NameCensus.

UK surname

Abbs

A shortened form of the name Abel, or a nickname referring to an abbot or someone with abbey connections.

In the 1881 census there were 527 people recorded with the Abbs surname, ranking it #6,503 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 649, ranked #8,190, down from #6,503 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Runton, London parishes and East Dereham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Broadland, North Norfolk and Breckland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Abbs is 706 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 23.1%.

1881 census count

527

Ranked #6,503

Modern count

649

2016, ranked #8,190

Peak year

1998

706 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Abbs had 527 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,503 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 649 in 2016, ranked #8,190.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 679 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Abbs surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Abbs surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Abbs 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 334 #7,001
1861 historical 332 #7,673
1881 historical 527 #6,503
1891 historical 548 #6,901
1901 historical 630 #6,801
1911 historical 679 #6,225
1997 modern 678 #7,427
1998 modern 706 #7,425
1999 modern 687 #7,626
2000 modern 684 #7,625
2001 modern 674 #7,579
2002 modern 680 #7,690
2003 modern 668 #7,672
2004 modern 685 #7,526
2005 modern 680 #7,516
2006 modern 663 #7,700
2007 modern 642 #7,940
2008 modern 644 #7,967
2009 modern 654 #8,030
2010 modern 672 #8,041
2011 modern 635 #8,309
2012 modern 655 #8,030
2013 modern 662 #8,099
2014 modern 663 #8,125
2015 modern 651 #8,187
2016 modern 649 #8,190

Geography

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Where Abbs' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Runton, London parishes, East Dereham, Huddersfield and Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Broadland, North Norfolk and Breckland. 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 Runton Norfolk
2 London parishes London 3
3 East Dereham Norfolk
4 Huddersfield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Broadland 003 Broadland
2 North Norfolk 003 North Norfolk
3 Breckland 002 Breckland
4 North Norfolk 005 North Norfolk
5 North Norfolk 006 North Norfolk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Abbs

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Abbs

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Abbs surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Abbs household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Abbs is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Abbs is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Abbs

The surname ABBS is of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "abbe," meaning an abbot or a superior of a monastery. This name likely originated in the 12th or 13th century, during the height of monastic life in medieval England.

The earliest recorded instances of the name ABBS can be traced back to various historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries. For example, the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1273, referring to a person named Robert Abbe. Furthermore, the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327 mention a John Abbe.

The ABBS surname is believed to have evolved from either a personal name derived from the profession of an abbot or a topographic name referring to a place near an abbey or monastery. Some variations of the name include Abbe, Abbes, and Abbis, reflecting the different spellings used throughout history.

One notable individual with the surname ABBS was Thomas Abbs (1609-1685), an English Puritan minister and author who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Twickenham. He is remembered for his theological writings, including "A Supplement to the View of Antichrist" and "The Christian's Covenant."

Another significant figure was Edward Abbs (1619-1658), an English clergyman and author who held the position of Provost of Trinity College, Dublin. He published several works, such as "A Supplement to the View of Antichrist" and "The Christian's Covenant."

In the 18th century, John Abbs (1720-1786) was a notable English merchant and philanthropist from Bristol. He made significant contributions to various charitable causes and was instrumental in establishing the Bristol Infirmary.

Moving into the 19th century, Charles Abbs (1805-1876) was an English architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Belvedere in Holborn and the Church of St. Barnabas in Kensington.

Finally, in the 20th century, Kathleen Abbs (1922-2007) was a British writer and historian. She authored several books on historical subjects, including "The Village at War" and "The Village at Work," which explored the lives of rural communities during wartime and peacetime.

The surname ABBS has a rich history, originating from medieval England and evolving over centuries. While its roots can be traced back to the monastic life of the Middle Ages, it has since been associated with individuals from various professions, including clergy, merchants, architects, and writers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Abbs families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Abbs 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. Norfolk leads with 245 Abbs' recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.00x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 245 31.00x
Yorkshire 71 1.39x
Middlesex 58 1.13x
Cambridgeshire 49 15.05x
Surrey 26 1.04x
Essex 14 1.38x
Durham 13 0.85x
Huntingdonshire 7 6.86x
Kent 7 0.40x
Suffolk 6 0.96x
Hampshire 5 0.47x
Northumberland 5 0.65x
Derbyshire 3 0.37x
Lincolnshire 3 0.37x
Oxfordshire 3 0.95x
Staffordshire 3 0.17x
Lancashire 2 0.03x
Warwickshire 2 0.15x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.32x
Cumberland 1 0.23x
Leicestershire 1 0.18x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.14x
Rutland 1 2.65x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Runton in Norfolk leads with 81 Abbs' recorded in 1881 and an index of 9000.00x.

