NameCensus.

UK surname

Tidey

A variant spelling of Tidy, an English surname likely derived from a nickname for an orderly or neat person.

In the 1881 census there were 342 people recorded with the Tidey surname, ranking it #8,902 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 462, ranked #10,607, down from #8,902 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bletchingley, Cowfold and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Horsham, Thanet and Reigate and Banstead.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tidey is 511 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 35.1%.

1881 census count

342

Ranked #8,902

Modern count

462

2016, ranked #10,607

Peak year

1998

511 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tidey had 342 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,902 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 462 in 2016, ranked #10,607.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 500 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Tidey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tidey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tidey 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 215 #9,860
1861 historical 185 #12,799
1881 historical 342 #8,902
1891 historical 296 #11,215
1901 historical 430 #9,000
1911 historical 500 #7,831
1997 modern 487 #9,482
1998 modern 511 #9,431
1999 modern 511 #9,500
2000 modern 511 #9,468
2001 modern 489 #9,629
2002 modern 473 #10,043
2003 modern 474 #9,865
2004 modern 469 #9,983
2005 modern 466 #9,935
2006 modern 469 #9,937
2007 modern 455 #10,239
2008 modern 456 #10,306
2009 modern 456 #10,558
2010 modern 474 #10,461
2011 modern 496 #10,012
2012 modern 476 #10,213
2013 modern 487 #10,227
2014 modern 483 #10,354
2015 modern 468 #10,518
2016 modern 462 #10,607

Geography

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Where Tideys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bletchingley, Cowfold, London parishes, Washington and Nutfield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Horsham, Thanet, Reigate and Banstead, Blaenau Gwent and Hinckley and Bosworth. 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 Bletchingley Surrey
2 Cowfold Sussex
3 London parishes London 3
4 Washington Sussex
5 Nutfield Surrey

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Horsham 014 Horsham
2 Thanet 016 Thanet
3 Reigate and Banstead 013 Reigate and Banstead
4 Blaenau Gwent 008 Blaenau Gwent
5 Hinckley and Bosworth 014 Hinckley and Bosworth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tidey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tidey

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Tidey, 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 Tidey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Tidey 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, Tidey 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

Tidey 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

Tidey falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Tidey

The surname Tidey is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational name derived from a place called Tidway, which no longer exists but was likely situated in one of the southern counties of England, such as Wiltshire or Dorset.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Tidey name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, which mentions a landowner named Theodoric de Tidewaie in Somerset. This entry suggests that the name may have evolved from the Old English words "tid" meaning "time" and "weg" meaning "way" or "path."

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, including Tidewei, Tydeway, and Tydwaye, reflecting the phonetic spelling variations common in that era. During this period, the Tidey family is believed to have resided in the county of Dorset, where they held lands and property.

One notable historical figure bearing the Tidey surname was Sir John Tidey (1568-1637), a successful merchant and alderman in the City of London. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1630 and was a prominent figure in the city's mercantile and political circles.

Another individual of note was Thomas Tidey (1740-1805), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War. He achieved the rank of Captain and was commended for his bravery and leadership during several battles against the French and Spanish fleets.

In the realm of literature, the surname Tidey is associated with Elizabeth Tidey (1793-1856), a British novelist and poet. She authored several popular works, including "The Victims of Seduction" and "The Sylvan Wanderer," which were widely read during the early 19th century.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Tidey name also gained prominence in the county of Somerset, where several families were landowners and farmers. One such family owned the Tidey Manor estate in the village of Walton, near Glastonbury.

Another notable individual was Sir William Tidey (1825-1901), a British politician and industrialist who served as a Member of Parliament for the constituency of Sunderland. He was a prominent figure in the shipbuilding industry and played a significant role in the development of the city's maritime economy.

Throughout its history, the Tidey surname has maintained a strong presence in various regions of England, particularly in the southern and western counties. While the name has evolved over time, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period, reflecting the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the English people.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tidey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tidey 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. Sussex leads with 140 Tideys recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.26x.

