Stafford Surname Distribution 1841 & 1851: Re-analysis

The distribution of the Stafford surname in 1841 and 1851 has been re-analysed to correct for the influence of local population size on the number of occurrences. The surname distribution was calculated and expressed in terms of frequency with respect to the population of an ancient county and as the frequency relative to the national (England, Scotland and Wales) frequency viz., Location Quotient or Branwell Index. The distribution for 1841 is shown in the figure below. 

Counties coloured green have less than the national frequency, those coloured pink have frequencies similar to and all other colours depict frequencies greater than the national frequency. In general the higher densities reflect the higher incidences of the Stafford surname summarised previously. However, there are significant differences for Northumberland, Durham, Lancashire, Middlesex, Cheshire and Rutland in both censuses. Lancashire and Middlesex did not exhibit a higher density of the Stafford surname compared to the national frequency. Thus the higher absolute number of Staffords in these counties reflects their greater populations.

The results revealed a new locus for the Stafford surname in the county of Rutland, which had the highest density observed in both 1841 and 1851. The next highest density occurred in Derbyshire, followed by Cheshire and Leicestershire.

 Read the full article here.