NameCensus.

UK surname

Annis

A patronymic surname derived from the medieval English personal name Anne or Agnes, meaning "grace" or "favor."

In the 1881 census there were 490 people recorded with the Annis surname, ranking it #6,876 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 885, ranked #6,373, up from #6,876 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Pershore Holy Cross, Pershore St Andrew, Hull Holy Trinity and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wychavon, Forest of Dean and Salford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Annis is 937 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 80.6%.

1881 census count

490

Ranked #6,876

Modern count

885

2016, ranked #6,373

Peak year

1999

937 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Annis had 490 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,876 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 885 in 2016, ranked #6,373.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 788 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Annis surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Annis surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Annis 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 420 #5,797
1861 historical 431 #5,963
1881 historical 490 #6,876
1891 historical 630 #6,141
1901 historical 788 #5,711
1911 historical 767 #5,650
1997 modern 874 #6,103
1998 modern 915 #6,074
1999 modern 937 #6,014
2000 modern 892 #6,215
2001 modern 875 #6,197
2002 modern 881 #6,280
2003 modern 863 #6,279
2004 modern 872 #6,241
2005 modern 860 #6,252
2006 modern 866 #6,221
2007 modern 868 #6,274
2008 modern 874 #6,270
2009 modern 911 #6,201
2010 modern 912 #6,328
2011 modern 919 #6,225
2012 modern 911 #6,194
2013 modern 919 #6,250
2014 modern 906 #6,343
2015 modern 896 #6,349
2016 modern 885 #6,373

Geography

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Where Annis' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Pershore Holy Cross, Pershore St Andrew, Hull Holy Trinity, London parishes, Peterborough St John the Baptist and Kensington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wychavon, Forest of Dean, Salford and Cornwall. 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 Pershore Holy Cross, Pershore St Andrew Worcestershire
2 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
3 London parishes London 1
4 Peterborough St John the Baptist Northamptonshire
5 Kensington London (West Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wychavon 012 Wychavon
2 Forest of Dean 004 Forest of Dean
3 Salford 030 Salford
4 Cornwall 057 Cornwall
5 Wychavon 010 Wychavon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Annis

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Annis

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Annis is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Annis is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Annis falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Annis 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 Annis, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Annis

The surname Annis is of English origin, derived from the medieval given name Annis, which was a diminutive or pet form of the name Ann. The name Ann itself is a variant of the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning "grace" or "favor".

Annis as a surname first appeared in the 13th century in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Devon, Somerset, and Gloucestershire. It is believed to have evolved from the Old English word "aennes", which meant "unity" or "oneness".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Annis can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, a census-like record of landholders in England. The name appears as "Annis de Bikenalre", referring to a person from Bicknaller, Somerset.

Another early reference to the Annis surname is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1327, where a certain Walter Annis is listed as a taxpayer.

In the 15th century, the Annis surname was particularly prevalent in the village of Dunster, Somerset. John Annis (c. 1420-1489) was a notable figure from this area, serving as the bailiff (chief officer) of Dunster Castle.

During the Tudor period, the Annis family established themselves as landowners and gentry in various parts of Somerset and Devon. Thomas Annis (1532-1599) was a wealthy merchant and landowner in the town of Taunton, Somerset.

In the 17th century, the Annis surname spread to other parts of England, including London. William Annis (1625-1698) was a prominent merchant and member of the Company of Merchant Adventurers in London.

In the 18th century, the Annis family had a strong presence in the county of Gloucestershire. Edward Annis (1701-1778) was a successful landowner and farmer in the village of Bibury, known for his contributions to local agriculture.

As the Annis surname continued to spread across England, it also found its way to other parts of the British Isles and eventually to the American colonies. One notable individual was John Annis (1767-1848), an early settler in New Hampshire who served in the American Revolutionary War.

Throughout history, the Annis surname has been associated with various occupations, including landowners, merchants, farmers, and military personnel. While not a widespread surname, it has maintained a consistent presence in various regions of England and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Annis families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Annis 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 73 Annis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.52x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 73 1.52x
Northamptonshire 59 13.10x
Lancashire 50 0.88x
Worcestershire 42 6.72x
Leicestershire 37 6.97x
Norfolk 32 4.35x
Devon 27 2.71x
Gloucestershire 27 2.87x
Surrey 22 0.94x
Bedfordshire 17 6.85x
Yorkshire 16 0.34x
Warwickshire 15 1.24x
Suffolk 14 2.40x
Nottinghamshire 13 2.01x
Essex 9 0.95x
Lincolnshire 5 0.65x
Oxfordshire 5 1.69x
Glamorgan 4 0.48x
Kent 4 0.24x
Huntingdonshire 3 3.15x
Cheshire 2 0.19x
Durham 2 0.14x
Shropshire 2 0.48x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.33x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.50x
Cornwall 1 0.18x
Derbyshire 1 0.13x
Hampshire 1 0.10x
Hertfordshire 1 0.30x
Ross-shire 1 0.76x
Rutland 1 2.84x
Somerset 1 0.13x
Staffordshire 1 0.06x
Sussex 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. Peterborough in Northamptonshire leads with 31 Annis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 95.03x.

