NameCensus.

UK surname

Stentiford

A surname derived from a place name in Devon, England.

In the 1881 census there were 144 people recorded with the Stentiford surname, ranking it #15,891 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 275, ranked #15,720, up from #15,891 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Tormoham with Torquay and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Milton Keynes, Exeter and Teignbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stentiford is 320 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 91.0%.

1881 census count

144

Ranked #15,891

Modern count

275

2016, ranked #15,720

Peak year

1911

320 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Stentiford had 144 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,891 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 275 in 2016, ranked #15,720.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 320 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Stentiford surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Stentiford surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Stentiford 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 170 #11,780
1861 historical 108 #19,856
1881 historical 144 #15,891
1891 historical 215 #14,155
1901 historical 262 #12,740
1911 historical 320 #10,932
1997 modern 274 #14,374
1998 modern 280 #14,550
1999 modern 281 #14,578
2000 modern 275 #14,757
2001 modern 277 #14,474
2002 modern 276 #14,794
2003 modern 283 #14,368
2004 modern 285 #14,344
2005 modern 278 #14,511
2006 modern 282 #14,459
2007 modern 286 #14,496
2008 modern 282 #14,748
2009 modern 294 #14,628
2010 modern 301 #14,697
2011 modern 299 #14,631
2012 modern 284 #15,090
2013 modern 275 #15,719
2014 modern 276 #15,788
2015 modern 282 #15,417
2016 modern 275 #15,720

Geography

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Where Stentifords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes, Plymouth St Charles the Martyr and Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Milton Keynes, Exeter, Teignbridge and Arun. 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 Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) Devon
2 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
3 London parishes London 3
4 Plymouth St Charles the Martyr Devon
5 Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Milton Keynes 024 Milton Keynes
2 Exeter 013 Exeter
3 Teignbridge 019 Teignbridge
4 Arun 006 Arun
5 Exeter 003 Exeter

Forenames

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First names often paired with Stentiford

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Stentiford

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Stentiford is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Stentiford is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Stentiford

The surname Stentiford has its origins in the southwestern region of England, particularly in the counties of Devon and Somerset. It is believed to have emerged in the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English words "stent" meaning "a stretch or extent of land" and "ford" which refers to a shallow river crossing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset from 1327, where a John de Stentford is mentioned. This early spelling variation highlights the name's connection to a specific location or landholding. Another early reference is found in the Assize Rolls of Devon from 1288, which mentions a Thomas de Stenteford.

The surname Stentiford is believed to have originated as a locational name, referring to individuals who hailed from or lived near a particular ford or river crossing over an expanse of land. This was a common practice during the Middle Ages, as surnames were often derived from geographic features or places of residence.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the name was Sir John Stentiford (c. 1510-1590), a member of the English gentry and a Member of Parliament for Somerset. He served as Sheriff of Somerset and Dorset in 1570.

Another notable individual was Thomas Stentiford (c. 1668-1735), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Warden of Wadham College, Oxford, from 1718 until his death.

In the 18th century, William Stentiford (1721-1799) was a successful merchant and trader based in Bristol, England. He was involved in the transatlantic trade and amassed considerable wealth during his lifetime.

Moving into the 19th century, we find John Stentiford (1802-1879), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy and participated in several military engagements, including the Crimean War.

Lastly, a notable figure from the 20th century was Edward Stentiford (1901-1976), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Barbican Estate and the Royal College of Art.

While the surname Stentiford is not among the most common in England, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including members of the gentry, clergymen, merchants, military personnel, and architects.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Stentiford families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stentiford 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 129 Stentifords recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.82x.

County Total Index
Devon 129 43.82x
Middlesex 8 0.57x
Cornwall 6 3.75x
Kent 2 0.41x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plymouth St Andrew in Devon leads with 13 Stentifords recorded in 1881 and an index of 57.32x.

Place Total Index
Plymouth St Andrew 13 57.32x
Kingsteignton 11 1341.46x
Morchard Bishop 11 1803.28x
Totnes 9 523.26x
Ugborough 9 1267.61x
Tormoham 8 64.21x
Zeal Monachorum 8 3478.26x
Withycombe Rawleigh 7 457.52x
Plymouth Charles The 6 46.26x
Sandford 5 694.44x
East Stonehouse 4 68.97x
Gerrans 4 930.23x
Ilfracombe 4 132.01x
St Marylebone London 4 5.30x
West Teignmouth 4 177.78x
Chawleigh 3 937.50x
Kenn 3 652.17x
North Tawton 3 333.33x
Plymstock 3 194.81x
Wolborough 3 80.65x
Blackawton 2 392.16x
Dartmouth Townstall 2 166.67x
Drewsteignton 2 512.82x
Kingskerswell 2 408.16x
Modbury 2 266.67x
Paddington London 2 3.85x
Sampford Courtenay 2 454.55x
Dartington 1 322.58x
Down St Mary 1 625.00x
Greenwich 1 4.44x
Hackney London 1 1.26x
Liskeard 1 37.31x
Saltash 1 80.65x
St Budeaux 1 108.70x
Walmer 1 47.62x
Westminster St 1 19.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Ellen 5
Emily 5
Eliza 4
Elizabeth 4
Jane 4
Caroline 3
Emma 3
Sarah 3
Ann 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Susan 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Angelina 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Beatrice 1
Betsy 1
Charity 1
Elizt. 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Eva 1
Grace 1
Harriett 1
Hettie 1
Jessie 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Maryann 1
Mehala 1
Nelly 1
Rose 1
Rosina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 13
William 11
George 8
James 6
Charles 4
Richard 4
Thomas 4
Frank 3
Henry 3
Albert 2
Edwin 2
Robert 2
Arthur 1
Edward 1
Fred 1
Henery 1
Herbert 1
Norman 1
Oliver 1
Owen 1
Philip 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Stentiford surname: questions and answers

How common was the Stentiford surname in 1881?

In 1881, 144 people were recorded with the Stentiford surname. That placed it at #15,891 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Stentiford surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 275 in 2016. That gives Stentiford a modern rank of #15,720.

What does the Stentiford surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name in Devon, England.

What does the Stentiford map show?

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