County Total Index
Sussex 140 25.26x
Middlesex 67 2.04x
Surrey 66 4.12x
Yorkshire 17 0.52x
Northumberland 9 1.84x
Kent 8 0.71x
Hertfordshire 7 3.09x
Lancashire 5 0.13x
Gloucestershire 4 0.62x
Northamptonshire 4 1.29x
Norfolk 3 0.59x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.68x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.33x
Essex 1 0.15x
Hampshire 1 0.15x
Royal Navy 1 2.55x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 40 Tideys recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.78x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 40 35.78x
Cowfold 20 1709.40x
Nutfield 19 1570.25x
Islington London 17 5.34x
Washington 15 1578.95x
Hackney London 14 7.60x
Croydon 13 14.62x
Cuckfield 10 178.57x
New Shoreham 10 301.20x
Hampstead London 9 17.58x
Pyecombe 9 2307.69x
Tynemouth 9 34.36x
Lambeth 8 2.79x
Bolney 7 777.78x
Brightside Bierlow 7 10.96x
New Brentford 7 404.62x
Reigate Foreign 7 40.37x
Ware 7 107.86x
Middlesbrough 6 14.14x
Steyning 6 319.15x
Acton 5 25.95x
Broadwater 5 39.34x
Kensington London 5 2.74x
Manchester 5 2.85x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 7.56x
St Pancras London 5 1.89x
Wandsworth 5 15.80x
Bletchingley 4 191.39x
Kettering 4 31.97x
Cliffe 3 160.43x
Ecclesall Bierlow 3 4.53x
Hindringham 3 454.55x
Maidstone 3 8.98x
Newington 3 2.47x
Shipley 3 238.10x
Aldingbourn 2 238.10x
Bexley 2 20.16x
Cropwell Butler 2 327.87x
Deptford St Paul 2 2.31x
Haslemere 2 158.73x
Hastings All Sts 2 38.31x
Hove 2 8.22x
Paddington London 2 1.65x
Westbury On Trym 2 9.16x
Ardingly 1 56.82x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 1 3.29x
Billingshurst 1 55.25x
Bramber 1 476.19x
Dursley 1 37.74x
Ealing 1 3.40x
Gravesend 1 10.53x
Hastings Holy Trinity 1 24.51x
Kingston By Sea 1 113.64x
Nottingham St Mary 1 0.87x
Peterhead 1 6.21x
Royal Navy 1 2.99x
Shanklin 1 49.75x
Stapleton 1 8.18x
Tottenham 1 1.91x
Upminster 1 74.07x
West Grinstead 1 59.88x
Westminster St 1 8.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 23
Sarah 18
Elizabeth 11
Eliza 9
Ann 8
Emily 8
Annie 7
Edith 6
Emma 6
Fanny 5
Kate 5
Anne 4
Caroline 4
Ellen 4
Frances 4
Maria 4
Alice 3
Charlotte 3
Hannah 3
Harriett 3
Jane 3
Rosa 3
Rose 3
Elizth. 2
Florence 2
Lilian 2
Louisa 2
Martha 2
Matilda 2
Susan 2
Agnes 1
Amey 1
Amy 1
Charlot 1
Eleanor 1
Elisa 1
Elizbth. 1
Ellenor 1
Esther 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Hetty 1
Isabella 1
Janet 1
Jemima 1
Jessie 1
Mable 1
Nellie 1
Philadelphia 1
Rebecca 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 21
John 19
James 16
Charles 12
George 12
Henry 8
Alfred 7
Arthur 4
Edward 4
Ernest 4
Frederick 4
Herbert 4
Thomas 4
Daniel 3
Chas. 2
David 2
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Richard 2
Samuel 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Allen 1
Amos 1
Edwin 1
Emanuel 1
Fred 1
Harold 1
Henery 1
Luke 1
Peter 1
Reuben 1
Robert 1
Robt. 1
Sidney 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Tidey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tidey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 342 people were recorded with the Tidey surname. That placed it at #8,902 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tidey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 462 in 2016. That gives Tidey a modern rank of #10,607.

What does the Tidey surname mean?

A variant spelling of Tidy, an English surname likely derived from a nickname for an orderly or neat person.

What does the Tidey map show?

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