NameCensus.

UK surname

Sidebottom

A descriptive surname referring to someone who lived near the side of a hill or valley.

In the 1881 census there were 1,718 people recorded with the Sidebottom surname, ranking it #2,505 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,254, ranked #4,768, down from #2,505 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Glossop and Mottram-in-Longdendale. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include High Peak, Leeds and Wakefield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sidebottom is 2,015 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 27.0%.

1881 census count

1,718

Ranked #2,505

Modern count

1,254

2016, ranked #4,768

Peak year

1901

2,015 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sidebottom had 1,718 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,505 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,254 in 2016, ranked #4,768.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,015 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Sidebottom surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sidebottom surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sidebottom 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 997 #2,806
1861 historical 1,168 #2,417
1881 historical 1,718 #2,505
1891 historical 1,911 #2,410
1901 historical 2,015 #2,651
1911 historical 1,951 #2,543
1997 modern 1,471 #3,977
1998 modern 1,492 #4,072
1999 modern 1,483 #4,124
2000 modern 1,434 #4,215
2001 modern 1,419 #4,177
2002 modern 1,426 #4,230
2003 modern 1,367 #4,300
2004 modern 1,364 #4,321
2005 modern 1,327 #4,363
2006 modern 1,301 #4,439
2007 modern 1,304 #4,474
2008 modern 1,304 #4,496
2009 modern 1,348 #4,466
2010 modern 1,358 #4,521
2011 modern 1,316 #4,587
2012 modern 1,273 #4,660
2013 modern 1,287 #4,700
2014 modern 1,291 #4,705
2015 modern 1,273 #4,725
2016 modern 1,254 #4,768

Geography

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Where Sidebottoms are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Glossop, Mottram-in-Longdendale, Manchester and Wakefield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to High Peak, Leeds, Wakefield and Barnsley. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Glossop Derbyshire
3 Mottram-in-Longdendale Lancashire
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Wakefield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 High Peak 003 High Peak
2 Leeds 103 Leeds
3 Wakefield 042 Wakefield
4 Barnsley 028 Barnsley
5 Leeds 100 Leeds

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sidebottom

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sidebottom

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

Young Families in Industrial Towns

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Sidebottom is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Sidebottom is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Sidebottom

The surname Sidebottom is of English origin, derived from a locational name for someone who lived near a hillside or slope. It is composed of the Old English words "side," meaning side or slope, and "botm," meaning a valley or a hollow.

The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to the 13th century in Yorkshire, where it appeared as "de Sydebothem" in the Feet of Fines for 1301. This early spelling suggests that the name may have originated from a place name, perhaps a hamlet or village, called Sidebottom.

During the medieval period, the name was primarily concentrated in the northern counties of England, particularly Yorkshire and Lancashire. It is likely that the name originated in one of these regions, where it was initially used to identify individuals from a specific location.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as "Sydebothom," "Sydebotham," and "Sidebotham," reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling practices of the time. One notable bearer of the name was William Sidebottom, born in 1592 in Rochdale, Lancashire, who was a prominent merchant and landowner.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Sidebottom family began to spread to other parts of England, with records showing individuals with this surname in counties like Cheshire, Staffordshire, and Derbyshire. One notable figure from this period was John Sidebottom (1678-1743), a renowned clockmaker from Stockport, Cheshire, whose timepieces were highly sought after.

In the 19th century, the Sidebottom name gained further prominence with the birth of Benjamin Sidebottom (1832-1905), a successful industrialist from Derbyshire who made significant contributions to the textile industry. Another notable figure was Joseph Sidebottom (1824-1886), a prominent Baptist minister and author from Yorkshire.

Other individuals with the Sidebottom surname who have left their mark on history include:

1. Henry Sidebottom (1878-1962), a British trade unionist and Labour politician from Lancashire. 2. Eliza Sidebottom (1853-1927), an English actress and singer who performed in numerous productions in London's West End. 3. William Sidebottom (1861-1929), a cricketer from Derbyshire who played for the county team in the late 19th century. 4. John Sidebottom (1924-2001), a British artist and sculptor known for his abstract works and public commissions. 5. Sarah Sidebottom (1794-1881), a prominent figure in the early days of the Methodist movement in England.

