NameCensus.

UK surname

Shortridge

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a short ridge or strip of elevated ground.

In the 1881 census there were 194 people recorded with the Shortridge surname, ranking it #13,097 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 142, ranked #24,625, down from #13,097 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Allendale, Troqueer and Egremont. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torridge and Cheshire West and Chester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shortridge is 231 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 26.8%.

1881 census count

194

Ranked #13,097

Modern count

142

2016, ranked #24,625

Peak year

1901

231 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Shortridge had 194 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,097 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 142 in 2016, ranked #24,625.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 231 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Shortridge surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shortridge surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shortridge 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 133 #14,106
1861 historical 136 #16,556
1881 historical 194 #13,097
1891 historical 214 #14,214
1901 historical 231 #13,805
1911 historical 231 #13,636
1997 modern 167 #19,722
1998 modern 173 #19,821
1999 modern 165 #20,535
2000 modern 155 #21,341
2001 modern 154 #21,122
2002 modern 151 #21,809
2003 modern 149 #21,766
2004 modern 147 #22,094
2005 modern 139 #22,887
2006 modern 135 #23,486
2007 modern 139 #23,377
2008 modern 134 #24,249
2009 modern 138 #24,276
2010 modern 141 #24,460
2011 modern 149 #23,408
2012 modern 156 #22,645
2013 modern 150 #23,653
2014 modern 148 #24,075
2015 modern 145 #24,246
2016 modern 142 #24,625

Geography

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Where Shortridges are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Allendale, Troqueer, Egremont, Bideford and Flimby. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torridge and Cheshire West and Chester. 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 Allendale Northumberland
2 Troqueer Kirkcudbright
3 Egremont Cumberland
4 Bideford Devon
5 Flimby Cumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torridge 004 Torridge
2 Torridge 003 Torridge
3 Cheshire West and Chester 039 Cheshire West and Chester
4 Torridge 001 Torridge
5 Torridge 002 Torridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shortridge

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Shortridge

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Shortridge is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Shortridge 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

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

Meaning and origin of Shortridge

The surname Shortridge is of English origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from a place name referring to a short ridge or hill. The earliest known spelling variations include Shorteridge, Shortyridge, and Shortridge.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from the year 1242, where it appears as "Robert de Shorterigge." This suggests that the name was already well-established by the 13th century in England.

In the 16th century, records show a Thomas Shortridge from Northamptonshire, born around 1520. He was a prominent landowner and is mentioned in several documents related to property transactions in the region.

The Shortridge name also appears in the Hearth Tax returns of the late 17th century, which listed households and their tax obligations based on the number of hearths or fireplaces in their homes. This provides evidence of the name's continued presence in various parts of England during that time.

One notable figure bearing the Shortridge surname was Sir John Shortridge (1640-1712), a wealthy merchant and politician from London. He served as an alderman and Sheriff of the City of London, and was knighted by King William III in 1695.

Another significant individual was Reverend Thomas Shortridge (1768-1848), an English clergyman and author. He served as the vicar of Boxford, Berkshire, and wrote several religious works, including "A Scriptural View of the Millennium" and "A Treatise on the English Liturgy."

In the 19th century, Captain William Shortridge (1814-1887) gained recognition as a British naval officer and explorer. He served in the East Indies and surveyed various parts of the Indian Ocean, contributing valuable information to navigation charts and geographical knowledge.

Moving into the 20th century, notable figures include Samuel Shortridge (1861-1939), a prominent American lawyer and politician. He served as a United States Senator from California from 1920 to 1933 and was a vocal advocate for civil rights and labor reforms.

Overall, the surname Shortridge has a rich history spanning several centuries, with roots deeply embedded in the English countryside and a presence in various walks of life, from landowners and clergymen to merchants, explorers, and politicians.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Shortridge families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shortridge 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 71 Shortridges recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.03x.

County Total Index
Devon 71 18.03x
Cumberland 32 19.64x
Lancashire 22 0.98x
Middlesex 13 0.69x
Kirkcudbrightshire 11 40.16x
Pembrokeshire 8 13.30x
Northumberland 7 2.49x
Cheshire 6 1.44x
Renfrewshire 5 3.41x
Yorkshire 5 0.27x
Kent 4 0.62x
Glamorgan 3 0.91x
Warwickshire 3 0.63x
Durham 2 0.36x
Gloucestershire 1 0.27x
Sussex 1 0.31x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bideford in Devon leads with 48 Shortridges recorded in 1881 and an index of 1137.44x.

Place Total Index
Bideford 48 1137.44x
Oldham 14 19.32x
Troqueer 11 306.41x
Egremont 9 231.96x
Flimby 8 579.71x
Pembroke St Mary 8 103.36x
Kirkhaugh 7 5833.33x
Eaglesfield 6 3529.41x
Liverpool 6 4.40x
Plymouth St Andrew 6 19.78x
Stoke Damerel 6 21.76x
Kensington London 5 4.75x
West Greenock 5 19.00x
Cummersdale 4 714.29x
Heeley 4 70.18x
Honiton 4 183.49x
Lewisham 4 11.62x
Littleham 4 138.89x
North Rode 4 2352.94x
Aberdare 3 13.26x
Bedworth 3 86.21x
St Pancras London 3 1.97x
Landcross 2 3333.33x
Over 2 47.06x
Poplar London 2 5.60x
Whitburn 2 152.67x
Alston 1 33.33x
Brighton 1 1.55x
Bristol St James St Paul 1 8.08x
Cleator 1 14.75x
Handsworth 1 20.16x
Kingwater 1 476.19x
Kirkdale 1 2.65x
Millom 1 20.04x
Pendleton In Salford 1 3.74x
Plumbland 1 238.10x
Shebbear 1 169.49x
St George Hanover 1 4.05x
Westminster St James 1 5.14x
Westminster St John 1 4.34x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Jane 8
Elizabeth 7
Margaret 6
Ann 4
Lucy 4
Sarah 4
Emma 3
Harriett 3
Alice 2
Clara 2
Ellen 2
Gertrude 2
Isabella 2
Louisa 2
Susan 2
Ada 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Barberra 1
Beatrice 1
Bessie 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Eleanor 1
Elizebeth 1
Emily 1
Esther 1
Faith 1
Florence 1
Jessie 1
Laura 1
Lillie 1
Maggie 1
Matilda 1
Minnie 1
Nanny 1
Rossie 1
Rubina 1
Ruth 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 16
William 15
Thomas 9
James 6
Richard 6
Charles 5
Frederick 3
Joseph 3
Robert 3
Francis 2
Herbert 2
Leonard 2
Samuel 2
Thos. 2
Archibald 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Gary 1
George 1
Gerald 1
Henry 1
Jessie 1
Lancaster 1
Ried 1

FAQ

Shortridge surname: questions and answers

How common was the Shortridge surname in 1881?

In 1881, 194 people were recorded with the Shortridge surname. That placed it at #13,097 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Shortridge surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 142 in 2016. That gives Shortridge a modern rank of #24,625.

What does the Shortridge surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a short ridge or strip of elevated ground.

What does the Shortridge map show?

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