NameCensus.

UK surname

Sturgess

A locational surname referring to someone from Stourges, Gloucestershire.

In the 1881 census there were 1,714 people recorded with the Sturgess surname, ranking it #2,513 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,663, ranked #2,507, up from #2,513 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bulford, London parishes and Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kettering, Wiltshire and Harborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sturgess is 2,902 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 55.4%.

1881 census count

1,714

Ranked #2,513

Modern count

2,663

2016, ranked #2,507

Peak year

1999

2,902 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sturgess had 1,714 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,513 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,663 in 2016, ranked #2,507.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,734 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Sturgess surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sturgess surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sturgess 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 946 #2,934
1861 historical 816 #3,374
1881 historical 1,714 #2,513
1891 historical 1,814 #2,534
1901 historical 2,630 #2,097
1911 historical 2,734 #1,896
1997 modern 2,701 #2,365
1998 modern 2,848 #2,353
1999 modern 2,902 #2,332
2000 modern 2,880 #2,339
2001 modern 2,809 #2,344
2002 modern 2,864 #2,344
2003 modern 2,802 #2,343
2004 modern 2,781 #2,362
2005 modern 2,674 #2,408
2006 modern 2,690 #2,401
2007 modern 2,687 #2,422
2008 modern 2,674 #2,442
2009 modern 2,693 #2,469
2010 modern 2,724 #2,505
2011 modern 2,708 #2,486
2012 modern 2,607 #2,531
2013 modern 2,713 #2,483
2014 modern 2,734 #2,484
2015 modern 2,683 #2,504
2016 modern 2,663 #2,507

Geography

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Where Sturgess' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bulford, London parishes, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kettering, Wiltshire, Harborough and East Northamptonshire. 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 Bulford Wiltshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory Northamptonshire
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kettering 003 Kettering
2 Wiltshire 046 Wiltshire
3 Harborough 002 Harborough
4 Kettering 002 Kettering
5 East Northamptonshire 009 East Northamptonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sturgess

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sturgess

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

Sturgess is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Sturgess falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Sturgess

The surname Sturgess is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "sturgeon," referring to the large fish species. It is believed to have originated as an occupational surname for someone who caught or traded in sturgeons.

The earliest known record of the surname dates back to the late 12th century, when a Robert Sturgon was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1195. This early spelling variation highlights the connection to the sturgeon fish.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname appeared in various forms, such as Sturgeon, Sturgeon, and Sturges, reflecting the evolution of spelling over time. One of the earliest recorded instances of the Sturgess spelling can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1279, where a John Sturgeys is mentioned.

The Sturgess surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was John Sturgess (c. 1520-1592), an English churchman who served as the Dean of Raphoe in Ireland during the latter half of the 16th century.

Another prominent individual with this surname was William Sturgess (1782-1863), a British naval officer who played a significant role in the Napoleonic Wars. He rose to the rank of Admiral and was knighted for his distinguished service.

In the literary world, Julian Sturgess (1888-1962) was an English writer and novelist known for his works set in the English countryside. Some of his notable novels include "The Way of the Wind" and "The Kinsmen."

The Sturgess surname also has connections to the world of art. Robert Sturgess (1938-2015) was a renowned British sculptor whose works can be found in various public spaces and galleries across the United Kingdom.

Furthermore, Mark Sturgess (born 1963) is a contemporary English architect known for his innovative and sustainable designs. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Award.

While the surname Sturgess has its origins in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through migration and exploration. However, the strong ties to the English language and culture remain evident in the name's history and evolution.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sturgess families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sturgess 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. Leicestershire leads with 316 Sturgess' recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.01x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 316 17.01x
Northamptonshire 149 9.45x
Hampshire 148 4.31x
Middlesex 139 0.83x
Wiltshire 132 8.91x
Derbyshire 104 3.96x
Lancashire 102 0.51x
Staffordshire 87 1.54x
Bedfordshire 72 8.30x
Berkshire 68 5.41x
Surrey 65 0.80x
Kent 45 0.79x
Devon 30 0.86x
Warwickshire 30 0.71x
Buckinghamshire 25 2.47x
Somerset 25 0.93x
Yorkshire 24 0.14x
Sussex 22 0.78x
Norfolk 19 0.74x
Hertfordshire 14 1.21x
Oxfordshire 13 1.26x
Gloucestershire 11 0.33x
Lincolnshire 10 0.37x
Nottinghamshire 9 0.40x
Shropshire 9 0.62x
Cheshire 8 0.22x
Dorset 6 0.55x
Worcestershire 5 0.23x
Cambridgeshire 4 0.38x
Durham 4 0.08x
Northumberland 4 0.16x
Ayrshire 3 0.24x
Denbighshire 3 0.47x
Royal Navy 3 1.50x
Pembrokeshire 2 0.38x
West Lothian 2 0.79x
Essex 1 0.03x
Flintshire 1 0.22x
Herefordshire 1 0.15x
Midlothian 1 0.04x
Rutland 1 0.81x
Suffolk 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leicester St Margaret in Leicestershire leads with 75 Sturgess' recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.55x.

