NameCensus.

UK surname

Smerdon

An English habitational surname from a place named Smerdon in Devon.

In the 1881 census there were 465 people recorded with the Smerdon surname, ranking it #7,144 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 429, ranked #11,214, down from #7,144 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tormoham with Torquay, Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Merthyr Tydfil, West Devon and Teignbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Smerdon is 620 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 7.7%.

1881 census count

465

Ranked #7,144

Modern count

429

2016, ranked #11,214

Peak year

1911

620 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Smerdon had 465 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,144 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 429 in 2016, ranked #11,214.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 620 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Smerdon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Smerdon surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Smerdon 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 360 #6,569
1861 historical 389 #6,580
1881 historical 465 #7,144
1891 historical 529 #7,085
1901 historical 576 #7,293
1911 historical 620 #6,668
1997 modern 430 #10,423
1998 modern 436 #10,663
1999 modern 440 #10,648
2000 modern 450 #10,433
2001 modern 436 #10,500
2002 modern 436 #10,712
2003 modern 410 #11,061
2004 modern 414 #11,005
2005 modern 404 #11,100
2006 modern 400 #11,257
2007 modern 400 #11,374
2008 modern 394 #11,622
2009 modern 395 #11,838
2010 modern 429 #11,324
2011 modern 431 #11,155
2012 modern 436 #10,940
2013 modern 439 #11,052
2014 modern 439 #11,132
2015 modern 432 #11,183
2016 modern 429 #11,214

Geography

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Where Smerdons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tormoham with Torquay, Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841), London parishes, Ashburton and Buckland-in-the-Moor. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Merthyr Tydfil, West Devon, Teignbridge, South Hams and Sefton. 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 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
2 Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) Devon
3 London parishes London 3
4 Ashburton Devon
5 Buckland-in-the-Moor Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Merthyr Tydfil 006 Merthyr Tydfil
2 West Devon 003 West Devon
3 Teignbridge 017 Teignbridge
4 South Hams 002 South Hams
5 Sefton 032 Sefton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Smerdon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Smerdon

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Smerdon 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

Smerdon is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Smerdon

The surname Smerdon is believed to have originated in the counties of Devon and Cornwall in southwestern England during the early Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "smere" meaning "butter" and "dun" meaning "hill" or "down," suggesting a possible connection to a location where dairy farming or butter production was prominent.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Smerdon appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This entry refers to a place called "Smeredone" in Devon, providing evidence of the name's ancient roots in the region.

During the 13th century, variations of the name such as "Smerdone" and "Smeredon" can be found in historical records from Devon and Cornwall, reflecting the evolution of spelling over time. In the 14th century, a notable figure named John Smerdon was recorded as holding land in the parish of Holsworthy, Devon.

The Smerdon family continued to establish themselves in the southwestern counties of England throughout the medieval and early modern periods. In the late 16th century, a prominent member of the family, Sir John Smerdon (c. 1540-1609), served as a Member of Parliament for Devon and was known for his involvement in local affairs.

Another notable figure was Reverend Walter Smerdon (1608-1679), a clergyman and author who served as the Vicar of St. Columb Major in Cornwall. He published several theological works during his lifetime, including a treatise on the Book of Common Prayer.

In the 18th century, Smerdon Place, a historic estate in Devon, was the residence of the Smerdon family for generations. One of its notable inhabitants was Edward Smerdon (1726-1803), a landowner and philanthropist who funded the construction of several schools and charitable institutions in the area.

Moving into the 19th century, Sir William Smerdon (1790-1867) was a prominent English judge and legal scholar who served as a Justice of the Court of King's Bench. He was widely respected for his expertise in commercial law and his contributions to legal literature.

Throughout its long history, the surname Smerdon has maintained a strong connection to the southwestern counties of England, particularly Devon and Cornwall. Although not a widely dispersed name, it has been associated with notable individuals in various fields, reflecting the rich heritage and legacy of this ancient English surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Smerdon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Smerdon 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 334 Smerdons recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.22x.

