NameCensus.

UK surname

Channon

An anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Sionna, itself derived from a Gaelic personal name meaning "wise" or "prudent".

In the 1881 census there were 762 people recorded with the Channon surname, ranking it #4,843 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,186, ranked #5,013, down from #4,843 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sedgemoor, Brighton and Hove and Caerphilly.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Channon is 1,282 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 55.6%.

1881 census count

762

Ranked #4,843

Modern count

1,186

2016, ranked #5,013

Peak year

1998

1,282 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Channon had 762 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,843 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,186 in 2016, ranked #5,013.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,156 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Channon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Channon surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Channon 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 521 #4,814
1861 historical 371 #6,875
1881 historical 762 #4,843
1891 historical 733 #5,416
1901 historical 1,006 #4,735
1911 historical 1,156 #4,040
1997 modern 1,247 #4,567
1998 modern 1,282 #4,630
1999 modern 1,267 #4,705
2000 modern 1,252 #4,730
2001 modern 1,216 #4,748
2002 modern 1,231 #4,793
2003 modern 1,181 #4,870
2004 modern 1,177 #4,890
2005 modern 1,183 #4,822
2006 modern 1,173 #4,873
2007 modern 1,183 #4,867
2008 modern 1,178 #4,912
2009 modern 1,201 #4,937
2010 modern 1,217 #4,981
2011 modern 1,174 #5,080
2012 modern 1,182 #4,972
2013 modern 1,203 #4,969
2014 modern 1,210 #4,980
2015 modern 1,187 #5,021
2016 modern 1,186 #5,013

Geography

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Where Channons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Lambeth and Cheltenham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sedgemoor, Brighton and Hove, Caerphilly, East Devon 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Cheltenham Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sedgemoor 001 Sedgemoor
2 Brighton and Hove 025 Brighton and Hove
3 Caerphilly 018 Caerphilly
4 East Devon 013 East Devon
5 Cornwall 048 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Channon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Channon

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Channon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Channon household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Channon 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

Channon is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Channon 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 Channon 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 Channon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Channon

The surname Channon is primarily of Welsh origin, derived from the Welsh personal name "Cynan" or "Conan," which means "chief" or "leader." It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, particularly in the northern regions of Wales.

The name Channon can be traced back to the 12th century, with early records mentioning individuals bearing this surname in various parts of Wales. One of the earliest known references is found in the Black Book of St. Davids, a 13th-century manuscript containing a list of landowners and tenants in Pembrokeshire.

In the 14th century, the Channon surname appeared in several historical documents, including the Calendars of Ancient Deeds and the Pipe Rolls of Herefordshire. These records provide insights into the lives and activities of individuals bearing this name during that time period.

The Channon surname has also been associated with various place names, such as Channon Hill in Gwynedd, North Wales, and Channon Farm in Somerset, England. These place names may have influenced the spelling and distribution of the surname over time.

Notable individuals with the surname Channon throughout history include:

1. Sir Henry Channon (1497-1551), a Welsh judge and politician who served as Chief Justice of the Glamorgan Circuit. 2. Richard Channon (1572-1640), an English clergyman and author known for his work "The Perpetual Guide to the Almanack." 3. John Channon (1711-1783), a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Devonshire. 4. Sir Francis Channon (1782-1855), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and was knighted for his service. 5. Henry Channon (1897-1958), a British politician and diarist who served as a Member of Parliament and held various government positions during the 1930s and 1940s.

The Channon surname has a rich historical legacy, spanning centuries and encompassing various regions, particularly in Wales and England. While its origins can be traced back to the medieval period, the name has endured and continues to be associated with notable individuals throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Channon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Channon 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. Devon leads with 319 Channons recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.40x.

County Total Index
Devon 319 20.40x
Surrey 91 2.49x
Middlesex 90 1.20x
Gloucestershire 66 4.48x
Somerset 39 3.23x
Kent 25 0.98x
Cornwall 19 2.23x
Monmouthshire 15 2.76x
Cheshire 10 0.60x
Hampshire 10 0.65x
Nottinghamshire 9 0.89x
Sussex 9 0.71x
Essex 8 0.54x
Durham 7 0.31x
Lancashire 7 0.08x
Ayrshire 6 1.07x
Channel Islands 6 2.70x
Glamorgan 6 0.46x
Warwickshire 5 0.26x
Wiltshire 5 0.75x
Carmarthenshire 4 1.26x
Dorset 4 0.81x
Staffordshire 3 0.12x
Yorkshire 3 0.04x
Berkshire 1 0.18x
Northamptonshire 1 0.14x
Royal Navy 1 1.12x
Worcestershire 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ottery St Mary in Devon leads with 52 Channons recorded in 1881 and an index of 506.82x.

