NameCensus.

UK surname

Finney

A surname of Irish origin referring to a fair-haired person or a descendant of a fair-haired ancestor.

In the 1881 census there were 2,599 people recorded with the Finney surname, ranking it #1,715 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,689, ranked #1,450, up from #1,715 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Over, Ellastone and Trentham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include St. Helens, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Moorlands.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Finney is 4,912 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 80.4%.

1881 census count

2,599

Ranked #1,715

Modern count

4,689

2016, ranked #1,450

Peak year

1999

4,912 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Finney had 2,599 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,715 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,689 in 2016, ranked #1,450.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,756 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Finney surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Finney surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Finney 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 1,610 #1,786
1861 historical 1,401 #2,044
1881 historical 2,599 #1,715
1891 historical 2,793 #1,690
1901 historical 3,477 #1,605
1911 historical 3,756 #1,380
1997 modern 4,188 #1,547
1998 modern 4,841 #1,401
1999 modern 4,912 #1,393
2000 modern 4,805 #1,415
2001 modern 4,726 #1,405
2002 modern 4,837 #1,405
2003 modern 4,733 #1,397
2004 modern 4,604 #1,442
2005 modern 4,576 #1,429
2006 modern 4,591 #1,426
2007 modern 4,612 #1,432
2008 modern 4,593 #1,448
2009 modern 4,742 #1,440
2010 modern 4,866 #1,432
2011 modern 4,794 #1,435
2012 modern 4,719 #1,426
2013 modern 4,769 #1,439
2014 modern 4,802 #1,436
2015 modern 4,719 #1,441
2016 modern 4,689 #1,450

Geography

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Where Finneys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Over, Ellastone, Trentham, Cheadle and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to St. Helens, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Moorlands. 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 Over Cheshire
2 Ellastone Derbyshire
3 Trentham Staffordshire
4 Cheadle Staffordshire
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 St. Helens 008 St. Helens
2 Stoke-on-Trent 020 Stoke-on-Trent
3 Staffordshire Moorlands 012 Staffordshire Moorlands
4 Staffordshire Moorlands 010 Staffordshire Moorlands
5 Stoke-on-Trent 014 Stoke-on-Trent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Finney

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Finney

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Finney surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Finney 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Finney 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

Finney is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Finney 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 Finney 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Finney

The surname Finney originated in England and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "fin" meaning a marsh or fen, indicating that the name originated as a place name for someone who lived near a marshy area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1165, where it appears as "de Fenia." This spelling suggests that the name was initially pronounced with a long "e" sound. Over time, it evolved into the modern spelling of Finney.

The name is also associated with the village of Finney in Lancashire, which was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Finehedia." This place name is believed to have influenced the development of the surname in that region.

In the 13th century, there are records of a Walter de Feneye in Staffordshire, and in the 14th century, a John de Fynney appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Derbyshire. These early examples show the variations in spelling that were common before standardized spelling became more widespread.

Notable individuals with the surname Finney include:

1. Albert Finney (1936-2019), an English actor known for his roles in films such as "Tom Jones" and "Erin Brockovich." 2. Charles Finney (1792-1875), an American Presbyterian minister and leader of the Second Great Awakening religious revival movement. 3. John Finney (1884-1940), an English professional footballer who played for Manchester City and represented England. 4. Ross Finney (1906-1997), an American composer and educator known for his orchestral and chamber works. 5. Jack Finney (1911-1995), an American author best known for his novels "The Body Snatchers" and "Time and Again."

