NameCensus.

UK surname

Siddons

An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "dry valley".

In the 1881 census there were 585 people recorded with the Siddons surname, ranking it #5,965 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 959, ranked #5,992, down from #5,965 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ecclesfield, Silkstone and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Doncaster, Hinckley and Bosworth and Blaby.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Siddons is 1,061 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 63.9%.

1881 census count

585

Ranked #5,965

Modern count

959

2016, ranked #5,992

Peak year

1999

1,061 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Siddons had 585 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,965 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 959 in 2016, ranked #5,992.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 820 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Siddons surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Siddons surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Siddons 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 395 #6,095
1861 historical 360 #7,095
1881 historical 585 #5,965
1891 historical 597 #6,413
1901 historical 820 #5,510
1911 historical 773 #5,615
1997 modern 1,009 #5,464
1998 modern 1,037 #5,505
1999 modern 1,061 #5,433
2000 modern 1,040 #5,506
2001 modern 1,001 #5,577
2002 modern 1,015 #5,621
2003 modern 993 #5,623
2004 modern 1,000 #5,598
2005 modern 955 #5,760
2006 modern 956 #5,760
2007 modern 941 #5,892
2008 modern 976 #5,757
2009 modern 991 #5,801
2010 modern 1,027 #5,753
2011 modern 992 #5,858
2012 modern 966 #5,895
2013 modern 977 #5,930
2014 modern 976 #5,971
2015 modern 967 #5,977
2016 modern 959 #5,992

Geography

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Where Siddons' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ecclesfield, Silkstone, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars, Sheffield and Walsall. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Doncaster, Hinckley and Bosworth, Blaby, Barnsley and Wakefield. 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 Ecclesfield Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Silkstone Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Walsall Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Doncaster 032 Doncaster
2 Hinckley and Bosworth 001 Hinckley and Bosworth
3 Blaby 004 Blaby
4 Barnsley 020 Barnsley
5 Wakefield 044 Wakefield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Siddons

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Siddons

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Siddons is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Siddons 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

Siddons falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Siddons

The surname Siddons has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "sid," meaning "wide" or "spacious," and may have initially referred to someone who lived on or near a wide stretch of land or a wide street.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Siddons name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Sidun." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England, and the inclusion of the name suggests its presence in the country at that time.

During the 13th century, the name appears in various spellings, such as "Sydun," "Siddon," and "Sidun," reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common in that era. These variations likely stemmed from regional dialects and the lack of standardized spelling conventions.

In the 16th century, the Siddons surname gained prominence with the birth of Sarah Siddons (1755-1831), widely regarded as one of the greatest tragic actresses of the English stage. Her performances in Shakespearean and other classical roles earned her widespread acclaim and helped to establish the Siddons name in the annals of theatre history.

Another notable figure bearing the Siddons surname was Henry Siddons (1808-1886), an actor and theatre manager who was the son of Sarah Siddons. He helped to maintain the family's theatrical legacy and contributed to the development of theatre in Britain.

In the literary realm, the Siddons name is associated with Henry Siddons Mowbray (1858-1928), an English writer and critic who authored several works on the history of theatre and dramatic literature.

The surname Siddons can also be traced to various place names in England, such as Siddon Clough in Derbyshire and Siddon Moor in Yorkshire. These locations may have influenced the development of the surname or, conversely, may have been named after individuals bearing the Siddons name.

Throughout its history, the Siddons surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including actors, writers, and other notable personalities. Its enduring presence in the English language and cultural heritage serves as a testament to its rich history and significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Siddons families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Siddons 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 124 Siddons' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.19x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 124 2.19x
Staffordshire 93 4.83x
Leicestershire 80 12.64x
Northamptonshire 45 8.38x
Derbyshire 30 3.36x
Middlesex 26 0.46x
Lancashire 22 0.32x
Lincolnshire 19 2.08x
Nottinghamshire 18 2.34x
Worcestershire 14 1.88x
Warwickshire 13 0.90x
Dorset 12 3.20x
Lanarkshire 12 0.65x
Surrey 11 0.40x
Kent 10 0.51x
Aberdeenshire 7 1.32x
Cheshire 7 0.56x
Midlothian 6 0.78x
Caernarfonshire 5 2.17x
Kirkcudbrightshire 5 6.05x
Northumberland 5 0.59x
Gloucestershire 4 0.36x
Cornwall 3 0.46x
Dumfriesshire 2 1.59x
Durham 2 0.12x
Stirlingshire 2 0.95x
Sussex 2 0.21x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.28x
Devon 1 0.08x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.88x
Isle of Man 1 0.94x
Oxfordshire 1 0.28x
Renfrewshire 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Bromwich in Staffordshire leads with 39 Siddons' recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.36x.

