, including "The Doctrine of Purgatory" and "A Treatise of the Civil Power in Ecclesiastical Cases."

In the 18th century, Joseph Selden (1730-1788) gained recognition as a successful merchant and philanthropist in London. He was involved in various charitable organizations and contributed to the establishment of schools and hospitals.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname Selden was the American author, artist, and naturalist, George Baldwin Selden (1846-1922). He is best known for his contributions to the development of the automobile and his patenting of the "Road Engine," a precursor to the modern car.

Another prominent figure was the British artist and illustrator, Camille Selden (1888-1975), whose works were featured in numerous publications, including Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. She was renowned for her depictions of high society and fashion during the early 20th century.

The surname Selden has a rich history, with roots tracing back to the Anglo-Saxon period in England. Its association with specific locations and the presence of notable individuals bearing the name throughout history showcase its enduring legacy across various fields and disciplines.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Selden families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Selden 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. Sussex leads with 38 Seldens recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.22x.

County Total Index
Sussex 38 22.22x
Devon 25 11.84x
Kent 17 4.91x
Middlesex 6 0.59x
Hampshire 5 2.41x
Lancashire 4 0.33x
Surrey 4 0.81x
Cheshire 3 1.34x
Royal Navy 1 8.27x
Wiltshire 1 1.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plympton St Mary in Devon leads with 13 Seldens recorded in 1881 and an index of 1065.57x.

Place Total Index
Plympton St Mary 13 1065.57x
Guestling 9 3214.29x
Hastings St Mary In The 9 246.58x
Ore 9 708.66x
Brenchley 8 645.16x
Alverstoke 5 66.40x
East Stonehouse 5 120.19x
Plymouth St Andrew 5 30.75x
Hammersmith London 4 16.01x
Pendleton In Salford 4 27.89x
Brookland 3 2000.00x
Hastings St Mary 3 70.42x
Newton In Ashton Under 3 135.75x
Speldhurst 3 170.45x
Westfield 3 810.81x
Lamberhurst 2 465.12x
Lewisham 2 10.84x
St Pancras London 2 2.45x
Wimbledon 2 36.04x
Bermondsey 1 3.31x
Bideford 1 44.25x
Bishops Nympton 1 250.00x
Hastings All Sts 1 62.11x
Hastings St Clement 1 62.11x
Hastings St Leonards 1 39.84x
Lee 1 19.92x
Royal Navy 1 9.68x
Sherston Magna 1 185.19x
Wonersh 1 161.29x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 9
George 6
James 5
Charles 4
Henry 4
Richard 4
Thomas 3
Alfred 2
Robert 2
Alfd. 1
Caleb 1
Clement 1
Edgar 1
Isaac 1
John 1
Matilda 1
Samuel 1
Stephen 1
Walter 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Selden surname: questions and answers

How common was the Selden surname in 1881?

In 1881, 103 people were recorded with the Selden surname. That placed it at #19,410 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Selden surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 117 in 2016. That gives Selden a modern rank of #28,033.

What does the Selden surname mean?

A habitational surname originally denoting someone from Selden, a location in Suffolk, England.

What does the Selden map show?

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