NameCensus.

UK surname

Fone

An archaic English spelling of "phone" or derived from the Spanish word "fon" meaning "from the bottom."

In the 1881 census there were 283 people recorded with the Fone surname, ranking it #10,119 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 441, ranked #10,971, down from #10,119 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch and Broad Clist. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torbay, East Hertfordshire and Redbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fone is 536 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 55.8%.

1881 census count

283

Ranked #10,119

Modern count

441

2016, ranked #10,971

Peak year

1911

536 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fone had 283 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,119 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 441 in 2016, ranked #10,971.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 536 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Fone surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fone surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fone 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 161 #12,288
1861 historical 161 #14,392
1881 historical 283 #10,119
1891 historical 361 #9,589
1901 historical 400 #9,483
1911 historical 536 #7,432
1997 modern 475 #9,676
1998 modern 524 #9,265
1999 modern 521 #9,362
2000 modern 510 #9,485
2001 modern 489 #9,629
2002 modern 484 #9,869
2003 modern 475 #9,848
2004 modern 487 #9,687
2005 modern 477 #9,764
2006 modern 477 #9,821
2007 modern 484 #9,796
2008 modern 476 #10,012
2009 modern 483 #10,114
2010 modern 508 #9,929
2011 modern 480 #10,267
2012 modern 459 #10,513
2013 modern 470 #10,478
2014 modern 448 #10,946
2015 modern 443 #10,957
2016 modern 441 #10,971

Geography

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Where Fones are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch, Broad Clist and Crewkerne, Wayford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torbay, East Hertfordshire, Redbridge, West Lindsey and South Somerset. 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 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 Broad Clist Devon
5 Crewkerne, Wayford Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torbay 001 Torbay
2 East Hertfordshire 002 East Hertfordshire
3 Redbridge 014 Redbridge
4 West Lindsey 002 West Lindsey
5 South Somerset 017 South Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fone

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Fone

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Fone, 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 Fone surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Fone 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Fone is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Fone is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Fone falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Fone is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Fone

The surname Fone has its origins in England, with the earliest records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "fon," which means "to travel" or "to journey." This suggests that the name may have initially been given to someone who frequently traveled or journeyed, perhaps a merchant or a wanderer.

The name Fone can be traced back to the county of Essex, where it was first recorded in the Hundred Rolls of 1273. These ancient records list various landowners and residents, and the name appears as "Fone" in several instances. It's worth noting that the spelling of surnames was not standardized during this period, and variations such as "Foane" and "Fonne" can also be found in early records.

One of the earliest known references to the name Fone comes from the Feet of Fines for Essex, a legal document from 1304. This record mentions a certain "John Fone" who was involved in a land transaction. Additionally, the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 for the county of Norfolk list a "William Fone," indicating the name's presence in different regions of England.

In the 14th century, the name Fone appears to have gained some prominence, with several notable individuals bearing this surname. One such person was Sir John Fone (c. 1320 - 1385), a knight and landowner from Lincolnshire. Another was Thomas Fone (c. 1350 - 1410), a merchant and alderman in the city of London.

The 15th century saw the emergence of the Fone family in the village of Fownhope, located in Herefordshire. This place name, which was originally spelled "Fone-hope," is believed to be derived from the same Old English root as the surname, further solidifying the connection between the name and the concept of travel or journeying.

In the 16th century, the name Fone continued to be found across various parts of England. One notable bearer of this surname was Sir Edward Fone (c. 1520 - 1587), a prominent lawyer and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another was Richard Fone (c. 1550 - 1615), a clergyman and author who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Chelmsford, Essex.

