NameCensus.

UK surname

Fournier

An occupational surname for a baker or someone who operated an oven, derived from Old French.

In the 1881 census there were 32 people recorded with the Fournier surname, ranking it #29,082 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 198, ranked #19,713, up from #29,082 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kensington and Chelsea, Cheshire East and Eastbourne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fournier is 200 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 518.8%.

1881 census count

32

Ranked #29,082

Modern count

198

2016, ranked #19,713

Peak year

2015

200 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fournier had 32 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,082 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 198 in 2016, ranked #19,713.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 98 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Fournier surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fournier surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Fournier 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 10 #32,589
1881 historical 32 #29,082
1891 historical 53 #29,946
1901 historical 56 #27,952
1911 historical 98 #22,959
1997 modern 124 #23,669
1998 modern 140 #22,615
1999 modern 166 #20,458
2000 modern 148 #21,971
2001 modern 141 #22,344
2002 modern 159 #21,086
2003 modern 150 #21,669
2004 modern 158 #21,077
2005 modern 158 #21,052
2006 modern 176 #19,787
2007 modern 175 #20,090
2008 modern 190 #19,246
2009 modern 193 #19,463
2010 modern 195 #19,762
2011 modern 190 #19,942
2012 modern 197 #19,408
2013 modern 188 #20,352
2014 modern 191 #20,302
2015 modern 200 #19,567
2016 modern 198 #19,713

Geography

Back to top

Where Fourniers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kensington and Chelsea, Cheshire East and Eastbourne. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kensington and Chelsea 012 Kensington and Chelsea
2 Kensington and Chelsea 013 Kensington and Chelsea
3 Cheshire East 050 Cheshire East
4 Kensington and Chelsea 016 Kensington and Chelsea
5 Eastbourne 010 Eastbourne

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Fournier

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Fournier

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Fournier surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Fournier 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Fournier is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Fournier 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

Fournier falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Fournier 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Fournier

The surname Fournier has its origins in France, with records dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "fournier," which means "baker" or "one who works with an oven." This occupational surname was likely given to individuals who worked as bakers or were associated with the baking trade.

The Fournier name can be traced back to various regions of France, particularly in the northern and central parts of the country. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in medieval documents and records from the 12th and 13th centuries.

One notable historical reference to the Fournier name is in the Livre des Métiers (Book of Trades), a medieval French document from the 13th century that lists various professions and trades in Paris. The document mentions the "fourniers" as a guild of bakers and oven workers.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in the Ragman Rolls, a collection of homage rolls from Scotland, where individuals with the surname Fournier were recorded as having pledged allegiance to the English king.

Throughout history, several individuals with the surname Fournier have achieved notable status. One of the earliest recorded examples is Raoul Fournier (c. 1240-1310), a French theologian and canonist who served as the Bishop of Mende and later as a cardinal.

Another notable figure is Claude Fournier (1594-1676), a French scholar and jurist who authored several important works on ecclesiastical law and history. He is considered one of the most influential canonists of the 17th century.

In the realm of art, Étienne Fournier (1683-1748) was a French engraver and artist known for his intricate etchings and illustrations.

Moving into the 19th century, Édouard Fournier (1819-1880) was a French writer and journalist who wrote extensively on the history and culture of Paris.

Additionally, Alban Fournier (1886-1914) was a French novelist best known for his semi-autobiographical novel "Le Grand Meaulnes," which is considered a classic of French literature.

These are just a few examples of individuals with the Fournier surname who left their mark in various fields throughout history, showcasing the rich heritage and legacy associated with this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Fournier families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fournier 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 19 Fourniers recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.09x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 19 6.09x
Sussex 4 7.60x
Wiltshire 3 10.87x
Surrey 2 1.32x
Renfrewshire 1 4.14x
Shropshire 1 3.71x
Somerset 1 1.99x
Yorkshire 1 0.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 6 Fourniers recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.84x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 6 19.84x
St Giles In Fields London 4 261.44x
Westminster St Margaret 4 264.90x
Melksham 3 625.00x
Rye 3 600.00x
St Marylebone London 3 18.01x
Croydon 1 11.85x
Edgmond 1 333.33x
Hackney London 1 5.72x
Hastings St Leonards 1 129.87x
Hornsey 1 25.32x
Paisley Middle Church 1 70.92x
Richmond 1 46.95x
Southcoates 1 58.14x
Walcot 1 37.45x

Top female names

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

Name Count
George 2
John 2
Albert 1
Alphonse 1
Cerias 1
Charles 1
Edgar 1
Ernest 1
Eugene 1
Felix 1
Jule 1
Michel 1
William 1
Zosse 1

Top occupations

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 Fournier households.

FAQ

Fournier surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fournier surname in 1881?

In 1881, 32 people were recorded with the Fournier surname. That placed it at #29,082 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fournier surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 198 in 2016. That gives Fournier a modern rank of #19,713.

What does the Fournier surname mean?

An occupational surname for a baker or someone who operated an oven, derived from Old French.

What does the Fournier map show?

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