NameCensus.

UK surname

Couzens

An English surname derived from the Norman French "cousin" meaning cousin or relative.

In the 1881 census there were 746 people recorded with the Couzens surname, ranking it #4,923 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,352, ranked #4,459, up from #4,923 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Sporle with Palgrave, London parishes and Berwick Bassett. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Pembrokeshire, Rutland and Halton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Couzens is 1,527 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 81.2%.

1881 census count

746

Ranked #4,923

Modern count

1,352

2016, ranked #4,459

Peak year

1998

1,527 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Couzens had 746 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,923 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,352 in 2016, ranked #4,459.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,126 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Couzens surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Couzens surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Couzens 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 406 #5,963
1861 historical 398 #6,441
1881 historical 746 #4,923
1891 historical 706 #5,561
1901 historical 1,019 #4,683
1911 historical 1,126 #4,131
1997 modern 1,465 #3,993
1998 modern 1,527 #3,990
1999 modern 1,527 #4,016
2000 modern 1,509 #4,040
2001 modern 1,461 #4,076
2002 modern 1,490 #4,094
2003 modern 1,472 #4,062
2004 modern 1,445 #4,122
2005 modern 1,431 #4,123
2006 modern 1,407 #4,177
2007 modern 1,419 #4,188
2008 modern 1,419 #4,217
2009 modern 1,475 #4,168
2010 modern 1,477 #4,238
2011 modern 1,424 #4,310
2012 modern 1,399 #4,306
2013 modern 1,413 #4,335
2014 modern 1,418 #4,348
2015 modern 1,386 #4,385
2016 modern 1,352 #4,459

Geography

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Where Couzens' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Sporle with Palgrave, London parishes, Berwick Bassett and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Pembrokeshire, Rutland, Halton, South Kesteven and Rhondda Cynon Taf. 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 Sporle with Palgrave Norfolk
2 London parishes London 1
3 Berwick Bassett Wiltshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Pembrokeshire 002 Pembrokeshire
2 Rutland 004 Rutland
3 Halton 006 Halton
4 South Kesteven 008 South Kesteven
5 Rhondda Cynon Taf 005 Rhondda Cynon Taf

Forenames

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First names often paired with Couzens

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Couzens

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

Couzens is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Couzens

The surname Couzens originated in England during the medieval era. It is derived from the Old French word "cosin," meaning "cousin" or "relative." This suggests that the name may have been initially used to refer to someone who was related to a prominent family or individual.

During the Middle Ages, the Couzens surname appeared in various records and documents across England. One notable mention is in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire from 1273, where the name is recorded as "Cusyn." This early spelling variation highlights the evolving nature of surnames during that period.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England conducted in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the Couzens surname. However, it does mention the village of Cuzance in Oxfordshire, which may have influenced the development of the name in that region.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Couzens surname was William Couzens, who was born in Gloucestershire around 1350. Another notable figure was John Couzens, a merchant from Bristol who lived in the late 15th century and was involved in the thriving wool trade.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in various forms, including Cousins, Cussins, and Cussens. During this period, Thomas Couzens (1525-1592) was a prominent landowner and member of the gentry in Warwickshire.

The 17th century saw the rise of several Couzens individuals, such as Richard Couzens (1610-1678), a clergyman and author from Oxfordshire, and William Couzens (1630-1695), a successful merchant in London who owned property in the City.

In the 18th century, John Couzens (1720-1784) was a notable figure in the literary world. He was a writer and poet who published several works, including "The Pleasures of Solitude" and "The Poetical Works of John Couzens."

Moving into the 19th century, one notable individual was Sir Edward Couzens (1810-1876), a prominent politician and Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire. He was also involved in the establishment of several educational institutions in the region.

