UK surname
A Jewish occupational surname referring to a taxi driver or chauffeur, derived from the Yiddish word "ferman."
In the 1881 census there were 36 people recorded with the Ferman surname, ranking it #28,559 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 45, ranked #35,162, down from #28,559 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Gosforth, London parishes and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ferman is 153 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.0%.
1881 census count
36
Ranked #28,559
Modern count
45
2016, ranked #35,162
Peak year
1861
153 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Ferman surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Ferman surname density by area, 1891 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 | 53 | #23,739 |
| 1861 | historical | 153 | #15,032 |
| 1881 | historical | 36 | #28,559 |
| 1891 | historical | 113 | #22,162 |
| 1901 | historical | 64 | #27,010 |
| 1911 | historical | 40 | #28,913 |
| 1997 | modern | 45 | #33,168 |
| 1998 | modern | 51 | #32,816 |
| 1999 | modern | 56 | #32,461 |
| 2000 | modern | 46 | #33,458 |
| 2001 | modern | 45 | #33,401 |
| 2002 | modern | 49 | #33,377 |
| 2003 | modern | 46 | #33,710 |
| 2004 | modern | 46 | #33,883 |
| 2005 | modern | 48 | #33,932 |
| 2006 | modern | 49 | #34,152 |
| 2007 | modern | 51 | #34,272 |
| 2008 | modern | 53 | #34,315 |
| 2009 | modern | 57 | #34,225 |
| 2010 | modern | 54 | #34,582 |
| 2011 | modern | 56 | #34,450 |
| 2012 | modern | 49 | #34,873 |
| 2013 | modern | 45 | #35,167 |
| 2014 | modern | 44 | #35,241 |
| 2015 | modern | 44 | #35,212 |
| 2016 | modern | 45 | #35,162 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Gosforth, London parishes, Toxteth Park, Margate and Haughley. 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 | Gosforth | Northumberland |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 4 | Margate | Kent |
| 5 | Haughley | Suffolk |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Ferman 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 Ferman, 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 Ferman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Ferman 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, Ferman 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 Ferman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Ferman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Ferman is of German origin, derived from the medieval German word "ferman," which means "carrier" or "porter." It is believed to have originated in the 13th century in the region of Bavaria, where many people were employed as porters or carriers, transporting goods and materials from one place to another.
The name Ferman first appeared in historical records in the late 14th century, with the earliest known record being a mention of a "Johannes Ferman" in the city archives of Nuremberg, dated 1387. It is likely that this individual was a porter or carrier by profession, as the name suggests.
Another early recorded instance of the name can be found in the "Einwohnerbuch" (resident book) of the city of Munich, which lists a "Hans Ferman" as a resident in the year 1431. This document provides valuable insight into the geographical spread of the name within Germany during the 15th century.
In the 16th century, the Ferman surname gained prominence with the birth of Johannes Ferman (1502-1568), a German Protestant theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. He was a close associate of Martin Luther and actively participated in the spread of Lutheran teachings throughout Germany.
Another notable bearer of the Ferman surname was Friedrich Ferman (1698-1776), a German painter and engraver who was known for his intricate works depicting landscapes and architectural scenes. His paintings and engravings can be found in various museums and art collections across Europe.
In the 19th century, the Ferman surname gained recognition with the birth of Karl Ferman (1830-1901), a German industrialist and entrepreneur who established one of the largest steel manufacturing companies in the region of Saxony. His company played a crucial role in the industrialization of Germany during the latter half of the 19th century.
As the Ferman surname spread across Germany and Europe, it also underwent various spelling variations, such as Fermann, Ferman, and Fermanns. Additionally, the name has been associated with certain place names, such as Fermanville in France and Fermanagh in Ireland, although the direct connection between these place names and the surname is not entirely clear.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ferman 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. Surrey leads with 8 Fermans recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.68x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 8 | 4.68x |
| Essex | 6 | 8.66x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.71x |
| Glamorgan | 4 | 6.54x |
| Durham | 3 | 2.87x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.72x |
| Lincolnshire | 2 | 3.56x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.83x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.88x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.69x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.29x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ardleigh in Essex leads with 6 Fermans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3157.89x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Ardleigh | 6 | 3157.89x |
| Croydon | 5 | 52.63x |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 4 | 68.03x |
| Mile End New Town London | 3 | 434.78x |
| West Derby | 3 | 24.61x |
| Westoe | 3 | 50.68x |
| Bermondsey | 2 | 19.14x |
| Broadwater | 1 | 73.53x |
| Govan | 1 | 3.56x |
| Great Grimsby | 1 | 28.09x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 18.28x |
| Hessle In Sculcoates | 1 | 322.58x |
| Kidbrooke | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 3.27x |
| Louth | 1 | 77.52x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 7.75x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 16.16x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Ferman 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 Ferman 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 Ferman households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Agl Lab | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Asst Provision Worker | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Fish Smoker | 1 |
| Fisherman | 1 |
| Footman | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| General Ser | 1 |
| Hauler | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Labourer In Iron Worksd | 1 |
| Mariners Wife | 1 |
| Parlor Maid DS | 1 |
| Potman | 1 |
| Ship Carpenter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 36 people were recorded with the Ferman surname. That placed it at #28,559 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 45 in 2016. That gives Ferman a modern rank of #35,162.
A Jewish occupational surname referring to a taxi driver or chauffeur, derived from the Yiddish word "ferman."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Ferman 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.