UK surname
A topographic surname referring to someone living near a meadow or pasture.
In the 1881 census there were 15 people recorded with the Hamming surname, ranking it #31,451 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #31,451 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Inkberrow, Mitcham and Bibury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hamming is 215 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 80.0%.
1881 census count
15
Ranked #31,451
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1861
215 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hamming surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hamming surname density by area, 1861 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 | 30 | #27,891 |
| 1861 | historical | 215 | #11,316 |
| 1881 | historical | 15 | #31,451 |
| 1891 | historical | 85 | #26,080 |
| 1901 | historical | 11 | #32,907 |
| 1911 | historical | 23 | #30,923 |
| 1997 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1998 | modern | 6 | #37,703 |
| 1999 | modern | 5 | #37,872 |
| 2000 | modern | 3 | #38,248 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 4 | #38,169 |
| 2008 | modern | 5 | #38,027 |
| 2009 | modern | 2 | #38,725 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2012 | modern | 3 | #38,530 |
| 2013 | modern | 2 | #38,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 2 | #38,791 |
| 2015 | modern | 2 | #38,793 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Inkberrow, Mitcham, Bibury, Enfield and Wootton Waven. 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 | Inkberrow | Warwickshire |
| 2 | Mitcham | Surrey |
| 3 | Bibury | Gloucestershire |
| 4 | Enfield | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 5 | Wootton Waven | Warwickshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hamming 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 Hamming, 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 Hamming surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hamming 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, Hamming 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 Hamming is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hamming, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HAMMING is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word "ham" meaning a homestead or village. It likely originated in England during the 7th to 11th centuries. The name was initially used to identify someone who lived in a particular hamlet or small settlement.
One of the earliest records of the surname HAMMING can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various forms, such as "Hamminge" and "Haming," indicating its evolution over time.
In the 13th century, the surname HAMMING is recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, with an entry for a William Hamming dating back to 1230. This suggests that the name was well-established in certain regions of England by this time.
During the medieval period, the surname HAMMING was also associated with several place names, such as Hamming in Berkshire and Hamming Marsh in Kent. These locations may have contributed to the spread and adoption of the surname in different parts of the country.
Notable individuals with the surname HAMMING throughout history include:
1. Richard Hamming (1915-1998), an American mathematician and computer scientist known for his work in coding theory and error-detecting and error-correcting codes. 2. William Hamming (c. 1450-1510), an English merchant and benefactor who funded the construction of several churches and chapels in London. 3. John Hamming (c. 1550-1620), an English explorer and navigator who participated in several voyages to the West Indies and North America. 4. Elizabeth Hamming (c. 1610-1680), an English Puritan author and religious writer who published several works on Christian devotion and morality. 5. Arthur Hamming (1867-1939), a British architect known for his work on several public buildings and churches in London and other parts of England.
Over the centuries, the surname HAMMING has spread to various parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and other English-speaking countries, reflecting the migration patterns of individuals bearing this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hamming 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. Middlesex leads with 7 Hammings recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.79x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 7 | 4.79x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 8.14x |
| Leicestershire | 2 | 12.35x |
| Essex | 1 | 3.47x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 2.12x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.58x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St George Hanover Square in Middlesex leads with 6 Hammings recorded in 1881 and an index of 233.46x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St George Hanover Square | 6 | 233.46x |
| Birmingham | 3 | 24.43x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 2 | 50.63x |
| Chelmsford | 1 | 204.08x |
| Govan | 1 | 8.56x |
| Great Crosby | 1 | 212.77x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 44.05x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hamming 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 Hamming 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 Hamming households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| (Carpenter Wife) | 1 |
| Barber | 1 |
| Box Maker (Paper) | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Drapers Assistant | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Glass Case Maker | 1 |
| Groom (8/) | 1 |
| Habit Maker (Tailor) | 1 |
| Maid Dom Serv | 1 |
| Smith | 1 |
| Writer & Grainer Painter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 15 people were recorded with the Hamming surname. That placed it at #31,451 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Hamming a modern rank of #38,594.
A topographic surname referring to someone living near a meadow or pasture.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hamming 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.