NameCensus.

UK surname

Trollope

An English surname derived from the Old French word "troleur", meaning someone who roams around or travels.

In the 1881 census there were 636 people recorded with the Trollope surname, ranking it #5,582 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 627, ranked #8,409, down from #5,582 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Horningsham, Hill Deverill, Longbridge Deverill. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Kesteven, Wiltshire and Kensington and Chelsea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Trollope is 850 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.4%.

1881 census count

636

Ranked #5,582

Modern count

627

2016, ranked #8,409

Peak year

1911

850 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Trollope had 636 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,582 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 627 in 2016, ranked #8,409.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 850 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Trollope surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Trollope surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Trollope 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 178 #11,397
1861 historical 369 #6,919
1881 historical 636 #5,582
1891 historical 708 #5,548
1901 historical 807 #5,591
1911 historical 850 #5,222
1997 modern 747 #6,905
1998 modern 756 #7,055
1999 modern 739 #7,230
2000 modern 723 #7,319
2001 modern 687 #7,474
2002 modern 694 #7,564
2003 modern 677 #7,596
2004 modern 663 #7,722
2005 modern 645 #7,818
2006 modern 647 #7,829
2007 modern 649 #7,873
2008 modern 633 #8,071
2009 modern 614 #8,451
2010 modern 631 #8,449
2011 modern 625 #8,412
2012 modern 614 #8,453
2013 modern 624 #8,477
2014 modern 631 #8,442
2015 modern 630 #8,394
2016 modern 627 #8,409

Geography

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Where Trollopes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Horningsham, Hill Deverill, Longbridge Deverill and Heckington with Garrick. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Kesteven, Wiltshire and Kensington and Chelsea. 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 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Horningsham, Hill Deverill, Longbridge Deverill Wiltshire
5 Heckington with Garrick Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Kesteven 010 North Kesteven
2 Wiltshire 047 Wiltshire
3 Kensington and Chelsea 018 Kensington and Chelsea
4 North Kesteven 011 North Kesteven
5 Wiltshire 051 Wiltshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Trollope

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Trollope

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

Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles

Group

European Enclaves

Within London, Trollope is most associated with areas classed as European Enclaves, part of Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles. 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

Many residents of these accessible neighbourhoods have wide-ranging non-UK European origins. Typically residing in privately rented flats, many residents live alone and are beyond normal retirement age. There are more students than elsewhere in the Supergroup, some of which live in communal establishments. Household residents are often drawn from different ethnic groups.

Wider London pattern

These neighbourhoods house people of all ages, predominantly of White British or European extraction. Resident turnover is low. Religious affiliation is less common than average and tends to be Christian if expressed. Homeownership, typically of terraced houses, is common but use of the social rented sector is not. Employment is typically in professional, managerial and associate professional or technical occupations. There are few full-time students. Level 4 qualifications are common. More households lack dependent children than have them which, considered alongside low levels of crowding and over-all age structure, indicates that many households may be post child-rearing and in late middle age. Incidence of disability is low, as is residence in communal establishments.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Trollope 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

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

Meaning and origin of Trollope

The surname Trollope originated in England in the medieval period. It is an occupational name derived from the Old French word "troleur," meaning a wanderer or vagabond. The name likely referred to someone who traveled from place to place, perhaps as a peddler or entertainer.

In the 13th century, the surname was recorded in various forms, such as Trillop, Trolloppe, and Troloppe. These early spellings reflect the variations in pronunciation and spelling that were common before standardization.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire, dating back to 1273, where it is listed as Triloufe. This historical document provides valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of surnames during that time.

The Trollope surname is also mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Warwickshire in 1332, where it appears as Trollop. These records were used to collect taxes and provide a glimpse into the social and economic status of families bearing the name.

Notable individuals with the surname Trollope include Anthony Trollope (1815-1882), a renowned English novelist and one of the most prolific writers of the Victorian era. His works, such as the Chronicles of Barsetshire series, offered insightful commentary on the social and political landscape of 19th-century England.

Another prominent figure was Thomas Adolphus Trollope (1810-1892), a writer and traveler who authored several books on Italian culture and society. His brother, Henry Trollope (1816-1891), was a clergyman and author who wrote extensively on religion and philosophy.

Frances Milton Trollope (1779-1863), an English novelist and writer, is also remembered for her travel writing and her efforts to promote social reform. Her son, Thomas Adolphus Trollope, carried on the family's literary tradition.

In the realm of sports, Julian Trollope (1922-2012) was a British cricketer who played first-class cricket for Oxford University and Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in the 1940s and 1950s.

