NameCensus.

UK surname

Young

An English surname indicating the bearer was younger than someone else with the same personal name.

In the 1881 census there were 64,312 people recorded with the Young surname, ranking it #38 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 88,515, ranked #42, down from #38 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Govan Combination and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northern and Irvine Valley Rural, Cumnock Rural and Northumberland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Young is 90,033 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 37.6%.

1881 census count

64,312

Ranked #38

Modern count

88,515

2016, ranked #42

Peak year

2010

90,033 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Young had 64,312 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #38 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 88,515 in 2016, ranked #42.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 78,988 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Young surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Young surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Young 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 44,148 #33
1861 historical 46,630 #34
1881 historical 64,312 #38
1891 historical 69,624 #37
1901 historical 78,988 #38
1911 historical 62,165 #53
1997 modern 86,040 #40
1998 modern 89,149 #40
1999 modern 89,716 #41
2000 modern 89,267 #41
2001 modern 87,014 #41
2002 modern 88,841 #41
2003 modern 86,540 #41
2004 modern 86,569 #41
2005 modern 85,288 #41
2006 modern 85,350 #41
2007 modern 85,838 #41
2008 modern 86,244 #41
2009 modern 88,301 #41
2010 modern 90,033 #41
2011 modern 88,903 #41
2012 modern 87,185 #41
2013 modern 88,847 #42
2014 modern 89,560 #42
2015 modern 88,804 #41
2016 modern 88,515 #42

Geography

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Where Youngs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Govan Combination, Gateshead and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Northern and Irvine Valley Rural, Cumnock Rural and Northumberland. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Gateshead Durham
4 London parishes London 3
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northern and Irvine Valley Rural East Ayrshire
2 Cumnock Rural East Ayrshire
3 Northumberland 006 Northumberland
4 Northumberland 003 Northumberland
5 Northumberland 020 Northumberland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Young

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Young

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Young, 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 Young surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Young 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Young is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Young is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Young

The surname Young is of English origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "geong," meaning "young" or "youthful." The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname given to a person who appeared younger than their age or retained a youthful appearance and vigor.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Young can be found in the 13th century. For example, a John le Yonge is mentioned in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1242, and a William le Yunge is recorded in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1292.

The surname Young is also found in various medieval records, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a John le Yunge is listed in Oxfordshire. Additionally, the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275 mention a Robert le Yonge.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various spellings, including Yonge, Younge, and Yunge. One notable bearer of the name during this period was Sir John Yonge, a member of Parliament for Somerset in 1382.

During the 15th century, the surname Young began to take on its modern spelling. One example is Thomas Young, who served as the Bishop of St. David's from 1453 to 1472.

In the 16th century, the name Young continued to be prevalent, with individuals like Thomas Young (1507-1568), an English religious reformer and Protestant martyr.

The 17th century saw the rise of several notable individuals bearing the surname Young, including Thomas Young (1587-1655), an English Puritan clergyman, and Patrick Young (1584-1652), a Scottish scholar and librarian known for his work on the Codex Alexandrinus.

In the 18th century, Edward Young (1683-1765), an English poet and playwright, gained recognition for his work "Night Thoughts." Additionally, Arthur Young (1741-1820) was a renowned English writer and agriculturist.

The 19th century brought forth individuals like Brigham Young (1801-1877), a prominent leader in the Latter-day Saint movement and the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Thomas Young (1773-1829), an English polymath who made significant contributions to the fields of physics, physiology, and Egyptology.

