NameCensus.

UK surname

Todman

A name of Anglo-Saxon origin referring to a person from a nearby farm or homestead.

In the 1881 census there were 337 people recorded with the Todman surname, ranking it #8,981 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 383, ranked #12,269, down from #8,981 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, East Grinstead and Tunbridge, Bidborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mid Sussex, Loanhead and Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Todman is 514 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 13.6%.

1881 census count

337

Ranked #8,981

Modern count

383

2016, ranked #12,269

Peak year

1911

514 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Todman had 337 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,981 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 383 in 2016, ranked #12,269.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 514 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Todman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Todman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Todman 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 324 #7,179
1861 historical 282 #8,895
1881 historical 337 #8,981
1891 historical 436 #8,262
1901 historical 512 #7,918
1911 historical 514 #7,669
1997 modern 440 #10,247
1998 modern 438 #10,617
1999 modern 457 #10,342
2000 modern 440 #10,629
2001 modern 435 #10,526
2002 modern 440 #10,638
2003 modern 430 #10,669
2004 modern 412 #11,029
2005 modern 406 #11,061
2006 modern 387 #11,514
2007 modern 378 #11,877
2008 modern 389 #11,723
2009 modern 395 #11,838
2010 modern 395 #12,105
2011 modern 396 #11,943
2012 modern 403 #11,662
2013 modern 393 #12,085
2014 modern 398 #12,048
2015 modern 385 #12,256
2016 modern 383 #12,269

Geography

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Where Todmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, East Grinstead, Tunbridge, Bidborough and Woolavington, East and West. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mid Sussex, Loanhead, Cornwall and Horsham. 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 East Grinstead Sussex
3 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
4 London parishes London 3
5 Woolavington, East and West Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mid Sussex 001 Mid Sussex
2 Loanhead Midlothian
3 Cornwall 019 Cornwall
4 Horsham 006 Horsham
5 Mid Sussex 005 Mid Sussex

Forenames

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First names often paired with Todman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Todman

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Todman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Todman household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Todman 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

Todman is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Todman

The surname Todman originated in England, emerging in the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English words "tod" meaning fox and "mann" meaning man, suggesting an association with someone who trapped or hunted foxes. The name was initially found in rural areas of Northumberland and Yorkshire, where fox hunting and trapping were common activities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Todman appears in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1195, which mention a Roger Todman. In the 13th century, the name was also documented in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, indicating its spread across different regions of England.

The Todman surname is not found in the Domesday Book of 1086, as it emerged later in the 12th century. However, it is likely that the name's origins can be traced back to the Norman Conquest, when many people adopted descriptive surnames based on their occupations or physical characteristics.

In the 14th century, the Todman surname appeared in various historical records, including the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, where a John Todman was mentioned in 1348. Around the same time, the name was also documented in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, highlighting its continued presence in the region.

Notable individuals with the surname Todman include:

1. William Todman (1642-1723), an English merchant and landowner from Northumberland. 2. John Todman (1720-1792), a British soldier who served in the American Revolutionary War. 3. Elizabeth Todman (1785-1861), an English author and poet from Yorkshire. 4. Thomas Todman (1818-1897), a prominent banker and businessman from London. 5. Robert Todman (1863-1945), a Scottish engineer and inventor known for his contributions to the development of steam engines.

The surname Todman has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Todmorden in Lancashire, which is believed to have derived from the Old English words "tod" and "mere," meaning fox lake or fox pool.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Todman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Todman 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 117 Todmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.05x.

County Total Index
Sussex 117 21.05x
Surrey 96 5.98x
Kent 52 4.62x
Middlesex 26 0.79x
Argyllshire 6 6.54x
Oxfordshire 6 2.95x
Carmarthenshire 5 3.60x
Hertfordshire 5 2.20x
Nottinghamshire 5 1.13x
Essex 4 0.61x
Hampshire 4 0.59x
Lincolnshire 4 0.76x
Yorkshire 2 0.06x
Berkshire 1 0.40x
Cheshire 1 0.14x
Huntingdonshire 1 1.53x
Lancashire 1 0.03x
Leicestershire 1 0.27x
Staffordshire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Croydon in Surrey leads with 38 Todmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 42.61x.

