NameCensus.

UK surname

Carman

An occupational surname referring to someone who drove or manufactured carts or wagons.

In the 1881 census there were 996 people recorded with the Carman surname, ranking it #3,916 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,415, ranked #4,313, down from #3,916 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Cawston, London parishes and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Cambridgeshire, Broadland and Redcar and Cleveland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Carman is 1,476 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 42.1%.

1881 census count

996

Ranked #3,916

Modern count

1,415

2016, ranked #4,313

Peak year

1999

1,476 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Carman had 996 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,916 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,415 in 2016, ranked #4,313.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,425 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Carman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Carman surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Carman 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 658 #3,943
1861 historical 921 #3,013
1881 historical 996 #3,916
1891 historical 1,205 #3,559
1901 historical 1,258 #3,940
1911 historical 1,425 #3,390
1997 modern 1,429 #4,071
1998 modern 1,474 #4,113
1999 modern 1,476 #4,142
2000 modern 1,457 #4,161
2001 modern 1,431 #4,143
2002 modern 1,441 #4,201
2003 modern 1,410 #4,201
2004 modern 1,411 #4,192
2005 modern 1,391 #4,209
2006 modern 1,382 #4,235
2007 modern 1,413 #4,199
2008 modern 1,412 #4,230
2009 modern 1,436 #4,249
2010 modern 1,461 #4,269
2011 modern 1,455 #4,241
2012 modern 1,409 #4,283
2013 modern 1,417 #4,327
2014 modern 1,452 #4,280
2015 modern 1,418 #4,315
2016 modern 1,415 #4,313

Geography

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Where Carmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Cawston, London parishes, Lambeth, St Mary Islington and Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Cambridgeshire, Broadland, Redcar and Cleveland and Tendring. 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 Cawston Norfolk
2 London parishes London 3
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)
5 Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Cambridgeshire 001 South Cambridgeshire
2 Broadland 001 Broadland
3 Broadland 002 Broadland
4 Redcar and Cleveland 006 Redcar and Cleveland
5 Tendring 004 Tendring

Forenames

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First names often paired with Carman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Carman

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

Carman 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

Carman falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Carman

The surname Carman is of English origin and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "carr" and "mann," which together mean "man who dwells near the marsh or fen." This name was likely given to individuals who lived or worked near marshy areas or fens.

The earliest recorded instances of the Carman surname can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. For instance, the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, dated 1273, mention a person named Robert Carman. Additionally, the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327 list a certain William Careman.

Over time, the name evolved and took on different spellings, such as Careman, Careyman, and Cayreman, reflecting regional variations in pronunciation and record-keeping practices. Some of these variations can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the 14th century, where individuals with names like John Cayreman and Robert Careman appear.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Carman surname was Sir William Carman, a prominent English landowner and knight who lived in the late 13th century. He is mentioned in the Calendars of Inquisitions Post Mortem from 1292, which recorded the transfer of his estates after his death.

Another notable figure was Robert Carman, a merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 15th century. He is recorded in the Husting Rolls of London in the year 1431, which documented legal proceedings and property transactions.

In the 16th century, a certain John Carman gained recognition as a skilled architect and master mason. He is credited with the construction of several churches and buildings in the counties of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, as mentioned in the architectural records of that time.

Moving forward to the 17th century, we find William Carman, a prominent Puritan minister and author who lived in Massachusetts Bay Colony. He is known for his influential sermons and writings on religious topics, some of which were published in the early years of the American colonies.

