UK surname
A toponymic surname referring to someone from Comines, a town in northern France.
In the 1881 census there were 156 people recorded with the Cumings surname, ranking it #15,114 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 70, ranked #33,700, down from #15,114 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and St Giles-in-the-Fields. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cumings is 156 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 55.1%.
1881 census count
156
Ranked #15,114
Modern count
70
2016, ranked #33,700
Peak year
1881
156 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Cumings surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Cumings surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 119 | #15,247 |
| 1861 | historical | 74 | #24,370 |
| 1881 | historical | 156 | #15,114 |
| 1891 | historical | 122 | #21,053 |
| 1901 | historical | 107 | #21,955 |
| 1911 | historical | 85 | #24,322 |
| 1997 | modern | 78 | #29,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 77 | #30,289 |
| 1999 | modern | 77 | #30,427 |
| 2000 | modern | 74 | #30,785 |
| 2001 | modern | 74 | #30,600 |
| 2002 | modern | 77 | #30,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 74 | #31,091 |
| 2004 | modern | 78 | #30,919 |
| 2005 | modern | 69 | #32,007 |
| 2006 | modern | 73 | #31,954 |
| 2007 | modern | 69 | #32,662 |
| 2008 | modern | 68 | #33,047 |
| 2009 | modern | 75 | #32,733 |
| 2010 | modern | 76 | #33,009 |
| 2011 | modern | 78 | #32,819 |
| 2012 | modern | 73 | #33,431 |
| 2013 | modern | 77 | #33,275 |
| 2014 | modern | 79 | #33,205 |
| 2015 | modern | 75 | #33,425 |
| 2016 | modern | 70 | #33,700 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, St Giles-in-the-Fields and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | St Giles-in-the-Fields | London (Central Districts) |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Cumings surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Cumings, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Cumings surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Cumings household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Cumings is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Cumings is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Cumings, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname CUMINGS has its origins in England, where it first emerged in the late 11th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "cumen" and "ingas," which together translate to "newcomers" or "descendants of the newcomers." This suggests that the name may have initially been given to families or individuals who had recently arrived in a particular area or settlement.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England, commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book mentions a landowner named Cumings, who held property in the county of Hertfordshire.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various historical records with slight spelling variations, such as Cumming, Comyng, and Cumyn. These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the inconsistent nature of spelling during that time period.
Historically, the CUMINGS surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One such individual was Sir John Cumings, a Scottish knight who fought in the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. He was a close companion of Robert the Bruce and played a crucial role in several battles, including the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
Another prominent figure with the CUMINGS surname was William Cumings, an English explorer and navigator who participated in several voyages to the West Indies in the late 16th century. He is credited with mapping and charting various islands in the Caribbean and is believed to have been among the first Europeans to set foot on the island of Barbados.
In the literary world, Mary CUMINGS (1787-1828) was an English poet and writer known for her lyrical works and her advocacy for women's education. Her poetry collection, "Poems on Various Subjects," published in 1818, received critical acclaim and brought attention to the plight of women in that era.
The CUMINGS surname has also been associated with several notable scientists and inventors. Robert CUMINGS (1826-1909) was an American engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of early telegraph systems. He held numerous patents for improvements in telegraph technology and played a vital role in the expansion of communication networks in the United States.
