UK surname
A variant of the surname Cunning, perhaps referring to skill or ingenuity.
In the 1881 census there were 16 people recorded with the Cunnings surname, ranking it #31,301 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 23, ranked #36,457, down from #31,301 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cunnings is 470 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 43.8%.
1881 census count
16
Ranked #31,301
Modern count
23
2016, ranked #36,457
Peak year
1891
470 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Cunnings surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Cunnings surname density by area, 1911 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 | 80 | #19,558 |
| 1861 | historical | 240 | #10,226 |
| 1881 | historical | 16 | #31,301 |
| 1891 | historical | 470 | #7,798 |
| 1901 | historical | 252 | #13,068 |
| 1911 | historical | 253 | #12,776 |
| 1997 | modern | 16 | #36,292 |
| 1998 | modern | 20 | #35,885 |
| 1999 | modern | 21 | #35,810 |
| 2000 | modern | 14 | #36,522 |
| 2001 | modern | 14 | #36,372 |
| 2002 | modern | 14 | #36,484 |
| 2003 | modern | 13 | #36,620 |
| 2004 | modern | 13 | #36,742 |
| 2005 | modern | 16 | #36,530 |
| 2006 | modern | 16 | #36,601 |
| 2007 | modern | 16 | #36,714 |
| 2008 | modern | 19 | #36,534 |
| 2009 | modern | 20 | #36,534 |
| 2010 | modern | 23 | #36,400 |
| 2011 | modern | 21 | #36,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 18 | #36,723 |
| 2013 | modern | 17 | #36,857 |
| 2014 | modern | 22 | #36,496 |
| 2015 | modern | 23 | #36,424 |
| 2016 | modern | 23 | #36,457 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes, Gateshead, St Dunstan Stepney 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 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 4 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East 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 Cunnings 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 Cunnings, 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 Cunnings surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Cunnings 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, Cunnings 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 Cunnings is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Cunnings, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Cunnings is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "cunnan," meaning "to know" or "to be skilled." This suggests that the name was initially given as a descriptive surname to individuals who possessed a particular skill or expertise.
In the 13th century, records show the name appearing as "Conynges" in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, referring to individuals residing in the county. The spelling variations during this time included "Conyngs," "Connyngs," and "Cunings," reflecting the regional dialects and the flexibility of spelling conventions.
The Cunnings surname can be traced back to the 11th century, as evidenced by its inclusion in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This historical document mentions several individuals bearing the name, though the exact spellings may vary.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, where a certain Robert Conynges is listed among the taxpayers. Additionally, the name appears in various legal documents and court records from the 14th and 15th centuries, indicating its widespread use across different regions of England.
Notable individuals bearing the Cunnings surname throughout history include:
1. William Cunnings (c. 1460-1525), an English landowner and merchant from Gloucestershire, who established a successful wool trade business.
2. Elizabeth Cunnings (1567-1643), a renowned herbalist and midwife from Warwickshire, known for her expertise in traditional medicine.
3. John Cunnings (1628-1699), a prominent Puritan minister and author from Suffolk, who wrote several influential religious texts.
4. Thomas Cunnings (1712-1788), an English architect and builder from Lincolnshire, responsible for designing several notable churches and manor houses.
5. Mary Cunnings (1789-1857), a philanthropist and social reformer from Yorkshire, who campaigned for better living conditions for the poor and advocated for women's education.
The Cunnings name has also been associated with various place names, such as Cunnings Hill in Hertfordshire and Cunnings Farm in Wiltshire, further reflecting its deep-rooted connection to English history and geography.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cunnings 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 4 Cunnings' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.74x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh High Church in Midlothian leads with 4 Cunnings' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3333.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh High Church | 4 | 3333.33x |
| Bow London | 3 | 161.29x |
| Pewsey | 3 | 3000.00x |
| Middleton In Teesdale | 2 | 1818.18x |
| Hornsey | 1 | 54.05x |
| Sorn | 1 | 476.19x |
| Weymouth | 1 | 555.56x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Cunnings surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Cunnings 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 Cunnings households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Farm Servant | 2 |
| Hawker | 2 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Domestic General Servant | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Staymaker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 16 people were recorded with the Cunnings surname. That placed it at #31,301 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 23 in 2016. That gives Cunnings a modern rank of #36,457.
A variant of the surname Cunning, perhaps referring to skill or ingenuity.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Cunnings 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.