NameCensus.

UK surname

France

A locational surname indicating an individual's origin or residence in the country of France.

In the 1881 census there were 4,551 people recorded with the France surname, ranking it #984 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5,427, ranked #1,236, down from #984 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Batley and Sheffield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lancaster, Kirklees and Rotherham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for France is 5,793 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.2%.

1881 census count

4,551

Ranked #984

Modern count

5,427

2016, ranked #1,236

Peak year

1911

5,793 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • France had 4,551 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #984 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 5,427 in 2016, ranked #1,236.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5,793 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

France surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

France surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

France 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 2,939 #987
1861 historical 3,257 #880
1881 historical 4,551 #984
1891 historical 4,861 #960
1901 historical 5,445 #1,020
1911 historical 5,793 #900
1997 modern 5,402 #1,205
1998 modern 5,555 #1,222
1999 modern 5,630 #1,210
2000 modern 5,647 #1,210
2001 modern 5,503 #1,211
2002 modern 5,551 #1,223
2003 modern 5,428 #1,225
2004 modern 5,370 #1,237
2005 modern 5,289 #1,237
2006 modern 5,235 #1,245
2007 modern 5,277 #1,244
2008 modern 5,283 #1,256
2009 modern 5,394 #1,258
2010 modern 5,533 #1,254
2011 modern 5,474 #1,250
2012 modern 5,354 #1,249
2013 modern 5,426 #1,254
2014 modern 5,453 #1,255
2015 modern 5,442 #1,238
2016 modern 5,427 #1,236

Geography

Back to top

Where Frances are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Batley, Sheffield, Huddersfield and Dewsbury. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lancaster, Kirklees and Rotherham. 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 Manchester Lancashire
2 Batley Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Huddersfield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Dewsbury Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lancaster 019 Lancaster
2 Kirklees 018 Kirklees
3 Lancaster 002 Lancaster
4 Kirklees 055 Kirklees
5 Rotherham 010 Rotherham

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with France

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for France

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

France 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

France 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 France 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 France, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of France

The surname France has its origins in the country of France, with the earliest recorded examples dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "franc," which meant "free" or "frank," referring to someone who was not a serf or bondsman. The name was often given to those who were granted their freedom or to denote their free status.

During the Middle Ages, the name France appeared in various records and documents across Europe. One notable mention is in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1176, where a person named William France is listed as a landowner. Additionally, the name is found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279, which recorded the names of landholders in the region.

In the 13th century, the surname France was also associated with geographical locations. For instance, there are records of individuals named de France or de la France, indicating their origins from the country of France or specific regions within it. These place names were often anglicized or adapted over time, leading to variations in spelling, such as Fraunce or Frawnce.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname France was Sir Thomas France (c. 1350-1420), who served as a knight and fought in the Hundred Years' War. Another notable figure was John France (c. 1490-1558), a Protestant reformer and theologian who played a significant role in the English Reformation.

In the 16th century, the name France gained prominence with Sir Philip France (c. 1555-1624), an English politician and Member of Parliament. He served as the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire and was knighted by King James I in 1603.

Moving into the 17th century, Sir Thomas France (1622-1681) was a prominent English lawyer and judge who served as the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer. He was known for his legal expertise and contributions to the development of English common law.

Another noteworthy individual was Robert France (1735-1809), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary Wars. He rose through the ranks to become an Admiral of the Blue and was highly respected for his leadership and bravery.

These are just a few examples of individuals with the surname France who have left their mark on history. The name's origins can be traced back to the 12th century and its association with the country of France, reflecting the rich tapestry of cultural and historical influences that have shaped this surname over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

France families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the France 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. Yorkshire leads with 1,658 Frances recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.77x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 1,658 3.77x
Lancashire 1,237 2.35x
Shropshire 340 8.86x
Middlesex 200 0.45x
Cheshire 179 1.83x
Staffordshire 142 0.95x
Warwickshire 119 1.06x
Surrey 93 0.43x
Lincolnshire 84 1.18x
Northumberland 47 0.71x
Lanarkshire 46 0.32x
Durham 44 0.33x
Worcestershire 38 0.66x
Stirlingshire 31 1.89x
Kent 28 0.18x
Cumberland 26 0.68x
Midlothian 26 0.44x
Nottinghamshire 26 0.43x
Derbyshire 22 0.32x
Dunbartonshire 19 1.59x
Perthshire 15 0.75x
Clackmannanshire 14 3.82x
East Lothian 11 1.87x
Glamorgan 9 0.12x
Gloucestershire 9 0.10x
Hampshire 9 0.10x
Bedfordshire 8 0.35x
Flintshire 8 0.67x
Leicestershire 7 0.14x
Northamptonshire 7 0.17x
Devon 6 0.06x
Sussex 6 0.08x
Buckinghamshire 4 0.15x
Denbighshire 4 0.24x
Essex 4 0.05x
Renfrewshire 4 0.12x
Brecknockshire 3 0.34x
Inverness-shire 3 0.23x
Montgomeryshire 3 0.29x
Wigtownshire 3 0.51x
Herefordshire 2 0.11x
Kirkcudbrightshire 2 0.31x
Royal Navy 2 0.38x
Suffolk 2 0.04x
Banffshire 1 0.11x
Berkshire 1 0.03x
Hertfordshire 1 0.03x
Monmouthshire 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mirfield in Yorkshire leads with 95 Frances recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.31x.