These examples demonstrate the widespread use and prominence of the Finney surname across various fields and time periods, solidifying its place in the historical record.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Finney families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Finney 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. Staffordshire leads with 695 Finneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.13x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 695 8.13x
Lancashire 540 1.80x
Derbyshire 189 4.77x
Yorkshire 171 0.68x
Cheshire 149 2.67x
Middlesex 143 0.56x
Leicestershire 115 4.10x
Warwickshire 71 1.11x
Durham 56 0.74x
Lanarkshire 42 0.51x
Surrey 42 0.34x
Suffolk 32 1.04x
Shropshire 30 1.37x
Northumberland 29 0.77x
Lincolnshire 26 0.64x
Kent 22 0.25x
Nottinghamshire 22 0.64x
Devon 19 0.36x
Northamptonshire 18 0.76x
Worcestershire 17 0.51x
Montgomeryshire 15 2.58x
Midlothian 14 0.41x
Hampshire 12 0.23x
Monmouthshire 12 0.66x
Sussex 12 0.28x
West Lothian 10 2.62x
Cornwall 8 0.28x
Bedfordshire 7 0.53x
Carmarthenshire 7 0.66x
Dorset 7 0.42x
Glamorgan 7 0.16x
Perthshire 7 0.62x
Essex 6 0.12x
Hertfordshire 6 0.34x
Angus 5 0.21x
Selkirkshire 5 2.18x
Herefordshire 4 0.39x
Berkshire 3 0.16x
Fife 3 0.20x
Norfolk 3 0.08x
Aberdeenshire 2 0.09x
Gloucestershire 2 0.04x
Renfrewshire 2 0.10x
Somerset 2 0.05x
Anglesey 1 0.22x
Ayrshire 1 0.05x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.06x
Channel Islands 1 0.13x
Isle of Man 1 0.21x
Royal Navy 1 0.33x
Wiltshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Upon Trent in Staffordshire leads with 194 Finneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.40x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Upon Trent 194 21.40x
Manchester 58 4.29x
Trentham 46 63.27x
Prescot 43 79.13x
Parr 35 32.56x
Stone 30 27.44x
Burslem 29 11.84x
Sutton 29 28.78x
Aston 28 1.59x
Cheadle 27 65.77x
Handsworth 26 12.34x
Over 25 44.01x
Leicester St Margaret 23 3.36x
Oldham 23 2.37x
Ellastone 21 864.20x
Wootton 21 1320.75x
Wigan 20 4.76x
Cotton 19 335.10x
Glasgow 19 1.31x
Rotherham 19 13.43x
Hornsey 18 5.62x
Islington London 18 0.73x
Toxteth Park 18 1.77x
Birkenhead 17 3.81x
Leeds 17 1.20x
Newcastle Under Lyme 17 11.24x
Paddington London 17 1.83x
Pemberton 17 14.19x
Birmingham 16 0.75x
Windle 16 9.46x
Cheetham 15 6.69x
Eckington 15 15.57x
Everton 15 1.57x
Liverpool 15 0.82x
Rawmarsh 15 16.92x
Biddulph 14 29.03x
Fazeley 14 90.09x
Ibstock 14 68.59x
Stanton 14 512.82x
Swynnerton 14 207.72x
Walsall Foreign 14 3.17x
Ardwick 13 4.80x
Shoreditch London 13 1.18x
Stafford St Mary 13 10.74x
Aberystruth 12 7.44x
Chesterfield 12 8.07x
Claylane 12 21.77x
Handforth 12 188.09x
Salford 12 1.36x
Wath On Dearne 12 23.97x
Winlaton 12 16.60x
Barwell 11 74.07x
Croydon 11 1.61x
Gorton 11 3.89x
Harborne 11 4.02x
Leek Lowe 11 9.67x
Louth 11 11.85x
Marston Upon Dove 11 86.34x
Skelmersdale 11 21.96x
Barony 10 0.48x
Bathgate 10 12.08x
Bickerstaffe 10 50.84x
Ealing 10 4.42x
Huddersfield 10 2.74x
Pelsall 10 39.34x
Portsea 10 0.98x
Warrington 10 2.81x
Woodthorpe 10 141.04x
Ashborne 9 33.38x
Barlestone 9 146.58x
Birtley 9 29.27x
Burton Upon Trent 9 4.50x
Hulme 9 1.43x
Ipswich St Clement 9 11.48x
Norton In Moors 9 19.89x
Rainhill 9 46.75x
St Giles Cripplegate 9 26.77x
St Marylebone London 9 0.67x
Studley 9 32.96x
Whiston 9 38.40x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 177
John 151
Thomas 118
George 86
James 83
Joseph 69
Charles 55
Henry 52
Samuel 34
Robert 22
Arthur 21
Edward 20
Alfred 18
Richard 18
Albert 17
Benjamin 13
David 13
Frederick 12
Edwin 11
Frank 10
Jonathan 9
Fred 8
Joshua 8
Peter 7
Walter 7
Harry 6
Herbert 6
Wm. 6
Francis 5
Isaac 5
Thos. 5
Willm. 5
Chas. 4
Elijah 4
Hugh 4
Moses 4
Andrew 3
Edmund 3
Ernest 3
Horace 3
Michael 3
Rupert 3
Stephen 3
Allen 2
Daniel 2
Luke 2
Philip 2
Ralph 2
Robt 2
Roger 2

FAQ

Finney surname: questions and answers

How common was the Finney surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,599 people were recorded with the Finney surname. That placed it at #1,715 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Finney surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,689 in 2016. That gives Finney a modern rank of #1,450.

What does the Finney surname mean?

A surname of Irish origin referring to a fair-haired person or a descendant of a fair-haired ancestor.

What does the Finney map show?

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