Fast-forwarding to the 19th century, we encounter George Carman, a renowned English botanist and horticulturist. He was born in 1819 and made significant contributions to the study and cultivation of various plant species, particularly those found in the British Isles.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who bore the Carman surname throughout history, demonstrating its enduring presence across different regions and time periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Carman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Carman 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 174 Carmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.64x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 174 11.64x
Surrey 148 3.12x
Middlesex 147 1.51x
Kent 108 3.25x
Cheshire 72 3.35x
Yorkshire 58 0.60x
Suffolk 53 4.47x
Lancashire 51 0.44x
Essex 29 1.51x
Sussex 27 1.65x
Cambridgeshire 17 2.76x
Lincolnshire 17 1.09x
Derbyshire 16 1.05x
Durham 10 0.35x
Northumberland 8 0.55x
Flintshire 7 2.68x
Gloucestershire 7 0.37x
Westmorland 7 3.28x
Cornwall 6 0.54x
Staffordshire 5 0.15x
Hertfordshire 4 0.60x
Lanarkshire 4 0.13x
Leicestershire 4 0.37x
Devon 3 0.15x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.23x
Denbighshire 2 0.54x
Huntingdonshire 2 1.04x
Dorset 1 0.16x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.47x
Hampshire 1 0.05x
Monmouthshire 1 0.14x
Royal Navy 1 0.86x
Warwickshire 1 0.04x
Wiltshire 1 0.12x
Worcestershire 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. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 30 Carmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.18x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 30 3.18x
Bermondsey 28 9.67x
Lambeth 28 3.30x
Cawston 22 601.09x
Rye 19 121.95x
Camberwell 16 2.58x
Sculcoates 16 10.47x
Bethnal Green London 15 3.55x
Lakenheath 14 223.64x
Thornton Le Moors 14 1647.06x
Battersea 13 3.63x
Soham 13 98.04x
Tottenham 13 8.39x
Brenchley 12 101.10x
St George Hanover Square 12 7.00x
East Malling 11 138.71x
Harwich St Nicholas 11 74.17x
Reigate Foreign 11 21.44x
Southwark St John 11 36.97x
Horning 10 689.66x
Maidstone 10 10.12x
Thorpe Next Norwich 10 63.09x
Bury St Edmunds St James 9 28.45x
Elton 9 22.57x
Hilgay 9 160.14x
Richmond 9 13.55x
St Pancras London 9 1.15x
Chester St Oswald 8 20.58x
Denver 8 286.74x
Halton 8 167.01x
Ilkeston 8 18.74x
Normanby In 8 31.06x
Norwich St George Colegate 8 147.06x
Seal 8 149.25x
Sittingbourne 8 30.53x
Spittlegate 8 37.19x
Tonbridge 8 6.68x
Westminster St John 8 6.75x
Bradford 7 3.00x
Brenzett 7 679.61x
Clerkenwell London 7 3.05x
Ecclesall Bierlow 7 3.57x
Etchingham 7 231.02x
Hackney London 7 1.28x
Heydon 7 972.22x
Hockham 7 411.76x
Holy Trinity 7 3.02x
Holywell 7 21.33x
Ipswich St Clement 7 23.25x
Newton Flotman 7 729.17x
Stanton 7 249.11x
Strickland Kettle 7 343.14x
Catton 6 240.00x
Chester St John Baptist 6 15.55x
Hellesdon 6 218.18x
Kensington London 6 1.11x
Kirkdale 6 3.09x
Liverpool 6 0.86x
Mickle Bridge 6 594.06x
North Lopham 6 257.51x
North Wootton 6 555.56x
Pendleton In Salford 6 4.36x
Stoke 6 26.83x
Sutton At Hone 6 87.21x
West Ham 6 1.42x
Whitby 6 121.21x
Biddulph 5 27.00x
Bletchingley 5 80.91x
Eythorne 5 320.51x
Fleet 5 112.87x
Haddiscoe 5 381.68x
Hammersmith London 5 2.09x
Norwich St Clement 5 28.85x
Norwich St James 5 42.63x
St Marylebone London 5 0.96x
Streatham 5 6.93x
Winfarthing 5 248.76x
Barony 4 0.50x
Derby St Werburgh 4 4.55x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 2.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 54
John 50
George 42
James 37
Charles 27
Thomas 26
Henry 21
Robert 18
Samuel 15
Alfred 13
Walter 11
Edward 10
Frederick 10
Richard 10
Joseph 9
Albert 6
David 6
Arthur 5
Herbert 5
Edwin 4
Harry 4
Abraham 3
Allington 3
Ambrose 3
Benjamin 3
Fred 3
Fredk. 3
Fredrick 3
Horace 3
Mark 3
Percy 3
Phillip 3
Stephen 3
Thos. 3
Alexander 2
Jeremiah 2
Robt. 2
Sidney 2
Simon 2
Wm. 2
Barnabas 1
Ben 1
D. 1
Edmond 1
Edmund 1
Edwd. 1
Ellis 1
Hugh 1
Humphrey 1
Young 1

FAQ

Carman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Carman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 996 people were recorded with the Carman surname. That placed it at #3,916 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Carman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,415 in 2016. That gives Carman a modern rank of #4,313.

What does the Carman surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to someone who drove or manufactured carts or wagons.

What does the Carman map show?

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