NameCensus.

UK surname

Cossins

A locational surname referring to someone from the village of Cossin in Normandy, France.

In the 1881 census there were 276 people recorded with the Cossins surname, ranking it #10,305 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 411, ranked #11,654, down from #10,305 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Darlington, London parishes and St Michael-le-Belfry and St Olave Marygate. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ryedale, North Dorset and South Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cossins is 443 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 48.9%.

1881 census count

276

Ranked #10,305

Modern count

411

2016, ranked #11,654

Peak year

1998

443 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cossins had 276 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,305 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 411 in 2016, ranked #11,654.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 370 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Cossins surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cossins surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cossins 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 162 #12,215
1861 historical 201 #11,949
1881 historical 276 #10,305
1891 historical 323 #10,480
1901 historical 335 #10,782
1911 historical 370 #9,852
1997 modern 421 #10,589
1998 modern 443 #10,526
1999 modern 441 #10,631
2000 modern 428 #10,850
2001 modern 415 #10,925
2002 modern 424 #10,950
2003 modern 412 #11,026
2004 modern 414 #11,005
2005 modern 399 #11,206
2006 modern 409 #11,032
2007 modern 387 #11,652
2008 modern 399 #11,494
2009 modern 412 #11,461
2010 modern 432 #11,262
2011 modern 411 #11,617
2012 modern 407 #11,584
2013 modern 412 #11,647
2014 modern 426 #11,408
2015 modern 415 #11,583
2016 modern 411 #11,654

Geography

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Where Cossins' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Darlington, London parishes, St Michael-le-Belfry and St Olave Marygate and Crewkerne, Wayford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ryedale, North Dorset, South Somerset and Darlington. 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 Darlington Durham
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Michael-le-Belfry and St Olave Marygate Yorkshire, East Riding
5 Crewkerne, Wayford Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ryedale 001 Ryedale
2 North Dorset 006 North Dorset
3 South Somerset 021 South Somerset
4 Darlington 003 Darlington
5 South Somerset 017 South Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cossins

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cossins

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Cossins is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Cossins is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Cossins falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Cossins

The surname COSSINS is of English origin, originating in the county of Gloucestershire during the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "cosse," meaning a hollow in a hill, and "yn," a diminutive suffix, indicating a small hollow or valley.

COSSINS is thought to have originated as a descriptive surname, referring to someone who lived in or near a small valley or hollow. It may have also been used as a topographic name, describing the physical features of the area where the family resided.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name COSSINS can be found in the Gloucestershire Subsidy Rolls of 1327, which lists a John Cossyn as a taxpayer. This suggests that the name was already established in the region by the early 14th century.

In the 16th century, the COSSINS family was well-established in the village of Coaley, Gloucestershire. Records from this period show variations in the spelling of the name, such as Cossyn, Cossyne, and Cosyn.

Notable individuals with the surname COSSINS include:

1. John Cossins (c.1535-1600), a wealthy landowner and farmer from Coaley, Gloucestershire. 2. Richard Cossins (1600-1670), an English clergyman and author of several religious works. 3. Elizabeth Cossins (c.1650-1720), a prominent Quaker preacher and writer from Bristol. 4. William Cossins (1721-1793), a renowned clockmaker from London. 5. Henry Cossins (1790-1864), a British army officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars and the Crimean War.

While the COSSINS name has its roots in Gloucestershire, it eventually spread to other parts of England and beyond, with families bearing this surname found in various locations throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cossins families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cossins 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. Yorkshire leads with 60 Cossins' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.23x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 60 2.23x
Somerset 39 8.93x
Kent 28 3.03x
Gloucestershire 25 4.70x
Durham 19 2.36x
Dorset 18 10.11x
Middlesex 16 0.59x
Devon 14 2.48x
Surrey 11 0.83x
Wiltshire 10 4.17x
Hampshire 8 1.44x
Warwickshire 8 1.17x
Cheshire 7 1.17x
Sussex 4 0.87x
Hertfordshire 3 1.61x
Isle of Man 2 3.97x
Worcestershire 2 0.56x
Essex 1 0.19x
Norfolk 1 0.24x
Northumberland 1 0.25x
West Lothian 1 2.45x

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 21 Cossins' recorded in 1881 and an index of 76.20x.

