NameCensus.

UK surname

Amer

A surname derived from the Arabic word "amir" meaning ruler or commander.

In the 1881 census there were 302 people recorded with the Amer surname, ranking it #9,673 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 895, ranked #6,329, up from #9,673 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lewisham, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sunderland, Three Rivers and Wolverhampton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Amer is 897 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 196.4%.

1881 census count

302

Ranked #9,673

Modern count

895

2016, ranked #6,329

Peak year

2014

897 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Amer had 302 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,673 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 895 in 2016, ranked #6,329.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 430 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Amer surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Amer surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Amer 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 192 #10,756
1861 historical 246 #10,010
1881 historical 302 #9,673
1891 historical 384 #9,166
1901 historical 370 #10,017
1911 historical 430 #8,804
1997 modern 633 #7,827
1998 modern 661 #7,806
1999 modern 656 #7,893
2000 modern 689 #7,581
2001 modern 658 #7,722
2002 modern 724 #7,318
2003 modern 705 #7,345
2004 modern 727 #7,181
2005 modern 737 #7,055
2006 modern 742 #7,042
2007 modern 753 #7,031
2008 modern 780 #6,893
2009 modern 793 #6,944
2010 modern 858 #6,642
2011 modern 848 #6,627
2012 modern 851 #6,521
2013 modern 880 #6,462
2014 modern 897 #6,389
2015 modern 892 #6,363
2016 modern 895 #6,329

Geography

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Where Amers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lewisham, London parishes, Gateshead, Lambeth and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sunderland, Three Rivers, Wolverhampton, Middlesbrough and North Tyneside. 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 Lewisham London (South Districts)
2 London parishes London 3
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 St Marylebone London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sunderland 021 Sunderland
2 Three Rivers 010 Three Rivers
3 Wolverhampton 013 Wolverhampton
4 Middlesbrough 020 Middlesbrough
5 North Tyneside 021 North Tyneside

Forenames

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First names often paired with Amer

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Amer

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Amer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Amer household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Amer is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Amer is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Amer falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Amer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Amer, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Amer

The surname Amer has its roots in the Middle East and can be traced back to the Arabic language. The name is derived from the Arabic word "amir," which means "prince" or "commander." It is believed that the surname originated during the medieval period, when individuals with positions of authority or nobility were often given titles or descriptive names related to their roles.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Amer can be found in historical documents from the 12th century, referring to individuals from regions that are now part of modern-day Syria and Lebanon. The name was particularly prevalent among influential families and those with connections to the ruling class or military leadership.

During the Crusades, which lasted from the late 11th to the late 13th century, several notable figures with the surname Amer emerged. One such individual was Amer al-Din, a Muslim commander who fought against the Crusaders in the Battle of Hattin in 1187. His bravery and strategic skills were well-documented in contemporary chronicles.

As the name spread across the Middle East, it eventually found its way to other regions through trade, migration, and conquest. In the 14th century, there are records of individuals with the surname Amer living in parts of North Africa, particularly in present-day Morocco and Algeria.

One of the most famous bearers of the name Amer was Amer ibn al-As, a prominent figure in early Islamic history who lived from 592 to 658 CE. He was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad and played a significant role in the Muslim conquest of Egypt in the 7th century.

As the surname Amer continued to spread, it also found its way to Europe through various means, including immigration and cultural exchange. In the 16th century, there are records of individuals with the surname Amer residing in parts of Spain and Italy, likely due to the historical connections between these regions and the Middle East.