Place Total Index
Leicester St Margaret 75 16.55x
Bulford 53 2676.77x
Oadby 44 442.21x
Leicester St Mary 33 21.98x
Barton In Clay 31 509.03x
Fleckney 26 588.24x
Islington London 25 1.54x
Ludgershall 21 742.05x
Portchester 21 471.91x
Northampton Priory St 19 20.09x
Sharnbrook 19 395.83x
Stoke Upon Trent 19 3.17x
Hungerford 18 105.82x
Kettering 18 28.23x
Salisbury St Edmund 18 75.66x
Newton In Makerfield 17 27.92x
Aston 16 1.37x
Everton 16 2.52x
Kintbury 16 164.61x
Roade 16 387.41x
Brighton 15 2.63x
Chesterfield 15 15.25x
Hambledon 15 129.42x
Hammersmith London 15 3.63x
Portsea 15 2.23x
Winshill 15 89.66x
St Pancras London 14 1.04x
Deptford St Paul 13 2.95x
Dorking 13 23.71x
Reading St Giles 13 10.53x
Saddington 13 1226.42x
Belgrave 12 28.62x
Appleshaw 11 723.68x
Derby St Alkmund 11 13.99x
Lambeth 11 0.75x
Billesdon 10 207.90x
Camberwell 10 0.93x
Courteenhall 10 970.87x
Northampton St Sepulchre 10 12.47x
Pointington 10 1492.54x
South Stoneham 10 13.42x
Ardwick 9 5.02x
Bradford 9 9.67x
Bristol St Michael 9 31.94x
Bruntingthorpe 9 514.29x
Havant 9 51.75x
Ilkeston 9 12.23x
Keysoe 9 221.13x
Lewisham 9 2.95x
Newton Valence 9 430.62x
Somersall Herbert 9 1475.41x
St Marylebone London 9 1.01x
Wavendon 9 160.14x
Yeovil 9 16.42x
Clerkenwell London 8 2.02x
Clewer 8 15.52x
Newport 8 45.79x
North Molton 8 117.65x
Openshaw 8 8.59x
Peterborough 8 7.01x
Salisbury St Thomas 8 68.14x
Swindon 8 6.96x
Tiffield 8 567.38x
Washford Pyne 8 888.89x
Whitsbury 8 754.72x
Earley 7 33.40x
Fawley 7 64.28x
Henley On Thames 7 33.02x
Hughenden 7 67.70x
Laughton 7 886.08x
Market Harborough 7 83.33x
Normanton 7 31.59x
North Meols 7 3.60x
Rushall 7 21.03x
Smeeton 7 313.90x
St George Hanover 7 3.20x
St Giles Cripplegate 7 31.46x
Tatenhill 7 182.77x
Uttoxeter 7 24.17x
Blakesley 6 248.96x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 107
Sarah 79
Elizabeth 72
Eliza 40
Emma 33
Ellen 30
Ann 29
Annie 23
Fanny 23
Emily 18
Hannah 18
Alice 17
Edith 15
Maria 14
Martha 14
Jane 13
Louisa 13
Lucy 13
Frances 12
Harriet 11
Kate 11
Charlotte 9
Florence 9
Harriett 9
Ada 8
Agnes 8
Caroline 8
Clara 8
Margaret 8
Anne 6
Elizth. 6
Susan 6
Amelia 5
Catherine 5
Lizzie 5
Maud 5
Rose 5
Sophia 5
Gertrude 4
Isabella 4
Lilly 4
Lydia 4
Priscilla 4
Rachel 4
Rebecca 4
Susannah 4
Beatrice 3
Ethel 3
Minnie 3
Ruth 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 106
John 92
George 82
Thomas 60
Henry 49
Charles 36
James 30
Joseph 29
Edward 28
Alfred 26
Frederick 23
Arthur 18
Harry 16
Samuel 16
Walter 15
Albert 13
Frank 10
Benjamin 9
Herbert 8
Richard 7
Ernest 6
Geo. 6
Thos. 6
Edwin 5
Sidney 5
Tom 5
Robert 4
Saml. 4
Wm. 4
Daniel 3
Francis 3
Jesse 3
Job 3
Percy 3
Victor 3
Willm. 3
Amos 2
David 2
Edmond 2
Edmund 2
Fred 2
Harold 2
Jonathan 2
Jonathon 2
Joshua 2
Nathaniel 2
Oliver 2
Selwyn 2
Silvanus 2
W.H. 2

FAQ

Sturgess surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sturgess surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,714 people were recorded with the Sturgess surname. That placed it at #2,513 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sturgess surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,663 in 2016. That gives Sturgess a modern rank of #2,507.

What does the Sturgess surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from Stourges, Gloucestershire.

What does the Sturgess map show?

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