UK surname
From a dwelling near a weald or wood.
In the 1881 census there were 70 people recorded with the Welden surname, ranking it #23,670 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 72, ranked #33,585, down from #23,670 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Newland (Bream, Clearwell, Newland, Coleford), West Dean, Manchester and Darfield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Welden is 133 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.9%.
1881 census count
70
Ranked #23,670
Modern count
72
2016, ranked #33,585
Peak year
1861
133 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Welden surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Welden surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 126 | #14,626 |
| 1861 | historical | 133 | #16,835 |
| 1881 | historical | 70 | #23,670 |
| 1891 | historical | 97 | #24,447 |
| 1901 | historical | 95 | #23,462 |
| 1911 | historical | 120 | #20,447 |
| 1997 | modern | 60 | #31,629 |
| 1998 | modern | 61 | #31,841 |
| 1999 | modern | 65 | #31,605 |
| 2000 | modern | 70 | #31,180 |
| 2001 | modern | 69 | #31,098 |
| 2002 | modern | 65 | #31,903 |
| 2003 | modern | 63 | #32,152 |
| 2004 | modern | 67 | #31,976 |
| 2005 | modern | 69 | #32,007 |
| 2006 | modern | 72 | #32,059 |
| 2007 | modern | 70 | #32,580 |
| 2008 | modern | 67 | #33,135 |
| 2009 | modern | 76 | #32,635 |
| 2010 | modern | 73 | #33,249 |
| 2011 | modern | 72 | #33,323 |
| 2012 | modern | 73 | #33,431 |
| 2013 | modern | 76 | #33,329 |
| 2014 | modern | 73 | #33,587 |
| 2015 | modern | 73 | #33,541 |
| 2016 | modern | 72 | #33,585 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Newland (Bream, Clearwell, Newland, Coleford), West Dean, Manchester, Darfield, Loudoun 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 No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newland (Bream, Clearwell, Newland, Coleford), West Dean | Monmouthshire |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Darfield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 4 | Loudoun | Ayr |
| 5 | London parishes | London 2 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Welden surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Welden, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Welden surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Welden household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Welden is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Welden is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Welden, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Welden is of English origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "weld" and "dun," which together signify "hill of the weld plant" or "hill of dye." This suggests that the name likely originated in an area known for the cultivation or abundance of the weld plant, which was used to produce a yellow dye.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical documents from the 13th century onwards. One notable mention is in the Hundredorum Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1273, where a William de Weldene is listed. This spelling variation, "de Weldene," implies that the name was initially associated with a specific location or estate.
During the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Weldene, Weldone, and Weldun, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common in that era. In the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, a John de Weldene is mentioned, further solidifying the connection between the name and a particular geographic location.
The Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and their holdings in England compiled in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname Welden. However, it does mention several place names that may have given rise to the surname, such as Weldon in Northamptonshire and Weldone in Devon.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Welden. One such figure was Sir Richard Welden (c. 1592-1668), an English lawyer and member of Parliament during the reign of Charles I. Another was John Welden (1584-1652), an English clergyman and author who served as the Bishop of Peterborough from 1635 until his death.
In the 18th century, the name gained further prominence with the birth of Thomas Welden (1753-1837), an English naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. Additionally, John Welden (1760-1846) was a renowned English architect and surveyor who worked on various projects in London and other parts of England.
Moving into the 19th century, one notable figure was Richard Welden Sickert (1842-1907), an English painter and illustrator known for his depictions of scenes from everyday life. His son, Walter Richard Sickert (1860-1942), also an artist, carried on the family's artistic legacy and is regarded as a significant figure in the development of modern British art.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Welden surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 9 Weldens recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.08x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 9 | 1.08x |
| Ayrshire | 7 | 13.32x |
| Hampshire | 6 | 4.17x |
| Kent | 6 | 2.50x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 0.85x |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 0.86x |
| Staffordshire | 5 | 2.11x |
| Warwickshire | 5 | 2.82x |
| Durham | 3 | 1.44x |
| Midlothian | 3 | 3.19x |
| Norfolk | 3 | 2.78x |
| Isle of Man | 2 | 15.34x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 2.11x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.58x |
| Worcestershire | 2 | 2.18x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.73x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 2.07x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.89x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 1.51x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.84x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Loudoun in Ayrshire leads with 7 Weldens recorded in 1881 and an index of 555.56x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Loudoun | 7 | 555.56x |
| Droylsden | 6 | 220.59x |
| Holdenhurst | 6 | 158.73x |
| Aston | 5 | 10.25x |
| Maidstone | 5 | 70.03x |
| Wednesbury | 5 | 84.46x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 3 | 16.73x |
| Holy Trinity | 3 | 17.92x |
| South Leith | 3 | 28.33x |
| Lambeth | 2 | 3.27x |
| Onchan | 2 | 53.19x |
| Snenton | 2 | 53.76x |
| Swanton Abbott | 2 | 1666.67x |
| Worcester St Peter | 2 | 114.94x |
| Attercliffe Cum Darnall | 1 | 15.43x |
| Aylsham | 1 | 156.25x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 1 | 7.33x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 4.73x |
| Ecclesall Bierlow | 1 | 7.06x |
| Habergham Eaves | 1 | 13.12x |
| Harrow On The Hill | 1 | 71.43x |
| Hythe St Leonard | 1 | 117.65x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.47x |
| Kimpton | 1 | 434.78x |
| Oldham | 1 | 3.72x |
| Openshaw | 1 | 25.64x |
| Ruislip | 1 | 285.71x |
| Rye | 1 | 88.50x |
| Somersby | 1 | 10000.00x |
| St Giles In Fields | 1 | 41.32x |
| St Luke London | 1 | 8.88x |
| Walgrave | 1 | 714.29x |
| Woolaston | 1 | 476.19x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Welden surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Welden surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Welden households.
FAQ
In 1881, 70 people were recorded with the Welden surname. That placed it at #23,670 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 72 in 2016. That gives Welden a modern rank of #33,585.
From a dwelling near a weald or wood.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Welden bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.