NameCensus.

UK surname

Waldman

An occupational surname referring to someone living near or working in a forest.

In the 1881 census there were 24 people recorded with the Waldman surname, ranking it #30,215 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 240, ranked #17,278, up from #30,215 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Salford, Barnet and Redbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Waldman is 250 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 900.0%.

1881 census count

24

Ranked #30,215

Modern count

240

2016, ranked #17,278

Peak year

2010

250 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Waldman had 24 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,215 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 240 in 2016, ranked #17,278.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 97 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Waldman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Waldman surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Waldman 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 5 #32,456
1861 historical 37 #29,339
1881 historical 24 #30,215
1891 historical 52 #30,061
1901 historical 64 #27,010
1911 historical 97 #23,076
1997 modern 216 #16,802
1998 modern 236 #16,304
1999 modern 233 #16,554
2000 modern 235 #16,423
2001 modern 237 #16,048
2002 modern 242 #16,186
2003 modern 242 #15,960
2004 modern 244 #15,948
2005 modern 244 #15,900
2006 modern 241 #16,139
2007 modern 246 #16,086
2008 modern 244 #16,346
2009 modern 248 #16,509
2010 modern 250 #16,791
2011 modern 248 #16,735
2012 modern 240 #16,979
2013 modern 248 #16,877
2014 modern 247 #17,035
2015 modern 246 #16,994
2016 modern 240 #17,278

Geography

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Where Waldmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Salford, Barnet, Redbridge and Solihull. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Salford 016 Salford
2 Salford 010 Salford
3 Barnet 035 Barnet
4 Redbridge 006 Redbridge
5 Solihull 005 Solihull

Forenames

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First names often paired with Waldman

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Waldman

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Waldman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Waldman 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Waldman is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Waldman is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Waldman 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 Waldman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Waldman

The surname Waldman has its origins in Germany, with the earliest known records dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the German words "wald," meaning forest, and "mann," meaning man or person. This suggests that the name was initially given to individuals who lived in or near forested areas or worked as foresters or woodsmen.

In the early days, the name was often spelled as "Waldemann" or "Waldemanne," reflecting the regional dialects and variations in spelling conventions of the time. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in medieval German documents and records, such as the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, which dates back to the 13th century.

During the Middle Ages, the Waldman name appeared in various regions of Germany, including Saxony, Bavaria, and the Rhineland. One notable individual bearing this surname was Hans Waldman, a prominent merchant and banker from Nuremberg, who lived in the late 15th century.

As the surname spread across Europe, it underwent slight variations in spelling and pronunciation, such as "Waldmann" in Switzerland and "Waldemar" in Scandinavia. In the 16th century, a Swiss military commander named Rudolf Waldmann played a significant role in the battles against the Habsburgs.

Another notable figure was Johann Waldmann, a German poet and dramatist born in 1557 in Saxony. He is known for his contributions to the development of German Renaissance literature.

In the 18th century, Johann Jakob Waldmann, a Swiss theologian and philosopher, made important contributions to the field of natural theology and was highly regarded for his scholarly works.

As the Industrial Revolution brought about increased mobility and migration, the Waldman name spread further across Europe and eventually to other parts of the world. One notable figure from this era was Carl Waldman, a German-American artist and illustrator born in 1895, who gained recognition for his paintings depicting scenes from the American West.

Throughout its history, the surname Waldman has been associated with various professions, from foresters and woodsmen to merchants, military leaders, scholars, and artists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and achievements of those who have carried this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Waldman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Waldman 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 9 Waldmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.24x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 9 3.24x
Middlesex 8 3.42x
Surrey 3 2.63x
Yorkshire 3 1.29x
Kent 1 1.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lancaster in Lancashire leads with 9 Waldmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 545.45x.

Place Total Index
Lancaster 9 545.45x
Spitalfields London 6 340.91x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 3 138.89x
Southwark St Saviour 2 166.67x
Battersea 1 11.61x
Bethnal Green London 1 9.83x
Isleworth 1 96.15x
Rochester St Margaret 1 119.05x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 2
Clara 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Esther 1
Eve 1
Hannah 1
Harriott 1
Hyam 1
Margaret 1
Teresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 2
William 2
Abraham 1
Albert 1
Charles 1
Edward 1
Isaac 1
John 1
Moses 1
Walter 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Waldman households.

FAQ

Waldman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Waldman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 24 people were recorded with the Waldman surname. That placed it at #30,215 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Waldman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 240 in 2016. That gives Waldman a modern rank of #17,278.

What does the Waldman surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to someone living near or working in a forest.

What does the Waldman map show?

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