NameCensus.

UK surname

Cogger

A surname derived from the occupation of making or trading cogs, the toothed wheels used in machinery.

In the 1881 census there were 478 people recorded with the Cogger surname, ranking it #7,000 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 575, ranked #8,995, down from #7,000 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Meopham, Newchurch and Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Birmingham, Gloucester and Tonbridge and Malling.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cogger is 737 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 20.3%.

1881 census count

478

Ranked #7,000

Modern count

575

2016, ranked #8,995

Peak year

1911

737 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cogger had 478 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,000 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 575 in 2016, ranked #8,995.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 737 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Cogger surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cogger surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cogger 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 328 #7,098
1861 historical 366 #6,987
1881 historical 478 #7,000
1891 historical 553 #6,848
1901 historical 657 #6,587
1911 historical 737 #5,816
1997 modern 625 #7,916
1998 modern 624 #8,162
1999 modern 648 #7,966
2000 modern 621 #8,225
2001 modern 607 #8,230
2002 modern 619 #8,262
2003 modern 596 #8,376
2004 modern 593 #8,419
2005 modern 556 #8,720
2006 modern 552 #8,786
2007 modern 561 #8,766
2008 modern 559 #8,844
2009 modern 554 #9,117
2010 modern 570 #9,106
2011 modern 573 #8,984
2012 modern 572 #8,913
2013 modern 571 #9,049
2014 modern 573 #9,089
2015 modern 557 #9,206
2016 modern 575 #8,995

Geography

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Where Coggers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Meopham, Newchurch, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, London parishes and Luddesdown. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Birmingham, Gloucester, Tonbridge and Malling, Havant and Maidstone. 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 Meopham Kent
2 Newchurch Hampshire
3 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
4 London parishes London 3
5 Luddesdown Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Birmingham 066 Birmingham
2 Gloucester 004 Gloucester
3 Tonbridge and Malling 001 Tonbridge and Malling
4 Havant 016 Havant
5 Maidstone 008 Maidstone

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cogger

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cogger

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Cogger surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Cogger household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Cogger is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Cogger is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Cogger falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Cogger

The surname COGGER is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "cogge," which referred to a small boat or cog, a type of ship commonly used for trade and transportation in medieval times.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Robert le Cogger." This entry suggests that the name may have originally been an occupational surname, given to someone who worked as a cog-maker or someone involved in the construction or operation of cogs.

During the 14th century, the surname began to appear in various records across different regions of England. In 1327, a John Cogger is mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex. The Lay Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1380 also contain references to individuals with the surname Cogger, indicating its spread across the country.

In the 15th century, the name can be found in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, Yorkshire. These records document a William Cogger who lived in the village of Sandal in 1428. Additionally, the Feet of Fines for Suffolk from 1486 mentions a Thomas Cogger, providing evidence of the surname's presence in the eastern part of England.

One notable individual bearing the surname COGGER was John Cogger, a merchant and alderman who lived in the city of Norwich during the late 16th century. He played an active role in the civic affairs of the city and is mentioned in various historical records from that period.

Another prominent figure was Sir William Cogger (1672-1748), a successful businessman and landowner from Gloucestershire. He amassed a considerable fortune through his trading ventures and was knighted by King George II in recognition of his contributions to the local community.

In the 18th century, the name appears in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, where the baptism of a child named Elizabeth Cogger is recorded in 1712. This suggests that the surname was still prevalent in the region centuries after its initial appearance.

The 19th century saw the birth of Charles Cogger (1838-1904), a renowned English author and journalist who wrote extensively on topics related to travel and exploration. He is particularly known for his book "Travels in the East," which chronicled his adventures across various parts of Asia.

Another notable figure from this period was Reverend John Cogger (1862-1941), an influential clergyman who served as the Bishop of Worcester from 1920 until his retirement in 1936. He played a significant role in the Church of England during his tenure and was highly respected for his dedication to his faith and his community.

While the surname COGGER may have had its origins in occupational roots, over the centuries it has become firmly established as a distinctive English surname, with its bearers leaving their mark across various fields and regions throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cogger families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cogger 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. Kent leads with 254 Coggers recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.90x.

County Total Index
Kent 254 15.90x
Middlesex 65 1.39x
Hampshire 60 6.25x
Sussex 37 4.69x
Surrey 29 1.27x
Yorkshire 9 0.19x
Lancashire 8 0.14x
Essex 6 0.65x
Devon 3 0.31x
Morayshire 2 2.75x
Norfolk 2 0.28x
Staffordshire 2 0.13x
Cheshire 1 0.10x
Dorset 1 0.33x
Royal Navy 1 1.79x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Maidstone in Kent leads with 45 Coggers recorded in 1881 and an index of 94.58x.

