NameCensus.

UK surname

Fine

Derived from a nickname for a sophisticated or elegant person, or from the French word "fin" meaning "end."

In the 1881 census there were 114 people recorded with the Fine surname, ranking it #18,324 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 433, ranked #11,120, up from #18,324 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Hendon. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hertsmere, Barnet and Bury.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fine is 459 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 279.8%.

1881 census count

114

Ranked #18,324

Modern count

433

2016, ranked #11,120

Peak year

1999

459 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fine had 114 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,324 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 433 in 2016, ranked #11,120.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 321 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Fine surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fine surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fine 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 32 #27,570
1861 historical 78 #23,836
1881 historical 114 #18,324
1891 historical 153 #18,078
1901 historical 245 #13,298
1911 historical 321 #10,902
1997 modern 440 #10,247
1998 modern 453 #10,358
1999 modern 459 #10,310
2000 modern 446 #10,516
2001 modern 444 #10,348
2002 modern 443 #10,577
2003 modern 431 #10,653
2004 modern 425 #10,779
2005 modern 428 #10,619
2006 modern 416 #10,912
2007 modern 412 #11,116
2008 modern 420 #11,033
2009 modern 429 #11,094
2010 modern 442 #11,066
2011 modern 434 #11,096
2012 modern 419 #11,295
2013 modern 427 #11,325
2014 modern 449 #10,926
2015 modern 436 #11,099
2016 modern 433 #11,120

Geography

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Where Fines are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Hendon, Manchester and Camborne. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hertsmere, Barnet and Bury. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Hendon Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Camborne Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hertsmere 013 Hertsmere
2 Barnet 033 Barnet
3 Bury 019 Bury
4 Hertsmere 005 Hertsmere
5 Barnet 032 Barnet

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fine

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Fine

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Fine surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Fine household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Fine is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Fine 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

Fine falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Fine 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
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Fine

The surname Fine is of English origin, and it is believed to have originated in the 12th or 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old French word "fin," which means "fine" or "noble." It was likely given as a nickname to someone who had a refined or distinguished manner.

In medieval times, surnames were often descriptive and based on a person's appearance, occupation, or personal characteristics. The name Fine may have been used to refer to someone who was seen as elegant or of high social status.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Fine can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were a survey of landowners in England. The name appears as "le Fyn," which supports the theory of its French origin.

Another early reference to the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1307, where a person named Richard le Fyne is mentioned. This indicates that the surname was already well-established in England by the early 14th century.

During the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance period, several notable individuals bore the surname Fine. One example is John Fine (c. 1480 - c. 1540), who was an English translator and scholar known for his translations of works by Erasmus and other humanist writers.

In the 16th century, there was a family of Fine landowners in the county of Northamptonshire, England. The most prominent member of this family was Sir John Fine (1528 - 1589), who served as a Member of Parliament and High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

Another significant figure with the surname Fine was Sir Christopher Fine (c. 1580 - 1644), who was a prominent English lawyer and politician during the reign of King Charles I. He served as a Member of Parliament and was involved in important legal cases of his time.

In the 17th century, the name Fine was also found in other parts of England, such as Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, where it may have been associated with place names derived from the Old English word "fenn," meaning "marsh" or "fen."

Over the centuries, the surname Fine has been spelled in various ways, including Fyne, Fynn, and Fynne, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common before standardized spelling became widespread.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Fine families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fine 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. Cornwall leads with 20 Fines recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.03x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 20 16.03x
Lancashire 20 1.53x
Monmouthshire 14 17.57x
Middlesex 13 1.18x
Staffordshire 9 2.42x
Essex 8 3.68x
Yorkshire 7 0.64x
Kent 6 1.60x
Surrey 4 0.74x
Warwickshire 4 1.44x
Glamorgan 3 1.56x
Westmorland 2 8.26x
Durham 1 0.31x
Fife 1 1.53x
Hampshire 1 0.44x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camborne in Cornwall leads with 16 Fines recorded in 1881 and an index of 311.28x.

Place Total Index
Camborne 16 311.28x
Bedwellty 14 99.50x
Burslem 9 84.43x
Cheetham 6 61.48x
Folkestone 6 82.30x
Holy Trinity 6 22.84x
Leyton Low 6 135.75x
Liverpool 6 7.55x
Ince In Makerfield 5 82.10x
Islington London 5 4.68x
Birmingham 3 3.24x
Madron Penzance 3 66.08x
Manchester 3 5.10x
Mile End Old Town London 3 12.79x
Roath 3 34.40x
Camberwell 2 2.84x
Hackney London 2 3.24x
Kendal 2 45.15x
Leyton 2 53.33x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 9.02x
St Marylebone London 2 3.40x
Dalgety 1 200.00x
Gunwalloe 1 1428.57x
Kilmiston 1 1666.67x
Leamington Priors 1 14.62x
Leeds 1 1.62x
Southwick 1 32.15x
St Martin In Fields 1 15.15x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 10
John 6
Edward 5
Cornelius 3
James 3
Harry 2
Isaac 2
Samuel 2
Adam 1
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Benty 1
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
George 1
Harris 1
Henry 1
Israel 1
Jacob 1
Joh. 1
Joseph 1
Lewis 1
Mordiciy 1
Morris 1
Nicholas 1
Simon 1
Tobias 1

FAQ

Fine surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fine surname in 1881?

In 1881, 114 people were recorded with the Fine surname. That placed it at #18,324 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fine surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 433 in 2016. That gives Fine a modern rank of #11,120.

What does the Fine surname mean?

Derived from a nickname for a sophisticated or elegant person, or from the French word "fin" meaning "end."

What does the Fine map show?

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