Place Total Index
West Bromwich 39 35.36x
Barnsley 25 42.86x
Bradfield 20 91.74x
Leicester St Margaret 18 11.67x
Handsworth 16 33.70x
Osgathorpe 15 2542.37x
Walsall Foreign 13 13.07x
Melcombe Regis 12 77.32x
Balby Cum Hexthorpe 11 162.96x
Huddersfield 10 12.14x
Leicester St Mary 10 19.56x
Little Bowden 9 478.72x
Ratby 9 283.91x
Farforth Cum Maidenwell 8 2857.14x
Oxspring 8 1159.42x
Woolwich 8 11.12x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 7 7.08x
Aston 7 1.77x
Govan 7 1.53x
Little Houghton 7 1891.89x
Nottingham St Mary 7 3.52x
Wellingborough 7 25.94x
Wolstanton 7 11.97x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 6 11.39x
Basford 6 16.93x
Birmingham 6 1.25x
Darlaston 6 22.54x
Leicester Black Friars 6 145.63x
Oundle 6 100.00x
Sheffield 6 3.33x
Thurlstone 6 107.53x
Woodnewton 6 645.16x
Belper 5 28.87x
Brightside Bierlow 5 4.51x
Fulham London 5 6.04x
Hassop 5 2777.78x
Manchester 5 1.64x
Nether Hallam 5 6.54x
Rothley 5 242.72x
Tealby 5 390.63x
Troqueer 5 46.13x
Walsall Borough 5 33.44x
Ardsley 4 61.35x
Broughton In Salford 4 6.46x
Doncaster 4 9.68x
Dudley 4 4.42x
Edinburgh Tolbooth 4 89.89x
Humberstone 4 76.92x
Ilkeston 4 15.97x
Kensington London 4 1.26x
St Pancras London 4 0.87x
Tansor 4 816.33x
Thrapston 4 148.15x
Tooting Graveney 4 51.68x
Wigan 4 4.23x
Yardley 4 20.98x
Camberwell 3 0.82x
Duffield 3 42.61x
Ecclesall Bierlow 3 2.61x
Glasgow 3 0.92x
Hugglescote 3 32.22x
Kingscote 3 566.04x
Kniveton 3 566.04x
Lambeth 3 0.60x
Leicester Newarke 3 90.91x
Llanbeblig 3 12.81x
Monks Coppenhall 3 6.31x
Oldbury 3 8.18x
Spalding 3 16.57x
Sywell 3 652.17x
Westminster St John 3 4.32x
Wolverhampton 3 2.03x
Alva 2 19.92x
Barony 2 0.43x
Glossop Dale 2 4.78x
Great Barr 2 90.91x
Kings Norton 2 2.99x
Plumstead 2 3.08x
Stapenhill 2 15.04x
Warrington 2 2.49x

Top female names

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

Name Count
George 32
John 30
William 30
Henry 21
Joseph 19
Arthur 12
Samuel 11
Thomas 11
James 9
Charles 8
Alfred 6
Frederick 5
Harry 5
Herbert 5
Walter 5
Benjamin 4
Tom 4
Albert 3
Robert 3
Earnest 2
Edwin 2
Ernest 2
Geo. 2
Josiah 2
Stephen 2
Wm. 2
Benj. 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
Collin 1
Daniel 1
Edmund 1
Eliza 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Fredric 1
Geo.H. 1
Howerd 1
J.B. 1
Job 1
Jonah 1
Phillip 1
Reginald 1
Richard 1
Rowland 1
Stanley 1
Thos. 1
Thos.Meese 1
Wm.Jas. 1

FAQ

Siddons surname: questions and answers

How common was the Siddons surname in 1881?

In 1881, 585 people were recorded with the Siddons surname. That placed it at #5,965 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Siddons surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 959 in 2016. That gives Siddons a modern rank of #5,992.

What does the Siddons surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "dry valley".

What does the Siddons map show?

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