NameCensus.

UK surname

Avison

An English surname derived from the medieval given name "Avison", meaning "son of Avi".

In the 1881 census there were 433 people recorded with the Avison surname, ranking it #7,531 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 778, ranked #7,086, up from #7,531 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Halifax, Kirkheaton and Birstall. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ryedale, East Lindsey and Boston.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Avison is 800 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 79.7%.

1881 census count

433

Ranked #7,531

Modern count

778

2016, ranked #7,086

Peak year

2011

800 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Avison had 433 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,531 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 778 in 2016, ranked #7,086.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 587 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Avison surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Avison surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Avison 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 299 #7,675
1861 historical 203 #11,865
1881 historical 433 #7,531
1891 historical 421 #8,502
1901 historical 548 #7,547
1911 historical 587 #6,951
1997 modern 696 #7,278
1998 modern 738 #7,191
1999 modern 753 #7,132
2000 modern 753 #7,078
2001 modern 730 #7,118
2002 modern 751 #7,100
2003 modern 744 #7,063
2004 modern 758 #6,968
2005 modern 740 #7,035
2006 modern 752 #6,972
2007 modern 743 #7,107
2008 modern 760 #7,040
2009 modern 780 #7,024
2010 modern 785 #7,142
2011 modern 800 #6,952
2012 modern 771 #7,073
2013 modern 758 #7,282
2014 modern 767 #7,231
2015 modern 769 #7,160
2016 modern 778 #7,086

Geography

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Where Avisons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Halifax, Kirkheaton, Birstall, Batley and Almondbury. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ryedale, East Lindsey, Boston and North East Lincolnshire. 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 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Kirkheaton Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Birstall Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Batley Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Almondbury Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ryedale 002 Ryedale
2 East Lindsey 016 East Lindsey
3 Boston 001 Boston
4 North East Lincolnshire 019 North East Lincolnshire
5 North East Lincolnshire 015 North East Lincolnshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Avison

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Avison

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Avison, 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 Avison surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Avison 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Avison 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

Avison is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Avison 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 Avison is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Avison

The surname Avison originated in England and is believed to have derived from the Old English personal name "Avicia," which was a feminine form of the Latin name "Avitus." This name was popular during the medieval period in Britain.

Avison is thought to have first appeared as a surname in the 12th century in Yorkshire, England. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the late 12th century, where it was spelled "Aviceson" or "Avison."

In the Domesday Book of 1086, there are no direct references to the surname Avison, but there are entries for places and landowners with similar names, such as "Avici" and "Avicia," which may have been related to the later development of the surname.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname was William Avison, who was recorded in the Yorkshire Assize Rolls in 1297. Another early example is John Avison, who was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1301.

The name was particularly prominent in the North of England, especially in Yorkshire and Durham. Some notable individuals with the surname Avison throughout history include:

1. Charles Avison (1709-1770), an English composer and musician from Newcastle upon Tyne, known for his instrumental concertos and contribution to the development of the English concerto.

2. Richard Avison (1723-1776), an English writer and schoolmaster from Northumberland, best known for his book "Essay on Musical Expression."

3. John Avison (1662-1717), an English clergyman and author from Yorkshire, who wrote several theological works.

4. Thomas Avison (1687-1758), an English merchant and landowner from Durham, who served as the Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1734.

5. Edward Avison (1806-1875), an English architect from Yorkshire, known for designing several notable buildings in Newcastle and Durham.

The name Avison has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Avison Farm in Yorkshire and Avison's Close in County Durham, which may have been named after early bearers of the surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Avison families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Avison 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 321 Avisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.67x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 321 7.67x
Lancashire 35 0.70x
Cheshire 30 3.22x
Lincolnshire 23 3.41x
Middlesex 13 0.31x
Derbyshire 3 0.45x
Durham 2 0.16x
Ross-shire 2 1.72x
Surrey 2 0.10x
Northamptonshire 1 0.25x
Sussex 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Batley in Yorkshire leads with 36 Avisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 90.50x.

Place Total Index
Batley 36 90.50x
Cleckheaton 26 168.61x
Kirkheaton 17 250.37x
Hipperholme Cum 15 81.57x
Huddersfield 15 24.60x
Tintwistle 14 281.12x
South Crosland 13 294.78x
Linthwaite 12 136.36x
Lockwood 12 79.68x
Mirfield 11 47.87x
Oldham 11 6.80x
York St Mary 11 63.44x
Dukinfield 10 23.21x
Gomersal 10 51.18x
Leeds 10 4.23x
Wakefield 10 31.12x
Horton In Bradford 9 13.77x
Rastrick 9 77.39x
Scarborough 9 23.67x
Soothill 8 52.91x
St Luke London 8 11.81x
Farmanby 7 985.92x
Stretford 7 25.39x
Liversedge 6 32.21x
Silkstone 6 289.86x
Stayley 6 56.29x
York St John Delpike 6 1333.33x
York St Saviour 6 150.00x
Brightside Bierlow 5 6.09x
Croft 5 454.55x
Hagworthingham 5 714.29x
Honley 5 68.21x
Huttons Ambo 5 833.33x
St Marylebone London 5 2.22x
Toxteth Park 5 2.95x
Chadderton 4 16.33x
Eastville 4 769.23x
Holy Trinity 4 3.97x
Sandal Magna 4 64.62x
Tong 4 49.51x
Amotherby 3 750.00x
Glossop Dale 3 9.69x
Leake 3 97.09x
Sibsey 3 197.37x
Darlington 2 4.12x
Dewsbury 2 4.66x
Failsworth 2 17.44x
Halifax 2 3.25x
Hulme 2 1.91x
Lepton 2 45.77x
Ryhill 2 173.91x
Saddleworth 2 6.20x
Southowram 2 15.65x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 2.35x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 0.91x
Broadwater 1 6.12x
Crofton 1 97.09x
East Stamford Bridge 1 172.41x
Ebberston 1 116.28x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 1.17x
Goodmanham 1 222.22x
Lindley Cum Quarmby 1 9.47x
Lockton 1 172.41x
Manchester 1 0.44x
Newington 1 8.67x
Peterborough 1 3.48x
Resolis 1 48.31x
Rosemarkie 1 78.74x
Silpho 1 833.33x
Skegness 1 51.81x
Southcoates 1 4.30x
St Martin Lincoln 1 15.95x
Thornhill 1 8.19x
Turton 1 12.18x
West Derby 1 0.68x
Wispington 1 625.00x
York All Sts North 1 48.31x
York Minster Yard W 1 103.09x
York St John Micklegate 1 99.01x
York St Maurice 1 12.69x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 22
John 20
George 17
Thomas 13
Charles 12
James 12
Joseph 11
David 5
Harry 5
Richard 5
Frank 4
Samuel 4
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Allen 3
Arthur 3
Benjamin 3
Edward 3
Edwin 3
Fred 3
Henry 3
Walter 3
Wm. 3
Andrew 2
Brook 2
Chas. 2
Fred. 2
Geo. 2
Herbert 2
Joe 2
Matthias 2
Norman 2
Sam 2
Saml. 2
Tom 2
Wright 2
Anthony 1
Charley 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.Auty 1
Lot 1
Luke 1
Matthew 1
Moses 1
Orashow 1
Oswald 1
Owen 1
Richd. 1

FAQ

Avison surname: questions and answers

How common was the Avison surname in 1881?

In 1881, 433 people were recorded with the Avison surname. That placed it at #7,531 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Avison surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 778 in 2016. That gives Avison a modern rank of #7,086.

What does the Avison surname mean?

An English surname derived from the medieval given name "Avison", meaning "son of Avi".

What does the Avison map show?

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