NameCensus.

UK surname

Germany

A locational surname indicating the person's ancestral origin in the country of Germany.

In the 1881 census there were 234 people recorded with the Germany surname, ranking it #11,607 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 211, ranked #18,904, down from #11,607 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Walsham-le-Willows, Grimsby, Great and Cambridge: St Andrew the Less, St Andrew the Great, Holy Trinity, St Benedict. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newark and Sherwood, South Kesteven and Chesterfield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Germany is 314 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 9.8%.

1881 census count

234

Ranked #11,607

Modern count

211

2016, ranked #18,904

Peak year

1911

314 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Germany had 234 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,607 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 211 in 2016, ranked #18,904.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 314 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Germany surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Germany surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Germany 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 132 #14,174
1861 historical 148 #15,452
1881 historical 234 #11,607
1891 historical 259 #12,399
1901 historical 252 #13,068
1911 historical 314 #11,077
1997 modern 223 #16,448
1998 modern 217 #17,207
1999 modern 215 #17,425
2000 modern 205 #17,940
2001 modern 200 #17,948
2002 modern 208 #17,848
2003 modern 206 #17,799
2004 modern 212 #17,540
2005 modern 195 #18,458
2006 modern 199 #18,357
2007 modern 202 #18,359
2008 modern 199 #18,699
2009 modern 207 #18,600
2010 modern 221 #18,205
2011 modern 208 #18,783
2012 modern 193 #19,665
2013 modern 206 #19,153
2014 modern 207 #19,259
2015 modern 211 #18,906
2016 modern 211 #18,904

Geography

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Where Germanys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Walsham-le-Willows, Grimsby, Great, Cambridge: St Andrew the Less, St Andrew the Great, Holy Trinity, St Benedict, Harling, East and Chesterton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newark and Sherwood, South Kesteven, Chesterfield, Breckland and Barnsley. 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 Walsham-le-Willows Suffolk
2 Grimsby, Great Lincolnshire
3 Cambridge: St Andrew the Less, St Andrew the Great, Holy Trinity, St Benedict Cambridgeshire
4 Harling, East Norfolk
5 Chesterton Cambridgeshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newark and Sherwood 003 Newark and Sherwood
2 South Kesteven 016 South Kesteven
3 Chesterfield 012 Chesterfield
4 Breckland 013 Breckland
5 Barnsley 006 Barnsley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Germany

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Germany

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Germany is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Germany is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Germany falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Germany 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 Germany, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Germany

The surname "GERMANY" is a locational name derived from the country of Germany. It likely originated during the medieval period when people began adopting hereditary surnames based on their place of origin or residence.

The name "GERMANY" is believed to have its roots in the Latin word "Germani," which was used by the Romans to refer to the various Germanic tribes that inhabited the region. The word itself is thought to have originated from the Proto-Germanic word "*gēr," meaning "spear," suggesting that the early Germanic peoples were known for their prowess as spearmen.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "GERMANY" can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This historical document mentions individuals with the surname "de Germania," which translates to "of Germany" in Latin.

In the 13th century, a notable figure bearing the surname "GERMANY" was Sir John de Germany, a knight who served King Edward I of England during the wars against Scotland. He was born around 1250 and played a significant role in the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300.

Another historical figure with the surname "GERMANY" was William de Germany, who lived in the 14th century and held lands in Hertfordshire, England. He is mentioned in various records from that time period.

During the 15th century, a prominent member of the GERMANY family was Robert Germany, a merchant and alderman of the City of London. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1465 and was actively involved in the city's affairs.

In the 16th century, a notable figure was Sir Thomas Germany, a courtier and diplomat who served under Queen Elizabeth I. He was born around 1535 and played a crucial role in negotiations with foreign powers during his diplomatic career.

