NameCensus.

UK surname

Seldon

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "willow town".

In the 1881 census there were 537 people recorded with the Seldon surname, ranking it #6,413 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 683, ranked #7,848, down from #6,413 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) and Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rhondda Cynon Taf, Sevenoaks and Cheshire East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Seldon is 702 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.2%.

1881 census count

537

Ranked #6,413

Modern count

683

2016, ranked #7,848

Peak year

2010

702 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Seldon had 537 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,413 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 683 in 2016, ranked #7,848.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 688 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Seldon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Seldon surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Seldon 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 373 #6,385
1861 historical 384 #6,667
1881 historical 537 #6,413
1891 historical 611 #6,291
1901 historical 622 #6,868
1911 historical 688 #6,165
1997 modern 685 #7,364
1998 modern 693 #7,538
1999 modern 687 #7,626
2000 modern 683 #7,633
2001 modern 679 #7,532
2002 modern 683 #7,656
2003 modern 668 #7,672
2004 modern 672 #7,654
2005 modern 675 #7,556
2006 modern 683 #7,519
2007 modern 683 #7,579
2008 modern 661 #7,805
2009 modern 697 #7,662
2010 modern 702 #7,761
2011 modern 692 #7,748
2012 modern 672 #7,865
2013 modern 686 #7,869
2014 modern 689 #7,875
2015 modern 678 #7,922
2016 modern 683 #7,848

Geography

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Where Seldons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton, London parishes and Kenn, Ide, Ashton, Exminster. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rhondda Cynon Taf, Sevenoaks and Cheshire East. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) Devon
3 Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton Devon
4 London parishes London 3
5 Kenn, Ide, Ashton, Exminster Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rhondda Cynon Taf 020 Rhondda Cynon Taf
2 Rhondda Cynon Taf 017 Rhondda Cynon Taf
3 Sevenoaks 012 Sevenoaks
4 Cheshire East 013 Cheshire East
5 Rhondda Cynon Taf 009 Rhondda Cynon Taf

Forenames

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First names often paired with Seldon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Seldon

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Seldon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Seldon household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Seldon 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

Seldon is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Seldon falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Seldon

The surname Seldon is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from the place name Selden or Seldon, which was found in various counties across England, including Kent, Hertfordshire, and Yorkshire.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Seldene." This entry suggests that the name was already in use during the Norman Conquest and may have been derived from the Old English words "seld" or "seldan," meaning "a dwelling" or "a habitation."

In the 13th century, records show the name Seldon appearing in various forms, such as "Seldone" and "Seldun," reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common during that time. These early records often referred to individuals from specific locations bearing the name Seldon or its variants.

One notable historical figure with this surname was John Seldon (1584-1654), an English jurist, scholar, and parliamentarian. He was born in Salvington, West Sussex, and is best known for his work "The Duello, or Single Combat" (1610), which explored the legal and moral aspects of dueling.

Another prominent individual was John Seldon (1584-1654), an English antiquarian and legal scholar. He authored several influential works, including "Titles of Honor" (1614) and "Mare Clausum" (1635), which defended England's sovereignty over the surrounding seas.

In the 16th century, the name Seldon was associated with the village of Selden in Suffolk, England. This connection is evidenced by the birth of Thomas Seldon (c. 1515-1589), a prominent clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Trinity College, Cambridge.

During the 17th century, the name Seldon appeared in various records across England, such as parish registers and court documents. One notable example is William Seldon (1617-1689), an English lawyer and politician who served as a member of the House of Commons.

In the 18th century, the surname Seldon was found in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, where the village of Selden was located. One notable individual from this period was John Seldon (1715-1789), a Yorkshire-born clergyman and author who wrote several theological works.

Throughout its history, the surname Seldon has been associated with various professions and social standings, from academics and clergymen to lawyers and politicians. While its origins can be traced back to specific locations in England, the name has since spread and evolved, reflecting the rich tapestry of English surnames and their enduring legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Seldon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Seldon 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. Devon leads with 309 Seldons recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.18x.

County Total Index
Devon 309 28.18x
Cornwall 60 10.06x
Surrey 43 1.68x
Middlesex 36 0.68x
Glamorgan 25 2.73x
Warwickshire 12 0.90x
Somerset 11 1.30x
Nottinghamshire 9 1.27x
Lancashire 7 0.11x
Monmouthshire 6 1.58x
Yorkshire 5 0.10x
Hampshire 4 0.37x
Kent 4 0.22x
Royal Navy 3 4.78x
Sussex 2 0.23x
Channel Islands 1 0.64x
Lincolnshire 1 0.12x
Norfolk 1 0.12x
Worcestershire 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. Barnstaple in Devon leads with 58 Seldons recorded in 1881 and an index of 337.01x.

