NameCensus.

UK surname

Emma

A surname derived from the Germanic root "amma" meaning "grandmother" or "elderly woman".

In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Emma surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 138, ranked #25,127, up from #32,926 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Manchester and Mottram-in-Longdendale. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hackney and Bromsgrove.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Emma is 269 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2200.0%.

1881 census count

6

Ranked #32,926

Modern count

138

2016, ranked #25,127

Peak year

1861

269 bearers

Map years

5

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Emma had 6 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,926 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 138 in 2016, ranked #25,127.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 269 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Emma surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Emma surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Emma 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 109 #16,212
1861 historical 269 #9,244
1881 historical 6 #32,926
1891 historical 124 #20,818
1901 historical 38 #29,914
1911 historical 117 #20,757
1997 modern 21 #35,692
1998 modern 15 #36,457
1999 modern 16 #36,371
2000 modern 19 #36,007
2001 modern 13 #36,483
2002 modern 20 #35,894
2003 modern 19 #36,011
2004 modern 23 #35,786
2005 modern 24 #35,827
2006 modern 32 #35,392
2007 modern 45 #34,699
2008 modern 39 #35,191
2009 modern 39 #35,321
2010 modern 48 #34,946
2011 modern 54 #34,563
2012 modern 93 #31,409
2013 modern 96 #31,381
2014 modern 105 #30,204
2015 modern 112 #28,809
2016 modern 138 #25,127

Geography

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Where Emmas are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Manchester, Mottram-in-Longdendale, St Leonard Bromley and Madeley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hackney and Bromsgrove. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Mottram-in-Longdendale Lancashire
4 St Leonard Bromley London (East Districts)
5 Madeley Shropshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hackney 006 Hackney
2 Bromsgrove 011 Bromsgrove

Forenames

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First names often paired with Emma

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Emma

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Emma, 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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Emma surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Emma 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Emma is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Emma is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Emma falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Emma is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Emma

The surname Emma has its origins in England and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word 'eme', which means 'uncle' or 'relative'. The name was likely used as a nickname or descriptive term for someone who had a close relative or who was considered a relative in some way.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Emma can be found in the Domesday Book, a detailed survey of land and property conducted in 1086 on the orders of William the Conqueror. The name is listed as 'Eme' and 'Emme', suggesting that the spelling had not yet been standardized.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname Emma began to appear more frequently in various records and documents across England. It was often associated with specific regions or localities, leading to variations in spelling such as 'Emme', 'Emmys', and 'Emmys'.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Emma in history include Sir John Emma, a member of the English gentry who lived in the 15th century and owned land in Oxfordshire. Another prominent figure was Richard Emma, a merchant and alderman in the city of London during the late 16th century.

In the 17th century, the name Emma was associated with several place names in England, such as Emma Green in Surrey and Emma Hill in Wiltshire. These place names likely derived from individuals or families who lived in those areas and bore the surname Emma.

Other notable individuals with the surname Emma include Thomas Emma, a farmer and landowner who lived in Gloucestershire in the late 18th century, and William Emma, a prominent lawyer and judge who served in the English court system during the early 19th century, born in 1785 and died in 1857.

By the 19th century, the surname Emma had become well-established across various regions of England, with families bearing the name found in counties such as Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Buckinghamshire. Despite its widespread use, the name maintained a strong connection to its English roots and remained relatively uncommon outside of the country.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Emma families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Emma 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. Monmouthshire leads with 2 Emmas recorded in 1881 and an index of 47.39x.

County Total Index
Monmouthshire 2 47.39x
Essex 1 8.67x
Gloucestershire 1 8.73x
Lancashire 1 1.44x
Perthshire 1 38.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Trevethin in Monmouthshire leads with 2 Emmas recorded in 1881 and an index of 500.00x.

Place Total Index
Trevethin 2 500.00x
Dalton In Furness 1 370.37x
Manningtree 1 5000.00x
Perth West Church 1 833.33x
Westbury On Severn East 1 384.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Daur 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Harry 1
Silas 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Emma households.

FAQ

Emma surname: questions and answers

How common was the Emma surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Emma surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Emma surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 138 in 2016. That gives Emma a modern rank of #25,127.

What does the Emma surname mean?

A surname derived from the Germanic root "amma" meaning "grandmother" or "elderly woman".

What does the Emma map show?

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