NameCensus.

UK surname

Allanson

A surname of Scottish origin meaning "son of Allan".

In the 1881 census there were 587 people recorded with the Allanson surname, ranking it #5,943 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 767, ranked #7,156, down from #5,943 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kirkham, Pickering and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ryedale and Scarborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Allanson is 803 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 30.7%.

1881 census count

587

Ranked #5,943

Modern count

767

2016, ranked #7,156

Peak year

2011

803 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Allanson had 587 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,943 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 767 in 2016, ranked #7,156.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 747 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Allanson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Allanson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Allanson 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 440 #5,586
1861 historical 435 #5,918
1881 historical 587 #5,943
1891 historical 609 #6,307
1901 historical 653 #6,621
1911 historical 747 #5,755
1997 modern 726 #7,041
1998 modern 746 #7,135
1999 modern 771 #6,992
2000 modern 776 #6,942
2001 modern 754 #6,964
2002 modern 791 #6,837
2003 modern 761 #6,927
2004 modern 747 #7,040
2005 modern 713 #7,218
2006 modern 727 #7,154
2007 modern 742 #7,117
2008 modern 744 #7,148
2009 modern 775 #7,067
2010 modern 794 #7,070
2011 modern 803 #6,927
2012 modern 777 #7,026
2013 modern 790 #7,036
2014 modern 782 #7,127
2015 modern 780 #7,078
2016 modern 767 #7,156

Geography

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Where Allansons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kirkham, Pickering, London parishes, Preston and Driffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ryedale and Scarborough. 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 Kirkham Lancashire
2 Pickering Yorkshire, North Riding
3 London parishes London 3
4 Preston Lancashire
5 Driffield Yorkshire, East Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ryedale 002 Ryedale
2 Ryedale 001 Ryedale
3 Ryedale 008 Ryedale
4 Scarborough 014 Scarborough
5 Ryedale 007 Ryedale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Allanson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Allanson

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Allanson, 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 Allanson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Allanson 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Allanson 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

Allanson is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Allanson

The surname Allanson originated in the northern English counties of Northumberland and Durham during the medieval period. It is a patronymic name, derived from the personal name Allan, which is a variant of the Old English name Aethelwine, meaning "noble friend." The suffix "-son" indicates "son of," so the name Allanson literally means "son of Allan."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Allanson can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Northumberland from the year 1230, where a person named William Allanson is mentioned. The name also appears in various other historical records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Northumberland from the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the Allanson family held lands in the village of Allanridge, located in the parish of Ryton, County Durham. This place name likely contributed to the perpetuation of the surname in the region. Additionally, the nearby village of Allendale may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the name.

Notable individuals with the surname Allanson include William Allanson (c. 1540-1612), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Archdeacon of Durham. In the 17th century, John Allanson (1639-1715) was a prominent English barrister and judge who served as the Chief Baron of the Exchequer.

During the 18th century, James Allanson (1709-1785) was a renowned English architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in the city of Durham. Another notable figure was Robert Allanson (1777-1857), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars.

In the 19th century, William Allanson (1818-1891) was a distinguished English painter and illustrator, known for his landscapes and genre scenes depicting rural life. He was a member of the Royal Academy and exhibited his works regularly at the Royal Academy exhibitions.

The Allanson surname has a rich history rooted in the northern English counties of Northumberland and Durham, dating back to the medieval period. Its origins can be traced to the Old English personal name Allan, and it has been associated with various historical figures and locations throughout its long existence.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Allanson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Allanson 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. Yorkshire leads with 250 Allansons recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.41x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 250 4.41x
Lancashire 225 3.31x
Durham 38 2.23x
Surrey 22 0.79x
Lanarkshire 11 0.59x
Middlesex 10 0.17x
Caernarfonshire 6 2.59x
Cornwall 6 0.93x
Devon 4 0.34x
Staffordshire 4 0.21x
Cheshire 3 0.24x
Somerset 3 0.33x
Flintshire 2 1.30x
Dorset 1 0.27x
Kent 1 0.05x
Northumberland 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Preston in Lancashire leads with 43 Allansons recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.66x.

