NameCensus.

UK surname

Stanford

An English locational surname derived from a place meaning "stone ford," referring to a stone-paved river crossing.

In the 1881 census there were 2,483 people recorded with the Stanford surname, ranking it #1,795 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,770, also still ranked #1,795.

The strongest historical links point to Tipton otherwise Tibington, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Cambridgeshire, Sandwell and Wychavon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stanford is 3,948 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 51.8%.

1881 census count

2,483

Ranked #1,795

Modern count

3,770

2016, ranked #1,795

Peak year

1999

3,948 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Stanford had 2,483 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,795 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,770 in 2016, ranked #1,795.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,620 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Stanford surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Stanford surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Stanford 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 1,470 #1,954
1861 historical 1,531 #1,851
1881 historical 2,483 #1,795
1891 historical 2,753 #1,715
1901 historical 3,242 #1,720
1911 historical 3,620 #1,442
1997 modern 3,786 #1,716
1998 modern 3,890 #1,731
1999 modern 3,948 #1,726
2000 modern 3,928 #1,724
2001 modern 3,830 #1,730
2002 modern 3,924 #1,726
2003 modern 3,783 #1,758
2004 modern 3,771 #1,758
2005 modern 3,676 #1,777
2006 modern 3,622 #1,800
2007 modern 3,633 #1,809
2008 modern 3,675 #1,799
2009 modern 3,796 #1,792
2010 modern 3,816 #1,823
2011 modern 3,828 #1,792
2012 modern 3,818 #1,755
2013 modern 3,827 #1,792
2014 modern 3,827 #1,801
2015 modern 3,797 #1,793
2016 modern 3,770 #1,795

Geography

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Where Stanfords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tipton otherwise Tibington, London parishes, St Pancras and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Cambridgeshire, Sandwell, Wychavon and Wolverhampton. 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 Tipton otherwise Tibington Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Cambridgeshire 018 South Cambridgeshire
2 Sandwell 009 Sandwell
3 Sandwell 014 Sandwell
4 Wychavon 019 Wychavon
5 Wolverhampton 033 Wolverhampton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Stanford

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Stanford

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Stanford 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

Stanford is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Stanford falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Stanford 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 Stanford, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Stanford

The surname Stanford has its origins in England and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English words "stan" meaning stone and "ford" meaning a shallow river crossing, indicating that the name likely referred to someone living near a stony ford or river crossing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Stanford can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a record of landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror. This suggests that the name was already established in England by the late 11th century.

The name Stanford is also linked to several place names in England, such as Stanford-le-Hope in Essex, Stanford in Bedfordshire, and Stanford-on-Teme in Worcestershire. These locations may have been named after early settlers with the surname Stanford, or the surname may have originated from these places.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Stanford was Sir Robert Stanford (c. 1300-1368), a prominent landowner and knight from Staffordshire. Another notable early bearer of the name was Sir John Stanford (c. 1350-1437), a Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire.

During the Tudor period, Thomas Stanford (c. 1510-1565) served as a Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire and was known for his involvement in religious reforms. In the 17th century, Sir William Stanford (1594-1658) was an English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London.

In the 18th century, Charles Stanford (1705-1781) was an influential English composer and organist, best known for his contributions to church music. Another notable figure was Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924), an Irish composer and teacher who was instrumental in reviving the tradition of Anglican church music.

Other examples of notable individuals with the surname Stanford include Sir Walter Stanford (1854-1940), a British Army officer and recipient of the Victoria Cross, and Sir Charles Stanford (1887-1957), a British businessman and philanthropist who played a significant role in the development of the British automotive industry.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Stanford families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stanford 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. Middlesex leads with 321 Stanfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.32x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 321 1.32x
Sussex 310 7.57x
Surrey 303 2.56x
Kent 301 3.63x
Staffordshire 218 2.66x
Cambridgeshire 97 6.30x
Norfolk 82 2.20x
Essex 79 1.65x
Lancashire 79 0.27x
Warwickshire 67 1.09x
Worcestershire 67 2.11x
Bedfordshire 53 4.21x
Suffolk 44 1.49x
Yorkshire 43 0.18x
Berkshire 42 2.30x
Northamptonshire 42 1.84x
Hampshire 37 0.74x
Gloucestershire 33 0.69x
Glamorgan 29 0.69x
Leicestershire 27 1.00x
Wiltshire 23 1.07x
Hertfordshire 20 1.19x
Durham 19 0.26x
Devon 17 0.34x
Buckinghamshire 15 1.02x
Dunbartonshire 12 1.84x
Lincolnshire 12 0.31x
Channel Islands 11 1.53x
Denbighshire 8 0.87x
Oxfordshire 8 0.53x
Nottinghamshire 7 0.21x
Dorset 6 0.38x
Fife 6 0.42x
Lanarkshire 6 0.08x
Midlothian 6 0.18x
Northumberland 6 0.17x
Shropshire 6 0.29x
Stirlingshire 6 0.67x
Carmarthenshire 4 0.39x
Derbyshire 4 0.11x
Rutland 3 1.68x
Cornwall 2 0.07x
Monmouthshire 2 0.11x
Royal Navy 2 0.69x
Anglesey 1 0.23x
Ayrshire 1 0.06x
Cumberland 1 0.05x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.18x
Roxburghshire 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tipton in Staffordshire leads with 63 Stanfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.09x.