Place Total Index
Ottery St Mary 52 506.82x
Cheltenham 37 32.56x
Honiton 20 231.21x
Beerferris 19 622.95x
Camberwell 17 3.54x
Northam 17 149.12x
Chelsea London 15 6.63x
Culmstock 15 675.68x
St Woollos 15 24.75x
East Budleigh 13 176.39x
Fulham London 13 11.93x
Southwark St George Martyr 13 8.60x
Broad Clist 12 222.63x
Holcombe Rogus 12 634.92x
St Sepulchre London 12 109.09x
Bermondsey 11 4.92x
Plymouth St Andrew 11 9.13x
Hampstead London 10 8.55x
Newington 10 3.60x
Send Ripley 10 209.64x
Gittisham 9 782.61x
Aylesbeare 8 353.98x
Clarborough 8 105.68x
Colaton Raleigh 8 414.51x
Farway 8 1081.08x
Pilton 8 155.04x
Woodford 8 47.68x
Barnstaple 7 28.52x
Bristol St James St Paul 7 14.25x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 7 52.16x
Compton Bishop 7 492.96x
Lambeth 7 1.07x
Rotherhithe 7 7.54x
Sidmouth 7 78.21x
Croydon 6 2.95x
Dalry 6 22.68x
Exeter St Edmund 6 178.04x
Harpford 6 857.14x
Lewisham 6 4.39x
Manchester 6 1.50x
Plymouth Charles The 6 8.71x
Portsea 6 1.99x
Westoe 6 4.74x
Aston 5 0.96x
Battersea 5 1.81x
Bitton 5 39.00x
Bristol St Paul In 5 12.74x
Cheadle 5 15.79x
Exeter St John 5 446.43x
Ilfracombe 5 31.06x
Kensington London 5 1.20x
Minster In Sheppey 5 11.78x
Puriton 5 257.73x
Westminster St John 5 5.47x
Awliscombe 4 291.97x
Carmarthen St Peter 4 14.78x
Clerkenwell London 4 2.26x
Crewkerne 4 31.15x
Lyme Regis 4 67.80x
Maker 4 50.96x
Parkham 4 194.17x
Plumstead 4 4.68x
Preston 4 18.09x
St George Martyr London 4 26.30x
St John Near Swansea 4 24.74x
St Marylebone London 4 1.00x
Staverton 4 208.33x
Stoke Under Hambdon 4 100.76x
Tranmere 4 6.56x
Tregoney St James 4 253.16x
Upottery 4 212.77x
Woodbury 4 86.21x
Brighton 3 1.17x
Bristol St Augustine 3 12.62x
Lyncombe Widcombe 3 9.48x
Probus 3 85.96x
Shoreditch London 3 0.92x
St George Hanover Square 3 2.27x
Stoke Damerel 3 2.74x
Veryan 3 91.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 50
Elizabeth 32
Ann 23
Sarah 23
Jane 17
Annie 15
Eliza 13
Emily 13
Alice 12
Ellen 12
Emma 12
Hannah 8
Clara 7
Maria 7
Caroline 6
Louisa 6
Susan 6
Bessie 5
Charlotte 5
Fanny 5
Amelia 4
Amy 4
Edith 4
Ethel 4
Ada 3
Catherine 3
Florence 3
Harriet 3
Anna 2
Beatrice 2
Elizth. 2
Harriett 2
Infant 2
Julianna 2
Louise 2
Lucy 2
Margaret 2
Marion 2
Martha 2
Minnie 2
Myra 2
Rosina 2
Sophia 2
Elizebeth 1
Ester 1
Etty 1
Honoria 1
Iner 1
Isabella 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 52
John 45
James 26
George 20
Thomas 19
Henry 18
Charles 16
Robert 16
Frederick 12
Samuel 12
Walter 10
Richard 9
Albert 8
Alfred 7
Arthur 7
Edward 7
Frank 7
Daniel 6
Edwin 5
Francis 4
Joseph 4
Ernest 3
Fred 3
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Sidney 3
Tom 3
Bertram 2
Fredk. 2
Geo. 2
Percy 2
Saml. 2
Sampson 2
Stephen 2
Wm. 2
Alexander 1
Benj. 1
Chas. 1
Clifford 1
Fredrick 1
Horace 1
Horatio 1
J. 1
Jacob 1
Mark 1
Nath 1
Philip 1
Phillip 1
Richd. 1
Seth 1

FAQ

Channon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Channon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 762 people were recorded with the Channon surname. That placed it at #4,843 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Channon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,186 in 2016. That gives Channon a modern rank of #5,013.

What does the Channon surname mean?

An anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Sionna, itself derived from a Gaelic personal name meaning "wise" or "prudent".

What does the Channon map show?

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