NameCensus.

UK surname

Theobold

An English surname derived from Old German, meaning "bold in service to God."

In the 1881 census there were 188 people recorded with the Theobold surname, ranking it #13,379 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 179, ranked #21,086, down from #13,379 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St James and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Halton, Wolverhampton and Blaby.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Theobold is 313 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 4.8%.

1881 census count

188

Ranked #13,379

Modern count

179

2016, ranked #21,086

Peak year

1861

313 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Theobold had 188 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,379 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 179 in 2016, ranked #21,086.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 313 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Theobold surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Theobold surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Theobold 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 92 #18,050
1861 historical 313 #8,103
1881 historical 188 #13,379
1891 historical 245 #12,950
1901 historical 160 #17,387
1911 historical 189 #15,488
1997 modern 155 #20,684
1998 modern 153 #21,387
1999 modern 161 #20,868
2000 modern 160 #20,903
2001 modern 161 #20,543
2002 modern 173 #20,043
2003 modern 172 #19,893
2004 modern 165 #20,530
2005 modern 178 #19,535
2006 modern 176 #19,787
2007 modern 178 #19,887
2008 modern 175 #20,311
2009 modern 177 #20,560
2010 modern 188 #20,235
2011 modern 184 #20,363
2012 modern 168 #21,516
2013 modern 171 #21,654
2014 modern 173 #21,639
2015 modern 175 #21,372
2016 modern 179 #21,086

Geography

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Where Theobolds are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Halton, Wolverhampton, Blaby, Sedgemoor and Stockport. 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 London parishes London 1
2 St James Suffolk
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Halton 012 Halton
2 Wolverhampton 003 Wolverhampton
3 Blaby 006 Blaby
4 Sedgemoor 005 Sedgemoor
5 Stockport 037 Stockport

Forenames

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First names often paired with Theobold

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Theobold

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Theobold surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Theobold household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Theobold is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Theobold is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Theobold 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 Theobold is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Theobold

The surname Theobold is of German origin, derived from the Old High German name "Theobald," which means "bold people." It first appeared in the late 11th century and was most prevalent in the southern regions of Germany, particularly in Bavaria and Swabia.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Theobold surname can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of historical documents from the 12th century, where a nobleman named Theobold von Hohenburg is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already well-established among the aristocracy during that time period.

During the Middle Ages, the Theobold name was also associated with several influential figures in the Catholic Church. For example, Theobold of Langres (c. 1012-1088) was a French monk and theologian who played a significant role in the Gregorian Reform movement. Another notable figure was Theobold of Navarre (c. 1201-1270), a Franciscan friar and philosopher who wrote extensively on the works of Aristotle.

As the surname spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, including Theobald, Thibault, and Thibaut. In England, one of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a landowner named Theobald is listed as holding estates in Hertfordshire.

Throughout history, several prominent individuals have borne the Theobold surname. One such figure was Theobold of Etampes (c. 1050-1125), a French architect and engineer who is credited with designing the first flying buttresses used in the construction of Gothic cathedrals. Another notable bearer of the name was Theobold II, Count of Champagne (c. 1090-1152), who played a significant role in the Second Crusade.

In the 16th century, the Theobold surname gained prominence in England with the birth of Theobold Thibaut (1528-1594), a renowned playwright and poet who contributed to the development of English Renaissance literature. Additionally, Theobold von Bethmann Hollweg (1856-1921) was a German statesman who served as the Chancellor of Germany during the early years of World War I.

While the Theobold surname has its roots in Germany and has been associated with various historical figures across Europe, it has also been adopted by families in other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, where it has undergone further spelling variations and adaptations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Theobold families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Theobold 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 47 Theobolds recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.56x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 47 2.56x
Suffolk 29 12.98x
Essex 24 6.63x
Surrey 12 1.34x
Cheshire 11 2.72x
Lancashire 11 0.51x
Durham 10 1.83x
Kent 10 1.60x
Norfolk 10 3.55x
Yorkshire 9 0.50x
Nottinghamshire 6 2.43x
Sussex 3 0.97x
West Lothian 2 7.24x
Derbyshire 1 0.35x
Northamptonshire 1 0.58x
Rutland 1 7.43x
Staffordshire 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Waldingfield in Suffolk leads with 15 Theobolds recorded in 1881 and an index of 4054.05x.

