NameCensus.

UK surname

Force

An occupational surname referring to someone who worked with scissors or shears, such as a tailor or barber.

In the 1881 census there were 147 people recorded with the Force surname, ranking it #15,674 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 173, ranked #21,561, down from #15,674 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Cullompton and Cardiff St John and St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Doncaster, Wealden and Wirral.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Force is 210 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.7%.

1881 census count

147

Ranked #15,674

Modern count

173

2016, ranked #21,561

Peak year

1861

210 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Force had 147 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,674 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 173 in 2016, ranked #21,561.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 210 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Force surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Force surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Force 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 109 #16,212
1861 historical 210 #11,551
1881 historical 147 #15,674
1891 historical 163 #17,300
1901 historical 167 #16,943
1911 historical 190 #15,438
1997 modern 150 #21,119
1998 modern 152 #21,481
1999 modern 153 #21,551
2000 modern 157 #21,146
2001 modern 146 #21,857
2002 modern 145 #22,392
2003 modern 134 #23,260
2004 modern 145 #22,289
2005 modern 157 #21,128
2006 modern 166 #20,534
2007 modern 168 #20,634
2008 modern 168 #20,828
2009 modern 174 #20,782
2010 modern 163 #22,205
2011 modern 174 #21,096
2012 modern 163 #21,989
2013 modern 164 #22,236
2014 modern 172 #21,731
2015 modern 172 #21,649
2016 modern 173 #21,561

Geography

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Where Forces are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Cullompton, Cardiff St John and St Mary, Minster and Barwick with Stafford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Doncaster, Wealden, Wirral, Herefordshire and Birmingham. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Cullompton Devon
3 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire
4 Minster Cornwall
5 Barwick with Stafford Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Doncaster 012 Doncaster
2 Wealden 014 Wealden
3 Wirral 007 Wirral
4 Herefordshire 003 Herefordshire, County of
5 Birmingham 001 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Force

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Force

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Force is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Force is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Force 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 Force is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Force

The surname Force has its origins in medieval France, where it first emerged in the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "force," meaning strength or power. This name likely referred to someone who was physically strong or had a forceful personality.

The earliest recorded instances of the Force surname can be found in various medieval documents from northern France, particularly in the regions of Normandy and Picardy. One of the earliest known bearers of this name was Renaud Force, who was mentioned in a charter from the town of Rouen in 1195.

During the Middle Ages, the Force name appeared in several historical records and manuscripts, including the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name is listed as "Forz" in this document, which suggests that the spelling may have varied in different regions.

As the name spread throughout Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Fors, Fosse, and Fortz. Some of these variations may have been influenced by local dialects or scribal errors in transcribing the name.

One notable individual with the Force surname was Jean de Force, a French military commander who fought in the Hundred Years' War against the English in the 14th century. He participated in several important battles, including the Battle of Poitiers in 1356.

Another prominent figure was Arnaud de Force, a French nobleman and landowner who lived in the 15th century. He was known for his involvement in local politics and his influential role in the governance of his region.

In England, the Force surname can be traced back to the Norman Conquest in 1066, when many French and Norman settlers accompanied William the Conqueror. One of the earliest English bearers of this name was Robert Force, who was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1195.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Force name gained prominence in various parts of Europe, including France, England, and the Netherlands. One notable individual from this period was Pieter de Force, a Dutch artist and engraver born in 1590, known for his intricate etchings and illustrations.

As the centuries passed, the Force surname continued to spread throughout Europe and beyond, with bearers of this name making significant contributions in various fields, such as military, politics, arts, and literature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Force families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Force 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. Devon leads with 52 Forces recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.42x.

County Total Index
Devon 52 17.42x
Middlesex 25 1.74x
Somerset 18 7.80x
Hampshire 14 4.76x
Dorset 10 10.63x
Cornwall 7 4.31x
Gloucestershire 6 2.13x
Surrey 6 0.86x
Sussex 4 1.65x
Cardiganshire 2 5.72x
Cheshire 1 0.32x
Kent 1 0.20x
Oxfordshire 1 1.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cullompton in Devon leads with 21 Forces recorded in 1881 and an index of 1615.38x.

Place Total Index
Cullompton 21 1615.38x
Barwick 16 6956.52x
Bradninch 14 1666.67x
Exeter St Sidwell 7 102.34x
South Mimms 7 355.33x
Hampstead London 6 26.87x
Portsmouth 6 88.63x
Islington London 5 3.60x
Minster 5 2272.73x
Weymouth 5 280.90x
Wimbledon 5 63.78x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 4 15.11x
Christchurch 4 62.79x
Plymouth Charles The 4 30.42x
St Luke London 3 13.04x
Exeter St David 2 78.43x
Lewannick 2 625.00x
Llangranog 2 512.82x
Melcombe Regis 2 51.28x
Portsea 2 3.47x
Ryme Instrinsica 2 2000.00x
St Pancras London 2 1.73x
Walcot 2 16.27x
Brighton 1 2.05x
Bristol St Nicholas 1 196.08x
Bristol St Paul In 1 13.35x
Chester St Michael 1 270.27x
Dorchester St Peter 1 147.06x
Exeter Heavitree 1 44.84x
Exeter St Mary Major 1 55.56x
Exeter St Thomas The 1 32.89x
Hastings St Mary 1 16.61x
Holy Trinity 1 158.73x
Horsham 1 21.28x
Maidstone 1 6.86x
New Shoreham 1 68.97x
Newington 1 1.89x
Oxford St Thomas 1 24.21x
Southampton St Mary 1 5.41x
St Marylebone London 1 1.31x
St Thomas Winchester 1 48.08x
Westminster St Margaret 1 14.45x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Sarah 9
Elizabeth 8
Annie 3
Jane 3
Maria 3
Bessie 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Emily 2
Ethel 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Martha 2
... 1
Ann 1
Anne 1
Beatrice 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Emma 1
Evaline 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Georgina 1
Harriett 1
Helena 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Laura 1
Lillian 1
Lina 1
Lydia 1
Maud 1
R.R. 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1
Rosina 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 7
Henry 6
Frank 5
Arthur 4
Charles 4
George 4
Edwin 3
James 3
John 3
Joseph 3
Edward 2
Frederick 2
Harry 2
R. 2
Samuel 2
Thomas 2
... 1
Alfred 1
Augusta 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Lemuel 1
Lyndle 1
Robert 1
Sidney 1
Sydney 1
Tom 1
Walter 1
Willi 1
Wm.Jno. 1

FAQ

Force surname: questions and answers

How common was the Force surname in 1881?

In 1881, 147 people were recorded with the Force surname. That placed it at #15,674 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Force surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 173 in 2016. That gives Force a modern rank of #21,561.

What does the Force surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to someone who worked with scissors or shears, such as a tailor or barber.

What does the Force map show?

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