Place Total Index
Mirfield 95 39.31x
Huddersfield 91 14.19x
Dewsbury 90 19.93x
Slaithwaite 86 187.65x
Ashton Under Lyne 75 6.51x
Sheffield 71 5.07x
Wigan 66 8.96x
Rawmarsh 61 39.22x
Westhoughton 61 43.36x
Aston 60 1.94x
Almondbury 59 27.72x
Birmingham 54 1.45x
Honley 54 70.08x
Little Bolton 54 7.97x
Liversedge 53 27.05x
Shrewsbury St Mary 52 34.34x
Batley 48 11.47x
Ecclesall Bierlow 45 5.03x
Preston 45 3.19x
Kirkheaton 44 61.63x
Lockwood 43 27.15x
Oldham 41 2.41x
Great Bolton 40 5.73x
Heckmondwike 39 27.54x
Manchester 38 1.60x
Nether Hallam 36 6.04x
Golcar 35 30.07x
Rastrick 35 28.62x
Shrewsbury St Chad 33 24.50x
Aspull 30 24.20x
Liverpool 30 0.94x
Halliwell 29 15.12x
Marsden In Almondbury 29 72.41x
Hulme 28 2.54x
Prees 28 59.91x
Rotherham 28 11.28x
Longwood 27 38.06x
Pennington In Leigh 27 26.70x
Westleigh 27 22.55x
Chorlton On Medlock 26 3.10x
Dudley 26 3.69x
Soothill 26 16.35x
Abram 24 59.33x
Dukinfield 24 5.30x
North Meols 23 4.46x
Stoke Upon Trent 23 1.45x
Knottingley 22 28.43x
Hackney London 21 0.84x
Hodnet 21 70.02x
Ince In Makerfield 21 8.56x
Linthwaite 21 22.70x
Middlesbrough 21 3.66x
Salford 21 1.35x
St Marylebone London 21 0.89x
Hindley 20 8.90x
Lambeth 20 0.52x
Newcastle Under Lyme 20 7.54x
South Crosland 20 43.15x
Ardwick 19 4.00x
Barony 19 0.52x
Camberwell 19 0.67x
Clerkenwell London 19 1.81x
Islington London 19 0.44x
Stayley 19 16.95x
Walsall Foreign 19 2.45x
Atherton 18 9.38x
Dawley 18 12.89x
Holy Trinity 18 1.70x
Hyde 18 6.22x
Kimberworth 18 7.37x
Saddleworth 18 5.30x
Skelmersdale 18 20.49x
Chorley 16 5.41x
Everton 16 0.95x
Gateshead 16 1.62x
Horwich 16 27.83x
St Pancras London 16 0.45x
Wrockwardine 16 18.96x
Newington 15 0.91x
Penicuik 15 18.55x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 317
Sarah 189
Elizabeth 163
Ann 112
Jane 82
Emma 77
Eliza 72
Hannah 64
Martha 64
Ellen 60
Alice 55
Annie 52
Margaret 44
Harriet 38
Clara 36
Ada 30
Emily 30
Edith 27
Florence 25
Maria 22
Fanny 21
Agnes 19
Esther 18
Louisa 18
Betty 17
Caroline 17
Frances 17
Charlotte 16
Nancy 15
Susannah 15
Amelia 13
Matilda 13
Ruth 13
Catherine 12
Lucy 12
Gertrude 11
Harriett 11
Elizth. 10
Kate 10
Anne 9
Lily 9
Sophia 9
Isabella 8
Bertha 7
Margt. 7
Minnie 7
Susan 7
Beatrice 6
Betsy 6
Rose 6

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 279
William 243
James 155
George 139
Thomas 138
Joseph 100
Charles 77
Henry 74
Robert 62
Richard 48
Edward 44
Arthur 38
Samuel 34
Alfred 32
Walter 29
Fred 26
Albert 25
Harry 25
Frederick 20
Joe 18
Ernest 17
Peter 17
Wm. 17
Benjamin 16
Herbert 16
Tom 16
David 15
Edwin 11
Willie 11
Seth 10
Sam 9
Robt. 8
Ben 7
Isaac 7
Richd. 7
Wilfred 7
Abraham 6
Allen 6
Saml. 6
Thos. 6
Edgar 5
Frank 5
Fredk. 5
Geo. 5
Percy 5
Willm. 5
Allan 4
Benj. 4
Hiram 4
Mark 4

FAQ

France surname: questions and answers

How common was the France surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4,551 people were recorded with the France surname. That placed it at #984 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the France surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 5,427 in 2016. That gives France a modern rank of #1,236.

What does the France surname mean?

A locational surname indicating an individual's origin or residence in the country of France.

What does the France map show?

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