Place Total Index
Great Waldingfield 15 4054.05x
Bethnal Green London 13 16.32x
Stanford 9 8181.82x
Boldon 8 412.37x
Romford 8 139.86x
Uxbridge 8 380.95x
Kirkby Ireleth 7 642.20x
Fornham All Sts 6 2222.22x
Odd Rode 6 300.00x
Tottenham 6 20.54x
Hornsey 5 21.56x
Newington 5 7.38x
Newton In Northwich 5 406.50x
Sudbury St Gregory 5 279.33x
West Ham 5 6.26x
Doncaster 4 30.12x
Hazeleigh 4 5000.00x
Paddington London 4 5.93x
Plumstead 4 19.18x
Sheffield 4 6.91x
Toxteth Park 4 5.43x
Clerkenwell London 3 6.93x
Leigh 3 238.10x
Nottingham St Mary 3 4.69x
Radford Lenton 3 483.87x
Bathgate 2 33.33x
Brentwood 2 90.50x
Greenwich 2 6.85x
Hackney London 2 1.95x
Hastings St Leonards 2 44.05x
All Hallows London 1 714.29x
Armley 1 12.48x
Battersea 1 1.48x
Bermondsey 1 1.83x
Betchworth 1 90.91x
Bishopwearmouth 1 2.14x
Bobbing 1 333.33x
Brightlingsea 1 48.31x
Charlton 1 24.04x
Croydon 1 2.02x
Derby St Werburgh 1 6.03x
Ealing 1 6.10x
Farnborough 1 109.89x
Gazeley 1 192.31x
Handsworth 1 6.55x
Hove 1 7.37x
Islington London 1 0.56x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 1 11.82x
Lambeth 1 0.63x
Monkwearmouth Shore 1 9.39x
Mortlake 1 25.13x
Oakham Lordshold 1 70.92x
Peterborough 1 8.01x
Poplar London 1 2.89x
Rattlesden 1 153.85x
Seale 1 175.44x
Sible Hedingham 1 82.64x
St Bride London 1 93.46x
St Pancras London 1 0.68x
Sudbury St Peter 1 81.97x
West Peckham 1 344.83x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 10
Mary 9
Elizabeth 7
Emma 5
Harriet 5
Emily 3
Florence 3
Jane 3
Louisa 3
Catherine 2
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Frances 2
Maria 2
Adalaide 1
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Amy 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Carrie 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Esther 1
Fanny 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Henryetta 1
Isabella 1
Jennie 1
Josephine 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Kezia 1
Lizer 1
Lousia 1
M.G. 1
Rebbecca 1
Rhoda 1
Rose 1
Susan 1
Susanah 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 10
William 9
John 7
James 6
Joseph 6
Thomas 6
Frederick 4
Charles 3
David 3
Harry 3
Robert 3
Stephen 3
Walter 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Daniel 2
Frank 2
Henry 2
Samuel 2
Alford 1
Amos 1
Andrews 1
Bernard 1
Burcham 1
Charls 1
Edwin 1
Eli 1
Fred. 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
Jas. 1
Jas.Geo. 1
Jeh 1
Peter 1
Richard 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Theobold surname: questions and answers

How common was the Theobold surname in 1881?

In 1881, 188 people were recorded with the Theobold surname. That placed it at #13,379 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Theobold surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 179 in 2016. That gives Theobold a modern rank of #21,086.

What does the Theobold surname mean?

An English surname derived from Old German, meaning "bold in service to God."

What does the Theobold map show?

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