Family names, city size distributions and residential differentiation in Great Britain, 1881–1901

Tian Lan, Justin van Dijk and Paul Longley
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Tian Lan: University College London, UK
Justin van Dijk: University College London, UK
Paul Longley: University College London, UK

Urban Studies, 2022, vol. 59, issue 10, 2110-2128

Abstract: Cities have specialised in particular urban functions throughout history, with consequential implications for urban and regional patterns of economic and social change. This specialisation takes place within overall national city size distributions and is manifest in different but often similarly variegated residential structures. Here we develop a novel and consistent methodological approach for measuring macro-scale city size and micro-scale residential differentiation using individual digital census records for the period 1881–1901. The use of family names and neighbourhood classification of dominant economic and social roles makes it possible to relate the changing city size distribution in Great Britain to patterns of urban growth and residential differentiation within urban areas. Together, we provide an integrated and consistent methodology that links the classification of all major urban area growth in Great Britain to attendant intra-urban geodemographic changes in urban residential structures. We suggest ways in which this manifests social and economic change across the settlement system for both new and long-established residents.

Keywords: city size distribution; city systems; family name analysis; geodemographics; Great Britain; historical censuses; 城市规模分布; 城市系统; å§“æ° åˆ†æž; åŒºåŸŸäººå £ç»Ÿè®¡ç‰¹å¾; 英国; åŽ†å ²äººå £æ™®æŸ¥ (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:59:y:2022:i:10:p:2110-2128

DOI: 10.1177/00420980211025721

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