Place Total Index
Runton 81 9000.00x
Huddersfield 32 43.12x
Stanton All Sts 20 2777.78x
Tottenham 17 20.76x
St Andrewthe Less 16 43.01x
East Dereham 14 140.14x
Lambeth 13 2.90x
Litcham 11 774.65x
Sculcoates 10 12.38x
Hellesdon 9 620.69x
Little Ryburgh 9 2812.50x
Chesterton 8 79.68x
Horton In Bradford 8 10.06x
Cawston 7 362.69x
Hapton 7 2058.82x
Palling 7 864.20x
St Ives 7 132.33x
Stibbard 7 843.37x
West Barsham 7 4117.65x
Lammas Cum Little Hautbois 6 1538.46x
Norwich St Clement 6 65.50x
Shottesham All Sts 6 895.52x
St George Hanover Square 6 6.62x
Tharston 6 909.09x
Thorpe Next Norwich 6 71.60x
West Ham 6 2.68x
Bermondsey 5 3.27x
Buxton 5 510.20x
Cromer 5 177.94x
Fressingfield 5 247.52x
Hackney London 5 1.73x
Thorpe 5 467.29x
Whitechapel London 5 9.87x
Beeston With Bittering 4 449.44x
Limehouse London 4 7.09x
Little Walsingham 4 223.46x
Portsea 4 1.94x
St Paul Covent Garden 4 77.82x
Whitby 4 23.30x
Winston 4 677.97x
Woolwich 4 6.17x
Battersea 3 1.59x
Bromley London 3 2.65x
Cley Next Sea 3 236.22x
Derby St Werburgh 3 6.46x
Dewsbury 3 5.74x
Erpingham 3 468.75x
Fulwell 3 322.58x
Holy Trinity 3 2.45x
Manningham 3 4.78x
Ottringham 3 297.03x
Oxford St Giles 3 19.80x
Sunderland 3 11.11x
Tasburgh 3 384.62x
Tynemouth 3 7.32x
Weybourne 3 731.71x
Camberwell 2 0.61x
Canterbury St Mary N 2 169.49x
Cottenham 2 46.19x
Fulmodestone Cum Croxton 2 312.50x
Heston 2 11.72x
Kensington London 2 0.70x
Kirkby Moorside 2 61.73x
North Walsham 2 35.09x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 2 38.99x
Norwich St Stephen 2 27.55x
Paston 2 454.55x
St Giles In Fields London 2 7.93x
St Gilesin Fields London 2 45.98x
Stamford St John 2 180.18x
Burton Upon Trent 1 2.46x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 1 7.04x
Hampstead London 1 1.25x
Kingswinford 1 1.59x
Little Shelford 1 109.89x
Norwich Liberty Of Town 1 188.68x
Saffron Walden 1 9.33x
Stratton St Mary 1 91.74x
Streatham 1 2.62x
Westwick 1 312.50x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 29
James 20
John 16
Robert 15
Charles 14
George 13
Thomas 12
Alfred 8
Francis 8
Albert 7
Ernest 7
Frederick 7
Henry 6
Matthew 6
Richard 6
Arthur 5
Frank 5
Joseph 5
David 4
Isaac 4
Edward 3
Lewis 3
Christopher 2
Fredrick 2
Herbert 2
Jesse 2
Jonathan 2
Mark 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Archibald 1
Asa 1
Beaumont 1
Donald 1
Edmund 1
Eller 1
F.R. 1
Hammond 1
Horace 1
Jacob 1
Jeremiah 1
Jonas 1
Kennet 1
Louis 1
Michael 1
Obediah 1
Owen 1
Samuell 1
Sidney 1
Wright 1

FAQ

Abbs surname: questions and answers

How common was the Abbs surname in 1881?

In 1881, 527 people were recorded with the Abbs surname. That placed it at #6,503 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Abbs surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 649 in 2016. That gives Abbs a modern rank of #8,190.

What does the Abbs surname mean?

A shortened form of the name Abel, or a nickname referring to an abbot or someone with abbey connections.

What does the Abbs map show?

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