NameCensus.

UK surname

Annison

English surname derived from the diminutive form of Ann and son meaning "little Ann's son".

In the 1881 census there were 272 people recorded with the Annison surname, ranking it #10,409 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 423, ranked #11,344, down from #10,409 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Whissonsett, Sunderland and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Riding of Yorkshire, Great Yarmouth and Powys.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Annison is 537 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 55.5%.

1881 census count

272

Ranked #10,409

Modern count

423

2016, ranked #11,344

Peak year

1911

537 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Annison had 272 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,409 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 423 in 2016, ranked #11,344.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 537 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Annison surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Annison surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Annison 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 288 #7,884
1861 historical 278 #8,998
1881 historical 272 #10,409
1891 historical 422 #8,483
1901 historical 442 #8,818
1911 historical 537 #7,421
1997 modern 446 #10,142
1998 modern 473 #10,018
1999 modern 468 #10,160
2000 modern 464 #10,187
2001 modern 461 #10,049
2002 modern 471 #10,076
2003 modern 456 #10,179
2004 modern 441 #10,474
2005 modern 430 #10,575
2006 modern 428 #10,659
2007 modern 425 #10,837
2008 modern 425 #10,934
2009 modern 424 #11,179
2010 modern 422 #11,493
2011 modern 425 #11,285
2012 modern 414 #11,431
2013 modern 438 #11,071
2014 modern 446 #10,981
2015 modern 426 #11,320
2016 modern 423 #11,344

Geography

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Where Annisons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Whissonsett, Sunderland, Gateshead, Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos and Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Riding of Yorkshire, Great Yarmouth, Powys, Breckland and Barking and Dagenham. 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 Whissonsett Norfolk
2 Sunderland Durham
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos Norfolk
5 Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Riding of Yorkshire 033 East Riding of Yorkshire
2 Great Yarmouth 002 Great Yarmouth
3 Powys 006 Powys
4 Breckland 002 Breckland
5 Barking and Dagenham 021 Barking and Dagenham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Annison

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Annison

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Annison surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Annison household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Annison 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

Annison is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Annison falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Annison

The surname Annison has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated from the ancient Anglo-Saxon name Ani or Anian, which was a personal name derived from the Old English word "ana," meaning "alone" or "solitary." Over time, the name evolved into various spellings, including Annison, Annyson, Anison, and Anneson.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Annison can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were records of landowners and their holdings. The rolls mention a certain Richard Anison from the county of Buckinghamshire. This suggests that the name was already established in that region during the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various records, including the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379, where a John Annyson is mentioned. This indicates that the name had spread to different parts of England by that time.

The Annison surname has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was Sir William Annison (1520-1587), a prominent English lawyer and judge who served as the Chief Baron of the Exchequer during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another notable bearer of the name was Thomas Annison (1695-1770), an English scholar and author who published works on classical literature and ancient history. He served as the headmaster of Nottingham Free Grammar School and was known for his contributions to education.

In the 18th century, John Annison (1724-1787) was a successful merchant and landowner in Yorkshire. He was involved in the wool trade and owned several estates in the region.

Moving into the 19th century, Charles Annison (1810-1891) was a prominent English architect who designed several notable buildings, including churches and country houses, across Yorkshire and the surrounding areas.

Lastly, George Annison (1857-1935) was a British engineer and inventor who patented several innovations in the field of textile machinery, contributing significantly to the industrial development of the time.

While the surname Annison may not be among the most common in England today, its rich history and association with notable figures across various fields lend it a unique character and significance within the annals of English nomenclature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Annison families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Annison 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 117 Annisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.68x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 117 28.68x
Durham 51 6.46x
Middlesex 31 1.17x
Surrey 13 1.01x
Suffolk 12 3.71x
Yorkshire 11 0.42x
Lancashire 8 0.25x
Northumberland 6 1.52x
Kent 5 0.55x
Devon 3 0.54x
Essex 3 0.57x
Cheshire 2 0.34x
Cumberland 2 0.88x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.56x
Royal Navy 2 6.33x
Lincolnshire 1 0.24x
Oxfordshire 1 0.61x
Staffordshire 1 0.11x
Warwickshire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Yarmouth in Norfolk leads with 23 Annisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 68.07x.

