NameCensus.

UK surname

Coram

A surname referring to someone who lived near an intersection or village green.

In the 1881 census there were 366 people recorded with the Coram surname, ranking it #8,490 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 417, ranked #11,504, down from #8,490 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Petherton, North and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sedgemoor, Wiltshire and Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Coram is 520 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 13.9%.

1881 census count

366

Ranked #8,490

Modern count

417

2016, ranked #11,504

Peak year

1911

520 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Coram had 366 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,490 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 417 in 2016, ranked #11,504.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 520 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Coram surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Coram surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Coram 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 249 #8,816
1861 historical 230 #10,611
1881 historical 366 #8,490
1891 historical 380 #9,231
1901 historical 474 #8,382
1911 historical 520 #7,607
1997 modern 449 #10,094
1998 modern 474 #10,004
1999 modern 470 #10,120
2000 modern 461 #10,231
2001 modern 450 #10,226
2002 modern 475 #10,014
2003 modern 467 #9,964
2004 modern 463 #10,074
2005 modern 445 #10,295
2006 modern 448 #10,269
2007 modern 453 #10,281
2008 modern 468 #10,134
2009 modern 480 #10,162
2010 modern 474 #10,461
2011 modern 453 #10,732
2012 modern 443 #10,796
2013 modern 435 #11,131
2014 modern 440 #11,107
2015 modern 434 #11,142
2016 modern 417 #11,504

Geography

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Where Corams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Petherton, North, London parishes and Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sedgemoor, Wiltshire, Cornwall and Blaenau Gwent. 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 Petherton, North Somerset
3 London parishes London 3
4 London parishes London 2
5 Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sedgemoor 014 Sedgemoor
2 Wiltshire 001 Wiltshire
3 Cornwall 057 Cornwall
4 Blaenau Gwent 005 Blaenau Gwent
5 Cornwall 067 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Coram

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Coram

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Coram 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

Coram is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Coram falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Coram is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Coram, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Coram

The surname CORAM originates from England and has its roots in the Old English language. It is believed to have been derived from the Old English word "coran," which means "to choose" or "to select." This suggests that the name could have been given to someone who held a position of authority or was responsible for making important decisions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name CORAM can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Coran" and "Corham," indicating its evolution over time.

During the medieval period, the name CORAM gained prominence in various parts of England, particularly in counties like Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Records from this era show individuals with the surname CORAM holding positions of importance, such as landowners, clergymen, and officials in local administration.

One notable individual with the surname CORAM was Thomas Coram (1668-1751), a philanthropist and social reformer who was instrumental in establishing the Foundling Hospital in London, the first institution dedicated to caring for abandoned children.

Another prominent figure was Sir Samuel Coram (1786-1865), a British naval officer who served as the Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station during the early 19th century.

In the literary world, the name CORAM is associated with Robert Coram (1605-1673), an English poet and playwright who wrote several plays and poetic works during the 17th century.

The CORAM surname also has connections to place names in England, such as Coram in Huntingdonshire and Coram in Suffolk, which may have influenced the development and spread of the name.

Throughout history, there have been several other notable individuals who carried the surname CORAM, including John Coram (1711-1792), a merchant and philanthropist who supported the establishment of the Foundling Hospital, and Thomas Coram (1734-1809), an English clergyman and author.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Coram families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Coram 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. Middlesex leads with 72 Corams recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.95x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 72 1.95x
Devon 70 9.12x
Somerset 67 11.29x
Gloucestershire 32 4.42x
Cornwall 23 5.51x
Yorkshire 15 0.41x
Essex 11 1.51x
Channel Islands 9 8.24x
Kent 9 0.72x
Cheshire 8 0.98x
Northumberland 8 1.46x
Wiltshire 8 2.45x
Derbyshire 5 0.87x
Pembrokeshire 5 4.27x
Surrey 5 0.28x
Cardiganshire 4 4.45x
Cumberland 4 1.26x
Glamorgan 4 0.62x
Cambridgeshire 3 1.28x
Durham 3 0.27x
Hampshire 3 0.40x
Royal Navy 3 6.83x
Staffordshire 3 0.24x
Worcestershire 2 0.42x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.45x
Lancashire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Petherton in Somerset leads with 20 Corams recorded in 1881 and an index of 417.54x.

