NameCensus.

UK surname

Vidler

An occupational surname derived from the Old English word "fidihere" meaning a minstrel or fiddle player.

In the 1881 census there were 900 people recorded with the Vidler surname, ranking it #4,238 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,230, ranked #4,851, down from #4,238 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Horsemonden, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew and Tunbridge, Bidborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rother, Winchester and Tunbridge Wells.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vidler is 1,333 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.7%.

1881 census count

900

Ranked #4,238

Modern count

1,230

2016, ranked #4,851

Peak year

1911

1,333 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vidler had 900 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,238 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,230 in 2016, ranked #4,851.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,333 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Vidler surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vidler surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vidler 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 598 #4,284
1861 historical 560 #4,704
1881 historical 900 #4,238
1891 historical 919 #4,499
1901 historical 1,212 #4,066
1911 historical 1,333 #3,586
1997 modern 1,251 #4,553
1998 modern 1,317 #4,508
1999 modern 1,316 #4,551
2000 modern 1,311 #4,540
2001 modern 1,261 #4,613
2002 modern 1,297 #4,583
2003 modern 1,264 #4,597
2004 modern 1,289 #4,518
2005 modern 1,242 #4,623
2006 modern 1,270 #4,539
2007 modern 1,256 #4,634
2008 modern 1,243 #4,704
2009 modern 1,283 #4,668
2010 modern 1,303 #4,696
2011 modern 1,264 #4,772
2012 modern 1,227 #4,824
2013 modern 1,242 #4,845
2014 modern 1,233 #4,897
2015 modern 1,235 #4,845
2016 modern 1,230 #4,851

Geography

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Where Vidlers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Horsemonden, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, Tunbridge, Bidborough, Ticehurst and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rother, Winchester, Tunbridge Wells, Hastings and Maidstone. 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 Horsemonden Kent
2 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
3 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
4 Ticehurst Sussex
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rother 001 Rother
2 Winchester 011 Winchester
3 Tunbridge Wells 002 Tunbridge Wells
4 Hastings 002 Hastings
5 Maidstone 013 Maidstone

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vidler

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Vidler

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Vidler is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Vidler 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

Vidler falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Vidler

The surname Vidler is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "fidirleas," which translates to "without a father" or "orphan." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname given to someone who was fatherless or orphaned.

The earliest known record of the Vidler surname dates back to the late 13th century, with a mention in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275, where it was spelled as "Vydler." This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

In the 14th century, the Vidler name appeared in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a census-like record of landowners and their holdings. One notable entry was that of John Vydler, who held land in the village of Kidderminster, Worcestershire.

During the 16th century, the Vidler surname gained further recognition with the inclusion of Thomas Vidler (c. 1510 - 1566) in historical records. Thomas was a prominent English lawyer and served as the Recorder of Salisbury, a legal officer responsible for maintaining records and administering justice.

The 17th century saw the rise of William Vidler (1608 - 1692), a renowned English Puritan minister and author. He served as the rector of Goudhurst, Kent, and was known for his influential religious writings, including "A Soliloquy on the Ark of the Testament."

Moving into the 18th century, the Vidler name continued to gain prominence with the birth of Richard Vidler (1735 - 1810), a notable English engraver and artist. His works included illustrations for books and engravings of architectural subjects, some of which are still preserved in museums today.

Another significant figure bearing the Vidler surname was Sir William Vidler (1812 - 1887), a British politician and industrialist. He served as a Member of Parliament for Exeter and was instrumental in the development of the local textile industry, establishing several successful factories in the region.

Throughout its history, the Vidler surname has been associated with various place names and locations across England, including Vidler's Bridge in Somerset, Vidler's Lane in Warwickshire, and Vidler's Farm in Hertfordshire, further cementing its deep-rooted English heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vidler families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vidler 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 316 Vidlers recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.33x.

County Total Index
Sussex 316 21.33x
Kent 194 6.47x
Hampshire 126 6.99x
Middlesex 104 1.18x
Surrey 95 2.22x
Berkshire 11 1.67x
Essex 10 0.58x
Midlothian 9 0.76x
Lancashire 7 0.07x
Suffolk 6 0.56x
Gloucestershire 4 0.23x
Dorset 3 0.52x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.25x
Hertfordshire 2 0.33x
Oxfordshire 2 0.37x
Warwickshire 2 0.09x
Bedfordshire 1 0.22x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.19x
Channel Islands 1 0.38x
Devon 1 0.05x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.57x
Lincolnshire 1 0.07x
Wiltshire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hastings St Mary In The in Sussex leads with 61 Vidlers recorded in 1881 and an index of 192.98x.