The surname "GERMANY" has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Germany Beck in Yorkshire and Germany Plantation in Wiltshire, which may have influenced the adoption of the surname by individuals residing in or near those locations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Germany families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Germany 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. Norfolk leads with 54 Germanys recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.39x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 54 15.39x
Kent 46 5.91x
Cambridgeshire 39 26.98x
Essex 30 6.66x
Lincolnshire 27 7.40x
Middlesex 15 0.66x
Leicestershire 8 3.16x
Suffolk 6 2.16x
Hertfordshire 2 1.27x
Midlothian 2 0.65x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.72x
Derbyshire 1 0.28x
Northamptonshire 1 0.47x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.33x
Yorkshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Banham in Norfolk leads with 28 Germanys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3146.07x.

Place Total Index
Banham 28 3146.07x
Strood 21 472.97x
Great Grimsby 17 73.40x
St Andrewthe Less 15 90.80x
Frindsbury 13 443.69x
Chesterton 12 269.06x
Buttsbury 10 2857.14x
Bishop Norton 9 3214.29x
East Harling 8 963.86x
Humberstone 8 384.62x
Stifford 7 3181.82x
Chelsea London 6 8.72x
Eccles 6 3750.00x
Littleport 6 217.39x
Swanscombe 6 171.43x
Bethnal Green London 5 5.04x
Leyton 5 64.43x
St Giles Cambridge 4 213.90x
Stow Bardolph 4 384.62x
Grays Thurrock 3 71.60x
Griston 3 1428.57x
Helion Bumpstead 3 491.80x
West Hanningfield 3 882.35x
Caston 2 465.12x
Chatham 2 9.34x
Margate St John Baptist 2 14.03x
South Leith 2 5.81x
St Albans 2 62.11x
Allestree 1 217.39x
Aylesbury 1 16.37x
Bentley 1 312.50x
Brightlingsea 1 38.91x
Bulphan 1 454.55x
Cheveley 1 204.08x
East Leake 1 135.14x
Glentham 1 312.50x
Guisbrough 1 20.24x
Halling 1 98.04x
Hampstead London 1 2.81x
Islington London 1 0.45x
Kenninghall 1 104.17x
Lowestoft 1 7.62x
Northampton All Sts 1 13.74x
Northfleet 1 14.58x
Norwich St Stephen 1 31.06x
Stanton 1 151.52x
West Dereham 1 227.27x
Westminster St James 1 4.26x
Whitechapel London 1 4.44x
Wisbech St Peter 1 13.79x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Elizabeth 9
Sarah 8
Annie 5
Ellen 5
Eliza 4
Emma 4
Frances 4
Susan 4
Emily 3
Florence 3
Agnes 2
Beatrice 2
Betsy 2
Charlotte 2
Fanny 2
Francis 2
Harriett 2
Louisa 2
Lydia 2
Maude 2
Phoebe 2
Allice 1
Allis 1
Ann 1
Anne 1
Anney 1
Edith 1
Elizann 1
Ellenor 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Issabella 1
Jamie 1
Jane 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lilli 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
Nellie 1
Priscilla 1
Rhoda 1
Rhodia 1
Rose 1
Selina 1
Unnamed 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 19
George 13
Thomas 10
Walter 10
John 9
Robert 9
Arthur 8
Frederick 5
Henry 4
Alfred 3
Albert 2
Francis 2
Ishmael 2
James 2
Alfd. 1
Andrew 1
Authur 1
Benjamin 1
Charles 1
Edward 1
Edwd.John 1
Edwin 1
Ellis 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Johanne 1
Joseph 1
Pearmain 1
Robt. 1
Samuel 1
Thos 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Germany surname: questions and answers

How common was the Germany surname in 1881?

In 1881, 234 people were recorded with the Germany surname. That placed it at #11,607 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Germany surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 211 in 2016. That gives Germany a modern rank of #18,904.

What does the Germany surname mean?

A locational surname indicating the person's ancestral origin in the country of Germany.

What does the Germany map show?

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