Place Total Index
Tipton 63 25.09x
St Pancras London 56 2.86x
West Ham 54 5.10x
Horsham 44 55.31x
Brighton 41 4.96x
Warnham 38 429.38x
Camberwell 37 2.38x
Lambeth 32 1.51x
Chelsea London 31 4.24x
Croydon 31 4.72x
Tonbridge 30 10.04x
Battersea 29 3.24x
Islington London 29 1.23x
Maulden 28 256.88x
Melbourn 28 186.79x
Paddington London 28 3.14x
Richmond 27 16.28x
Wolverhampton 27 4.28x
Harborne 26 9.89x
Birmingham 25 1.22x
Dudley 23 5.96x
West Bromwich 23 4.90x
Hackney London 22 1.62x
Maidstone 22 8.91x
Newington 22 2.45x
Lingfield 21 91.07x
Bethnal Green London 20 1.90x
St Marylebone London 18 1.39x
Bromley London 16 2.99x
Hever 16 282.19x
Hove 16 8.90x
Minster In Sheppey 16 11.65x
Litlington 15 266.90x
Wednesbury 15 7.32x
West Tarring 15 246.31x
Aston 14 0.83x
Sedgley 14 4.60x
Deptford St Paul 13 2.03x
Greenwich 13 3.36x
Holy Trinity 13 2.25x
Portsea 13 1.33x
Shoreditch London 13 1.23x
Broughton 12 888.89x
Orpington 12 47.28x
Teversham 12 574.16x
Warwick St Nicholas 12 26.71x
Beckenham 11 10.15x
Burpham 11 324.48x
Chesterton 11 23.19x
Downham Market 11 42.87x
Kidderminster Borough 11 5.93x
Little Chart 11 480.35x
Luton 11 5.05x
Southwark St George Martyr 11 2.25x
St Peter Port 11 8.26x
Westwell 11 132.53x
Ashby De La Zouch 10 16.02x
Buckland 10 421.94x
Hampton London 10 25.04x
Hitchin 10 13.23x
Kirkdale 10 2.06x
Much Woolton 10 25.57x
Northampton Priory St 10 7.29x
Northampton St Sepulchre 10 8.60x
Patching 10 438.60x
Peterborough 10 6.05x
Poplar London 10 2.18x
Salisbury St Edmund 10 29.00x
Storrington 10 89.05x
Ashford 9 11.15x
Bidford 9 68.70x
Cuckfield 9 21.76x
Deptford St Nicholas 9 13.68x
Esher 9 54.32x
Lewisham 9 2.04x
Michaelstone Super Avon 9 19.65x
Slinfold 9 139.97x
Worth 9 30.27x
Cranleigh 8 46.19x
Whitwick 8 23.36x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 134
Elizabeth 93
Sarah 82
Ann 40
Eliza 40
Alice 37
Emily 37
Ellen 36
Jane 35
Emma 33
Fanny 31
Annie 30
Maria 22
Hannah 21
Louisa 20
Ada 19
Clara 19
Florence 17
Harriet 17
Martha 17
Charlotte 16
Rose 16
Harriett 14
Margaret 14
Edith 13
Kate 13
Caroline 12
Frances 12
Anne 9
Catherine 9
Minnie 9
Eleanor 8
Matilda 8
Susan 8
Agnes 7
Julia 7
Laura 7
Rebecca 7
Rosa 7
Susannah 7
Jessie 6
Lizzie 6
Lucy 6
Elizth. 5
Esther 5
Gertrude 5
Maud 5
Sophia 5
Anna 4
Miriam 4

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 131
John 121
George 96
Charles 81
Thomas 79
James 76
Edward 50
Henry 42
Frederick 35
Samuel 34
Alfred 27
Joseph 27
Robert 26
Walter 25
Albert 24
Arthur 24
Richard 22
David 16
Ernest 16
Harry 15
Herbert 14
Stephen 13
Frank 10
Daniel 8
Percy 7
Francis 6
Jonathan 6
Reuben 6
Edwin 5
Harold 5
Michael 5
Peter 5
Wm. 5
Edgar 4
Fred 4
Geo. 4
Stanley 4
Willm. 4
Andrew 3
Chas. 3
Edwd. 3
Hugh 3
Jas. 3
Job 3
Mark 3
Robt. 3
Thos. 3
Fredk. 2
Luke 2
Philip 2

FAQ

Stanford surname: questions and answers

How common was the Stanford surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,483 people were recorded with the Stanford surname. That placed it at #1,795 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Stanford surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,770 in 2016. That gives Stanford a modern rank of #1,795.

What does the Stanford surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from a place meaning "stone ford," referring to a stone-paved river crossing.

What does the Stanford map show?

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