NameCensus.

UK surname

Waldren

A surname derived from the Germanic words meaning "ruler of the forest."

In the 1881 census there were 245 people recorded with the Waldren surname, ranking it #11,232 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 212, ranked #18,843, down from #11,232 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Twyford and Overton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Maidstone, Surrey Heath and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Waldren is 293 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 13.5%.

1881 census count

245

Ranked #11,232

Modern count

212

2016, ranked #18,843

Peak year

1891

293 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Waldren had 245 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,232 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 212 in 2016, ranked #18,843.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 293 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Multicultural Inner Suburbs.

Waldren surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Waldren surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Waldren 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 180 #11,300
1861 historical 242 #10,154
1881 historical 245 #11,232
1891 historical 293 #11,319
1901 historical 210 #14,677
1911 historical 223 #13,951
1997 modern 270 #14,515
1998 modern 284 #14,402
1999 modern 283 #14,501
2000 modern 268 #15,018
2001 modern 257 #15,236
2002 modern 266 #15,156
2003 modern 251 #15,563
2004 modern 244 #15,948
2005 modern 234 #16,388
2006 modern 232 #16,600
2007 modern 227 #17,041
2008 modern 228 #17,146
2009 modern 242 #16,789
2010 modern 240 #17,230
2011 modern 244 #16,922
2012 modern 230 #17,479
2013 modern 234 #17,556
2014 modern 231 #17,813
2015 modern 215 #18,659
2016 modern 212 #18,843

Geography

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Where Waldrens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Twyford, Overton, London parishes and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Maidstone, Surrey Heath, County Durham and Elmbridge. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Twyford Hampshire
3 Overton Hampshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Maidstone 005 Maidstone
2 Surrey Heath 008 Surrey Heath
3 County Durham 019 County Durham
4 Elmbridge 017 Elmbridge
5 Surrey Heath 012 Surrey Heath

Forenames

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First names often paired with Waldren

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Waldren

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

Multicultural Inner Suburbs

Nationally, the Waldren surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Multicultural Inner Suburbs, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Waldren household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house many younger and middle-aged adults with children. All ethnic minorities, apart from those identifying as Pakistani or Bangladeshi, appear to be present in above average proportions. Affiliation to Christian religions is uncommon. Long-term disability rates are low, mirrored in limited provision of unpaid care. Privately rented terrace houses and flats are the norm. Managerial, professional and technical occupations are prevalent, and work is rarely part time. Many individuals have degree level qualifications. These areas form the inner suburbs of many of the UK’s 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Waldren is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Waldren 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

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

Meaning and origin of Waldren

The surname Waldren is of Anglo-Saxon origin, tracing its roots back to England during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "weald," meaning a wooded area or forest, and "rēn," meaning a dweller or someone who inhabits a particular place. This suggests that the name was originally given to someone who lived in or near a wooded region.

One of the earliest known records of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Walderene," indicating its presence in the country during the Norman conquest.

Throughout the centuries, the surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Waldron, Waldrond, Waldren, and Waldern. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of scribes who recorded the name.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Sir John Waldren was documented as a knight and landowner in the county of Kent. He is believed to have played a role in the Second Barons' War against King Henry III in the mid-1200s.

Another historical figure associated with the name is William Waldren, born in 1544 in Northamptonshire. He was a prominent merchant and philanthropist who left a substantial portion of his wealth to establish a free school for the education of poor children in his hometown.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, a Captain Thomas Waldren served in the Parliamentarian forces under Oliver Cromwell. He fought in several key battles and was known for his bravery on the battlefield.

In the literary realm, John Waldren (1789-1864) was an English poet and writer who published several works, including "The Poetical Works of John Waldren" and "The Village Muse." He was celebrated for his vivid descriptions of rural life and natural scenery.

