NameCensus.

UK surname

Tulip

A surname derived from the colorful flower, likely referring to an ancestor's profession or location.

In the 1881 census there were 482 people recorded with the Tulip surname, ranking it #6,956 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 703, ranked #7,683, down from #6,956 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead and Newcastle All Saints. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northumberland and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tulip is 921 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 45.9%.

1881 census count

482

Ranked #6,956

Modern count

703

2016, ranked #7,683

Peak year

1911

921 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tulip had 482 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,956 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 703 in 2016, ranked #7,683.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 921 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Tulip surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tulip surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tulip 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 261 #8,490
1861 historical 278 #8,998
1881 historical 482 #6,956
1891 historical 541 #6,976
1901 historical 747 #5,961
1911 historical 921 #4,863
1997 modern 782 #6,659
1998 modern 813 #6,673
1999 modern 822 #6,654
2000 modern 807 #6,721
2001 modern 785 #6,745
2002 modern 794 #6,818
2003 modern 752 #7,007
2004 modern 736 #7,119
2005 modern 751 #6,952
2006 modern 738 #7,076
2007 modern 737 #7,158
2008 modern 731 #7,250
2009 modern 734 #7,366
2010 modern 757 #7,330
2011 modern 769 #7,172
2012 modern 744 #7,275
2013 modern 728 #7,510
2014 modern 726 #7,563
2015 modern 705 #7,679
2016 modern 703 #7,683

Geography

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Where Tulips are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead, Newcastle All Saints, Newcastle St John and Bishop Wearmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Northumberland and Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Newcastle All Saints Northumberland
4 Newcastle St John Northumberland
5 Bishop Wearmouth Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northumberland 038 Northumberland
2 Northumberland 004 Northumberland
3 Northumberland 034 Northumberland
4 Newcastle upon Tyne 014 Newcastle upon Tyne
5 Northumberland 031 Northumberland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tulip

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tulip

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Tulip surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Tulip household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Tulip is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Tulip is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Tulip 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 Tulip is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Tulip

The surname "Tulip" is of Dutch origin, derived from the common flower of the same name. It is believed to have emerged in the 16th century during the Dutch Golden Age, a period of tremendous economic and cultural growth in the Netherlands.

The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname or occupational name, referring to someone who cultivated or traded in tulips, which were highly coveted and valuable during the Dutch Tulip Mania of the 1630s. It may also have been used to describe someone's appearance or character, likening them to the vibrant and colorful tulip flower.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "Tulip" can be found in the municipal archives of Amsterdam, dated 1648, which mentions a merchant named Pieter Tulip. In the 17th century, the name appears in various spellings, such as "Tulipe" and "Tulipe van Amsterdam," reflecting the Dutch language's influence.

During the 18th century, the name spread across Europe and beyond, as Dutch settlers and traders carried it to far-flung regions. Johannes Tulip (1711-1779), a Dutch explorer and botanist, was among the first to introduce the tulip flower to South Africa, where he documented several new species.

In England, the name "Tulip" gained prominence through the work of the renowned horticulturist, John Tulip (1756-1821), who authored several influential treatises on gardening and the cultivation of tulips. His contributions to the study and appreciation of this iconic flower were widely celebrated during his lifetime.

Another notable figure was the French artist, Marie Tulip (1820-1899), whose vibrant paintings of tulip fields and gardens captured the essence of the flower's beauty and cultural significance. Her works are now housed in various museums across Europe, including the Louvre in Paris.

In the 20th century, the surname "Tulip" gained recognition through the exploits of the Dutch resistance fighter, Willem Tulip (1915-1945), who played a crucial role in aiding Allied forces during World War II. His acts of bravery and sacrifice were commemorated with numerous honors and memorials in his homeland.

While the surname "Tulip" may not be among the most common today, its rich history and association with the iconic tulip flower have solidified its place in the cultural tapestry of the Netherlands and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tulip families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tulip 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. Durham leads with 255 Tulips recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.23x.

County Total Index
Durham 255 18.23x
Northumberland 190 27.16x
Lancashire 18 0.32x
Surrey 6 0.26x
Middlesex 4 0.09x
Sussex 3 0.38x
Worcestershire 2 0.33x
Yorkshire 2 0.04x
Glamorgan 1 0.12x
Staffordshire 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. Ovington in Northumberland leads with 32 Tulips recorded in 1881 and an index of 3720.93x.

