NameCensus.

UK surname

Smalling

A surname likely derived from a place name or denoting someone small in stature.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Brent, Islington and Thanet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Smalling is 122 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

122

2016, ranked #27,255

Peak year

2016

122 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016, ranked #27,255.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 32 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Smalling surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Smalling surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Smalling 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 3 #32,890
1861 historical 32 #29,944
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 64 #31,233
1998 modern 73 #30,681
1999 modern 72 #30,955
2000 modern 72 #30,977
2001 modern 70 #31,016
2002 modern 76 #30,830
2003 modern 76 #30,883
2004 modern 82 #30,468
2005 modern 87 #29,966
2006 modern 89 #30,027
2007 modern 95 #29,493
2008 modern 98 #29,355
2009 modern 105 #28,815
2010 modern 113 #28,162
2011 modern 107 #28,979
2012 modern 114 #27,868
2013 modern 109 #29,209
2014 modern 115 #28,439
2015 modern 117 #27,982
2016 modern 122 #27,255

Geography

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Where Smallings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Brent, Islington, Thanet and Stafford. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Brent 033 Brent
2 Islington 008 Islington
3 Brent 027 Brent
4 Thanet 017 Thanet
5 Stafford 016 Stafford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Smalling

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Smalling

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Smalling surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Smalling 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Smalling 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

Smalling is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Smalling falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Smalling is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Smalling, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Smalling

The surname Smalling originated in England, specifically in the Yorkshire region. It is derived from the Old English words "smal" and "inga," meaning "small" and "people," respectively. This suggests that the name initially referred to a group of people who lived in a small settlement or were of small stature.

The earliest recorded instance of the Smalling surname can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was documented as "Smalinga." This ancient record provides valuable insights into the historical roots of the name and its prevalence in medieval England.

During the Middle Ages, several variations of the name emerged, such as Smallinge, Smalling, and Smalynge. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the scribes' interpretations of the name's spelling.

Historically, the Smalling family held lands and properties in Yorkshire and surrounding areas. One notable member of the family was Sir Robert Smalling, who lived in the 14th century and served as a knight in the service of King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War.

In the 16th century, the Smalling surname was found in various records, including the parish registers of Ecclesfield, Yorkshire. During this period, the name was sometimes associated with place names such as Smallingfield or Smallingthwaite, which further reinforced its connection to small settlements or localities.

Another prominent figure bearing the Smalling surname was John Smalling, born in 1612 in Yorkshire. He was a respected scholar and theologian who authored several religious texts and served as a rector in the Church of England.

In the 18th century, the Smalling family continued to maintain a presence in Yorkshire and surrounding regions. One notable individual was William Smalling (1728-1801), a successful merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the local community.

As the centuries progressed, the Smalling surname spread across England and beyond, with families bearing this name contributing to various aspects of society, including agriculture, trade, and public service.

Throughout its history, the surname Smalling has been associated with a rich tapestry of individuals, each leaving their mark on the communities they called home. While the name's origins can be traced back to the Yorkshire region, its legacy has transcended geographical boundaries, becoming a part of the diverse cultural fabric of England and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Smalling surname: questions and answers

How common is the Smalling surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016. That gives Smalling a modern rank of #27,255.

What does the Smalling surname mean?

A surname likely derived from a place name or denoting someone small in stature.

What does the Smalling map show?

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