Lastly, John CUMINGS (1876-1942) was a British architect known for his work in the Arts and Crafts movement. He designed several notable buildings in England, including the Whitechapel Art Gallery in London and the Birmingham Oratory, which are celebrated for their intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cumings surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 45 Cumings' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.00x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 45 | 3.00x |
| Surrey | 23 | 3.14x |
| Durham | 21 | 4.70x |
| Yorkshire | 20 | 1.34x |
| Glamorgan | 10 | 3.82x |
| Ayrshire | 8 | 7.12x |
| Buckinghamshire | 8 | 8.81x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.28x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 0.68x |
| Lanarkshire | 2 | 0.41x |
| Renfrewshire | 2 | 1.72x |
| Sussex | 2 | 0.79x |
| Angus | 1 | 0.72x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 0.77x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.32x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.32x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 0.92x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.41x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 16 Cumings' recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.99x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Islington London | 16 | 10.99x |
| Lambeth | 13 | 9.93x |
| Newbottle | 11 | 450.82x |
| Swansea Town | 10 | 46.64x |
| Linthorpe | 9 | 101.35x |
| Whitby | 9 | 179.28x |
| Monks Risborough | 8 | 1818.18x |
| St Mary Le Strand London | 8 | 1454.55x |
| Dalmellington | 7 | 211.48x |
| Chelsea London | 6 | 13.25x |
| Bow London | 5 | 26.15x |
| Dawdon | 5 | 90.91x |
| St Giles In Fields London | 5 | 67.84x |
| Croydon | 4 | 9.84x |
| Tunstall | 4 | 180.18x |
| Birkdale | 3 | 66.52x |
| Rotherhithe | 3 | 16.16x |
| Brighton | 2 | 3.91x |
| Glasgow | 2 | 2.32x |
| Kilbarchan | 2 | 56.50x |
| Ayr | 1 | 18.83x |
| Bedwellty | 1 | 5.22x |
| Bristol St Philip Jacob | 1 | 3.60x |
| Cheltenham | 1 | 4.40x |
| Clapham | 1 | 5.32x |
| Dewsbury | 1 | 6.55x |
| Dundee | 1 | 1.92x |
| Farnborough | 1 | 30.96x |
| Gateshead | 1 | 2.99x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 4.27x |
| Huddersfield | 1 | 4.61x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 1.20x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 0.92x |
| Newington | 1 | 1.80x |
| Seaton | 1 | 82.64x |
| St Botolph Bishopsgate | 1 | 46.95x |
| St Cuthbert Within | 1 | 66.67x |
| St James Dukes Place | 1 | 312.50x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 0.83x |
| Sutton | 1 | 18.87x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 1.66x |
| Weston Super Mare | 1 | 16.37x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Cumings surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 9 |
| Sarah | 8 |
| Elizabeth | 5 |
| Ellen | 5 |
| Margaret | 5 |
| Emma | 4 |
| Ann | 3 |
| Bridget | 2 |
| Edith | 2 |
| Emily | 2 |
| Harriet | 2 |
| Isabella | 2 |
| Ada | 1 |
| Adelaide | 1 |
| Alice | 1 |
| Angelina | 1 |
| Anna | 1 |
| Annie | 1 |
| Carrie | 1 |
| Catherin | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Daizy | 1 |
| Eliza | 1 |
| Grace | 1 |
| Hannah | 1 |
| Harriett | 1 |
| Jennet | 1 |
| Jesse | 1 |
| Jessie | 1 |
| Kate | 1 |
| Lizzie | 1 |
| Louisa | 1 |
| Lucy | 1 |
| Margrate | 1 |
| Melora | 1 |
| Nellie | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Susannah | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Cumings surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Cumings households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 35 |
| General Laborer | 4 |
| Milliner | 3 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Coal Putter | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Servant Domestic | 2 |
| Umbrella Maker | 2 |
| Wife | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Boiler Maker | 1 |
| Bootmaker | 1 |
| Bottle Maker | 1 |
| Bricklayers Lab | 1 |
| Cheesemonger | 1 |
| Cloth Weaver | 1 |
| Collier Engineman | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Cook Dom Ser | 1 |
| Coster Monger | 1 |
| Domestic Servt | 1 |
| Drapers Assistant | 1 |
| Drapers Asst | 1 |
| Drapers Clerk | 1 |
| Farm Labr | 1 |
| Fire Man | 1 |
| Gen Lab | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| Genl Servt Domes | 1 |
| Hosier | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Irondresser | 1 |
| Jet Worker (Lapidary) | 1 |
| Jewellers Assistant | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Lace Maker | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Mill Worker (Text) (C) | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Plasterer | 1 |
| Plasterer Out Of Employment | 1 |
| Porter Berlin Shop | 1 |
| Retired Mercantile Captain | 1 |
| Seamstress | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Servant Page Boy (Dom) | 1 |
| Soap Stamper (Maker) | 1 |
| Tavern Waiter Inn | 1 |
| Tin Plate Worker | 1 |
| Wife Of Hosier | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 156 people were recorded with the Cumings surname. That placed it at #15,114 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 70 in 2016. That gives Cumings a modern rank of #33,700.
A toponymic surname referring to someone from Comines, a town in northern France.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Cumings bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.