UK surname
An English surname derived from the Old English words "sūth" meaning south and "dūn" meaning hill or down.
In the 1881 census there were 99 people recorded with the Souden surname, ranking it #19,877 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 91, ranked #32,109, down from #19,877 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Kemnay, Illogan and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Souden is 100 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 8.1%.
1881 census count
99
Ranked #19,877
Modern count
91
2016, ranked #32,109
Peak year
1901
100 bearers
Map years
1
1901 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Souden surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Souden surname density by area, 1901 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 | 56 | #23,235 |
| 1861 | historical | 97 | #21,503 |
| 1881 | historical | 99 | #19,877 |
| 1891 | historical | 85 | #26,080 |
| 1901 | historical | 100 | #22,863 |
| 1911 | historical | 38 | #29,147 |
| 1997 | modern | 69 | #30,712 |
| 1998 | modern | 73 | #30,681 |
| 1999 | modern | 76 | #30,546 |
| 2000 | modern | 81 | #30,036 |
| 2001 | modern | 79 | #30,065 |
| 2002 | modern | 85 | #29,867 |
| 2003 | modern | 83 | #30,088 |
| 2004 | modern | 91 | #29,345 |
| 2005 | modern | 94 | #28,973 |
| 2006 | modern | 88 | #30,160 |
| 2007 | modern | 85 | #30,954 |
| 2008 | modern | 94 | #29,950 |
| 2009 | modern | 90 | #31,094 |
| 2010 | modern | 85 | #32,185 |
| 2011 | modern | 84 | #32,237 |
| 2012 | modern | 84 | #32,502 |
| 2013 | modern | 89 | #32,248 |
| 2014 | modern | 88 | #32,495 |
| 2015 | modern | 88 | #32,421 |
| 2016 | modern | 91 | #32,109 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Kemnay, Illogan, Edinburgh, Camborne and Bradford. 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 | Kemnay | Aberdeen |
| 2 | Illogan | Cornwall |
| 3 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 4 | Camborne | Cornwall |
| 5 | Bradford | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Souden 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 Souden, 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 Souden surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Souden 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, Souden 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 Souden is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Souden, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Souden is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English word "sūth," meaning "south," and the suffix "-den," which denotes a valley or woodland. Thus, the name Souden likely referred to individuals who lived in a southern valley or woodland area.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Sudene." This record suggests that the name was already established in various parts of England by the late 13th century. Over time, the spelling evolved into its present form, "Souden."
While there are no known direct references to the name Souden in major historical records like the Domesday Book, it is believed to have originated from place names associated with southern locations. For instance, the village of Sowden in Derbyshire and the hamlet of Sowden in Lancashire may have contributed to the development of the surname.
Notable individuals bearing the surname Souden throughout history include:
1. Thomas Souden (c. 1590-1650), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Coulsdon in Surrey. 2. William Souden (1680-1751), a British naval officer who served during the War of the Spanish Succession and the War of the Austrian Succession. 3. Elizabeth Souden (1710-1790), a British philanthropist and benefactor who founded a school for poor children in her hometown of Bristol. 4. John Souden (1822-1897), an English architect known for his work on several churches and public buildings in London. 5. Margaret Souden (1876-1962), an American educator and suffragette who campaigned for women's right to vote in the early 20th century.
While the surname Souden has been present throughout various periods of history, it has remained relatively uncommon compared to other English surnames. Nevertheless, its origins can be traced back to the linguistic roots of Old English, reflecting the name's connection to specific geographic regions in England.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Souden 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. Aberdeenshire leads with 18 Soudens recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.13x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeenshire | 18 | 20.13x |
| Renfrewshire | 14 | 18.71x |
| Midlothian | 11 | 8.50x |
| Somerset | 10 | 6.43x |
| Yorkshire | 10 | 1.05x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 0.83x |
| Kent | 7 | 2.12x |
| Sussex | 7 | 4.30x |
| Cornwall | 6 | 5.49x |
| Argyllshire | 4 | 14.88x |
| Lincolnshire | 2 | 1.30x |
| Ross-shire | 2 | 7.54x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kemnay in Aberdeenshire leads with 15 Soudens recorded in 1881 and an index of 2777.78x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kemnay | 15 | 2777.78x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 8 | 15.37x |
| Abbey | 7 | 61.30x |
| Dulverton | 7 | 1521.74x |
| Iden | 6 | 3333.33x |
| Rawdon | 6 | 530.97x |
| Paisley High Church | 5 | 83.89x |
| Campbeltown | 4 | 123.46x |
| Seasalter | 4 | 952.38x |
| St Johns | 4 | 6666.67x |
| Penicuik | 3 | 170.45x |
| Shepton Beauchamp | 3 | 1428.57x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 3.73x |
| Kenwyn | 2 | 69.93x |
| Paisley Middle Church | 2 | 45.87x |
| Rosskeen | 2 | 160.00x |
| Sculcoates | 2 | 13.18x |
| Stickney | 2 | 869.57x |
| Tarves | 2 | 235.29x |
| Tottenham | 2 | 13.00x |
| Whitechapel London | 2 | 21.01x |
| Acton | 1 | 17.67x |
| Bidborough | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Eastbourne | 1 | 13.35x |
| Fulham London | 1 | 7.14x |
| Herne | 1 | 68.49x |
| Hipperholme Cum | 1 | 23.81x |
| Holbeck | 1 | 15.77x |
| Hougham | 1 | 51.02x |
| Inverurie | 1 | 99.01x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Souden 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 Souden 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 Souden households.
FAQ
In 1881, 99 people were recorded with the Souden surname. That placed it at #19,877 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 91 in 2016. That gives Souden a modern rank of #32,109.
An English surname derived from the Old English words "sūth" meaning south and "dūn" meaning hill or down.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Souden 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.