As the centuries progressed, the Fone surname spread and became more widely distributed throughout England and beyond. Some notable individuals bearing this name include Sir John Fone (1682 - 1747), a British naval officer and explorer who served in the Royal Navy, and William Fone (1775 - 1853), an English writer and philosopher who published several works on ethics and moral philosophy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Fone families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fone 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. Middlesex leads with 73 Fones recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.65x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 73 2.65x
Dorset 34 18.83x
Lancashire 32 0.98x
Staffordshire 31 3.34x
Devon 22 3.84x
Somerset 18 4.07x
Kent 16 1.70x
Warwickshire 16 2.31x
Yorkshire 13 0.48x
Surrey 11 0.82x
Cornwall 7 2.25x
Gloucestershire 3 0.56x
Cheshire 2 0.33x
Durham 1 0.12x
Hampshire 1 0.18x
Leicestershire 1 0.33x
Royal Navy 1 3.05x

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 23 Fones recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.36x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Upon Trent 23 23.36x
Crewkerne 18 382.98x
Birmingham 14 6.06x
St Marylebone London 14 9.53x
Shoreditch London 12 10.06x
St Pancras London 11 4.97x
Saddleworth 9 42.80x
Bridport 8 215.05x
Chideock 8 1250.00x
Plymouth St Andrew 8 18.14x
Stone 8 67.34x
Sturry 8 720.72x
Broad Clist 7 353.54x
Broadwinsor 7 593.22x
Chorlton On Medlock 7 13.50x
Islington London 7 2.63x
St George Hanover Square 7 14.44x
Burstock 6 3333.33x
Fulham London 6 15.04x
Kensington London 6 3.92x
Marytavy 6 714.29x
Calstock 5 81.83x
Liverpool 5 2.52x
Manchester 5 3.41x
Oldham 5 4.75x
Rochester St Margaret 5 50.51x
Chelsea London 4 4.83x
Lambeth 4 1.67x
Batley 3 11.58x
Bristol St George 3 12.02x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 5.42x
Allington 2 124.22x
Ashton Under Lyne 2 2.80x
Bromley London 2 3.30x
Lee 2 14.67x
North Meols 2 6.26x
Southwark Christchurch 2 15.52x
St Luke London 2 4.53x
Thorncombe 2 192.31x
Toxteth Park 2 1.81x
Truro St Mary 2 76.34x
Wigan 2 4.39x
Battersea 1 0.99x
Chatham 1 3.87x
Coventry Holy Trinity 1 4.83x
Edgbaston 1 4.65x
Exeter St Leonard 1 63.69x
Gateshead 1 1.63x
Kippax 1 41.67x
Lutterworth 1 53.76x
Malpas 1 111.11x
Oakmere 1 256.41x
Poplar London 1 1.93x
Portsea 1 0.91x
Royal Navy 1 3.57x
Southwark St Saviour 1 7.07x
St Sepulchre London 1 24.81x
Sydling St Nicholas 1 188.68x
Walton On Hill 1 5.66x
Widnes 1 4.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 16
Elizabeth 14
Emma 11
Ellen 8
Jane 7
Sarah 7
Ann 6
Alice 5
Martha 5
Eliza 4
Matilda 4
Caroline 3
Maria 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Beatrice 2
Charlotte 2
Emily 2
Hannah 2
Henrietta 2
Kate 2
Laura 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Amy 1
Annie 1
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
Betrice 1
Blanche 1
Catherine 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Eva 1
Frances 1
Harriet 1
Isebella 1
Julia 1
Kathleen 1
Lenora 1
Letitia 1
Lida 1
Lilia 1
Lilian 1
Merrander 1
Minnie 1
Nancy 1
Rhoda 1
Rosehannah 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 19
Thomas 15
Frederick 13
Charles 10
John 10
George 7
Alfred 6
Henry 6
James 4
Robert 4
Samuel 4
Daniel 3
Edwin 3
Francis 3
Frank 3
Walter 3
Arthur 2
Herbert 2
Joseph 2
Nathaniel 2
Abraham 1
Albert 1
Benjamin 1
Clement 1
Cornelius 1
Edward 1
Fred 1
Fredk.T. 1
Fredrick 1
Harvey 1
Jasper 1
Josephn 1
Peter 1
Richard 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Fone surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fone surname in 1881?

In 1881, 283 people were recorded with the Fone surname. That placed it at #10,119 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fone surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 441 in 2016. That gives Fone a modern rank of #10,971.

What does the Fone surname mean?

An archaic English spelling of "phone" or derived from the Spanish word "fon" meaning "from the bottom."

What does the Fone map show?

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