NameCensus.

UK surname

Shedden

A locational surname originating from a place name in Scotland.

In the 1881 census there were 517 people recorded with the Shedden surname, ranking it #6,593 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 635, ranked #8,332, down from #6,593 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kilbirnie, Beith and Fenwick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Crosshouse, Gatehead and Kilmaurs Rural, West Kilbride and Seamill and Calderdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shedden is 732 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22.8%.

1881 census count

517

Ranked #6,593

Modern count

635

2016, ranked #8,332

Peak year

1998

732 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Shedden had 517 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,593 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 635 in 2016, ranked #8,332.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 675 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Shedden surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shedden surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shedden 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 440 #5,586
1861 historical 462 #5,621
1881 historical 517 #6,593
1891 historical 556 #6,822
1901 historical 675 #6,456
1911 historical 146 #18,179
1997 modern 708 #7,187
1998 modern 732 #7,236
1999 modern 720 #7,362
2000 modern 725 #7,300
2001 modern 700 #7,367
2002 modern 697 #7,542
2003 modern 678 #7,587
2004 modern 693 #7,463
2005 modern 667 #7,633
2006 modern 674 #7,591
2007 modern 681 #7,602
2008 modern 680 #7,655
2009 modern 682 #7,806
2010 modern 708 #7,718
2011 modern 693 #7,743
2012 modern 647 #8,103
2013 modern 657 #8,144
2014 modern 657 #8,185
2015 modern 647 #8,224
2016 modern 635 #8,332

Geography

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Where Sheddens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kilbirnie, Beith, Fenwick, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Crosshouse, Gatehead and Kilmaurs Rural, West Kilbride and Seamill, Calderdale, Hambleton and Cumnock South and Craigens. 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 Kilbirnie Ayr
2 Beith Ayr
3 Fenwick Ayr
4 Govan Combination Lanark
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Crosshouse, Gatehead and Kilmaurs Rural East Ayrshire
2 West Kilbride and Seamill North Ayrshire
3 Calderdale 006 Calderdale
4 Hambleton 011 Hambleton
5 Cumnock South and Craigens East Ayrshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shedden

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Shedden

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

Shedden 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

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

Meaning and origin of Shedden

The surname Shedden is of Scottish origin, originating from the lands of Shettleston near the city of Glasgow. The name is believed to derive from the Gaelic words "sead" meaning jewel or gem and "dun" meaning hill or fort, suggesting the name may have referred to a prominent landowner or chieftain who resided on a hill or fortified settlement near a valuable mineral deposit.

The earliest recorded spelling of the name dates back to the 13th century, appearing in the Ragman Rolls of 1296 as "Shethin". This document recorded the submission of Scottish nobles and landowners to King Edward I of England during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The Shedden family likely originated from this area and held lands near Shettleston at that time.

In the 16th century, the name is found in the records of the Scottish Parliament as "Schadden" when Robert Schadden of Shettleston was appointed as a Commissioner for the Shire of Renfrew in 1587. This variation in spelling was common during that era and highlights the evolution of the surname over time.

One notable historical figure bearing the Shedden name was Sir Walter Shedden (1680-1745), a Scottish merchant and politician who served as Lord Provost of Glasgow from 1737 to 1739. He played a significant role in the city's economic development and was instrumental in establishing the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

Another prominent individual was Robert Shedden (1784-1868), a Scottish-born Canadian businessman and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada. He was a successful merchant and landowner, contributing to the growth of British North America.

In the literary world, the name is associated with John Shedden (1810-1873), a Scottish poet and journalist who was a prominent figure in the literary scene of his time. His works often reflected the local culture and traditions of his native Scotland.

The Shedden name is also connected to the town of Shedden, Ontario, Canada, which was established in the 19th century and named after John Shedden, a former railway contractor and businessman who played a pivotal role in the construction of the Great Western Railway in Canada.

Throughout its history, the surname Shedden has been associated with various notable individuals, from merchants and politicians to poets and railroad pioneers, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and achievements of those who have carried this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Shedden families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shedden 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. Ayrshire leads with 156 Sheddens recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.25x.