County Total Index
Devon 334 35.22x
Surrey 41 1.85x
Middlesex 32 0.70x
Cheshire 13 1.29x
Lancashire 9 0.17x
Essex 7 0.78x
Hampshire 6 0.64x
Glamorgan 5 0.63x
Norfolk 4 0.57x
Derbyshire 3 0.42x
Gloucestershire 3 0.34x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.33x
Royal Navy 2 3.68x
Cornwall 1 0.19x
Huntingdonshire 1 1.11x
Kent 1 0.06x
Lanarkshire 1 0.07x
Somerset 1 0.14x
Warwickshire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ashburton in Devon leads with 66 Smerdons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1456.95x.

Place Total Index
Ashburton 66 1456.95x
Tormoham 60 149.55x
St Pancras London 19 5.18x
Wolborough 19 158.47x
Woodland 19 7916.67x
Bermondsey 14 10.32x
South Brent 14 686.27x
Widdecombeinthe Moor 14 1102.36x
Liscard 13 71.74x
Ugborough 13 567.69x
Ottery St Mary 11 176.85x
Buckland In The Moor 10 9090.91x
West Teignmouth 10 137.93x
Plymouth Charles The 9 21.55x
Carshalton 8 94.23x
Plympton St Mary 8 145.99x
Buckfastleigh 7 159.82x
Harrow 7 100.57x
Toxteth Park 7 3.82x
Binsted 6 168.54x
Bovey Tracey 6 180.72x
Brixham 6 54.60x
Bickington 5 1351.35x
Broadhempston 5 568.18x
Dean Prior 5 1020.41x
Reigate Borough 5 97.66x
Tawstock 5 297.62x
Happisburgh 4 459.77x
Leatherhead 4 71.94x
Modbury 4 165.29x
Cornworthy 3 461.54x
Lambeth 3 0.76x
Paignton 3 41.61x
Stoke D Abernon 3 461.54x
Stoke Damerel 3 4.52x
West Ham 3 1.51x
Withycombe Rawleigh 3 60.73x
Briton Ferry 2 21.14x
Chelsea London 2 1.46x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 2.33x
East Budleigh 2 44.74x
Hackney London 2 0.78x
Ipplepen 2 155.04x
Leyton Low 2 10.94x
Little Eaton 2 135.14x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 2.74x
Rolleston 2 555.56x
Royal Navy 2 4.31x
Sutton 2 12.45x
Totnes 2 36.04x
Woodford St Mary 2 196.08x
Birmingham 1 0.26x
Bristol St Augustine 1 6.93x
Chiswick 1 4.02x
Compton Gifford 1 33.67x
Dawlish 1 14.14x
Denbury 1 192.31x
Derby St Peter 1 4.40x
Devonport 1 9.17x
East Stonehouse 1 5.35x
Exeter St David 1 12.35x
Exminster 1 29.33x
Gloucester Kingsholm St 1 30.03x
Highweek 1 29.59x
Kensington London 1 0.39x
Kingsteignton 1 37.88x
Littleham 1 14.43x
Llanwonno 1 3.51x
Loose 1 43.86x
Loughor 1 23.75x
Maryhill 1 3.47x
Morchard Bishop 1 50.51x
Newington 1 0.59x
Newton Abbot St Mary 1 12.58x
Painswick 1 15.82x
Shaugh Prior 1 91.74x
Stoke Gabriel 1 100.00x
Walcot 1 2.56x
Waresley 1 277.78x
Woodleigh 1 322.58x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 32
John 31
Richard 23
Thomas 17
George 14
James 13
Robert 12
Charles 7
Henry 6
Arthur 4
Edward 4
Ernest 4
Samuel 4
Alexander 3
Elias 3
Frederick 3
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Wm. 3
Alfred 2
Edwin 2
Elijah 2
Elisha 2
Joseph 2
Peter 2
Sydney 2
A. 1
Albert 1
Andrew 1
Daniel 1
Ellis 1
F.P. 1
Frank 1
Geo.H. 1
Heamby 1
Herman 1
J. 1
Richd. 1
Sidney 1
Wareham 1

FAQ

Smerdon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Smerdon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 465 people were recorded with the Smerdon surname. That placed it at #7,144 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Smerdon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 429 in 2016. That gives Smerdon a modern rank of #11,214.

What does the Smerdon surname mean?

An English habitational surname from a place named Smerdon in Devon.

What does the Smerdon map show?

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