NameCensus.

UK surname

Fanning

Derived from an Irish surname meaning "descendant of Fainneán," a diminutive of "fann" meaning "fair" or "white."

In the 1881 census there were 324 people recorded with the Fanning surname, ranking it #9,214 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,222, ranked #4,872, up from #9,214 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Manchester and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Salford, Isle of Wight and Possil Park.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fanning is 1,311 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 277.2%.

1881 census count

324

Ranked #9,214

Modern count

1,222

2016, ranked #4,872

Peak year

1999

1,311 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fanning had 324 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,214 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,222 in 2016, ranked #4,872.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 572 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Fanning surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fanning surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fanning 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 152 #12,786
1861 historical 222 #10,993
1881 historical 324 #9,214
1891 historical 385 #9,150
1901 historical 572 #7,333
1911 historical 465 #8,292
1997 modern 1,257 #4,535
1998 modern 1,295 #4,587
1999 modern 1,311 #4,567
2000 modern 1,304 #4,565
2001 modern 1,270 #4,576
2002 modern 1,282 #4,632
2003 modern 1,243 #4,660
2004 modern 1,245 #4,657
2005 modern 1,224 #4,675
2006 modern 1,221 #4,707
2007 modern 1,227 #4,732
2008 modern 1,212 #4,805
2009 modern 1,232 #4,841
2010 modern 1,281 #4,760
2011 modern 1,251 #4,816
2012 modern 1,226 #4,828
2013 modern 1,238 #4,864
2014 modern 1,243 #4,860
2015 modern 1,230 #4,863
2016 modern 1,222 #4,872

Geography

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Where Fannings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Salford, Isle of Wight, Possil Park and Hounslow. 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 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Salford 029 Salford
2 Salford 030 Salford
3 Isle of Wight 004 Isle of Wight
4 Possil Park Glasgow City
5 Hounslow 014 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fanning

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Fanning

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Fanning surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Fanning household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Fanning 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

Fanning 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

Fanning falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Fanning is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Fanning

The surname Fanning is of Irish origin and derives from the Gaelic personal name Fionnán, meaning "fair" or "white." The name was initially widespread in the counties of Tipperary, Limerick, and Cork, where it was particularly prevalent.

The earliest recorded instance of the Fanning surname dates back to the 13th century, appearing in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. The Annals mention a prominent clan member, Domnall Ó Fionnáin, who was a notable figure during this period.

In the 16th century, the Fanning family was closely associated with the territory of Ormond, which encompassed parts of modern-day Tipperary and Kilkenny. Several members of the clan held influential positions within the Butler dynasty, who ruled over Ormond as earls.

One notable individual bearing the Fanning surname was Edmund Fanning (1737-1818), a British loyalist during the American Revolutionary War. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the King's American Regiment and later became the lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Another prominent figure was Nathaniel Fanning (1755-1805), an American naval officer and privateer during the American Revolutionary War. He famously captured several British ships and earned a reputation as a daring and skilled seaman.

In the 19th century, John Fanning Watson (1779-1860), an American writer and antiquarian, made significant contributions to the preservation of Philadelphia's history. His works, such as "Annals of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania in the Olden Time," became invaluable resources for understanding the city's early history.

In the realm of literature, Irish writer John Fanning (1855-1932) gained recognition for his novels and short stories, which often explored themes of Irish rural life. His works, including "Mr. Dooley's Philosophy" and "The Cheery Way," earned him critical acclaim.

