NameCensus.

UK surname

Anning

Originally referring to a person from the district of Anning in England.

In the 1881 census there were 509 people recorded with the Anning surname, ranking it #6,690 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 622, ranked #8,471, down from #6,690 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Seaton, Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) and Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Devon, Herefordshire and West Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Anning is 738 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22.2%.

1881 census count

509

Ranked #6,690

Modern count

622

2016, ranked #8,471

Peak year

1911

738 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Anning had 509 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,690 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 622 in 2016, ranked #8,471.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 738 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Anning surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Anning surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Anning 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 410 #5,916
1861 historical 373 #6,841
1881 historical 509 #6,690
1891 historical 585 #6,531
1901 historical 635 #6,762
1911 historical 738 #5,810
1997 modern 644 #7,714
1998 modern 672 #7,717
1999 modern 664 #7,819
2000 modern 688 #7,592
2001 modern 682 #7,505
2002 modern 698 #7,530
2003 modern 683 #7,540
2004 modern 699 #7,412
2005 modern 656 #7,716
2006 modern 658 #7,734
2007 modern 625 #8,093
2008 modern 637 #8,033
2009 modern 659 #7,989
2010 modern 658 #8,165
2011 modern 648 #8,171
2012 modern 610 #8,499
2013 modern 620 #8,515
2014 modern 624 #8,545
2015 modern 619 #8,517
2016 modern 622 #8,471

Geography

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Where Annings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Seaton, Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841), London parishes and Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Devon, Herefordshire and West Somerset. 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 Seaton Devon
2 Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) Devon
3 Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) Devon
4 London parishes London 3
5 Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Devon 010 East Devon
2 Herefordshire 006 Herefordshire, County of
3 East Devon 008 East Devon
4 East Devon 007 East Devon
5 West Somerset 003 West Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Anning

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Anning

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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Anning 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

Anning is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Anning

The surname ANNING has its origins in the southwestern counties of England, particularly in Dorset and Somerset, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "anan" or "annan," meaning "to grant" or "to give." This name was likely adopted by individuals who received land grants or were employed as stewards or estate managers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name ANNING can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset from 1284, where a William Anning is mentioned as a landowner. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also reference an Alice Aninge residing in Dorset. These historical records highlight the prevalence of the name in the southwestern region during the medieval period.

The ANNING surname has been associated with various place names in Dorset and Somerset, including Anning and Annington. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the surname who owned or resided in these locations, further reinforcing the connection between the name and the region.

A notable historical figure bearing the ANNING surname was Mary Anning (1799-1847), a pioneering English fossil collector, and paleontologist from Lyme Regis, Dorset. Her significant contributions to the field of paleontology included the discovery of the first complete ichthyosaur skeleton and several important finds of Jurassic marine fossil beds.

Another prominent individual with the ANNING surname was Benjamin Anning (1784-1863), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a rear admiral in the Royal Navy. He played a crucial role in the capture of several enemy ships during his naval career.

In the literary realm, Kathleen Anning (1898-1973) was an English novelist and writer who authored several works, including the novel "Kynance Cove" and the collection of short stories "Tales of the Wide Waters." Her writings often depicted life in Cornwall and the nearby coastal regions.

John Anning (1675-1732) was a notable English clergyman and academic who served as the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University from 1721 to 1725. He was also the rector of Cuddesdon in Oxfordshire and played a significant role in the administration of the university during his tenure.

Francis Anning (1822-1886) was a British architect and surveyor based in Dorset. He designed several notable buildings in the region, including the Dorset County Museum in Dorchester, which opened in 1846 and showcased the county's rich history and archaeological finds.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Anning families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Anning 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. Devon leads with 262 Annings recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.25x.

County Total Index
Devon 262 25.25x
Middlesex 72 1.44x
Surrey 39 1.61x
Lancashire 30 0.51x
Gloucestershire 26 2.66x
Kent 23 1.35x
Somerset 13 1.62x
Yorkshire 9 0.18x
Dorset 8 2.45x
Cornwall 5 0.89x
Glamorgan 5 0.58x
Hertfordshire 5 1.46x
Hampshire 4 0.39x
Cheshire 3 0.27x
Essex 2 0.20x
Royal Navy 2 3.37x
Warwickshire 2 0.16x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kenton in Devon leads with 31 Annings recorded in 1881 and an index of 948.01x.

