NameCensus.

UK surname

Connery

Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "King's Point" or "King's Headland".

In the 1881 census there were 184 people recorded with the Connery surname, ranking it #13,551 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 397, ranked #11,941, up from #13,551 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Manchester and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Northamptonshire, Brent and Leith (Hermitage and Prospect Bank).

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Connery is 397 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 115.8%.

1881 census count

184

Ranked #13,551

Modern count

397

2016, ranked #11,941

Peak year

2016

397 bearers

Map years

6

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Connery had 184 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,551 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 397 in 2016, ranked #11,941.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 184 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Connery surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Connery surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Connery 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 63 #22,069
1861 historical 88 #22,554
1881 historical 184 #13,551
1891 historical 117 #21,658
1901 historical 136 #19,110
1911 historical 94 #23,391
1997 modern 360 #11,929
1998 modern 353 #12,470
1999 modern 357 #12,433
2000 modern 354 #12,460
2001 modern 353 #12,293
2002 modern 357 #12,424
2003 modern 335 #12,815
2004 modern 348 #12,495
2005 modern 358 #12,176
2006 modern 365 #12,076
2007 modern 358 #12,383
2008 modern 357 #12,509
2009 modern 369 #12,447
2010 modern 387 #12,301
2011 modern 378 #12,363
2012 modern 374 #12,324
2013 modern 385 #12,270
2014 modern 395 #12,125
2015 modern 391 #12,113
2016 modern 397 #11,941

Geography

Back to top

Where Connerys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Manchester, Lambeth, Glasgow and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Northamptonshire, Brent, Leith (Hermitage and Prospect Bank) and Copeland. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Northamptonshire 010 South Northamptonshire
2 Brent 027 Brent
3 Leith (Hermitage and Prospect Bank) City of Edinburgh
4 Brent 018 Brent
5 Copeland 003 Copeland

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Connery

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Connery

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Connery is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Connery is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Connery

The surname Connery has its origins in Scotland, tracing back to the 14th century. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "conaire," which means "hound" or "wolf." This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname for someone with wolf-like characteristics or perhaps a keen hunter.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Connery can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, dating back to 1376. In these ancient records, a person named John Conary is mentioned, indicating the possible roots of the modern spelling.

In the 15th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Connarie, Connary, and Connorie, reflecting the linguistic evolution and regional variations in pronunciation and spelling. These variations were common in medieval times before the standardization of surnames.

The Connery surname has been linked to several places in Scotland, most notably the parish of Connery in Aberdeenshire. This connection suggests that some bearers of the name may have derived their surname from the place where they lived or held land.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname Connery is Sir Sean Connery (1930-2020), the renowned Scottish actor best known for his portrayal of James Bond in several films. His acting career spanned over six decades, and he earned numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and three Golden Globes.

Another notable figure was Sir Alexander Connery (1856-1925), a Scottish engineer and businessman who played a significant role in the development of the hydroelectric power industry in Canada. He was responsible for the construction of several major power plants and was knighted for his contributions to the industry.

In the 16th century, the Connery surname appeared in the Ragman Rolls, a collection of documents containing the names of Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. This historical record provides evidence of the name's presence in Scotland during that period.

The Connery family has also been associated with the Scottish clan system, specifically the Clan Donnachaidh, which traces its roots back to the ancient Celtic kingdom of Dál Riata. This connection suggests that some bearers of the Connery name may have ties to this influential clan.

Other notable individuals with the surname Connery include John Connery (1792-1871), a Scottish-born Canadian businessman and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Council of the Province of Canada, and James Connery (1858-1935), a Scottish-born American labor leader and one of the founders of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) union.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Connery families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Connery 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. Lanarkshire leads with 22 Connerys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.83x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 22 3.83x
Durham 19 3.60x
Middlesex 19 1.07x
Northumberland 18 6.81x
Renfrewshire 15 10.90x
Warwickshire 12 2.68x
Cheshire 11 2.81x
Surrey 11 1.27x
Glamorgan 7 2.26x
Ayrshire 6 4.52x
Lancashire 6 0.28x
Nottinghamshire 6 2.51x
Derbyshire 4 1.44x
Kirkcudbrightshire 4 15.56x
Staffordshire 4 0.67x
Cumberland 3 1.96x
Dunbartonshire 3 6.29x
Selkirkshire 3 18.68x
Dorset 2 1.72x
Stirlingshire 2 3.05x
Angus 1 0.61x
Midlothian 1 0.42x
Norfolk 1 0.37x
Perthshire 1 1.26x
Somerset 1 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 12 Connerys recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.77x.

Place Total Index
Glasgow 12 11.77x
Birmingham 10 6.70x
Dukinfield 10 55.22x
West Greenock 9 36.44x
Hackney London 7 7.03x
Longbenton 7 62.56x
Govan 6 4.23x
Kilmarnock 6 37.95x
St Pancras London 6 4.20x
Westgate 6 36.67x
Winlaton 6 118.34x
Gateshead 5 12.65x
Lambeth 5 3.23x
Newcastle On Tyne St 5 36.52x
Rotherhithe 5 22.80x
Snenton 5 53.19x
Swansea Town 5 19.73x
Abbey 4 19.06x
Cheadle 4 138.89x
Kirkcudbright 4 187.79x
Salford 4 6.46x
Usworth 4 142.86x
Barony 3 2.06x
Beard Ollerset Whitle 3 163.93x
Crook Billy Row 3 44.38x
Galashiels 3 50.51x
Aston 2 1.62x
Eastwood 2 23.61x
Fulham London 2 7.77x
Harrington 2 108.70x
Kirkintilloch 2 30.86x
Merthyr Tydfil 2 6.73x
Stirling 2 24.21x
Wareham St Martin 2 454.55x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 2.17x
Bakewell 1 65.79x
Brislington 1 188.68x
Cardross 1 17.45x
Dundee 1 1.63x
Great Yarmouth 1 4.42x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 1 4.37x
Islington London 1 0.58x
Perth East Church 1 13.32x
Preston Quarter 1 23.36x
Prestwich 1 19.01x
Radford 1 8.22x
Richmond 1 8.25x
Rutherglen 1 11.88x
Spitalfields London 1 7.49x
St George Hanover Square 1 3.20x
St Marylebone London 1 1.06x
Stayley 1 22.32x
West Calder 1 21.32x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Ellen 8
Margaret 5
Catherine 4
Elizabeth 4
Jane 3
Matilda 3
Ann 2
Bridget 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Annie 1
Blanche 1
Charlotte 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Isabella 1
Julia 1
Lydia 1
Margt. 1
Marie 1
Maud 1
Pracella 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 14
William 7
Daniel 5
James 5
Thomas 5
Francis 3
Patrick 3
George 2
Henry 2
Joseph 2
Albert 1
Benjamin 1
Charles 1
Edward 1
Frank 1
Herbert 1
Hugh 1
Michael 1
Michel 1
P. 1
W. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Connery surname: questions and answers

How common was the Connery surname in 1881?

In 1881, 184 people were recorded with the Connery surname. That placed it at #13,551 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Connery surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 397 in 2016. That gives Connery a modern rank of #11,941.

What does the Connery surname mean?

Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "King's Point" or "King's Headland".

What does the Connery map show?

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