Another notable figure with the surname Amer was Abd al-Rahman Amer, a 20th-century Egyptian military officer and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Egypt from 1965 to 1967. He played a prominent role in the Egyptian Revolution of 1952 and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Throughout history, the surname Amer has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including scholars, military leaders, politicians, and influential families. While its origins can be traced back to the Middle East, the name has taken on various spellings and forms as it spread across different regions and cultures.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Amer families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Amer 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 58 Amers recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.02x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 58 2.02x
Kent 33 3.37x
Cheshire 28 4.42x
Gloucestershire 27 4.80x
Lancashire 24 0.71x
Surrey 23 1.65x
Wiltshire 15 5.91x
Berkshire 12 5.57x
Sussex 12 2.48x
Lanarkshire 9 0.97x
Cumberland 7 2.83x
Monmouthshire 7 3.38x
Carmarthenshire 6 4.96x
Glamorgan 6 1.20x
Hertfordshire 6 3.04x
Yorkshire 6 0.21x
Cambridgeshire 5 2.75x
Suffolk 5 1.43x
Durham 2 0.23x
Essex 1 0.18x
Northumberland 1 0.23x
Somerset 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lewisham in Kent leads with 33 Amers recorded in 1881 and an index of 63.24x.

Place Total Index
Lewisham 33 63.24x
Birkenhead 17 33.68x
Doynton 15 3846.15x
Paddington London 13 12.33x
Tranmere 11 47.27x
Lambeth 10 4.00x
Midgham 10 3448.28x
Barony 9 3.83x
Islington London 8 2.88x
Westminster St John 8 22.90x
Caldewgate 7 51.74x
Thornton In Fylde 7 93.96x
Croydon 6 7.73x
Devizes St Mary 6 234.38x
Eastbourne 6 26.97x
Eston 6 96.93x
Hackney London 6 3.73x
Llanelly 6 22.04x
Royston 6 357.14x
West Ashton 6 2000.00x
Ystradyfodwg 6 13.70x
Brighton 5 5.13x
Holy Trinity Cambridge 5 253.81x
Newton With Scales 5 1923.08x
Oswaldtwistle 5 41.60x
St Marylebone London 5 3.27x
Stow Upland 5 434.78x
Awre 4 344.83x
Bedwellty 4 10.93x
Battersea 3 2.84x
Camberwell 3 1.64x
Horwich 3 80.86x
Mangotsfield 3 53.48x
Mile End Old Town London 3 4.91x
St Woollos 3 12.96x
Westminster St Margaret 3 21.69x
Bethnal Green London 2 1.61x
Bromley London 2 3.17x
Marton 2 88.50x
St George Bloomsbury 2 12.16x
Stapleton 2 18.74x
Stroud 2 18.26x
Billingham 1 68.03x
Bishopwearmouth 1 1.37x
Bow London 1 2.74x
Burghfield 1 78.74x
Chichester St Olave 1 454.55x
Chilton Foliat 1 181.82x
Clerkenwell London 1 1.48x
Fulham London 1 2.40x
Manchester 1 0.65x
Mells 1 105.26x
North Bradley 1 54.05x
Poplar London 1 1.85x
Purton 1 44.25x
Rumworth 1 20.58x
St Pancras London 1 0.43x
Sutton 1 9.89x
Trowbridge 1 8.92x
Wallsend 1 7.39x
West Ham 1 0.80x
Westminster St James 1 3.39x
Wick Abson 1 116.28x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 19
Sarah 13
Elizabeth 10
Jane 8
Alice 7
Eliza 7
Emma 7
Ellen 6
Agnes 5
Annie 4
Jessie 4
Caroline 3
Fanny 3
Ann 2
Anne 2
Eunice 2
Kate 2
Lizzie 2
Lucy 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Maryann 2
Rebecca 2
Amelia 1
Celia 1
Charlotte 1
Elen 1
Ema 1
Emily 1
Emmar 1
Euphemia 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Framcis 1
Frances 1
Georgina 1
Harriett 1
Infant 1
Isabella 1
James 1
Lena 1
Lottie 1
Louisa 1
Margaret 1
Marie 1
Maud 1
Rhoda 1
Rosina 1
Sahara 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Amer surname: questions and answers

How common was the Amer surname in 1881?

In 1881, 302 people were recorded with the Amer surname. That placed it at #9,673 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Amer surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 895 in 2016. That gives Amer a modern rank of #6,329.

What does the Amer surname mean?

A surname derived from the Arabic word "amir" meaning ruler or commander.

What does the Amer map show?

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