Place Total Index
Maidstone 21 76.20x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 16 31.96x
Thirsk 15 483.87x
Gillamoor 11 6111.11x
Long Sutton 11 1358.02x
Stockton On Tees 10 25.71x
Weymouth 9 267.06x
Borrowby In 8 2666.67x
West Teignmouth 8 185.19x
York St Giles In 8 316.21x
Alverstoke 7 34.79x
Battersea 7 7.02x
Weaverham Cum Milton 7 443.04x
York St Mary 7 62.89x
Birmingham 6 2.63x
Bishopwearmouth 6 8.66x
Crewkerne 6 129.31x
Somerton 6 337.08x
St Botolph Aldersgate 6 192.93x
Tarrant Rawston 6 15000.00x
Bristol St George 5 20.33x
Calne 5 101.21x
Clifton In York 5 88.97x
Greenwich 5 11.58x
Brighton 4 4.34x
Camberwell 4 2.31x
Pitney 4 1333.33x
Swindon 4 21.51x
York St Michael Le 4 459.77x
Darlington 3 9.63x
Exeter St Sidwell 3 23.20x
Islington London 3 1.14x
Lyncombe Widcombe 3 26.25x
Westminster St Margaret 3 22.94x
Wyke Regis 3 117.65x
Aston 2 1.06x
Chelsea London 2 2.45x
Cheltenham 2 4.87x
Eltham 2 36.90x
Hinton St George 2 317.46x
Ilminster 2 65.57x
Kings Norton 2 6.30x
Malew 2 45.45x
Othery 2 370.37x
Ware 2 37.31x
Yeovil 2 22.55x
Aspenden 1 172.41x
Bristol St James In 1 12.79x
Buckholt 1 2500.00x
Compton Dundon 1 188.68x
East Dereham 1 18.98x
Exeter Alphington 1 97.09x
Exeter St Petrock 1 555.56x
Landmoth With Catto 1 2500.00x
Malmesbury St Paul 1 48.54x
Manningham 1 3.02x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 4.78x
Plymouth Charles The 1 4.02x
St Botolph Aldgate London 1 17.92x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.09x
Tetbury 1 33.22x
Uphall 1 22.27x
Wanstead 1 10.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 14
Mary 11
Sarah 8
Annie 6
Emma 6
Jane 6
Alice 5
Ann 5
Caroline 4
Edith 4
Susan 4
Ada 3
Ellen 3
Emily 3
Harriet 3
Kate 3
Lucy 3
Margaret 3
Amy 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Eliza 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Francis 2
Jessie 2
Jessy 2
Louise 2
Maria 2
Anne 1
Bessey 1
Blanche 1
Catharine 1
Chrissie 1
Clarice 1
Deborah 1
Ellan 1
Emilly 1
Emley 1
Esther 1
Florrie 1
Georema 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Helen 1
Lilyane 1
Lizzie 1
M.A. 1
Marsh 1
Teresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 14
Thomas 10
James 9
William 8
Charles 7
George 7
Joseph 5
Richard 5
Alfred 4
Arthur 3
Edward 3
Edwin 3
Francis 3
Frederick 3
Henry 3
Robert 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Benjamin 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Lancelot 2
Samuel 2
Tom 2
Willie 2
Aloysius 1
Anstice 1
Byron 1
Cecil 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
Clement 1
Edgar 1
Fawbert 1
Fred 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
J.B. 1
Jethro 1
Josiah 1
Sam 1
Thos. 1
Wilson 1
Wm.B. 1
Wm.B.W. 1

FAQ

Cossins surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cossins surname in 1881?

In 1881, 276 people were recorded with the Cossins surname. That placed it at #10,305 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cossins surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 411 in 2016. That gives Cossins a modern rank of #11,654.

What does the Cossins surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from the village of Cossin in Normandy, France.

What does the Cossins map show?

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