Place Total Index
Croydon 38 42.61x
East Grinstead 22 279.54x
Tonbridge 20 49.30x
West Hoathly 14 800.00x
Preston 13 133.88x
Chertsey 11 105.97x
Deptford St Paul 9 10.37x
Greenwich 9 17.15x
Witley 9 796.46x
Brighton 8 7.13x
Camberwell 8 3.80x
Harting 7 486.11x
Midhurst 7 384.62x
Up Marden 7 1842.11x
Campbeltown 6 54.20x
Caversham 6 147.42x
East Lavington 6 2400.00x
Lambeth 6 2.09x
Stoughton 6 845.07x
Bermondsey 5 5.09x
Chichester St Olave 5 2000.00x
East Retford 5 129.53x
Laugharne 5 271.74x
Battersea 4 3.30x
Chatham 4 12.92x
Ford 4 3636.36x
Manthorpe Cum Little 4 99.26x
Rickmansworth 4 63.90x
St George Hanover 4 9.29x
Bow London 3 7.15x
Chelsea London 3 3.02x
Chigwell 3 48.86x
Eltham 3 45.52x
Funtington 3 240.00x
Horsham 3 27.78x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 4.52x
St Pancras London 3 1.13x
Westminster St John 3 7.47x
Worth 3 74.26x
Bidborough 2 645.16x
Dorking 2 18.54x
Frimley 2 43.67x
Lewisham 2 3.33x
Meltham 2 39.37x
Paddington London 2 1.65x
West Horsley 2 294.12x
Aldershot 1 4.42x
Aldingbourn 1 119.05x
Charlton Next Woolwich 1 8.53x
Cheshunt 1 12.59x
Eastbourne 1 3.91x
Eynesbury 1 65.79x
Frant 1 25.38x
Godalming 1 9.89x
Hastings St Mary 1 7.23x
Heston 1 9.13x
Hove 1 4.10x
Kensington London 1 0.55x
Kidbrooke 1 156.25x
Leicester St Mary 1 3.39x
Lingfield 1 31.95x
Little Mollington 1 1666.67x
Madeley 1 36.10x
Mile End Old Town 1 1.92x
Newington 1 0.82x
Petersfield 1 53.76x
Poling 1 500.00x
Poplar London 1 1.61x
Poynings 1 277.78x
Reigate Foreign 1 5.75x
Salford 1 0.87x
Sandhurst 1 20.88x
St Bartholomew Less 1 58.82x
St Marylebone London 1 0.57x
Staines 1 19.16x
Steep 1 147.06x
Subdeanery 1 23.70x
Walthamstow 1 4.27x
West Wittering 1 135.14x
Whippingham 1 19.53x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 22
Elizabeth 12
Sarah 12
Jane 9
Ann 7
Annie 7
Ellen 6
Emily 6
Fanny 6
Eliza 5
Emma 5
Alice 4
Caroline 4
Charlotte 4
Hannah 4
Matilda 4
Anne 3
Edith 3
Kate 3
Harriett 2
Martha 2
Rose 2
Ada 1
Adelaide 1
Adelene 1
Bessie 1
Bettesworth 1
Eleanor 1
Ellenior 1
Esther 1
Gertrude 1
Harriet 1
Henrietta 1
Isabella 1
Julia 1
Keziah 1
Lillie 1
Lilly 1
Lily 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
Maria 1
Matilde 1
Minnie 1
Rosetta 1
Susan 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 24
George 20
James 15
John 14
Thomas 13
Henry 12
Charles 8
Frank 5
Frederick 5
Alfred 4
Edward 4
Joseph 4
Richard 4
Robert 4
Walter 4
Albert 3
Arthur 3
Edmund 3
Ernest 2
Samuel 2
Brownlon 1
Brownlow 1
Charlie 1
Edwin 1
F.J. 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.N. 1
Fredk.Wm. 1
Geo. 1
Geo.A. 1
Harry 1
Henery 1
Herbert 1
Infant 1
Jesse 1
Leonard 1
Luke 1
Oliver 1
Percy 1
Sidney 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Todman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Todman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 337 people were recorded with the Todman surname. That placed it at #8,981 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Todman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 383 in 2016. That gives Todman a modern rank of #12,269.

What does the Todman surname mean?

A name of Anglo-Saxon origin referring to a person from a nearby farm or homestead.

What does the Todman map show?

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