UK surname
Originally denoting someone from Gerrans, a small village in Cornwall.
In the 1881 census there were 104 people recorded with the Gerrans surname, ranking it #19,296 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 88, ranked #32,396, down from #19,296 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Tregoney, Illogan and Perran Arworthal. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gerrans is 131 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 15.4%.
1881 census count
104
Ranked #19,296
Modern count
88
2016, ranked #32,396
Peak year
1891
131 bearers
Map years
5
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Gerrans surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Gerrans surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 99 | #17,294 |
| 1861 | historical | 100 | #21,103 |
| 1881 | historical | 104 | #19,296 |
| 1891 | historical | 131 | #20,073 |
| 1901 | historical | 113 | #21,296 |
| 1911 | historical | 109 | #21,611 |
| 1997 | modern | 76 | #29,997 |
| 1998 | modern | 78 | #30,192 |
| 1999 | modern | 82 | #29,933 |
| 2000 | modern | 86 | #29,484 |
| 2001 | modern | 81 | #29,828 |
| 2002 | modern | 80 | #30,387 |
| 2003 | modern | 82 | #30,206 |
| 2004 | modern | 87 | #29,897 |
| 2005 | modern | 81 | #30,740 |
| 2006 | modern | 78 | #31,385 |
| 2007 | modern | 80 | #31,527 |
| 2008 | modern | 85 | #31,247 |
| 2009 | modern | 82 | #32,048 |
| 2010 | modern | 81 | #32,582 |
| 2011 | modern | 80 | #32,652 |
| 2012 | modern | 77 | #33,124 |
| 2013 | modern | 93 | #31,785 |
| 2014 | modern | 97 | #31,518 |
| 2015 | modern | 93 | #31,972 |
| 2016 | modern | 88 | #32,396 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Tregoney, Illogan, Perran Arworthal, London parishes and Gwennap. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tregoney | Cornwall |
| 2 | Illogan | Cornwall |
| 3 | Perran Arworthal | Cornwall |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Gwennap | Cornwall |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Gerrans surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gerrans, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Gerrans surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Gerrans household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Gerrans is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gerrans is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Gerrans, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname GERRANS has its origins in Cornwall, England, dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Cornish place name "Gerran," which refers to a rural area near the town of Gerrans, located in the parish of Gerrans, Cornwall. The name is thought to be derived from the Cornish word "ger," meaning "near," and "an," meaning "the," suggesting a location near a particular landmark or feature.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname GERRANS can be found in the Cornish parish records from the late 16th century. These records contain references to individuals bearing the name, indicating its presence in the region during this time period. Additionally, the name appears in various historical documents and manuscripts from Cornwall, further solidifying its roots in the area.
In the 17th century, the GERRANS surname was associated with several notable individuals from Cornwall. One such figure was John GERRANS, born around 1620, who served as a prominent merchant and landowner in the region. Another prominent individual was William GERRANS, born in 1645, who was a respected scholar and clergyman known for his contributions to the local community.
The 18th century saw the GERRANS name continue to flourish in Cornwall, with several individuals making their mark in various fields. One notable figure was Richard GERRANS, born in 1720, who was a renowned shipbuilder and naval architect. His contributions to the maritime industry in Cornwall were significant during this period. Another individual of note was Elizabeth GERRANS, born in 1755, who was a celebrated poet and writer, known for her works capturing the beauty and traditions of Cornish life.
As the GERRANS surname spread beyond Cornwall, it also gained recognition in other parts of England and beyond. In the 19th century, James GERRANS, born in 1815, was a prominent explorer and adventurer who embarked on numerous expeditions to various parts of the world. His accounts and writings from these journeys became widely acclaimed and contributed to the understanding of different cultures and landscapes.
Throughout its history, the surname GERRANS has maintained a strong connection to its Cornish roots, with many individuals proudly carrying on the legacy and making significant contributions in their respective fields. While the name may have evolved in spelling and spread to other regions, its origins remain firmly rooted in the rural landscapes and rich cultural traditions of Cornwall.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gerrans surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Cornwall leads with 71 Gerrans' recorded in 1881 and an index of 61.83x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Perranarworthal in Cornwall leads with 13 Gerrans' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3421.05x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Perranarworthal | 13 | 3421.05x |
| Gwennap | 10 | 460.83x |
| Kea | 10 | 1162.79x |
| Kenwyn | 9 | 300.00x |
| Tregoney St James | 8 | 3809.52x |
| Islington London | 7 | 7.12x |
| Lambeth | 6 | 6.78x |
| Probus | 6 | 1276.60x |
| Camberwell | 5 | 7.72x |
| Battersea | 4 | 10.72x |
| Camborne | 4 | 84.57x |
| Illogan | 4 | 131.58x |
| Rotherhithe | 4 | 31.92x |
| Twickenham | 3 | 68.97x |
| Redruth | 2 | 61.54x |
| St Stithians | 2 | 317.46x |
| Westbury On Trym | 2 | 29.67x |
| Falmouth | 1 | 24.63x |
| Landewednack | 1 | 500.00x |
| Sellinge | 1 | 434.78x |
| Taunton St Mary | 1 | 33.33x |
| Truro St Mary | 1 | 104.17x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Gerrans surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Gerrans surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Gerrans households.
FAQ
In 1881, 104 people were recorded with the Gerrans surname. That placed it at #19,296 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 88 in 2016. That gives Gerrans a modern rank of #32,396.
Originally denoting someone from Gerrans, a small village in Cornwall.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Gerrans bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.