Place Total Index
Ovington 32 3720.93x
Bishopwearmouth 31 25.82x
Elswick 27 48.36x
Heworth 23 83.45x
Byers Green 20 506.33x
Mickley 19 859.73x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 17 40.69x
West Denton 17 2297.30x
Westoe 17 21.44x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 16 26.41x
Hetton Le Hole 16 90.24x
Byker 14 40.49x
Eccleston In Prescot 14 49.98x
Willington 12 148.51x
Harraton 11 402.93x
Harlow Hill 10 6666.67x
Houghton Le Spring 10 103.41x
Prudhoe 10 205.34x
Billingham 9 373.44x
Ryton 8 162.60x
Wallbottle 8 536.91x
Whickham 8 62.16x
Ferryhill 7 143.15x
Monkwearmouth 7 52.28x
Ovingham Whittle Spital 7 660.38x
Winlaton 7 52.16x
Bedlington 6 25.68x
Coxlodge 6 112.78x
Gateshead 6 5.73x
Framwellgate 5 60.31x
Rotherhithe 5 8.61x
Stockton On Tees 5 7.42x
Tanfield 5 30.07x
Wingate 5 52.14x
Belsay 4 634.92x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 4.51x
Crook Billy Row 4 22.33x
Poplar London 4 4.51x
Seaton Carew 4 142.35x
Trimdon 4 80.97x
Collierley 3 48.15x
Esh 3 29.47x
Hexham 3 27.70x
Up Marden 3 555.56x
Whitchester 3 5000.00x
Birtley 2 35.03x
Broom 2 172.41x
Hedley Woodside 2 277.78x
Rudchester 2 2857.14x
Worcester St Martin 2 24.15x
Aiskew 1 74.63x
Bournmoor 1 45.45x
Cardiff St Mary 1 2.22x
Chopwell 1 38.46x
Haswell 1 9.98x
Holy Trinity 1 0.89x
Kingston On Thames 1 1.82x
Morpeth 1 12.15x
Ryhope 1 10.30x
Tynemouth 1 2.67x
Wallsend 1 4.51x
Washington 1 17.06x
Whittington 1 30.77x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 42
Elizabeth 35
Jane 22
Margaret 18
Isabella 14
Hannah 12
Ann 10
Dorothy 9
Martha 6
Alice 4
Annie 4
Eleanor 4
Eliza 4
Sarah 4
Catherine 3
Ellen 3
Barbara 2
Dinah 2
Frances 2
Isa. 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Bridget 1
Cathrine 1
Edith 1
Eliz. 1
Elleanor 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Ethel 1
Florence 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Heneretta 1
Henry 1
Isabel 1
Isabell 1
James 1
Janet 1
John 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lily 1
Margt. 1
Maria 1
Nellie 1
Phoepe 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 52
William 30
Thomas 28
Robert 27
James 16
George 13
Joseph 11
Edward 7
Matthew 6
Samuel 6
Stephen 4
Alfred 3
Anthony 3
... 2
Anderson 2
Andrew 2
Charles 2
David 2
Henry 2
Hugh 2
Lancelot 2
Nicholas 2
Archibald 1
Daniel 1
Edgar 1
F.S. 1
Frederick 1
Friend 1
Geo. 1
Isaac 1
Jas.Wm. 1
Jno.B. 1
Launcelot 1
Laurence 1
Lend. 1
Martin 1
Matt. 1
Michael 1
Nicholson 1
Nicolas 1
Peter 1
Ralph 1
Richard 1
Walter 1
Wilfred 1
Wilfrid 1
Willm.R. 1
Wm. 1
Wm.B. 1

FAQ

Tulip surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tulip surname in 1881?

In 1881, 482 people were recorded with the Tulip surname. That placed it at #6,956 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tulip surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 703 in 2016. That gives Tulip a modern rank of #7,683.

What does the Tulip surname mean?

A surname derived from the colorful flower, likely referring to an ancestor's profession or location.

What does the Tulip map show?

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