Overall, the surname Young has a rich history spanning centuries, with its origins rooted in the Old English language and its bearers leaving an indelible mark across various fields and disciplines throughout time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Young families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Young 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. Middlesex leads with 5,769 Youngs recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.92x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 5,769 0.92x
Lanarkshire 5,219 2.57x
Durham 3,814 2.04x
Lancashire 3,582 0.48x
Yorkshire 3,284 0.53x
Surrey 3,208 1.05x
Northumberland 2,623 2.81x
Kent 2,590 1.21x
Midlothian 2,509 2.98x
Hampshire 2,256 1.75x
Ayrshire 1,946 4.14x
Angus 1,572 2.70x
Gloucestershire 1,446 1.17x
Somerset 1,349 1.34x
Essex 1,218 0.98x
Perthshire 1,181 4.19x
Renfrewshire 1,086 2.23x
Fife 1,076 2.90x
Warwickshire 983 0.62x
Sussex 953 0.90x
Wiltshire 794 1.43x
Worcestershire 773 0.94x
Cheshire 749 0.54x
Staffordshire 683 0.32x
Stirlingshire 672 2.90x
Cumberland 661 1.22x
Aberdeenshire 650 1.12x
Lincolnshire 640 0.64x
Hertfordshire 637 1.47x
Dorset 574 1.39x
Glamorgan 455 0.42x
Buckinghamshire 453 1.19x
Oxfordshire 451 1.16x
Derbyshire 436 0.44x
Roxburghshire 400 3.52x
Nottinghamshire 376 0.44x
Monmouthshire 369 0.81x
East Lothian 363 4.37x
Berkshire 357 0.76x
Bedfordshire 353 1.09x
Berwickshire 344 4.53x
Devon 341 0.26x
Dunbartonshire 323 1.92x
Cambridgeshire 303 0.76x
Morayshire 288 2.95x
Dumfriesshire 264 1.90x
Leicestershire 254 0.37x
Norfolk 253 0.26x
West Lothian 245 2.59x
Northamptonshire 212 0.36x
Herefordshire 184 0.72x
Ross-shire 178 1.03x
Selkirkshire 177 3.12x
Pembrokeshire 171 0.86x
Argyllshire 169 0.97x
Clackmannanshire 165 3.18x
Inverness-shire 151 0.81x
Cornwall 148 0.21x
Banffshire 145 1.11x
Caithness 139 1.62x
Kincardineshire 133 1.74x
Kirkcudbrightshire 112 1.23x
Suffolk 107 0.14x
Wigtownshire 96 1.15x
Kinross-shire 94 5.93x
Shropshire 88 0.16x
Shetland 69 1.08x
Channel Islands 64 0.34x
Westmorland 64 0.46x
Huntingdonshire 59 0.47x
Royal Navy 58 0.78x
Peeblesshire 50 1.69x
Flintshire 47 0.28x
Buteshire 42 1.10x
Rutland 42 0.91x
Denbighshire 38 0.16x
Carmarthenshire 37 0.14x
Isle of Man 32 0.27x
Orkney 23 0.33x
Montgomeryshire 20 0.14x
Sutherland 19 0.39x
Caernarfonshire 15 0.06x
Radnorshire 13 0.26x
Brecknockshire 11 0.09x
Nairnshire 11 0.57x
Cardiganshire 10 0.07x
Merionethshire 10 0.09x
Anglesey 4 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 1,261 Youngs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.51x.

