NameCensus.

UK surname

Germain

A French toponymic surname referring to someone from Germany or an ancient French region called Germain.

In the 1881 census there were 236 people recorded with the Germain surname, ranking it #11,540 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 448, ranked #10,842, up from #11,540 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bromley, Calderdale and Wakefield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Germain is 478 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 89.8%.

1881 census count

236

Ranked #11,540

Modern count

448

2016, ranked #10,842

Peak year

2002

478 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Germain had 236 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,540 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 448 in 2016, ranked #10,842.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 379 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Germain surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Germain surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Germain 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 120 #15,144
1861 historical 121 #18,148
1881 historical 236 #11,540
1891 historical 240 #13,123
1901 historical 379 #9,841
1911 historical 358 #10,110
1997 modern 431 #10,410
1998 modern 447 #10,461
1999 modern 453 #10,400
2000 modern 459 #10,261
2001 modern 451 #10,212
2002 modern 478 #9,963
2003 modern 432 #10,635
2004 modern 431 #10,680
2005 modern 405 #11,078
2006 modern 420 #10,816
2007 modern 416 #11,020
2008 modern 413 #11,185
2009 modern 441 #10,875
2010 modern 456 #10,784
2011 modern 445 #10,880
2012 modern 453 #10,598
2013 modern 462 #10,618
2014 modern 461 #10,694
2015 modern 451 #10,801
2016 modern 448 #10,842

Geography

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Where Germains are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner, Portsmouth, Portsea, St George the Martyr and St Matthew Bethnal Green. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bromley, Calderdale, Wakefield, Bridgend and Westminster. 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 3
2 Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner Hampshire
3 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
4 St George the Martyr London (South Districts)
5 St Matthew Bethnal Green London (East Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bromley 030 Bromley
2 Calderdale 015 Calderdale
3 Wakefield 044 Wakefield
4 Bridgend 017 Bridgend
5 Westminster 004 Westminster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Germain

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Germain

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Germain is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Germain 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

Germain falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Germain 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Germain

The surname Germain originated in France during the medieval period. It is derived from the Latin name Germanus, which means "brother" or "of German descent." The name Germain was also the name of a popular 5th-century saint who became the Bishop of Auxerre in France.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Germain can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This suggests that people with the surname Germain may have migrated from France to England during the Norman Conquest.

The name Germain was also associated with several place names in France, such as Germain-en-Laye and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. These places were often named after local churches or monasteries dedicated to Saint Germain.

One notable person with the surname Germain was Thomas Germain (1673-1748), a French banker and financier who played a significant role in the development of the French economy during the 18th century. Another famous Germain was Sophie Germain (1776-1831), a French mathematician who made important contributions to the study of elasticity theory and number theory.

In the field of literature, Comte de Saint-Germain (c. 1690-1784) was a renowned European adventurer and occultist who claimed to be several centuries old and to possess the secret of immortality. He was a mysterious figure who fascinated many writers and philosophers of his time.

Another significant figure with the surname Germain was Claude Germain (1590-1663), a French Jesuit missionary who traveled to Canada and helped establish the first permanent European settlement in what is now Quebec City.

Germain Pilon (c. 1537-1590) was a celebrated French sculptor during the Renaissance period, known for his works in churches and royal residences in Paris. His most famous work is the sculpture of the "Three Graces" at the Louvre Museum.

Throughout history, the surname Germain has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including nobility, clergy, scholars, artists, and adventurers, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and influence of this French surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Germain families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Germain 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 53 Germains recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.06x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 53 2.06x
Hampshire 30 5.68x
Surrey 29 2.31x
Channel Islands 26 34.07x
Kent 14 1.59x
Lancashire 14 0.46x
Devon 12 2.24x
Durham 12 1.57x
Sussex 11 2.53x
Yorkshire 11 0.43x
Westmorland 10 17.67x
Somerset 8 1.93x
Berkshire 7 3.62x
Staffordshire 5 0.58x
Royal Navy 4 13.03x
Suffolk 4 1.28x
Ayrshire 3 1.56x
Glamorgan 3 0.67x
Lincolnshire 2 0.49x
Cheshire 1 0.18x
Cornwall 1 0.34x
Cumberland 1 0.45x
Gloucestershire 1 0.20x
Northumberland 1 0.26x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Alverstoke in Hampshire leads with 15 Germains recorded in 1881 and an index of 78.49x.

