NameCensus.

UK surname

Tipping

An English surname derived from the medieval occupation of tipping or collecting tolls.

In the 1881 census there were 1,704 people recorded with the Tipping surname, ranking it #2,521 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,126, ranked #3,039, down from #2,521 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Great Malvern, Madresfield, London parishes and St Werburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kilbirnie South and Longbar, South Ribble and Port Glasgow Upper East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tipping is 2,402 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 24.8%.

1881 census count

1,704

Ranked #2,521

Modern count

2,126

2016, ranked #3,039

Peak year

1911

2,402 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tipping had 1,704 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,521 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,126 in 2016, ranked #3,039.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,402 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Tipping surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tipping surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tipping 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 910 #3,029
1861 historical 960 #2,894
1881 historical 1,704 #2,521
1891 historical 1,838 #2,495
1901 historical 2,263 #2,393
1911 historical 2,402 #2,133
1997 modern 2,208 #2,811
1998 modern 2,284 #2,826
1999 modern 2,295 #2,832
2000 modern 2,237 #2,877
2001 modern 2,217 #2,849
2002 modern 2,263 #2,857
2003 modern 2,204 #2,860
2004 modern 2,178 #2,896
2005 modern 2,124 #2,917
2006 modern 2,121 #2,925
2007 modern 2,132 #2,937
2008 modern 2,131 #2,966
2009 modern 2,185 #2,968
2010 modern 2,212 #2,997
2011 modern 2,159 #3,031
2012 modern 2,171 #2,948
2013 modern 2,185 #2,983
2014 modern 2,179 #3,009
2015 modern 2,143 #3,027
2016 modern 2,126 #3,039

Geography

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Where Tippings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Great Malvern, Madresfield, London parishes, St Werburgh, Manchester and Preston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kilbirnie South and Longbar, South Ribble, Port Glasgow Upper East, Malvern Hills and East Riding of Yorkshire. 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 Great Malvern, Madresfield Worcestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Werburgh Derbyshire
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Preston Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kilbirnie South and Longbar North Ayrshire
2 South Ribble 002 South Ribble
3 Port Glasgow Upper East Inverclyde
4 Malvern Hills 007 Malvern Hills
5 East Riding of Yorkshire 009 East Riding of Yorkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tipping

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tipping

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Tipping 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

Tipping 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

Tipping falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Tipping

The surname Tipping is of English origin, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "typpan," meaning "to tap" or "to strike." This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name may have been engaged in occupations involving tapping or striking, such as blacksmithing or carpentry.

The name Tipping is thought to have originated in the county of Norfolk, England, where it first appeared in historical records. One of the earliest documented instances of the name can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where a William Tipping is mentioned as a resident of Norfolk.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the Tipping family continued to establish roots in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Lincolnshire. Several Tipping families were documented in the Subsidy Rolls of the 14th century, indicating their presence and standing in these regions.

In the 16th century, the name Tipping appeared in various forms, including Typpinge, Tippinge, and Tippynge. These variations reflect the inconsistencies in spelling and pronunciation common during that era. One notable bearer of the name was Robert Tipping, a prominent merchant and landowner from Norwich, who lived from 1532 to 1608.

The Tipping family continued to prosper in the following centuries, with several members achieving notable positions and recognition. Sir George Tipping (1638-1704) was a renowned lawyer and member of the English Parliament, representing the borough of Hindon in Wiltshire. Another notable figure was Thomas Tipping (1655-1718), an English clergyman and author who served as the Dean of Raphoe in Ireland.

In the 18th century, the Tipping family expanded its influence beyond England. Benjamin Tipping (1728-1804) was an American colonial politician and merchant who served as the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly from 1765 to 1768. He played a significant role in the events leading up to the American Revolution.

As the centuries progressed, the Tipping surname continued to be well-represented in various fields, including academia, the arts, and public service. Sir Avary Tipping (1855-1933) was a British diplomat and author, known for his works on historical and literary subjects. William Edward Pethick Tipping (1873-1961) was a British activist and politician, known for his advocacy of women's suffrage and his involvement in the Labour Party.

While the surname Tipping has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand, carried by descendants of the original English bearers. Throughout its history, the name Tipping has been associated with a diverse range of occupations and achievements, reflecting the varied backgrounds and contributions of those who have borne this surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tipping families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tipping 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. Lancashire leads with 603 Tippings recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.05x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 603 3.05x
Middlesex 135 0.81x
Cheshire 123 3.35x
Worcestershire 102 4.69x
Yorkshire 81 0.49x
Warwickshire 77 1.83x
Surrey 59 0.73x
Staffordshire 57 1.01x
Nottinghamshire 54 2.41x
Gloucestershire 48 1.47x
Kent 48 0.84x
Derbyshire 42 1.61x
Oxfordshire 34 3.31x
Buckinghamshire 31 3.08x
Leicestershire 30 1.62x
Lanarkshire 21 0.39x
Northamptonshire 14 0.89x
Hampshire 12 0.35x
Northumberland 12 0.48x
Hertfordshire 11 0.96x
Somerset 11 0.41x
Durham 10 0.20x
Lincolnshire 10 0.38x
Midlothian 9 0.40x
Norfolk 8 0.31x
Berkshire 7 0.56x
Shropshire 7 0.49x
Westmorland 7 1.91x
Brecknockshire 6 1.80x
Cumberland 6 0.42x
Herefordshire 6 0.88x
Essex 5 0.15x
Huntingdonshire 4 1.21x
East Lothian 3 1.36x
Monmouthshire 3 0.25x
Rutland 3 2.45x
Devon 2 0.06x
Sussex 2 0.07x
Channel Islands 1 0.20x
Dorset 1 0.09x
Glamorgan 1 0.03x
Renfrewshire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Preston in Lancashire leads with 98 Tippings recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.54x.