County Total Index
Ayrshire 156 41.25x
Lanarkshire 85 5.20x
Renfrewshire 74 18.90x
Midlothian 43 6.35x
Lancashire 22 0.37x
Perthshire 20 8.82x
Argyllshire 15 10.66x
Staffordshire 15 0.88x
Gloucestershire 11 1.11x
Surrey 11 0.45x
Hampshire 9 0.87x
Middlesex 9 0.18x
Cheshire 8 0.72x
Dunbartonshire 8 5.89x
Worcestershire 7 1.06x
Somerset 6 0.74x
East Lothian 3 4.48x
Roxburghshire 3 3.28x
Angus 2 0.43x
Durham 2 0.13x
Fife 2 0.67x
Buteshire 1 3.27x
Glamorgan 1 0.11x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 1.37x
Northamptonshire 1 0.21x
Northumberland 1 0.13x
Royal Navy 1 1.66x
Wigtownshire 1 1.49x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 37 Sheddens recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.15x.

Place Total Index
Govan 37 9.15x
Dalry 27 151.77x
Beith 25 221.63x
Barony 22 5.32x
Neilston 19 96.64x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 18 6.61x
Lochwinnoch 18 308.22x
Paisley Middle Church 18 78.95x
Fenwick 17 850.00x
West Calder 17 127.44x
Glasgow 15 5.17x
Kilbirnie 15 165.20x
Largs 13 145.90x
Ardrossan 10 76.39x
Kirkdale 10 9.91x
Walsall Foreign 10 11.35x
Kilmore Kilbride 9 100.78x
Riccarton 9 157.89x
Stevenston 9 91.28x
Birkenhead 8 9.00x
North Leith 8 25.54x
Battersea 7 3.76x
Bristol St Peter 7 197.74x
Dudley 7 8.73x
Dundonald 7 50.22x
Kilwinning 7 57.33x
Old Monkland 7 10.79x
Perth East Church 7 32.74x
Perth West Church 7 65.06x
Row 6 34.15x
Twerton 6 71.51x
Castleton 5 8.35x
Dreghorn 5 72.99x
Kilmarnock 5 11.11x
Boldre 4 107.82x
East Greenock 4 10.82x
Islington London 4 0.82x
Kilbarchan 4 33.64x
Killean Kilchenzie 4 167.36x
Tipton 4 7.66x
Whippingham 4 51.02x
Auchtergaven 3 78.95x
Bristol St Paul In 3 11.36x
Castleton 3 76.34x
Houston Killallan 3 79.16x
Lanark 3 22.81x
Newton 3 6.49x
Paisley Low Church 3 24.19x
Tranent 3 33.19x
Abbey 2 3.35x
Blackford 2 72.20x
Dumbarton 2 10.58x
Dundee 2 1.14x
Frimley 2 28.53x
Gateshead 2 1.78x
Kensington London 2 0.71x
Lambeth 2 0.45x
St Gilesin Fields 2 68.03x
West Derby 2 1.14x
West Greenock 2 2.85x
Ardrossan West 1 294.12x
Cardiff St Mary 1 2.06x
Croughton 1 95.24x
Cumbrae 1 31.06x
Dunfermline 1 2.17x
Galston 1 9.67x
Inverkip 1 10.83x
Kilmaurs 1 15.55x
Kirkcudbright 1 16.53x
Lesmahagow 1 5.79x
Liverpool 1 0.27x
Loudoun 1 11.00x
Old Luce 1 23.64x
Redgorton 1 39.68x
Rowley Regis 1 2.10x
St Andrews 1 7.35x
St Marylebone London 1 0.37x
Stewarton 1 13.37x
Toxteth Park 1 0.49x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 5
Agnes 4
Alice 3
Caroline 3
Elizabeth 3
Charlotte 2
Jane 2
Kate 2
Sarah 2
Ada 1
Ann 1
Edith 1
Ella 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Gwladys 1
Helen 1
Hellena 1
Isabella 1
Janet 1
Janett 1
Jeanie 1
Laura 1
Lavinia 1
Leviah 1
Louisa 1
Mabel 1
Maria 1
Marion 1
Octavia 1
Priscilla 1
Rose 1
Sydney 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 9
John 6
Edward 4
James 3
Arthur 2
Charles 2
Henry 2
Samuel 2
Sydney 2
Albert 1
Arnold 1
Duncan 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Graham 1
Herbert 1
Howard 1
Hugh 1
Josiah 1
Lewis 1
Malcolm 1
Paul 1
Percy 1
Richard 1
Saml. 1
Thomas 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Shedden surname: questions and answers

How common was the Shedden surname in 1881?

In 1881, 517 people were recorded with the Shedden surname. That placed it at #6,593 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Shedden surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 635 in 2016. That gives Shedden a modern rank of #8,332.

What does the Shedden surname mean?

A locational surname originating from a place name in Scotland.

What does the Shedden map show?

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