Place Total Index
Kenton 31 948.01x
Colyton 27 678.39x
Stoke Damerel 22 30.29x
Exeter St Sidwell 21 88.38x
Exeter Heavitree 14 180.88x
Honiton 14 243.90x
Shoreditch London 12 5.55x
Everton 11 5.83x
Ramsgate 11 39.63x
Betchworth 10 333.33x
Camberwell 10 3.14x
Toxteth Park 10 4.99x
Hackney London 8 2.86x
Leeds 8 2.87x
Membury 8 727.27x
Rattery 8 1176.47x
Rudford 8 2162.16x
Salcombe Regis 8 824.74x
Westbury On Trym 8 24.15x
East Budleigh 7 143.15x
Inwardleigh 7 795.45x
Morleigh 7 3888.89x
Plymouth Charles The 7 15.31x
Plympton Maurice 7 357.14x
Seaton 7 175.00x
Tottenham 7 8.82x
Woodbury 7 227.27x
Lambeth 6 1.38x
Limehouse London 6 10.96x
Milton In Gravesend 6 23.53x
Widworthy 6 2727.27x
Battersea 5 2.73x
Bromley London 5 4.56x
Cardiff St John 5 17.64x
Chardstock 5 220.26x
Kenn 5 308.64x
Kensington London 5 1.80x
Lyncombe Widcombe 5 23.80x
Mile End Old Town London 5 4.71x
Ruishton 5 617.28x
St Lawrence 5 42.77x
West Derby 5 2.89x
Bow London 4 6.30x
Combpyne 4 1818.18x
Newington 4 2.17x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 5.00x
Plymtree 4 540.54x
Poplar London 4 4.25x
St Marylebone London 4 1.50x
Alverstoke 3 8.11x
Bengeo 3 75.19x
Bristol St Augustine 3 19.01x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 3 33.67x
Clifton 3 6.07x
Devonport 3 25.17x
Dodbrooke 3 145.63x
East Stonehouse 3 14.68x
Hammersmith London 3 2.44x
Harberton 3 127.12x
Nantwich 3 23.46x
Topsham 3 61.22x
Tormoham 3 6.83x
Ardwick 2 3.75x
Chelsea London 2 1.33x
Littleham 2 26.35x
Liverpool 2 0.56x
Lostwithel 2 125.00x
Lyme Regis 2 51.02x
Royal Navy 2 3.94x
Thorverton 2 126.58x
Woodleigh 2 588.24x
Beddington 1 10.65x
Bristol St Michael 1 11.93x
Broadwinsor 1 46.73x
Dunkeswell 1 149.25x
St Clement Danes London 1 9.69x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.14x
Sunbury 1 16.69x
Wanstead 1 5.80x
Withycombe Rawleigh 1 18.48x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 31
Elizabeth 17
Sarah 16
Alice 12
Louisa 9
Emma 8
Eliza 7
Catherine 6
Florence 6
Kate 6
Lucy 6
Ann 5
Annie 5
Charlotte 5
Edith 5
Hannah 5
Harriet 5
Maria 5
Fanny 4
Martha 4
Beatrice 3
Ellen 3
Emily 3
Frances 3
Jane 3
Jessie 3
Adelaide 2
Adeline 2
Amy 2
Bathia 2
Bessie 2
Eva 2
Francis 2
Julia 2
Margaret 2
Myra 2
Sophia 2
Susan 2
Susanna 2
Bertha 1
Cheobe 1
Clara 1
Dora 1
Dorcas 1
Dorothy 1
E. 1
Eduth 1
Florina 1
Florrie 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 33
John 27
Henry 22
James 22
Thomas 12
Albert 10
George 10
Charles 7
Alfred 6
Frederick 6
Arthur 5
Frank 5
Richard 5
Edward 4
Francis 4
Samuel 4
Walter 4
Harry 3
Robert 3
Sidney 3
Edmund 2
Fred 2
Fredk. 2
Herman 2
Joseph 2
Peter 2
W. 2
Christopher 1
Colston 1
David 1
Edgar 1
Edwin 1
Geo. 1
Go. 1
Harold 1
Harrie 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Isaac 1
Israel 1
Jas.John 1
Mark 1
Martin 1
Owen 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Reginald 1
Richd. 1
Tho.C. 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Anning surname: questions and answers

How common was the Anning surname in 1881?

In 1881, 509 people were recorded with the Anning surname. That placed it at #6,690 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Anning surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 622 in 2016. That gives Anning a modern rank of #8,471.

What does the Anning surname mean?

Originally referring to a person from the district of Anning in England.

What does the Anning map show?

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