Place Total Index
Govan 1,261 2.51x
Barony 1,252 2.44x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 870 2.57x
Glasgow 758 2.10x
Islington London 537 0.88x
Lambeth 509 0.93x
Dundee 500 2.30x
St Pancras London 417 0.83x
Camberwell 413 1.03x
Kensington London 396 1.13x
Portsea 390 1.55x
Bishopwearmouth 349 2.18x
Birmingham 332 0.63x
Hackney London 316 0.90x
Westoe 316 2.99x
West Ham 313 1.14x
Gateshead 293 2.10x
Liff Benvie 270 3.06x
South Leith 270 2.85x
Aston 263 0.60x
Paddington London 258 1.12x
Battersea 251 1.09x
Kilmarnock 251 4.49x
Brighton 250 1.17x
Liverpool 246 0.54x
Shoreditch London 245 0.90x
Old Monkland 237 2.94x
St Marylebone London 233 0.70x
Leeds 232 0.66x
Dunfermline 215 3.76x
Mile End Old Town 214 2.16x
Bethnal Green London 212 0.78x
Chelsea London 208 1.10x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 207 2.56x
St George Hanover 200 2.44x
Manchester 192 0.57x
Deptford St Paul 189 1.14x
Elswick 189 2.54x
Newington 187 0.81x
Abbey 182 2.45x
Galston 176 13.70x
Southampton St Mary 176 2.18x
Clerkenwell London 174 1.17x
Loudoun 172 15.23x
Croydon 171 1.01x
Salford 170 0.78x
Hammersmith London 169 1.09x
Everton 165 0.70x
Poplar London 158 1.33x
Tonbridge 155 2.01x
West Derby 154 0.71x
Bothwell 152 2.76x
Cowpen 149 6.93x
Hamilton 148 2.61x
Perth East Church 146 5.50x
Toxteth Park 146 0.58x
Cambusnethan 145 3.22x
Tynemouth 145 2.90x
Sheffield 143 0.72x
Bedminster 142 1.50x
Holy Trinity 142 0.95x
Paisley High Church 142 3.67x
Bromley London 140 1.01x
Lewisham 139 1.22x
Nottingham St Mary 138 0.63x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 136 1.17x
Bedlington 134 4.30x
New Monkland 134 2.23x
Newcastle On Tyne St 132 2.73x
Westgate 132 2.28x
Bermondsey 131 0.70x
Byker 131 2.84x
Falkirk 128 2.36x
Farnworth 127 2.85x
Greenwich 125 1.25x
North Leith 125 3.21x
Stranton 122 1.94x
Fulham London 119 1.31x
Clapham 117 1.49x
Montrose 116 3.29x
Sculcoates 115 1.17x
Woolwich 115 1.45x
Berwick Upon Tweed 111 5.61x
Ryde 111 4.02x
Brechin 109 4.77x
Carluke 109 5.91x
East Kilbride 109 12.54x
Inverness 109 2.31x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2,898
Elizabeth 1,806
Sarah 1,357
Jane 1,039
Ann 875
Annie 685
Alice 668
Eliza 666
Margaret 666
Ellen 641
Emma 638
Emily 532
Hannah 437
Louisa 350
Martha 340
Isabella 285
Charlotte 281
Catherine 271
Florence 255
Harriet 255
Fanny 248
Edith 243
Ada 234
Caroline 225
Maria 225
Agnes 200
Frances 192
Kate 183
Anne 167
Clara 165
Lucy 155
Rose 140
Susan 132
Amelia 123
Jessie 120
Harriett 107
Eleanor 98
Julia 97
Amy 94
Matilda 88
Esther 84
Rebecca 84
Minnie 82
Ethel 75
Sophia 75
Susannah 71
Elizth. 69
Lydia 68
Helen 66
Anna 65

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 2,812
John 2,447
George 1,851
Thomas 1,474
James 1,463
Henry 969
Charles 967
Robert 712
Joseph 642
Edward 494
Alfred 465
Arthur 409
Frederick 408
Walter 355
Richard 295
Samuel 291
Albert 278
Harry 247
David 231
Frank 202
Ernest 181
Herbert 161
Edwin 137
Francis 137
Wm. 135
Alexander 134
Andrew 132
Benjamin 110
Daniel 84
Thos. 81
Isaac 78
Fred 75
Peter 74
Geo. 73
Matthew 68
Stephen 68
Sidney 62
Mark 56
Ralph 52
Percy 50
Tom 48
Christopher 45
Philip 41
Fredrick 39
Chas. 38
Adam 37
Frederic 31
Michael 31
Anthony 30
Jacob 30

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 Young households.

FAQ

Young surname: questions and answers

How common was the Young surname in 1881?

In 1881, 64,312 people were recorded with the Young surname. That placed it at #38 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Young surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 88,515 in 2016. That gives Young a modern rank of #42.

What does the Young surname mean?

An English surname indicating the bearer was younger than someone else with the same personal name.

What does the Young map show?

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