While the surname Trollope is not among the most common in England, it has left an indelible mark on literature, travel writing, and various other fields throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Trollope families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Trollope 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. Wiltshire leads with 161 Trollopes recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.62x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 161 29.62x
Middlesex 102 1.66x
Norfolk 53 5.61x
Somerset 52 5.26x
Surrey 52 1.74x
Lincolnshire 45 4.58x
Sussex 19 1.83x
Essex 18 1.48x
Kent 17 0.81x
Lancashire 14 0.19x
Glamorgan 13 1.21x
Gloucestershire 11 0.91x
Hampshire 11 0.87x
Yorkshire 10 0.16x
Monmouthshire 9 2.03x
Northamptonshire 7 1.21x
Bedfordshire 6 1.89x
Berkshire 6 1.30x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.60x
Hertfordshire 3 0.71x
Leicestershire 3 0.44x
Oxfordshire 3 0.79x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.51x
Dorset 2 0.50x
Suffolk 2 0.27x
Cheshire 1 0.07x
Derbyshire 1 0.10x
Rutland 1 2.22x
Warwickshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Horningsham in Wiltshire leads with 70 Trollopes recorded in 1881 and an index of 4093.57x.

Place Total Index
Horningsham 70 4093.57x
Warminster 40 335.85x
Heckington 26 695.19x
Frome 19 80.30x
Islington London 19 3.19x
St Pancras London 19 3.84x
Streatham 14 30.70x
Trowbridge 14 58.28x
Walmer 13 142.70x
West Ham 13 4.85x
Bromley London 11 8.14x
Newchurch 11 18.44x
Wiggenhall St German 11 990.99x
Road 10 833.33x
East Dereham 9 75.38x
Hackney London 9 2.61x
Kensington London 9 2.63x
Panton 9 2727.27x
Trevethin 9 21.45x
Acton 8 22.20x
Bethnal Green London 8 3.00x
Calne 8 71.49x
Doncaster 8 17.98x
Esher 8 190.93x
Hill Deverill 8 2758.62x
Necton 8 479.04x
Heigham 7 13.80x
Swansea Town 7 7.98x
Patcham 6 322.58x
Swaffham 6 78.02x
Wells St Cuthbert Out 6 75.28x
Broadwater 5 21.03x
Fulham London 5 5.61x
Hawnes 5 255.10x
Laverstock 5 520.83x
Mells 5 245.10x
Newark Upon Trent 5 16.80x
Peterborough 5 11.95x
Putney 5 17.85x
Richmond 5 11.92x
Stansted Mountfitchet 5 163.40x
Wallingford St Mary Le 5 191.57x
Llantrisant 4 14.83x
Lonbridge Deverill 4 209.42x
Lydney 4 64.31x
Paddington London 4 1.77x
St George Hanover 4 4.99x
Trowse Cum Newton 4 170.94x
Bridgewater 3 11.17x
Brighton 3 1.44x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 2.64x
Camberwell 3 0.76x
Carlton Curliew 3 2000.00x
Ham Kingston On Thames 3 229.01x
Lambeth 3 0.56x
Rotherhithe 3 3.95x
Ryde 3 11.09x
Sanderstead 3 370.37x
Seend 3 277.78x
St Swithin Lincoln 3 19.42x
Wainfleet St Mary 3 201.34x
Bristol St Paul In 2 6.23x
Britford 2 55.71x
Butleigh 2 122.70x
Christchurch 2 7.32x
Croydon 2 1.20x
Denton 2 12.38x
Gelligaer 2 8.18x
Greetham 2 645.16x
Heytesbury 2 101.01x
Lakenham 2 14.89x
Lt Tew 2 344.83x
Radstock 2 30.77x
Reigate Borough 2 28.94x
South Stoneham 2 7.32x
Toller Porcorum 2 212.77x
Tonbridge 2 2.64x
Whitechapel London 2 3.30x
Tottenham 1 1.02x
Watford 1 3.05x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 25
William 25
John 21
Henry 20
James 19
Charles 13
Thomas 12
Joseph 11
Alfred 9
Arthur 9
Walter 9
Edward 8
Frederick 8
Albert 6
Robert 6
Frank 5
Herbert 5
Francis 4
Samuel 4
Andrew 3
Harry 3
Oliver 3
Wm. 3
Brightmer 2
Edmund 2
Edwin 2
Hugh 2
Lewis 2
Richard 2
Sidney 2
Stephen 2
Sydney 2
Tom 2
Uriah 2
Archelaus 1
Chas. 1
Chas.A.D. 1
Clifford 1
Eland 1
Emanuel 1
Ernest 1
Esau 1
Fabian 1
Fred 1
Jacob 1
Jas. 1
Jas.Downie 1
Jeffery 1
Jesse 1
Wm.Edmd. 1

FAQ

Trollope surname: questions and answers

How common was the Trollope surname in 1881?

In 1881, 636 people were recorded with the Trollope surname. That placed it at #5,582 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Trollope surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 627 in 2016. That gives Trollope a modern rank of #8,409.

What does the Trollope surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old French word "troleur", meaning someone who roams around or travels.

What does the Trollope map show?

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