Place Total Index
Peterborough 31 95.03x
Pershore Holy Cross 25 623.44x
Aston 15 4.51x
Great Yarmouth 15 24.59x
Leicester St Margaret 15 11.58x
Stoke Damerel 13 18.63x
Manchester 12 4.70x
Kensington London 11 4.13x
Paddington London 11 6.25x
Raunds 9 196.08x
Toxteth Park 9 4.68x
Flaxley 8 379.15x
Kempsey 8 337.55x
Newington 8 4.52x
Shoreditch London 8 3.85x
Tichmarsh 8 526.32x
Willesden 8 17.72x
Clerkenwell London 7 6.19x
Holy Trinity 7 6.13x
Shelton 7 2800.00x
St Pancras London 6 1.56x
Burlingham St Andrew 5 1724.14x
Dean 5 625.00x
Islington London 5 1.08x
Layham 5 568.18x
Liverpool 5 1.45x
Stapleford 5 95.42x
Syston 5 100.60x
Accrington 4 7.74x
Atherton 4 19.33x
Beswick 4 27.53x
Brightlingsea 4 74.07x
Calverton 4 196.08x
Chelveston Cum Caldecott 4 579.71x
Fulham London 4 5.76x
Great Grimsby 4 8.23x
Hulme 4 3.37x
Keysoe 4 344.83x
Leicester St Martin 4 112.04x
Penge 4 13.08x
St Marylebone London 4 1.56x
Swerford 4 579.71x
West Ham 4 1.92x
Bagworth 3 303.03x
Battersea 3 1.70x
Bristol St Nicholas 3 177.51x
Cheltenham 3 4.14x
Clapham 3 5.01x
Dartmouth Townstall 3 73.89x
Filey 3 78.33x
Gloucester St Nicholas 3 68.97x
Gomersal 3 13.54x
Hartlebury 3 80.65x
Hepworth 3 344.83x
Kettering 3 16.47x
Lambeth 3 0.72x
Leicester St Mary 3 6.99x
Llandaff 3 10.81x
Newent 3 62.89x
Plymouth Charles The 3 6.83x
Stanningfield 3 681.82x
Westbury On Severn East 3 14.12x
Ardwick 2 3.90x
Brancaster 2 158.73x
Burnham Norton 2 869.57x
Everton 2 1.10x
Exbourne 2 322.58x
Gloucester St Catherine 2 75.47x
Hackney London 2 0.74x
Higher Bebington 2 29.54x
Ipswich St Clement 2 13.49x
Irthlingborough 2 45.25x
Layton With Warbreck 2 9.59x
Nottingham St Mary 2 1.20x
Pershore St Andrew 2 57.97x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 2.60x
Plympton St Mary 2 34.72x
Rodington 2 307.69x
Stokesley 2 67.57x
Woolwich 2 3.31x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 38
Sarah 26
Elizabeth 24
Ann 15
Jane 9
Alice 8
Eliza 8
Annie 7
Emma 7
Florence 6
Louisa 6
Charlotte 4
Emily 4
Maria 4
Ada 3
Amelia 3
Amy 3
Caroline 3
Catherine 3
Frances 3
Hannah 3
Harriet 3
Martha 3
Rose 3
Agnes 2
Anne 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Ellen 2
Esther 2
Kate 2
Margaret 2
Nellie 2
Sophia 2
Betsy 1
Blanche 1
Cissy 1
E. 1
Elizb. 1
Elizth. 1
Ester 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Henrietta 1
I. 1
Julia 1
Laura 1
Telhitia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 31
George 24
John 24
James 16
Charles 14
Robert 12
Thomas 12
Alfred 9
Albert 7
Arthur 7
Frederick 7
Richard 6
Edward 5
Henry 5
Samuel 4
Tom 4
Harry 3
Wm. 3
Cecil 2
Ernest 2
Fredrick 2
Joseph 2
Reuben 2
Solomon 2
Walter 2
Benjamin 1
C. 1
Christopher 1
Chritopher 1
Daniel 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Elisha 1
Frank 1
Harriett 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Hugh 1
Jabez 1
Joshua 1
Matthew 1
Mentor 1
Parlet 1
Peter 1
Ralph 1
Reubin 1
Richd. 1
Robt.H. 1
Rubin 1
Thos.W.W. 1

FAQ

Annis surname: questions and answers

How common was the Annis surname in 1881?

In 1881, 490 people were recorded with the Annis surname. That placed it at #6,876 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Annis surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 885 in 2016. That gives Annis a modern rank of #6,373.

What does the Annis surname mean?

A patronymic surname derived from the medieval English personal name Anne or Agnes, meaning "grace" or "favor."

What does the Annis map show?

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