Place Total Index
Preston 98 18.54x
Blackburn 45 8.56x
Ashton Under Lyne 39 9.03x
Everton 38 6.03x
Great Malvern 36 79.35x
Garston 33 56.58x
West Derby 31 5.36x
Dukinfield 25 14.72x
Aston 24 2.08x
Stoke Upon Trent 24 4.03x
Gorton 22 11.84x
Ickford 19 896.23x
Toxteth Park 19 2.84x
Spotland 18 8.19x
Barony 17 1.25x
Birmingham 16 1.14x
Islington London 16 0.99x
Stockport 16 8.46x
Worsbrough 16 33.09x
Liverpool 13 1.08x
Shoreditch London 13 1.80x
Castleton 12 6.08x
Derby St Peter 12 14.45x
Longbenton 12 11.44x
Moss Side 12 11.54x
Salford 12 2.06x
Stoke Newington London 12 9.25x
Wimbledon 12 13.17x
Worminghall 12 693.64x
Battersea 11 1.80x
Brightside Bierlow 11 3.40x
Chorlton On Medlock 11 3.50x
Hemel Hempstead 11 21.27x
Manningham 11 5.41x
St Pancras London 11 0.82x
Croxton Keyrial 10 320.51x
Dilworth 10 82.58x
Lytham 10 33.16x
Monks Coppenhall 10 7.21x
Padiham 10 20.95x
Rusholme 10 18.98x
Saltby 10 645.16x
Widnes 10 7.02x
Alston 9 97.83x
Bitton Oldland 9 26.96x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 9 1.00x
Inkberrow 9 102.39x
Kingsbury 9 207.85x
Nottingham St Mary 9 1.55x
St Luke London 9 3.37x
Walton Inferior 9 316.90x
Westminster St John 9 4.44x
Abbots Morton 8 661.16x
Beswick 8 15.83x
Byley Cum Yatehouse 8 1025.64x
Camberwell 8 0.75x
Cudham 8 137.46x
Kensington London 8 0.86x
Leigh 8 107.67x
Livesey 8 23.07x
Melbourne 8 44.89x
Pendleton In Salford 8 3.40x
Poplar London 8 2.55x
Radford 8 7.02x
Upton On Severn 8 56.18x
Clerkenwell London 7 1.78x
Dorton 7 1093.75x
Feckenham 7 28.12x
Great Budworth 7 107.53x
Hornsey 7 3.32x
Onston 7 1320.75x
Pentrich 7 47.72x
Reading St Giles 7 5.71x
Snenton 7 7.94x
St Maryle Wigford 7 33.85x
Stayley 7 16.66x
Stratford On Avon 7 30.06x
Walton Le Dale 7 13.19x
Welford 7 177.67x
Wick Abson 7 140.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 134
Elizabeth 73
Ann 45
Sarah 45
Jane 42
Alice 37
Ellen 29
Annie 27
Eliza 21
Emma 21
Margaret 21
Emily 17
Catherine 14
Martha 13
Caroline 12
Hannah 11
Maria 11
Louisa 10
Lucy 10
Ada 9
Agnes 9
Clara 9
Fanny 9
Harriet 9
Florence 8
Amy 7
Gertrude 7
Anne 6
Edith 6
Kate 6
Eleanor 5
Elizth. 5
Frances 5
Harriett 5
Isabella 5
Lizzie 5
Lydia 5
Susan 5
Esther 4
Marianne 4
Matilda 4
Ethel 3
Jessie 3
Julia 3
Nancy 3
Rebecca 3
Rose 3
Anna 2
Bertha 2
Dinah 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 119
John 100
Thomas 64
George 51
James 49
Joseph 40
Henry 38
Richard 29
Edward 28
Charles 26
Robert 24
Albert 15
Frederick 14
Walter 14
Samuel 13
Alfred 10
Francis 10
Frank 9
Arthur 8
Edwin 7
Ernest 6
Harry 6
Fred 5
Fredk. 5
Wm. 5
Herbert 4
Lawrence 4
Matthew 4
Percy 4
Rowland 4
Willm. 4
David 3
Edgar 3
Fredrick 3
Chas. 2
Daniel 2
Emanuel 2
Isaac 2
Jas. 2
Jhn. 2
Jno. 2
Jonah 2
Michael 2
Patrick 2
Ralph 2
Reginald 2
Saml. 2
Wilfred 2
Cecil 1
Enoch 1

FAQ

Tipping surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tipping surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,704 people were recorded with the Tipping surname. That placed it at #2,521 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tipping surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,126 in 2016. That gives Tipping a modern rank of #3,039.

What does the Tipping surname mean?

An English surname derived from the medieval occupation of tipping or collecting tolls.

What does the Tipping map show?

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