While the Couzens surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and family connections. The name's history reflects its evolution from a descriptive term to a hereditary surname, with many individuals bearing the name contributing to various fields throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Couzens families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Couzens 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. Hampshire leads with 174 Couzens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.67x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 174 11.67x
Middlesex 123 1.69x
Wiltshire 116 18.02x
Norfolk 83 7.42x
Surrey 37 1.04x
Gloucestershire 26 1.82x
Sussex 25 2.04x
Rutland 23 43.05x
Berkshire 20 3.66x
Kent 18 0.72x
Pembrokeshire 18 7.78x
Essex 13 0.91x
Glamorgan 10 0.79x
Bedfordshire 9 2.39x
Somerset 9 0.77x
Westmorland 8 5.00x
Lancashire 7 0.08x
Lincolnshire 7 0.60x
Warwickshire 6 0.33x
Yorkshire 6 0.08x
Leicestershire 3 0.37x
Midlothian 3 0.31x
Dorset 1 0.21x
Oxfordshire 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 68 Couzens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.26x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 68 23.26x
Havant 30 397.35x
Sporle With Palgrave 30 1648.35x
Islington London 24 3.40x
Slaughterford 24 5000.00x
Chippenham 23 170.37x
Draycot Cerne 21 5833.33x
Berwick Bassett 15 4545.45x
St Andrew Holborn London 15 47.60x
Essendine 14 3181.82x
Heigham 14 23.31x
Lambeth 14 2.21x
Brighton 13 5.25x
St George Hanover Square 12 9.36x
Warblington 11 185.81x
Swaffham 10 109.89x
Clipsham 9 1607.14x
Slebech 9 1000.00x
Appleby St Michael 8 222.84x
Catherington 8 243.16x
Droxford 8 140.60x
Freystrop 8 842.11x
Necton 8 404.04x
Wedmore 8 104.99x
Acton 7 16.41x
Bradford On Avon 7 33.98x
Cardiff St Mary 7 10.03x
Cheltenham 7 6.36x
Goldington 7 486.11x
Hackney London 7 1.72x
Portsmouth 7 20.38x
Ryde 7 21.85x
Shipton 7 833.33x
St Martin In Fields 7 16.07x
St Maryle Wigford 7 77.43x
Westbury 7 46.60x
Battersea 6 2.24x
Friern Barnet 6 37.43x
Liverpool 6 1.14x
Ramsgate 6 14.80x
Shoreditch London 6 1.90x
St Giles In Fields London 6 16.81x
St Pancras London 6 1.02x
Stanton St Quintin 6 821.92x
Watton 6 170.94x
Basingstoke 5 29.14x
Kensington London 5 1.24x
Romford 5 22.02x
Southwark St John 5 22.46x
St Maurice Winchester 5 80.65x
Tottenham 5 4.31x
Wick Abson 5 228.31x
Birmingham 4 0.65x
Chelmsford 4 16.23x
Great Cressingham 4 341.88x
Huddersfield 4 3.81x
Kintbury 4 94.79x
Preston Next Wingham 4 357.14x
Southwick 4 61.63x
Thetford St Cuthbert 4 98.77x
Wymering 4 163.27x
Bedhampton 3 169.49x
Chiswick 3 7.55x
Cookham 3 17.62x
Edinburgh Canongate 3 12.09x
Egham 3 13.78x
Horfield 3 20.89x
Hugglescote 3 25.27x
Llantwit Lower 3 26.93x
Margate St John Baptist 3 6.60x
Reading St Giles 3 5.60x
Southampton St Michael 3 61.10x
St Marylebone London 3 0.77x
Staines 3 26.04x
Tasburgh 3 270.27x
Thatcham 3 35.63x
Titchfield 3 26.69x
West Ham 3 0.95x
Widley 3 112.78x
Yatesbury 3 566.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 41
Elizabeth 33
Sarah 20
Alice 17
Eliza 15
Emily 15
Jane 15
Ellen 14
Emma 14
Ann 10
Annie 10
Louisa 10
Edith 8
Kate 7
Martha 7
Charlotte 6
Fanny 6
Florence 6
Harriett 6
Ada 5
Anne 5
Hannah 5
Harriet 5
Sophia 5
Catherine 4
Lydia 4
Selina 4
Amy 3
Anna 3
Caroline 3
Elizth. 3
Flora 3
Frances 3
Lucy 3
Phoebe 3
Rose 3
Blanch 2
Clara 2
Eleanor 2
Georgina 2
Henrietta 2
Julia 2
Lily 2
Maria 2
Susan 2
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
Hephzibah 1
Ina 1
Victoria 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Couzens surname: questions and answers

How common was the Couzens surname in 1881?

In 1881, 746 people were recorded with the Couzens surname. That placed it at #4,923 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Couzens surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,352 in 2016. That gives Couzens a modern rank of #4,459.

What does the Couzens surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Norman French "cousin" meaning cousin or relative.

What does the Couzens map show?

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