UK surname
A surname originating from an English place name, meaning "slippery" or "muddy area".
In the 1881 census there were 80 people recorded with the Slape surname, ranking it #22,225 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 59, ranked #34,401, down from #22,225 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Pancras, Dulverton, Brompton Regis and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Slape is 111 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 26.3%.
1881 census count
80
Ranked #22,225
Modern count
59
2016, ranked #34,401
Peak year
1891
111 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Slape surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Slape surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 72 | #20,720 |
| 1861 | historical | 71 | #24,765 |
| 1881 | historical | 80 | #22,225 |
| 1891 | historical | 111 | #22,421 |
| 1901 | historical | 96 | #23,342 |
| 1911 | historical | 97 | #23,076 |
| 1997 | modern | 77 | #29,874 |
| 1998 | modern | 71 | #30,869 |
| 1999 | modern | 75 | #30,661 |
| 2000 | modern | 67 | #31,473 |
| 2001 | modern | 66 | #31,394 |
| 2002 | modern | 71 | #31,351 |
| 2003 | modern | 71 | #31,393 |
| 2004 | modern | 69 | #31,784 |
| 2005 | modern | 62 | #32,708 |
| 2006 | modern | 64 | #32,839 |
| 2007 | modern | 65 | #33,045 |
| 2008 | modern | 68 | #33,047 |
| 2009 | modern | 65 | #33,611 |
| 2010 | modern | 65 | #33,863 |
| 2011 | modern | 60 | #34,202 |
| 2012 | modern | 58 | #34,404 |
| 2013 | modern | 61 | #34,317 |
| 2014 | modern | 61 | #34,343 |
| 2015 | modern | 58 | #34,470 |
| 2016 | modern | 59 | #34,401 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Pancras, Dulverton, Brompton Regis, St Dunstan Stepney, Portsmouth, Portsea and Wiveliscombe. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 2 | Dulverton, Brompton Regis | Devon |
| 3 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Portsmouth, Portsea | Hampshire |
| 5 | Wiveliscombe | Somerset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Slape surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Slape, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Slape surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Slape household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Slape is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Slape is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Slape, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname SLAPE is of English origin and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "slæp," which means "sleepy" or "lazy." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who was perceived as lethargic or sluggish.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname SLAPE can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. For example, the name appears in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1272, where a man named William Slape is mentioned. The Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1327 also list a John Slape.
During the 14th century, the SLAPE surname was concentrated primarily in the counties of Essex, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire. It is possible that the name originated in one of these regions, although its exact place of origin is uncertain.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the SLAPE surname was Robert Slape, who was born in Gloucestershire around 1380. He was a prominent landowner and served as a member of the local gentry.
Another notable figure was John Slape, a merchant and alderman from Bristol, who lived in the late 15th century. He played a significant role in the city's trade and governance during his lifetime.
In the 16th century, the SLAPE surname appeared in the parish records of several villages in Worcestershire, such as Bromsgrove and Redditch. This suggests that the name had become well-established in the region by this time.
One of the most notable bearers of the SLAPE surname was Sir Thomas Slape (1543-1612), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire. He was knighted by King James I in 1603 and served as a Justice of the Peace for his county.
Another individual of note was William Slape (1628-1699), a prominent Puritan clergyman from Gloucestershire. He was an active member of the Presbyterian movement and played a role in the religious controversies of the time.
While the SLAPE surname is not as common today as some others, it has persisted throughout the centuries and can be found in various parts of England, particularly in the counties where it first became established.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Slape surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 27 Slapes recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.42x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsmouth in Hampshire leads with 13 Slapes recorded in 1881 and an index of 348.53x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | 13 | 348.53x |
| St Pancras London | 13 | 20.45x |
| Wiveliscombe | 11 | 1549.30x |
| Islington London | 7 | 9.14x |
| Chittlehampton | 6 | 1463.41x |
| Dulverton | 6 | 1621.62x |
| Mile End Old Town | 6 | 48.12x |
| Portsea | 6 | 18.91x |
| Hampstead Norris | 5 | 1351.35x |
| Clayhidon | 1 | 625.00x |
| Congresbury | 1 | 312.50x |
| Enfield | 1 | 19.31x |
| Milverton | 1 | 212.77x |
| Oake | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 12.42x |
| Wellington | 1 | 58.14x |
| Wembdon | 1 | 263.16x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Slape surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Slape surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Slape households.
FAQ
In 1881, 80 people were recorded with the Slape surname. That placed it at #22,225 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 59 in 2016. That gives Slape a modern rank of #34,401.
A surname originating from an English place name, meaning "slippery" or "muddy area".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Slape bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.