NameCensus.

UK surname

Franz

A German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname derived from the personal name Franciscus, which means "Frenchman" or "free man."

In the 1881 census there were 19 people recorded with the Franz surname, ranking it #30,872 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 183, ranked #20,813, up from #30,872 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Calderdale, Tunbridge Wells and Mendip.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Franz is 183 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 863.2%.

1881 census count

19

Ranked #30,872

Modern count

183

2016, ranked #20,813

Peak year

2016

183 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Franz had 19 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,872 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 183 in 2016, ranked #20,813.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 82 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Franz surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Franz surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Franz 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 #33,133
1881 historical 19 #30,872
1891 historical 28 #32,046
1901 historical 66 #26,794
1911 historical 82 #24,635
1997 modern 122 #23,917
1998 modern 130 #23,603
1999 modern 139 #22,884
2000 modern 129 #23,901
2001 modern 136 #22,855
2002 modern 142 #22,687
2003 modern 141 #22,549
2004 modern 136 #23,207
2005 modern 135 #23,297
2006 modern 139 #23,044
2007 modern 137 #23,590
2008 modern 143 #23,160
2009 modern 159 #22,072
2010 modern 166 #21,941
2011 modern 174 #21,096
2012 modern 165 #21,782
2013 modern 169 #21,826
2014 modern 174 #21,561
2015 modern 178 #21,149
2016 modern 183 #20,813

Geography

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Where Franz' 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 Calderdale, Tunbridge Wells, Mendip, Pembrokeshire and Bexley. 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 Calderdale 015 Calderdale
2 Tunbridge Wells 013 Tunbridge Wells
3 Mendip 001 Mendip
4 Pembrokeshire 002 Pembrokeshire
5 Bexley 017 Bexley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Franz

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Franz

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Franz, 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 Franz surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Franz 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Franz 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

Franz 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

Franz falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Franz is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Franz

The surname FRANZ is of German origin, derived from the medieval German personal name Franz, which was a shortened form of the Frankish name Franciscus. The name Franciscus itself originated from the Latin word "Franciscus," meaning "Frenchman" or "Frank."

The name FRANZ first appeared in various regions of Germany, including Bavaria, Saxony, and the Rhineland, around the 13th century. It was commonly associated with individuals of Frankish descent or those who had connections to the Frankish tribes that inhabited parts of modern-day Germany and France during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname FRANZ can be found in the Charters of the Duchy of Bavaria from the late 13th century, where it appears as "Frantz" or "Frantz." Over time, the name evolved into its modern spelling, FRANZ.

In the 14th century, a notable figure with the surname FRANZ was Johannes FRANZ, a German theologian and philosopher who was born in Erfurt around 1350. He was known for his writings on logic and metaphysics.

During the 16th century, the FRANZ surname gained prominence in various parts of Germany. One notable individual was Michael FRANZ, a German cartographer and engraver born in Nuremberg around 1520. He is famous for his intricate maps and engravings of German cities and regions.

In the 17th century, Johann FRANZ (1587-1644) was a German composer and organist from Nuremberg. He is known for his contributions to the development of the Protestant church music tradition in Germany.

In the 18th century, Johann Michael FRANZ (1700-1761) was a German architect and sculptor from Franconia. He designed several notable churches and buildings in the Baroque style, including the Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers in Bamberg.

Another influential figure with the surname FRANZ was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's friend and confidant, Christian Joseph FRANZ (1758-1828). He was a German painter and art critic who played a significant role in the development of German Romanticism.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals with the surname FRANZ throughout history, reflecting the name's deep roots in German culture and its association with various fields, including theology, cartography, music, architecture, and art.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Franz families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Franz 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 12 Franz' recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.48x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 12 6.48x
Essex 2 5.47x
Kent 2 3.16x
Derbyshire 1 3.45x
Lancashire 1 0.46x
Surrey 1 1.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Anne Soho London in Middlesex leads with 7 Franz' recorded in 1881 and an index of 660.38x.

Place Total Index
St Anne Soho London 7 660.38x
Fulham London 2 74.35x
West Ham 2 24.78x
Dover St James 1 357.14x
Islington London 1 5.57x
Lambeth 1 6.19x
Lewisham 1 29.67x
Ockbrook 1 833.33x
Paddington London 1 14.68x
West Derby 1 15.55x
Westminster St James 1 52.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Caroline 1
Elise 1
Emleene 1
Harriet 1
Lina 1
Marie 1
Thurase 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Jacob 2
August 1
Carl 1
Doritz 1
Edward 1
Emilie 1
Friedrich 1
Jeane 1
John 1
Joseph 1
Max 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 Franz households.

FAQ

Franz surname: questions and answers

How common was the Franz surname in 1881?

In 1881, 19 people were recorded with the Franz surname. That placed it at #30,872 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Franz surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 183 in 2016. That gives Franz a modern rank of #20,813.

What does the Franz surname mean?

A German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname derived from the personal name Franciscus, which means "Frenchman" or "free man."

What does the Franz map show?

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