Place Total Index
Alverstoke 15 78.49x
St Helier 14 56.36x
Newington 11 11.56x
Camberwell 10 6.08x
Heversham With Milnthorpe 10 735.29x
Brighton 9 10.27x
Bethnal Green London 8 7.15x
Higham 8 672.27x
St Mary Kalendar 8 727.27x
Islington London 7 2.80x
Reading St Giles 7 36.92x
St George In East London 7 28.90x
Stoke Damerel 7 18.66x
Bishopwearmouth 6 9.12x
Bow London 6 18.30x
Bromley London 6 10.59x
Mile End Old Town London 6 10.95x
Billinge Higher End 5 403.23x
Checkley 5 221.24x
Grouville 5 234.74x
Shepton Mallet 5 107.53x
Slingsby 5 943.40x
St George Martyr London 5 95.79x
Edwardstone 4 1025.64x
Halliwell 4 35.97x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 4 12.06x
Portsea 4 3.87x
Royal Navy 4 15.25x
Shoreditch London 4 3.58x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 7.72x
St Martin 4 85.65x
Dalry 3 33.08x
Lambeth 3 1.34x
Northfleet 3 38.76x
Roath 3 14.73x
St Saviour 3 71.09x
Bath St Michael 2 95.69x
Bishop Auckland 2 19.46x
Blackley 2 37.31x
Devonport 2 32.47x
Manchester 2 1.46x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 4.84x
Sutton St Mary 2 51.41x
Titchfield 2 50.25x
Twickenham 2 18.12x
Ackworth 1 51.02x
Battle 1 34.13x
Birkenhead 1 2.21x
Byker 1 5.28x
Deptford St Nicholas 1 14.35x
Gravesend 1 13.44x
Helperby 1 178.57x
Holy Trinity 1 1.63x
Ilfracombe 1 18.12x
Lewisham 1 2.13x
Littleworth 1 204.08x
Londesborough Cum 1 312.50x
Madron Penzance 1 9.43x
Nottingham St Mary 1 1.11x
Preston 1 1.22x
Preston 1 13.19x
Rievaulx 1 500.00x
Saxton Cum 1 312.50x
Southampton St Mary 1 3.01x
St Cuthbert W O Upperby 1 163.93x
St Giles In Fields London 1 7.92x
St Pancras London 1 0.48x
Streatham 1 5.23x
Taunton St Mary 1 13.14x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Elizabeth 8
Jane 8
Alice 7
Annie 6
Margaret 6
Ann 5
Sarah 5
Emma 4
Caroline 3
Eliza 3
Ellen 3
Jessie 3
Matilda 3
Ada 2
Anne 2
Emily 2
Fanny 2
Hannah 2
Louisa 2
Margret 2
Prudence 2
Alicia 1
Allis 1
Catherine 1
Cecilia 1
Dilley 1
Edith 1
Elisabeth 1
Eliz. 1
Esther 1
Eva 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Georgina 1
Helen 1
Isabella 1
Jeanine 1
Justine 1
Kitty 1
Laura 1
Lescadie 1
Lillian 1
Lily 1
Margreats 1
Marie 1
Marrieth 1
Martha 1
Susanah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 19
George 10
John 10
Thomas 8
Charles 6
Joseph 6
Robert 5
Alfred 4
Arthur 3
Henry 3
Herbert 3
Walter 3
Edward 2
Frank 2
Frederic 2
Willm. 2
Wm. 2
Adolph 1
Alexr. 1
Alfd. 1
Andrew 1
Auguste 1
Benjamin 1
Chas. 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Edgar 1
Edwin 1
Etienne 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Harry 1
Horace 1
James 1
Jean 1
Jules 1
Mathew 1
Percival 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Richard 1
Sidney 1
Sydney 1
Th. 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1
Victor 1
Wilfred 1
Wm.Frank 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Germain surname: questions and answers

How common was the Germain surname in 1881?

In 1881, 236 people were recorded with the Germain surname. That placed it at #11,540 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Germain surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 448 in 2016. That gives Germain a modern rank of #10,842.

What does the Germain surname mean?

A French toponymic surname referring to someone from Germany or an ancient French region called Germain.

What does the Germain map show?

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