Place Total Index
Maidstone 45 94.58x
Carisbrooke 18 135.14x
Hawkhurst 16 321.93x
Meopham 16 808.08x
Stone In Dartford 15 365.85x
Shoreditch London 14 6.90x
Kensington London 12 4.61x
Barming 10 909.09x
Hastings St Leonards 10 86.21x
Whippingham 10 137.55x
Boldre 8 232.56x
Brading 8 62.75x
Hornsey 8 13.51x
Newington In Milton 8 479.04x
Plumstead 8 15.02x
Wateringbury 8 382.78x
Binsted 7 191.26x
Edmonton 7 18.56x
Etchingham 7 479.45x
Frindsbury 7 116.28x
Higham 7 324.07x
Mayfield 7 149.89x
Portsea 7 3.72x
Southcoates 7 27.17x
Woolwich 7 11.86x
Cobham 6 408.16x
Hastings St Mary 6 30.53x
Kingston On Thames 6 10.95x
Ramsgate 6 23.01x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 6.37x
Strood 6 65.86x
Tonbridge 6 10.41x
East Farleigh 5 186.57x
Lower Halstow 5 431.03x
St Luke London 5 6.66x
Battersea 4 2.32x
Chatham 4 9.10x
Cuxton 4 634.92x
Halling 4 191.39x
Harpurhey 4 51.88x
Lambeth 4 0.98x
Milton In Gravesend 4 16.69x
Offham 4 689.66x
Bromley London 3 2.91x
Clapham 3 5.13x
Dartford 3 18.37x
Hammersmith London 3 2.60x
Kemsing 3 422.54x
Kingsdown In Dartford 3 447.76x
Lee 3 12.94x
Luddesdown 3 681.82x
Northfleet 3 21.32x
Southfleet 3 202.70x
Ashton In Makerfield 2 12.64x
Chalk 2 363.64x
Cranbrook 2 29.54x
Darenth 2 81.30x
Drainie 2 31.06x
Gillingham 2 6.07x
Great Yarmouth 2 3.35x
Hackney London 2 0.76x
Hartlip 2 322.58x
Hazeleigh 2 1000.00x
Horsemonden 2 85.84x
Manchester 2 0.80x
Normanby In 2 16.13x
Pett 2 444.44x
Poplar London 2 2.26x
Shere 2 72.46x
Shoreham 2 88.11x
St Mildred Bread Street 2 10000.00x
Stoke Damerel 2 2.93x
Walsall Foreign 2 2.45x
West Ham 2 0.98x
Winchelsea St Thomas 2 204.08x
Devonport 1 8.93x
Ewhurst 1 57.14x
Paddington London 1 0.58x
Royal Navy 1 2.10x
Streatham 1 2.88x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 20
Sarah 18
Elizabeth 16
Emma 15
Eliza 14
Ellen 14
Ann 12
Alice 10
Annie 10
Fanny 7
Edith 6
Emily 5
Louisa 4
Caroline 3
Florence 3
Harriet 3
Julia 3
Kate 3
Maria 3
Sophia 3
Susannah 3
Bertha 2
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Hannah 2
Harriett 2
Isabella 2
Jane 2
Lizzie 2
Martha 2
Matilda 2
Mercy 2
Nellie 2
Rebecca 2
Rosa 2
Alma 1
Amy 1
Blanche 1
Catherine 1
Eliz.J. 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Eva 1
Harriott 1
Helen 1
Honor 1
Isabel 1
Katie 1
Lilian 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 34
John 22
George 19
Thomas 15
Frederick 13
Henry 12
Alfred 11
James 11
Richard 8
Walter 8
Albert 6
Harry 6
Arthur 5
Edward 4
Joseph 4
Wm. 4
Charles 3
Edwin 3
Ernest 3
Francis 3
Nicholas 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
W. 2
A. 1
Albany 1
Alfd.Wm. 1
Angloa 1
Archibald 1
Bertie 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Dimeon 1
Ed. 1
Edmund 1
Ephriam 1
F. 1
Frank 1
Horace 1
Hubert 1
Hy. 1
Michael 1
Patrick 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Ralph 1
Robert 1
Sidney 1
Stephin 1

FAQ

Cogger surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cogger surname in 1881?

In 1881, 478 people were recorded with the Cogger surname. That placed it at #7,000 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cogger surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 575 in 2016. That gives Cogger a modern rank of #8,995.

What does the Cogger surname mean?

A surname derived from the occupation of making or trading cogs, the toothed wheels used in machinery.

What does the Cogger map show?

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