Place Total Index
Preston 43 23.66x
Pickering 31 434.17x
Everton 26 12.01x
Leeds 22 6.87x
Farnworth 18 44.22x
Freckleton 18 807.17x
Lambeth 17 3.41x
Lockton 14 1794.87x
Thornton Dale 13 860.93x
Great Bolton 12 13.33x
Thirsk 12 183.21x
Great Driffield 11 94.50x
Lytham 11 106.08x
Garton On Wolds 10 980.39x
Holy Trinity 10 7.33x
Witton Le Wear 10 207.04x
Great Lumley 9 308.22x
Liverpool 9 2.18x
Over Darwen 9 16.58x
Hulme 8 5.64x
Sawley In Ripon 8 1095.89x
Snainton 8 526.32x
Wavertree 8 36.78x
Wortley In Bramley 7 15.58x
Aldborough In Great 6 600.00x
Cambusnethan 6 14.59x
Headingley Cum Burley 6 16.43x
Llanbeblig 6 25.53x
Lynesack Softley 6 130.43x
Manchester 6 1.96x
St Columb Major 6 111.52x
Toxteth Park 6 2.61x
York St Martin Mklgt W 6 468.75x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 5 25.76x
Ilton Cum Pott 5 2000.00x
Kirkdale 5 4.37x
Neswick 5 3571.43x
Warrington 5 6.21x
Cloughton 4 373.83x
Crook Billy Row 4 18.34x
Great Crosby 4 21.60x
Scarborough 4 7.76x
Sherburn 4 85.84x
Stoke Upon Trent 4 1.95x
West Derby 4 2.01x
Wressell 4 540.54x
Bedminster 3 3.46x
Bothwell 3 5.97x
Bridlington 3 23.09x
Brotton 3 40.54x
Bury 3 3.87x
Denton 3 19.92x
Evenwood Barony 3 51.81x
Exeter St Mary Major 3 41.72x
Gorton 3 4.70x
Heckmondwike 3 16.44x
Hilderthorpe 3 104.53x
Hutton Sessay 3 1153.85x
Kingston On Thames 3 4.48x
Little Bolton 3 3.43x
Monkwearmouth 3 18.39x
Newton 3 5.73x
Northallerton 3 41.44x
Salford 3 1.50x
Stockton On Tees 3 3.65x
Thirkleby In Thirsk 3 588.24x
Westminster St James 3 5.10x
Ebberston 2 172.41x
Hackney London 2 0.62x
Hunslet 2 2.26x
Potter Newton 2 19.98x
Sheffield 2 1.11x
Shoreditch London 2 0.81x
Shotts 2 9.03x
Thimbleby 2 1000.00x
Thornham 2 54.35x
Walton Le Dale 2 10.95x
Whitford 2 25.06x
York St Helen Stonegate 2 229.89x
Bolton In Bradford 1 27.47x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 44
Elizabeth 27
Ann 21
Jane 21
Sarah 21
Margaret 19
Ellen 13
Alice 8
Emily 8
Emma 8
Hannah 8
Florence 6
Martha 6
Eliza 5
Ada 4
Catherine 4
Frances 4
Isabella 4
Annie 3
Betsy 3
Clara 3
Kate 3
Lucy 3
Maria 3
Edith 2
Eleanor 2
Grace 2
Harriet 2
Jessie 2
Rachel 2
Anne 1
Barbara 1
Bertha 1
Caroline 1
Carrie 1
Catharine 1
Constance 1
Dorothy 1
E. 1
Elizbeth 1
Elizth. 1
Emm 1
Hanh. 1
Helen 1
Henrietta 1
Hetty 1
Justina 1
Lavinia 1
Lilly 1
Teresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 42
John 38
Thomas 28
George 21
Joseph 14
James 13
Robert 12
Edward 9
Charles 7
Henry 7
Richard 7
Benjamin 5
Wm. 4
Albert 3
Arthur 3
Frederick 3
Jonathan 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Alexander 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Jonn. 2
Peter 2
Cecil 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
David 1
Edmund 1
Edwd.Peter 1
Emmanuel 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fred. 1
Fredrick 1
G. 1
Geo. 1
Hugh 1
Isaac 1
J. 1
Mary 1
Oswald 1
Richd. 1
Robt. 1
Roger 1
Simpson 1
Tho. 1
Williamson 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Allanson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Allanson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 587 people were recorded with the Allanson surname. That placed it at #5,943 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Allanson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 767 in 2016. That gives Allanson a modern rank of #7,156.

What does the Allanson surname mean?

A surname of Scottish origin meaning "son of Allan".

What does the Allanson map show?

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