Another notable figure was Sir William Waldren (1842-1923), a British diplomat and politician who served as the Governor of Newfoundland from 1876 to 1881. He played a significant role in promoting the economic development of the colony during his tenure.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the surname Waldren, reflecting its long-standing presence and significance in various contexts across England and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Waldren families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Waldren 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. Hampshire leads with 58 Waldrens recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.65x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 58 11.65x
Surrey 33 2.79x
Lancashire 26 0.90x
Middlesex 23 0.95x
Staffordshire 19 2.32x
Kent 18 2.17x
Yorkshire 14 0.58x
Warwickshire 11 1.80x
Dorset 10 6.27x
Channel Islands 4 5.56x
Derbyshire 4 1.05x
Gloucestershire 4 0.84x
Nottinghamshire 4 1.22x
Worcestershire 4 1.26x
Cornwall 3 1.09x
Glamorgan 3 0.71x
Somerset 2 0.51x
Ayrshire 1 0.55x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.68x
Cheshire 1 0.19x
Denbighshire 1 1.09x
Devon 1 0.20x
Essex 1 0.21x
Leicestershire 1 0.37x
Northamptonshire 1 0.44x
Wiltshire 1 0.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 25 Waldrens recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.80x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 25 11.80x
Basingstoke 12 209.42x
North Waltham 11 3142.86x
Rastrick 9 134.53x
Edgbaston 8 42.13x
Twyford 8 672.27x
Bury 7 21.26x
Eltham 7 144.03x
Greenwich 7 18.10x
Kingswinford 7 23.51x
Nately Scures 7 3333.33x
Ovington 7 5833.33x
Reigate Foreign 7 54.64x
Blackburn 6 7.82x
Clerkenwell London 6 10.47x
Sedgley 6 19.70x
St Pancras London 6 3.07x
Manchester 5 3.86x
Thorncombe 5 543.48x
Easton 4 1000.00x
Frome Vauchurch 4 4000.00x
Kensington London 4 2.96x
Portsea 4 4.10x
Siddington 4 1000.00x
Staveley 4 59.26x
West Bromwich 4 8.52x
Cliddesden 3 1071.43x
Hackney London 3 2.20x
Hucknall Torkard 3 36.14x
Lewisham 3 6.79x
Salford 3 3.54x
St Sampson 3 92.59x
Birmingham 2 0.98x
Budock 2 96.62x
Burton Upon Trent 2 10.43x
Crewkerne 2 48.19x
Horton In Bradford 2 5.32x
Islington London 2 0.85x
Keighley 2 7.80x
Llantwit Vairdre 2 42.11x
Box 1 54.64x
Bridport 1 30.49x
Brixton 1 243.90x
Clapham 1 3.29x
Dailly 1 54.05x
Dartford 1 11.81x
Dunham Massey 1 60.98x
Everton 1 1.09x
Exeter Holy Trinity 1 50.51x
Falmouth 1 10.28x
Farnworth 1 5.79x
Finchley 1 10.74x
Hulme 1 1.66x
Kidderminster Foreign 1 22.32x
Leamington Priors 1 6.64x
Leicester St Margaret 1 1.52x
Northampton St Giles 1 11.49x
Nottingham St Peter 1 27.40x
Overton 1 84.03x
Oystermouth 1 30.58x
Sheffield 1 1.31x
St Luke London 1 2.57x
St Peter Port 1 7.51x
Stourbridge 1 12.25x
Toxteth Park 1 1.02x
Wardleworth 1 6.07x
Worcester St Martin 1 23.36x
Wrexham Regis 1 14.68x
Writtle 1 51.02x
Wycombe 1 9.13x
Yardley 1 12.32x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 20
Sarah 12
Jane 10
Elizabeth 6
Ellen 6
Annie 5
Ann 3
Bridget 3
Emily 3
Frances 3
Hannah 3
Margaret 3
Maria 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Anne 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Eleanor 2
Eliza 2
Francis 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Martha 2
Barbara 1
Beatrice 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Elen 1
Emma 1
Ester 1
Ethel 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Frederica 1
Hariet 1
Harriet 1
Jemimia 1
Katherine 1
Katy 1
Laura 1
Lizzie 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
Mabel 1
Minnie 1
Nelly 1
Sussanah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 18
James 12
John 11
Thomas 8
George 7
Alfred 6
Charles 4
Frederick 4
Henry 4
Robert 4
Joseph 3
Michael 3
Albert 2
Edward 2
Edwin 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Thos. 2
Walter 2
Anthony 1
Arthur 1
David 1
Ernest 1
Frances 1
Harry 1
Hubert 1
Jacob 1
Luke 1
Martin 1
Patrick 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Richard 1
Thos.Alfred 1

FAQ

Waldren surname: questions and answers

How common was the Waldren surname in 1881?

In 1881, 245 people were recorded with the Waldren surname. That placed it at #11,232 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Waldren surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 212 in 2016. That gives Waldren a modern rank of #18,843.

What does the Waldren surname mean?

A surname derived from the Germanic words meaning "ruler of the forest."

What does the Waldren map show?

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