UK surname
A surname of Irish origin meaning "fair" or "light-skinned".
In the 1881 census there were 54 people recorded with the Finner surname, ranking it #26,009 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 29, ranked #36,059, down from #26,009 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and Mark, Chapel Allerton, Weare, East Brent, South Brent. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Finner is 163 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 46.3%.
1881 census count
54
Ranked #26,009
Modern count
29
2016, ranked #36,059
Peak year
1861
163 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Finner surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Finner surname density by area, 1861 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 | 68 | #21,302 |
| 1861 | historical | 163 | #14,242 |
| 1881 | historical | 54 | #26,009 |
| 1891 | historical | 91 | #25,239 |
| 1901 | historical | 79 | #25,363 |
| 1911 | historical | 74 | #25,423 |
| 1997 | modern | 27 | #35,016 |
| 1998 | modern | 27 | #35,148 |
| 1999 | modern | 27 | #35,224 |
| 2000 | modern | 24 | #35,498 |
| 2001 | modern | 24 | #35,357 |
| 2002 | modern | 27 | #35,243 |
| 2003 | modern | 25 | #35,471 |
| 2004 | modern | 23 | #35,786 |
| 2005 | modern | 21 | #36,083 |
| 2006 | modern | 25 | #35,903 |
| 2007 | modern | 25 | #36,006 |
| 2008 | modern | 26 | #36,012 |
| 2009 | modern | 26 | #36,111 |
| 2010 | modern | 26 | #36,220 |
| 2011 | modern | 25 | #36,252 |
| 2012 | modern | 23 | #36,366 |
| 2013 | modern | 26 | #36,217 |
| 2014 | modern | 27 | #36,180 |
| 2015 | modern | 26 | #36,228 |
| 2016 | modern | 29 | #36,059 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, Mark, Chapel Allerton, Weare, East Brent, South Brent, St Pancras and Bridlington. 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 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Mark, Chapel Allerton, Weare, East Brent, South Brent | Somerset |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Bridlington | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Finner 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 Finner, 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 Finner surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Finner 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, Finner 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 Finner is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Finner, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname FINNER originates from Germany, with its roots dating back to the 16th century. It is derived from the German word "Fenner," which translates to a person responsible for overseeing fens or marshlands. The earliest recorded instances of this surname can be traced to the regions of Bavaria and Saxony, where many families worked as marsh wardens or managers of wetland areas.
In the 17th century, the name FINNER appeared in several historical documents, including the Kirchenbücher (church records) of various parishes in southern Germany. These records documented births, marriages, and deaths within the local communities, providing valuable insights into the prevalence and distribution of the surname during that era.
One notable historical figure bearing the FINNER surname was Johann FINNER (1571-1633), a renowned German composer and organist from Nuremberg. His compositions, primarily sacred works, were widely performed and appreciated during his lifetime and contributed significantly to the development of sacred music in the region.
Another prominent individual was Wilhelm FINNER (1806-1882), a German philologist and linguist from Saxony. He dedicated his life to the study of Germanic languages and made substantial contributions to the field through his scholarly works and publications.
In the 19th century, the surname FINNER was also found in several German-speaking regions of Austria and Switzerland, likely due to the migration of families from Germany. One such individual was Karl FINNER (1841-1912), a Swiss architect renowned for his work on numerous public buildings and landmarks in Zurich and other Swiss cities.
The earliest recorded instance of the FINNER surname in the United States can be traced back to the late 18th century, when German immigrants began arriving in larger numbers. One notable American bearing this surname was William FINNER (1792-1867), a successful businessman and landowner in Pennsylvania, who played a significant role in the development of the local community.
Throughout history, the FINNER surname has been associated with various occupations and professions, ranging from marsh wardens and musicians to academics and architects. While the name may have undergone slight variations in spelling over time, its origins can be firmly rooted in the German tradition and the historical management of wetlands and marshes.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Finner 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. Middlesex leads with 12 Finners recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.24x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 12 | 2.24x |
| Devon | 8 | 7.17x |
| Somerset | 8 | 9.27x |
| Northumberland | 7 | 8.77x |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 1.13x |
| Lanarkshire | 5 | 2.88x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.63x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 2.14x |
| Sussex | 2 | 2.21x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 15.65x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Byker in Northumberland leads with 7 Finners recorded in 1881 and an index of 177.22x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Byker | 7 | 177.22x |
| Stoke Damerel | 7 | 89.63x |
| Kimberworth | 6 | 203.39x |
| Govan | 5 | 11.66x |
| Mark | 5 | 2500.00x |
| St Pancras London | 5 | 11.58x |
| Bethnal Green London | 4 | 17.17x |
| Toxteth Park | 3 | 13.92x |
| Brede | 2 | 1052.63x |
| Bridgewater | 2 | 85.47x |
| St Luke London | 2 | 23.26x |
| Abbots Kerswell | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 1 | 19.46x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 3.33x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 2.59x |
| Meare | 1 | 384.62x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 18.32x |
| Swansea Town | 1 | 13.05x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Finner 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 Finner 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 Finner households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 8 |
| Brick Maker | 2 |
| Domestic Servant | 2 |
| General Servant | 2 |
| Labourer Unemployed | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Agent | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Boot Machinist | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Coach Body Maker | 1 |
| Coachman & Gardener Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Cook Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| French Polisher | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Genl Labourer | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Ironer | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Manager Minstrel Troup (Musician) | 1 |
| Railway Plate Layer | 1 |
| Sailmaker | 1 |
| Seamans Daur | 1 |
| Seamans Wife R N | 1 |
| Shoe Maker | 1 |
| Steward | 1 |
| Turner (Artisan) | 1 |
| Warehouseman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 54 people were recorded with the Finner surname. That placed it at #26,009 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 29 in 2016. That gives Finner a modern rank of #36,059.
A surname of Irish origin meaning "fair" or "light-skinned".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Finner 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.