NameCensus.

UK surname

Ernst

A German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname meaning "serious" or "resolute," derived from the German word "ernst."

In the 1881 census there were 49 people recorded with the Ernst surname, ranking it #26,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 146, ranked #24,173, up from #26,735 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Solihull, Eden and Tendring.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ernst is 147 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 198.0%.

1881 census count

49

Ranked #26,735

Modern count

146

2016, ranked #24,173

Peak year

2014

147 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ernst had 49 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,735 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 146 in 2016, ranked #24,173.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 94 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Ernst surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ernst surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ernst 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 19 #29,904
1861 historical 26 #30,677
1881 historical 49 #26,735
1891 historical 46 #30,657
1901 historical 85 #24,636
1911 historical 94 #23,391
1997 modern 102 #26,638
1998 modern 103 #27,141
1999 modern 108 #26,602
2000 modern 97 #28,142
2001 modern 100 #27,402
2002 modern 106 #26,985
2003 modern 105 #26,940
2004 modern 102 #27,637
2005 modern 103 #27,531
2006 modern 104 #27,646
2007 modern 105 #27,868
2008 modern 108 #27,684
2009 modern 108 #28,311
2010 modern 122 #26,876
2011 modern 116 #27,477
2012 modern 127 #25,992
2013 modern 138 #25,020
2014 modern 147 #24,177
2015 modern 137 #25,226
2016 modern 146 #24,173

Geography

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Where Ernsts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Solihull, Eden, Tendring, Ashford and Havering. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Solihull 026 Solihull
2 Eden 002 Eden
3 Tendring 018 Tendring
4 Ashford 013 Ashford
5 Havering 012 Havering

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ernst

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ernst

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Ernst, 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 Ernst surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Ernst 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, Ernst 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

Ernst 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

Ernst falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ernst 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Ernst

The surname ERNST originates from Germany and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Germanic given name Ernst, which means "stern" or "serious." The name's earliest known use as a surname can be traced back to the 12th century in the present-day German states of Bavaria and Saxony.

In the 13th century, the surname ERNST appeared in various Latin documents and medieval records across German-speaking regions. One notable mention is in the Codex Traditionum Corbeiensium, a medieval cartulary from the Benedictine abbey in Corvey, which lists several individuals with the surname ERNST.

The surname ERNST was also found in the Bairische Stammtafeln, a collection of genealogical records from Bavaria, dating back to the 14th century. This suggests that the name was well-established in southern Germany during this period.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname ERNST was Johann ERNST, a German scholar and philosopher who lived from 1454 to 1513. He was a professor at the University of Ingolstadt and wrote extensively on theology and logic.

Another notable figure was Valerius ERNST, a German composer and organist who lived from 1570 to 1630. He was employed at the court of the Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg and is known for his sacred compositions and instrumental works.

In the 17th century, the surname ERNST spread to other parts of Europe. For example, Johann Arnold ERNST was a Dutch artist and engraver who lived from 1623 to 1685. He is renowned for his intricate landscape etchings and prints.

Moving to the 19th century, Heinrich Wilhelm ERNST was a German violinist and composer who lived from 1814 to 1865. He was a virtuoso performer and wrote several influential works for the violin, including his renowned Élégie.

Another notable figure was Max ERNST, a German painter and sculptor who played a pivotal role in the Dada and Surrealist movements. He lived from 1891 to 1976 and is celebrated for his innovative techniques and surreal imagery.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ernst families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ernst 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. Middlesex leads with 23 Ernsts recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.81x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 23 4.81x
Lancashire 11 1.94x
Surrey 5 2.15x
Somerset 2 2.60x
Buckinghamshire 1 3.46x
Denbighshire 1 5.54x
Glamorgan 1 1.20x
Gloucestershire 1 1.07x
Hampshire 1 1.02x
Kent 1 0.61x
Sussex 1 1.24x
Yorkshire 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 6 Ernsts recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.39x.

Place Total Index
Hackney London 6 22.39x
Bethnal Green London 5 24.08x
Oldham 4 21.86x
Stoke Newington London 4 107.53x
St Pancras London 3 7.80x
Wimbledon 3 114.94x
Batcombe 2 2000.00x
Rusholme 2 132.45x
Stretford 2 64.10x
Toxteth Park 2 10.42x
Battersea 1 5.69x
Bradford 1 8.72x
Charlton Next Woolwich 1 58.82x
Enfield 1 31.85x
Eyton Royton 1 2000.00x
Fulham London 1 14.43x
Gloucester Barton St 1 181.82x
Newington 1 5.66x
Newport Pagnell 1 166.67x
Ore 1 166.67x
Oystermouth 1 156.25x
Paddington London 1 5.69x
Southampton St Mary 1 16.23x
St George Bloomsbury 1 36.50x
St Marylebone London 1 3.92x
Whittingham 1 400.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 4
Florence 2
Ada 1
Alice 1
Anna 1
Antonia 1
Babette 1
Bertha 1
Clara 1
Dora 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Emy 1
Ethel 1
F. 1
Frederickara 1
Henrietta 1
Johanna 1
Katchon 1
Katherina 1
Louisa 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Marie 1
Mary 1
Maudie 1
Maurann 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 2
Albert 1
Augustini 1
Cecil 1
Charles 1
Christor 1
Emil 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Henry 1
Hermann 1
Horace 1
James 1
Julius 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
William 1

FAQ

Ernst surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ernst surname in 1881?

In 1881, 49 people were recorded with the Ernst surname. That placed it at #26,735 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ernst surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 146 in 2016. That gives Ernst a modern rank of #24,173.

What does the Ernst surname mean?

A German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname meaning "serious" or "resolute," derived from the German word "ernst."

What does the Ernst map show?

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