While the Sidebottom surname has its roots in the northern counties of England, it has since spread throughout the country and beyond, with bearers of the name contributing to various fields, including industry, politics, arts, and religion.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sidebottom families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sidebottom 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. Lancashire leads with 576 Sidebottoms recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.90x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 576 2.90x
Cheshire 420 11.35x
Yorkshire 386 2.32x
Derbyshire 207 7.89x
Staffordshire 25 0.44x
Durham 16 0.32x
Lincolnshire 15 0.56x
Surrey 15 0.18x
Leicestershire 11 0.59x
Hampshire 7 0.20x
Shropshire 7 0.48x
Dorset 6 0.55x
Flintshire 5 1.11x
Middlesex 5 0.03x
Somerset 4 0.15x
Warwickshire 3 0.07x
Westmorland 3 0.81x
Worcestershire 2 0.09x
Kent 1 0.02x
Lanarkshire 1 0.02x
Northamptonshire 1 0.06x
Royal Navy 1 0.50x
Sussex 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ashton Under Lyne in Lancashire leads with 186 Sidebottoms recorded in 1881 and an index of 42.80x.

Place Total Index
Ashton Under Lyne 186 42.80x
Glossop Dale 88 71.62x
Dukinfield 83 48.56x
Mottram 74 441.53x
Hollingworth 59 386.89x
Leeds 48 5.12x
Wakefield 47 36.87x
Hyde 43 39.39x
Rothwell 42 125.22x
Castleton 38 19.13x
Manchester 32 3.58x
Oldham 32 4.99x
Stayley 32 75.69x
Wombwell 29 59.89x
Ludworth 26 210.36x
Beard Ollerset Whitle 24 139.05x
Stockport 23 12.08x
Wolverhampton 23 5.29x
Barton Upon Irwell 22 14.70x
Chapel En Le Frith 17 70.95x
Disley Stanley 16 83.99x
Metheringham 15 140.19x
Denton 14 31.77x
Mellor 14 196.35x
Crigglestone 13 81.30x
Openshaw 13 13.96x
Heaton Norris 12 10.60x
Kimberworth 12 13.02x
Lofthouse Cum Carlton 12 59.29x
Wortley In Bramley 12 9.12x
Bishopwearmouth 11 2.57x
Droylsden 11 16.95x
Edale 11 572.92x
Hipperholme Cum 11 15.07x
Holbeck 11 10.00x
Chorlton Cum Hardy 10 75.82x
Darton 10 58.79x
Ecclesall Bierlow 10 2.96x
Huddersfield 10 4.13x
Hulme 10 2.41x
Newton In Ashton Under 10 27.40x
North Meols 10 5.14x
Salford 10 1.71x
Sheffield 10 1.89x
Thurgoland 10 89.29x
Swithland 9 638.30x
Worsley 9 7.34x
Ardwick 8 4.46x
Brinnington 8 23.15x
Cheadle 8 11.32x
Gorton 8 4.28x
Heaton 8 44.84x
Spotland 8 3.62x
Tranmere 8 5.88x
Barnsley 7 4.09x
Bradford 7 7.52x
Brampton Bierlow 7 32.91x
Chesterfield 7 7.12x
Hoyland Nether 7 17.19x
Newton 7 4.57x
Pendleton In Salford 7 2.95x
Pilkington 7 9.27x
Portsea 7 1.04x
Rusholme 7 13.20x
Toxteth Park 7 1.04x
Accrington 6 3.32x
Altofts 6 32.73x
Bollington In 6 18.22x
Chadderton 6 6.17x
Heap 6 5.69x
Horwich 6 27.66x
Micklefield 6 150.38x
Moston 6 30.08x
Odd Rode 6 32.75x
Oswaldtwistle 6 8.54x
Silton 6 422.54x
Tintwistle 6 30.35x
Newport 5 28.62x
Rhuddlan 5 12.61x
Stainbrough 5 162.87x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 124
James 89
William 76
George 52
Joseph 52
Samuel 48
Thomas 44
Charles 24
Henry 20
Alfred 17
Albert 15
Robert 15
Arthur 12
Walter 12
Edwin 10
Edward 9
Ernest 8
Fred 8
Harry 8
Isaac 8
Frank 7
Ralph 7
David 6
Peter 6
Tom 6
Wright 6
Wm. 5
Benjamin 4
Ellis 4
Geo. 4
Herbert 4
Lewis 4
Richard 4
Saml. 4
Thos. 4
Andrew 3
Francis 3
Harold 3
Job 3
Joel 3
Joshua 3
Sam 3
Abraham 2
Ben 2
Benj. 2
Denis 2
Dennis 2
Edmund 2
Luke 2
Paul 2

FAQ

Sidebottom surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sidebottom surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,718 people were recorded with the Sidebottom surname. That placed it at #2,505 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sidebottom surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,254 in 2016. That gives Sidebottom a modern rank of #4,768.

What does the Sidebottom surname mean?

A descriptive surname referring to someone who lived near the side of a hill or valley.

What does the Sidebottom map show?

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