NameCensus.

UK surname

Stelfox

An occupational surname derived from the Middle English words "stale" (meaning stable) and "fox" (referring to someone who tended horses or stables).

In the 1881 census there were 225 people recorded with the Stelfox surname, ranking it #11,931 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 324, ranked #13,966, down from #11,931 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Great Budworth (Witton with Twambrook), Davenham (Leftwich) and Stockport. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Knowsley, Cheshire West and Chester and Staffordshire Moorlands.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stelfox is 429 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 44.0%.

1881 census count

225

Ranked #11,931

Modern count

324

2016, ranked #13,966

Peak year

1911

429 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Stelfox had 225 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,931 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 324 in 2016, ranked #13,966.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 429 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Stelfox surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Stelfox surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Stelfox 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 89 #18,446
1861 historical 144 #15,817
1881 historical 225 #11,931
1891 historical 368 #9,464
1901 historical 414 #9,254
1911 historical 429 #8,815
1997 modern 321 #12,941
1998 modern 330 #13,046
1999 modern 336 #12,969
2000 modern 329 #13,090
2001 modern 323 #13,083
2002 modern 349 #12,652
2003 modern 344 #12,577
2004 modern 348 #12,495
2005 modern 337 #12,738
2006 modern 333 #12,941
2007 modern 330 #13,142
2008 modern 333 #13,175
2009 modern 343 #13,168
2010 modern 343 #13,416
2011 modern 327 #13,754
2012 modern 308 #14,259
2013 modern 322 #14,037
2014 modern 320 #14,181
2015 modern 315 #14,247
2016 modern 324 #13,966

Geography

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Where Stelfox' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Great Budworth (Witton with Twambrook), Davenham (Leftwich), Stockport, London parishes and Budworth, Great. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Knowsley, Cheshire West and Chester, Staffordshire Moorlands and Tameside. 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 Manchester Lancashire
2 Great Budworth (Witton with Twambrook), Davenham (Leftwich) Cheshire
3 Stockport Lancashire
4 London parishes London 2
5 Budworth, Great Cheshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Knowsley 001 Knowsley
2 Cheshire West and Chester 021 Cheshire West and Chester
3 Staffordshire Moorlands 007 Staffordshire Moorlands
4 Tameside 008 Tameside
5 Tameside 021 Tameside

Forenames

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First names often paired with Stelfox

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Stelfox

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Stelfox surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Stelfox household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Stelfox is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Stelfox is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Stelfox falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Stelfox is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Stelfox

The surname Stelfox is of English origin, with its roots tracing back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated from a locational name, derived from a place called Stelfox in the county of Yorkshire. The name Stelfox is thought to be a compound word, with "Stel" potentially referring to a steel furnace or foundry, and "fox" being an old English word for a small stream or brook.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Stelfox surname can be found in the parish records of Guiseley, Yorkshire, where a Thomas Stelfox was mentioned in 1612. These parish records often provide valuable insights into the history and distribution of surnames across various regions.

In the 17th century, the Stelfox name appeared in several historical documents, including the Hearth Tax Rolls of 1673, which listed households subject to a tax based on the number of hearths or fireplaces they had. This suggests that the Stelfox family had established itself as a prominent presence in certain areas of Yorkshire during that period.

A notable figure bearing the Stelfox surname was John Stelfox (1684-1752), a renowned clockmaker from Ripon, Yorkshire. His exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs earned him recognition throughout the region, and his works are still highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of antique clocks.

Another individual of historical significance was Thomas Stelfox (1755-1829), a successful merchant and landowner in the West Riding of Yorkshire. He played a crucial role in the development of the local textile industry and was instrumental in the establishment of several mills and factories in the area.

In the 19th century, the Stelfox family expanded its reach beyond Yorkshire. One member, William Stelfox (1823-1896), was a renowned botanist and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of plant life in Ireland. His extensive collection of specimens and detailed observations were invaluable resources for scholars and researchers of the time.

Elizabeth Stelfox (1856-1932), a pioneer in the field of women's education, founded one of the first schools for girls in the city of Leeds. Her progressive approach to teaching and her advocacy for equal educational opportunities for young women left a lasting impact on the community.

While the Stelfox surname may have its roots in a specific location, over the centuries it has spread across various regions, with individuals bearing this name leaving their mark in diverse fields, from craftsmanship and commerce to academia and education.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Stelfox families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stelfox 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. Cheshire leads with 102 Stelfox' recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.05x.

County Total Index
Cheshire 102 21.05x
Lancashire 101 3.88x
Flintshire 11 18.64x
Durham 4 0.61x
Kent 3 0.40x
Middlesex 2 0.09x
Derbyshire 1 0.29x
Glamorgan 1 0.26x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chorlton On Medlock in Lancashire leads with 22 Stelfox' recorded in 1881 and an index of 53.18x.

Place Total Index
Chorlton On Medlock 22 53.18x
Dukinfield 22 98.26x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 21 487.24x
Ashton Under Lyne 11 19.33x
Hawarden 11 237.58x
Hulme 11 20.23x
Kirkdale 11 25.11x
Millington 11 5500.00x
Levenshulme 9 335.82x
Lymm 7 198.86x
Ulverston 7 92.23x
Cheetham 6 30.88x
Wincham 6 674.16x
Sproston 5 4545.45x
Stayley 5 90.25x
Stretford 5 34.89x
Leese 4 5000.00x
Manchester 4 3.42x
Stockton On Tees 4 12.71x
Warrington 4 12.96x
Comberbach 3 1304.35x
Lewisham 3 7.51x
North Meols 3 11.77x
Over 3 60.98x
Sale 3 50.51x
Haughton 2 52.63x
High Leigh 2 312.50x
Islington London 2 0.94x
Lostock Gralam 2 344.83x
Newton In Makerfield 2 25.06x
Tonge 2 36.63x
Warburton 2 625.00x
Wharton 2 75.76x
Ardwick 1 4.26x
Ashton On Mersey 1 40.00x
Cardiff St Mary 1 4.75x
Derby St Alkmund 1 9.71x
Middlewich 1 100.00x
Moore 1 333.33x
Sandbach 1 24.21x
Southworth With Croft 1 128.21x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Sarah 12
Elizabeth 10
Annie 7
Emma 5
Hannah 5
Alice 3
Eliza 3
Harriet 3
Ann 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Ellen 2
Jessie 2
Julia 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Nina 2
Ada 1
Celina 1
Cissy 1
Constance 1
Cordelia 1
Edith 1
Elizh. 1
Elizth.A. 1
Emily 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Harriett 1
Helena 1
Henrietta 1
Hephzibar 1
Kate 1
Katy 1
Laura 1
Lillias 1
Lousia 1
Lydia 1
Margt. 1
Rachell 1
Selena 1
Sophia 1
Susannah 1
Treasa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 13
John 11
William 11
George 10
James 8
Edward 7
Joseph 6
Charles 4
Henry 4
Samuel 4
Arthur 3
Fredrick 3
Harry 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Daniel 2
Frank 2
Wm. 2
Alf. 1
Allen 1
Arnold 1
Chas.W. 1
Christopher 1
Elijah 1
Ernest 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Harold 1
Herbert 1
Percival 1
Peter 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Sam 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Stelfox surname: questions and answers

How common was the Stelfox surname in 1881?

In 1881, 225 people were recorded with the Stelfox surname. That placed it at #11,931 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Stelfox surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 324 in 2016. That gives Stelfox a modern rank of #13,966.

What does the Stelfox surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from the Middle English words "stale" (meaning stable) and "fox" (referring to someone who tended horses or stables).

What does the Stelfox map show?

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