NameCensus.

UK surname

Axon

A surname derived from the Greek word "axon," referring to a nerve fiber.

In the 1881 census there were 742 people recorded with the Axon surname, ranking it #4,945 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,036, ranked #5,626, down from #4,945 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stockport, Manchester and Walmer. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include St. Helens, Tameside and Bradford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Axon is 1,107 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 39.6%.

1881 census count

742

Ranked #4,945

Modern count

1,036

2016, ranked #5,626

Peak year

1998

1,107 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Axon had 742 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,945 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,036 in 2016, ranked #5,626.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,002 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Small Town Suburbia.

Axon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Axon surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Axon 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 516 #4,849
1861 historical 461 #5,634
1881 historical 742 #4,945
1891 historical 770 #5,197
1901 historical 878 #5,231
1911 historical 1,002 #4,539
1997 modern 1,042 #5,306
1998 modern 1,107 #5,230
1999 modern 1,093 #5,311
2000 modern 1,100 #5,265
2001 modern 1,086 #5,225
2002 modern 1,077 #5,364
2003 modern 1,025 #5,488
2004 modern 1,036 #5,449
2005 modern 1,028 #5,425
2006 modern 1,018 #5,473
2007 modern 1,028 #5,485
2008 modern 1,036 #5,486
2009 modern 1,063 #5,487
2010 modern 1,079 #5,521
2011 modern 1,068 #5,509
2012 modern 1,038 #5,560
2013 modern 1,054 #5,581
2014 modern 1,065 #5,568
2015 modern 1,037 #5,643
2016 modern 1,036 #5,626

Geography

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Where Axons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stockport, Manchester, Walmer, Mottram-in-Longdendale and Romford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to St. Helens, Tameside, Bradford, Pembrokeshire and Trafford. 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 Stockport Cheshire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Walmer Kent
4 Mottram-in-Longdendale Lancashire
5 Romford Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 St. Helens 020 St. Helens
2 Tameside 020 Tameside
3 Bradford 021 Bradford
4 Pembrokeshire 007 Pembrokeshire
5 Trafford 023 Trafford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Axon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Axon

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

Small Town Suburbia

Nationally, the Axon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Small Town Suburbia, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Axon 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 is predominantly comprised of married couples with no resident dependent children, living in areas characterised neither by under-occupancy nor overcrowding throughout the UK in or adjacent to small towns. White ethnic groups and affiliation with Christianity predominates. Housing tends to be predominantly semi-detached or detached and workers are employed principally in managerial and professional occupations, with semi-skilled occupations also in evidence. These areas of the Supergroup are of higher population density.

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, Axon 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

Axon 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

Axon falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Axon

The surname Axon is of English origin and dates back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "acsian," which means "to ask" or "to inquire." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who was a messenger or a town crier.

The earliest recorded use of the name Axon can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like record from 1273. This document mentions a person named Richard Axon, who lived in the village of Oakington.

In the 14th century, the name Axon appeared in several other historical records, including the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, where a John Axon was mentioned in 1348. This suggests that the name had spread to different parts of England by this time.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the name Axon continued to be found in various records, such as the Lancashire Wills and Inventories from 1548, which mentioned a Thomas Axon. Additionally, the Hearth Tax Rolls of Cheshire from 1674 listed a John Axon.

One notable person with the surname Axon was William Edward Armytage Axon (1846-1913), an English bibliographer, antiquary, and writer. He was born in Crumpsall, Manchester, and was a prolific author, publishing works on a wide range of topics, including local history, literature, and bibliography.

Another significant figure was Sir Ferdinand Albert Henry Axon (1895-1982), a British civil servant who served as Chief Justice of the Straits Settlements from 1937 to 1946. He was born in Liverpool and had a distinguished career in the colonial legal service.

In the early 20th century, there was also a notable philosopher and educator named William Edward Armytage Axon (1876-1956), who was born in Manchester and taught at the University of Birmingham. He wrote several works on philosophy and ethics.

The surname Axon can also be found in the historical records of other countries, such as the United States and Canada, where it was likely brought by English immigrants. For example, there was a Canadian politician named Samuel Axon (1837-1905), who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

Another noteworthy individual was Walter Axon (1892-1962), an American painter and printmaker who was born in Philadelphia and was known for his works depicting urban landscapes and industrial scenes.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Axon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Axon 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. Lancashire leads with 274 Axons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.17x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 274 3.17x
Cheshire 235 14.61x
Kent 83 3.34x
Yorkshire 31 0.43x
Essex 24 1.67x
Shropshire 24 3.81x
Staffordshire 23 0.94x
Devon 19 1.25x
Warwickshire 10 0.54x
Derbyshire 4 0.35x
Leicestershire 4 0.50x
Middlesex 4 0.05x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.41x
Surrey 3 0.08x
Royal Navy 2 2.30x
Channel Islands 1 0.46x
Durham 1 0.05x
Sussex 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Walmer in Kent leads with 51 Axons recorded in 1881 and an index of 471.79x.