Another notable bearer of the Fanning surname was Robert Fanning (1882-1942), an American inventor and engineer. He is credited with developing the first successful electric dishwasher, which revolutionized household appliances and paved the way for modern dishwashing technology.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Fanning families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fanning 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. Lancashire leads with 79 Fannings recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.15x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 79 2.15x
Middlesex 62 2.00x
Lanarkshire 33 3.29x
Surrey 33 2.18x
Yorkshire 26 0.85x
Cheshire 14 2.04x
Durham 9 0.98x
Somerset 8 1.60x
Cumberland 7 2.62x
Kent 7 0.66x
Midlothian 6 1.44x
Hampshire 5 0.79x
Essex 4 0.65x
Inverness-shire 4 4.32x
Warwickshire 4 0.51x
Anglesey 3 5.46x
Berkshire 3 1.29x
Denbighshire 2 1.71x
Banffshire 1 1.55x
Derbyshire 1 0.21x
Devon 1 0.15x
Dorset 1 0.49x
Flintshire 1 1.20x
Lincolnshire 1 0.20x
Northumberland 1 0.22x
Staffordshire 1 0.10x
Sussex 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 17 Fannings recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.60x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 17 7.60x
Govan 11 4.43x
Toxteth Park 11 8.83x
Mile End Old Town London 10 15.15x
Bradford 9 12.10x
Twickenham 9 67.67x
Bermondsey 8 8.66x
Hulme 8 10.41x
Pendleton In Salford 8 18.24x
Salford 8 7.39x
St Martin In Fields 8 43.08x
Birkenhead 7 12.83x
Hamilton 7 25.02x
Lyncombe Widcombe 7 53.56x
Barony 6 2.36x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 6 3.59x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 6 15.01x
Islington London 6 2.00x
Leeds 6 3.46x
Manchester 6 3.62x
Penge 6 30.29x
Pownall Fee 6 196.08x
Workington 6 39.24x
Blantyre 5 47.89x
Bootle Cum Linacre 5 17.11x
Chelsea London 5 5.35x
Everton 5 4.26x
Hunslet 5 10.43x
Putney 5 35.36x
West Derby 5 4.64x
Cheriton 4 92.81x
St George In East London 4 13.71x
St Giles In Fields London 4 26.28x
Wimbledon 4 23.57x
Aldershot 3 14.08x
Birmingham 3 1.15x
Brentwood 3 80.43x
Dorking 3 29.56x
Gateshead 3 4.34x
Hammersmith London 3 3.93x
Urquhart Glenmoriston 3 114.50x
Whitchurch 3 312.50x
Amlwch 2 38.68x
Battersea 2 1.75x
Deptford St Paul 2 2.45x
Glasgow 2 1.12x
Hampstead London 2 4.14x
Paddington London 2 1.75x
Sheffield 2 2.04x
Wigan 2 3.89x
Abergele 1 29.67x
Aberlour 1 49.02x
Bedford 1 12.99x
Blackburn 1 1.02x
Brymbo 1 24.51x
Camberwell 1 0.50x
Carisbrooke 1 11.33x
Colchester St Botolph 1 19.19x
Cotton 1 144.93x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 1.60x
Farnborough 1 14.97x
Frome 1 8.38x
Harrow 1 21.10x
Holy Trinity 1 1.35x
Hope 1 24.10x
Inverness 1 4.29x
Kensington London 1 0.58x
Kingston On Thames 1 2.75x
Knaith Lea Gate Burton 1 256.41x
Litchurch 1 5.12x
Llandysilio 1 58.14x
Old Monkland 1 2.51x
Portland 1 9.13x
Richmond 1 4.72x
St George Martyr London 1 15.92x
St Marylebone London 1 0.60x
Tonbridge 1 2.62x
Wallsend 1 6.83x
Whitechapel London 1 3.27x
Wortley In Bramley 1 4.11x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 28
Ellen 9
Elizabeth 8
Emma 5
Ann 4
Margaret 4
Martha 4
Alice 3
Annie 3
Bridget 3
Catherine 3
Johanna 3
Lizzie 3
Matilda 3
Anna 2
Caroline 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Isabella 2
Jane 2
Kate 2
Lydia 2
Marion 2
Sarah 2
Anastasia 1
Arabella 1
Bettie 1
Catherini 1
Charlotte 1
Christina 1
Eleanor 1
Elen 1
Elenor 1
Elizh. 1
Esther 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Honora 1
Janet 1
Leah 1
Lilian 1
Louisa 1
Maggie 1
Margartela 1
Oriana 1
Rose 1
Ruth 1
Sophia 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 28
William 19
James 11
Thomas 11
Michael 9
George 7
Edward 6
Patrick 5
Daniel 4
Alfred 3
Joseph 3
Richard 3
Francis 2
Herbert 2
Matthew 2
Peter 2
Robert 2
Caroline 1
Charles 1
Cornelius 1
Dennis 1
Dominick 1
Edwd. 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
Henry 1
Jonathan 1
Lawrence 1
Mark 1
Mathew 1
Michel 1
Philip 1
Thos. 1
W.H. 1
Walter 1
Wm 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Fanning surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fanning surname in 1881?

In 1881, 324 people were recorded with the Fanning surname. That placed it at #9,214 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fanning surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,222 in 2016. That gives Fanning a modern rank of #4,872.

What does the Fanning surname mean?

Derived from an Irish surname meaning "descendant of Fainneán," a diminutive of "fann" meaning "fair" or "white."

What does the Fanning map show?

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