Place Total Index
Barnstaple 58 337.01x
Exminster 23 583.76x
Stoke Damerel 20 26.06x
Landkey 18 1666.67x
Camberwell 16 4.76x
Chittlehampton 12 444.44x
Loxhore 12 3157.89x
Rotherhithe 11 16.90x
Crediton 10 96.25x
Kilkhampton 10 568.18x
Aston 9 2.46x
Holsworthy 9 291.26x
Okehampton 9 217.92x
Bermondsey 8 5.10x
Tormoham 8 17.25x
All Hallows Barking 7 534.35x
Ashton Under Lyne 7 5.12x
Phillack 7 90.91x
Sampford Peverell 7 603.45x
Shobrooke 7 603.45x
Swansea Town 7 9.31x
Tiverton 7 37.06x
Bishops Tawton 6 175.44x
Bondleigh 6 1764.71x
Briton Ferry 6 54.84x
Chiswick 6 20.85x
Exeter St Thomas The 6 53.67x
Gwennap 6 53.33x
Hartland 6 175.95x
Hatherleigh 6 219.78x
Luccombe 6 895.52x
Meeth 6 1428.57x
Nottingham St Mary 6 3.27x
Rhyndwyclydach 6 94.34x
St Clement Danes 6 70.34x
St Woollos 6 14.12x
Thrushelton 6 779.22x
Braunton 5 134.41x
Davidstow 5 675.68x
Exeter Alphington 5 248.76x
Lambeth 5 1.09x
St Clement 5 80.39x
Bideford 4 34.04x
Georgeham 4 289.86x
Great Ouseburn 4 444.44x
Liskeard 4 40.08x
Llantwit Lower 4 49.63x
Madron Penzance 4 18.44x
Newlyn 4 156.86x
St Kew 4 201.01x
Wolborough 4 28.86x
Ide 3 252.10x
Islington London 3 0.59x
Kirkby In Ashfield 3 39.53x
Petrockstow 3 326.09x
Plumstead 3 5.01x
Royal Navy 3 5.59x
St Breock 3 93.17x
St Germans 3 72.12x
Westminster St John 3 4.68x
Bratton Fleming 2 212.77x
Burrington 2 142.86x
Exeter St Mary Major 2 30.26x
Fremington 2 89.69x
Hammersmith London 2 1.54x
Kensington London 2 0.68x
Kingsteignton 2 65.57x
Llanguick 2 12.17x
Paignton 2 23.98x
Shrewley 2 303.03x
Sithney 2 33.17x
St Helens 2 25.48x
St Marylebone London 2 0.71x
St Tudy 2 212.77x
Stoke Rivers 2 555.56x
Streatham 2 5.12x
West Down 2 208.33x
Devonport 1 7.94x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 1.18x
St Gilesin Fields 1 32.57x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 39
Elizabeth 27
Emma 12
Ann 11
Ellen 9
Martha 8
Sarah 8
Eliza 7
Alice 6
Annie 6
Jane 6
Susan 6
Emily 5
Lucy 5
Caroline 4
Charlotte 4
Florence 4
Grace 4
Harriet 4
Margaret 4
Maria 4
Agnes 3
Amelia 3
Edith 3
Elizth. 3
Louisa 3
Ada 2
Catherine 2
Elizth.A. 2
Ethel 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Kate 2
Laura 2
Lily 2
Lousia 2
Olive 2
Priscilla 2
Sophia 2
Blanch 1
Bridget 1
Dorcas 1
E.L. 1
Elise 1
Helena 1
Jemima 1
Jessie 1
Johanna 1
Julia 1
Thomasin 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 45
William 43
Thomas 22
Richard 17
George 15
James 15
Arthur 9
Charles 9
Frederick 7
Samuel 7
Edwin 6
Joseph 5
Alfred 4
Christopher 4
Henry 4
Wm. 4
Albert 3
Amos 3
Ernest 3
Robert 3
Edward 2
Frank 2
Lewis 2
Thos. 2
Walter 2
Albany 1
Andrew 1
Belamy 1
Bertie 1
Chas. 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Frid 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
Horatio 1
Isaac 1
Nathl. 1
Newton 1
Nicholas 1
Raymond 1
Robt. 1
Sam 1
Saml. 1
Silas 1
Stephen 1
Tom 1
Wm.H. 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Seldon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Seldon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 537 people were recorded with the Seldon surname. That placed it at #6,413 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Seldon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 683 in 2016. That gives Seldon a modern rank of #7,848.

What does the Seldon surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "willow town".

What does the Seldon map show?

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