Place Total Index
Walmer 51 471.79x
Ashton Under Lyne 50 26.46x
Congleton 31 111.55x
Haughton 26 206.19x
Oldham 25 8.96x
Heaton Norris 24 48.76x
Romford 24 105.54x
Hyde 23 48.46x
Manchester 22 5.66x
Salford 19 7.47x
Bredbury 17 182.60x
Newton In Ashton Under 16 100.82x
Stockport 15 18.12x
Denton 14 73.07x
Nantwich 14 74.91x
Barnsley 13 17.45x
Hulme 13 7.20x
Newton 13 522.09x
Romiley 13 286.34x
Withycombe Rawleigh 13 164.56x
Cheadle 11 35.81x
Rumworth 11 89.00x
Stoke Upon Trent 11 4.22x
Ardwick 10 12.82x
Liverpool 10 1.90x
Nuneaton 10 46.97x
Sale 9 45.62x
Bosden 8 161.94x
Tintwistle 8 93.02x
Altrincham 7 24.90x
Ringwould 7 328.64x
Stone 7 22.25x
Toxteth Park 7 2.39x
Werneth 7 138.89x
Whitchurch 7 57.28x
Withington 7 25.13x
Broughton In Salford 6 7.59x
Chester Castle 6 705.88x
Drayton In Hales 6 46.23x
Eyton Upon Wild Moors 6 555.56x
Handley 6 882.35x
Littleham 6 54.10x
Over 6 36.70x
Stretford 6 12.61x
Milton In Gravesend 5 13.41x
Plumstead 5 6.03x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 4 5.95x
Charlton Next Woolwich 4 15.43x
Deal 4 18.86x
Holy Trinity 4 2.30x
Openshaw 4 9.88x
Ordsall 4 53.19x
Spotland 4 4.16x
Spurstow 4 357.14x
Syston 4 52.91x
Bramhall 3 45.05x
Burnage 3 141.51x
Chester St John Baptist 3 10.38x
Halifax 3 2.83x
Lambeth 3 0.47x
Poulton Le Fylde 3 97.72x
Shrewsbury St Chad 3 13.58x
St Lawrence 3 17.55x
Tattenhall 3 109.49x
Wolstanton Knutton 3 19.97x
Beswick 2 9.05x
Bowdon 2 31.35x
Brinnington 2 13.31x
Chester St Oswald 2 6.87x
Dodcott Cum Wilkesley 2 121.95x
Dukinfield 2 2.69x
Glossop Dale 2 3.74x
Kimberworth 2 4.99x
Mickleover 2 56.82x
Ratcliffe London 2 4.97x
Royal Navy 2 2.69x
St George Hanover Square 2 1.56x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 1 1.07x
Sculcoates 1 0.87x
Tutbury 1 16.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 59
Sarah 41
Elizabeth 29
Ann 22
Alice 16
Hannah 16
Eliza 15
Ellen 13
Annie 12
Jane 11
Emily 9
Edith 7
Emma 7
Margaret 7
Harriet 6
Catherine 5
Esther 5
Florence 5
Maria 5
Ada 4
Amelia 4
Bertha 4
Frances 4
Louisa 3
Lucy 3
Martha 3
Susan 3
Agnes 2
Anna 2
Betty 2
Caroline 2
Clara 2
Fanny 2
Kate 2
Lilian 2
Lily 2
Matilda 2
Minnie 2
Nancy 2
Rose 2
Selina 2
Susie 2
Amy 1
Bettsy 1
Ca...lie 1
Elisabeth 1
Emile 1
Kerenhappuck 1
Levina 1
Thomas 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 63
James 41
John 40
Samuel 21
Thomas 21
Charles 18
Henry 16
Joseph 14
George 12
Robert 12
Alfred 10
Albert 8
Arthur 6
Thos. 5
Walter 5
Harry 4
Herbert 4
Joshua 4
Peter 4
David 3
Edward 3
Ernest 3
Fred 3
Richard 3
Aaron 2
Benjamin 2
Daniel 2
Frank 2
Hiram 2
Oliver 2
Philip 2
Bailey 1
Charlie 1
Chas.Wm. 1
Christopher 1
Dan 1
Ellis 1
Francis 1
Frederick 1
Harold 1
Isaac 1
Johnathan 1
Jonathan 1
Jos. 1
Josiah 1
Luke 1
Millburn 1
Moses 1
Oswald 1
Rd.Jas. 1

FAQ

Axon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Axon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 742 people were recorded with the Axon surname. That placed it at #4,945 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Axon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,036 in 2016. That gives Axon a modern rank of #5,626.

What does the Axon surname mean?

A surname derived from the Greek word "axon," referring to a nerve fiber.

What does the Axon map show?

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