Place Total Index
Great Yarmouth 23 68.07x
Bishopwearmouth 22 32.47x
Sunderland 17 121.95x
Heigham 13 59.36x
Norwich St George Colegate 11 743.24x
Islington London 10 3.89x
Gorleston 7 85.26x
Horningtoft 7 3684.21x
Hornsey 7 20.86x
Kensington London 7 4.75x
Manchester 7 4.94x
Terrington St Clement 7 380.43x
Whissonsett 7 1272.73x
Lambeth 6 2.59x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 6 115.61x
Rollesby 6 1176.47x
Sculcoates 6 14.40x
East Bradenham 5 1666.67x
Bishopwearmouth Panns 4 2352.94x
Lowestoft 4 26.20x
Norwich St Martin At Oak 4 161.29x
Norwich St Mary At Coslany 4 341.88x
Reedham 4 512.82x
Southwick 4 53.48x
Barking 3 19.58x
Croydon 3 4.18x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 3 24.49x
Norwich St Augustine 3 182.93x
Norwich St Peter 3 111.94x
Plymouth Charles The 3 12.33x
West Somerton 3 1428.57x
Bosden 2 111.11x
Camberwell 2 1.18x
Castlerigg St John 2 1333.33x
Holy Trinity 2 3.16x
Mile End Old Town London 2 3.54x
Norwich St Paul 2 81.97x
Radford 2 11.01x
Rotherhithe 2 6.10x
Royal Navy 2 7.40x
Ryhope 2 36.50x
Wells Next Sea 2 84.03x
Whiston 2 157.48x
Cawston 1 100.00x
Chatham 1 4.02x
Clee With Weelsby 1 10.76x
Dartford 1 10.80x
East Raynham 1 769.23x
Easton 1 434.78x
Enfield 1 5.74x
Everton 1 1.00x
Fakenham 1 49.75x
Fakenham Alethorpe 1 200.00x
Gateshead 1 1.69x
Grays Inn Staple Inn 1 294.12x
Kingstonupon Hull 1 47.39x
Lewisham 1 2.07x
Margate St John Baptist 1 6.03x
Meriden 1 131.58x
Mildenhall 1 29.15x
Monkwearmouth 1 13.23x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 1 37.74x
Poplar London 1 2.00x
Reepham With Kerdiston 1 208.33x
Rotherfield Greys 1 57.80x
Sheringham 1 95.24x
St Clement Danes London 1 18.21x
St George Bloomsbury 1 6.57x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 1.05x
Sutton 1 294.12x
Tonbridge 1 3.06x
Winterton 1 138.89x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 23
Elizabeth 22
Sarah 14
Jane 9
Ann 7
Susan 5
Hannah 4
Alice 3
Isabella 3
Matilda 3
Annie 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Emma 2
Esther 2
Henrietta 2
Margaret 2
Rachael 2
Sophia 2
Susannah 2
(Mrs) 1
Agnes 1
Alethear 1
Amelia 1
Bessia 1
Bessie 1
Caroline 1
Daisy 1
Dinah 1
Elisa 1
Ethel 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Helena 1
Hester 1
Janet 1
Kate 1
Lizzie 1
Lucy 1
Martha 1
Naomi 1
Pheba 1
Rebecca 1
Ruth 1
Zella 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 22
John 15
Robert 10
James 9
Alfred 8
George 7
Samuel 7
Frederick 5
Henry 5
Richard 4
Charles 3
Daniel 3
Ralph 3
Benjamin 2
Edward 2
Joseph 2
Michael 2
Thomas 2
Thos. 2
Albert 1
Arthur 1
Christmas 1
Christopher 1
Ellis 1
Emmanuel 1
Frank 1
Fred. 1
Garabold 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Jaspar 1
Martin 1
Matthew 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Rob. 1
Robt 1
Walter 1
Willie 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Annison surname: questions and answers

How common was the Annison surname in 1881?

In 1881, 272 people were recorded with the Annison surname. That placed it at #10,409 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Annison surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 423 in 2016. That gives Annison a modern rank of #11,344.

What does the Annison surname mean?

English surname derived from the diminutive form of Ann and son meaning "little Ann's son".

What does the Annison map show?

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