Place Total Index
Hastings St Mary In The 61 192.98x
Ticehurst 44 485.12x
Battle 38 380.00x
Maidstone 31 34.71x
Horsemonden 26 593.61x
Camberwell 19 3.38x
Hastings St Andrew 18 338.98x
Tonbridge 17 15.72x
Hastings St Clement 16 114.78x
Newington 15 4.62x
Brenchley 13 121.16x
St George Hanover 13 11.33x
Brede 11 354.84x
Ivychurch 10 1282.05x
St Pancras London 10 1.41x
Ashburnham 9 386.27x
Ashford 9 30.82x
Binsted 9 131.00x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 9 1.90x
Hastings St Leonards 9 41.32x
Hastings St Michael 9 849.06x
South Stoneham 9 23.03x
Chilcomb 8 869.57x
Ealing 8 10.18x
Goudhurst 8 96.39x
Hastings Holy Trinity 8 73.26x
Ore 8 72.53x
St George In East 8 13.38x
Tooting Graveney 8 67.11x
Waltham 8 526.32x
Westminster St James 8 8.85x
Alton 7 51.55x
Bromley London 7 3.62x
Burwash 7 101.89x
Etchingham 7 255.47x
Ewhurst 7 212.77x
Lamberhurst 7 187.67x
Millbrook 7 15.43x
Monxton 7 864.20x
Priors Dean 7 1400.00x
Sevenoaks 7 28.79x
Southwark St George Martyr 7 3.96x
Toxteth Park 7 1.98x
West Ham 7 1.83x
Wimbledon 7 14.56x
Bramshott 6 135.14x
Buriton 6 172.91x
Clewer 6 22.20x
Frant 6 57.14x
Gravesend 6 23.63x
Hailsham 6 66.89x
Kensington London 6 1.23x
Newmarket St Mary 6 72.99x
Petersfield 6 121.21x
Pevensey 6 545.45x
Ropley 6 227.27x
Stoke 6 29.69x
Beddington 5 30.19x
Chatham 5 6.06x
East Tisted 5 877.19x
Folkestone 5 8.60x
Greenwich 5 3.57x
Hammersmith London 5 2.31x
Hastings All Sts 5 35.82x
Hawkhurst 5 53.65x
Headley 5 490.20x
Lambeth 5 0.65x
Lewisham 5 3.13x
Shadwell London 5 20.33x
Sutton Valence 5 146.63x
Ulcombe 5 253.81x
Westminster St John 5 4.67x
Willesden 5 6.04x
Basing 4 118.69x
Egham 4 15.21x
Farringdon 4 227.27x
Hastings St Mary 4 10.85x
Littleworth 4 238.10x
Newton Valence 4 363.64x
Portsmouth 4 9.64x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 61
George 53
Thomas 29
John 26
James 21
Henry 19
Charles 18
Richard 17
Alfred 15
Edward 15
Frederick 11
Albert 10
Ernest 8
Arthur 7
Harry 7
Frank 6
Samuel 6
Walter 6
Benjamin 5
Edwin 5
Herbert 5
David 3
Edmund 3
Eli 3
Philip 3
Phillip 3
Reuben 3
Tom 3
Daniel 2
Fredk. 2
Fredrick 2
Isaac 2
Joseph 2
Leonard 2
Leopold 2
Percy 2
Robert 2
Saml. 2
Sidney 2
Stephen 2
Thos.M. 2
Wm. 2
Douglas 1
F.A. 1
Fred 1
Fredk.Chas. 1
Leslie 1
Loftus 1
Louis 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Vidler surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vidler surname in 1881?

In 1881, 900 people were recorded with the Vidler surname. That placed it at #4,238 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vidler surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,230 in 2016. That gives Vidler a modern rank of #4,851.

What does the Vidler surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from the Old English word "fidihere" meaning a minstrel or fiddle player.

What does the Vidler map show?

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