Place Total Index
North Petherton 20 417.54x
Wellington 20 248.45x
Saltash 16 493.83x
Bethnal Green London 10 6.24x
Walthamstow 10 38.17x
Wolborough 9 92.78x
Bedminster 8 14.34x
Bristol St James In 8 75.19x
Cramlington 8 110.34x
Salisbury St Martin 8 235.99x
St Martin 8 119.58x
Bowling 7 19.34x
Hooten Levitt 7 5833.33x
Kensington London 7 3.41x
St George Hanover Square 7 10.77x
St Luke London 7 11.84x
Chester St John Baptist 6 41.01x
Deptford St Paul 6 6.18x
Islington London 6 1.68x
Mile End Old Town London 6 7.65x
Bromley London 5 6.16x
Clifton 5 13.68x
Exeter Heavitree 5 87.41x
Llanstadwell 5 130.55x
Maker 5 129.53x
Stapleton 5 36.44x
Beerferris 4 266.67x
Bovey Tracey 4 149.25x
Bristol St Michael 4 64.52x
Chelsea London 4 3.60x
Coedfrank 4 89.89x
Cossington 4 1379.31x
Millom 4 41.11x
Shoreditch London 4 2.50x
Uffculme 4 174.67x
Westbury On Trym 4 16.33x
Beard Ollerset Whitle 3 78.95x
Bere Ferrers 3 238.10x
Bristol St James St Paul 3 12.44x
Brixham 3 33.75x
Dover St James 3 54.45x
Hennock 3 309.28x
North Tawton 3 127.12x
Nynehead 3 731.71x
Plymouth St Andrew 3 5.07x
Royal Navy 3 7.99x
St Budeaux 3 125.52x
St George Bloomsbury 3 14.18x
Stafford St Mary 3 17.03x
Stoke Damerel 3 5.58x
Sydenham Damerel 3 508.47x
Trull 3 247.93x
West Teignmouth 3 51.11x
Aberystwith 2 25.84x
Beard 2 106.38x
Bishops Hull 2 104.17x
Bridgewater 2 12.41x
Bristol St Paul In 2 10.38x
Burnham 2 44.25x
Camberwell 2 0.85x
Cropthorne 2 224.72x
Dawlish 2 34.90x
Devonport 2 22.68x
Disley Stanley 2 47.73x
Exeter St Mary Steps 2 115.61x
Lambeth 2 0.62x
Limehouse London 2 4.94x
Llandyfriog 2 200.00x
Monkwearmouth 2 19.05x
Portsea 2 1.35x
St Andrewthe Less 2 7.50x
St Pancras London 2 0.67x
Stoke Canon 2 370.37x
Bristol St George 1 2.99x
Calstock 1 12.21x
Eton 1 19.80x
Hampstead London 1 1.74x
Heaton Norris 1 4.02x
Lamerton 1 68.49x
Reigate Borough 1 24.15x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 31
Elizabeth 24
Jane 11
Ellen 10
Sarah 10
Ann 9
Eliza 7
Annie 6
Alice 5
Caroline 5
Emma 5
Charlotte 4
Louisa 4
Amy 3
Harriett 3
Julia 3
Maria 3
Martha 3
Betsey 2
Florence 2
Alvina 1
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Anne 1
Bessie 1
Blanch 1
Charlott 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elemia 1
Eliz. 1
Elizbth. 1
Elizth.J. 1
Emily 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Georgie 1
Georgina 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Isabella 1
Janet 1
Johanna 1
Judith 1
Kate 1
Lavinia 1
Lidia 1
Lizzy 1
Victoria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 27
John 26
James 14
Thomas 14
Henry 11
George 9
Frederick 8
Joseph 7
Charles 6
Samuel 6
Arthur 4
Francis 4
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Robert 3
Thos. 3
Edward 2
Harry 2
Jacob 2
Sydney 2
Walter 2
Abraham 1
Alphoeus 1
Auther 1
Authur 1
Cecil 1
Charlie 1
Chas. 1
David 1
Ebenezer 1
Edwd. 1
Emlyn 1
Ernest 1
Esau 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Herbert 1
Julius 1
Michael 1
Osman 1
Philip 1
Stephen 1

FAQ

Coram surname: questions and answers

How common was the Coram surname in 1881?

In 1881, 366 people were recorded with the Coram surname. That placed it at #8,490 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Coram surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 417 in 2016. That gives Coram a modern rank of #11,504.

What does the Coram surname mean?

A surname referring to someone who lived near an intersection or village green.

What does the Coram map show?

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