NameCensus.

UK surname

Hanan

A Hebrew surname meaning "he is merciful".

In the 1881 census there were 61 people recorded with the Hanan surname, ranking it #24,992 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 105, ranked #30,114, down from #24,992 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Spott, Haddington and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Haringey, Chichester and East Hampshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hanan is 130 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 72.1%.

1881 census count

61

Ranked #24,992

Modern count

105

2016, ranked #30,114

Peak year

1861

130 bearers

Map years

3

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hanan had 61 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,992 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 105 in 2016, ranked #30,114.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 130 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Hanan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hanan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hanan 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 65 #21,747
1861 historical 130 #17,164
1881 historical 61 #24,992
1891 historical 103 #23,558
1901 historical 64 #27,010
1911 historical 35 #29,478
1997 modern 62 #31,412
1998 modern 68 #31,181
1999 modern 69 #31,223
2000 modern 66 #31,553
2001 modern 67 #31,297
2002 modern 74 #31,048
2003 modern 80 #30,425
2004 modern 87 #29,897
2005 modern 81 #30,740
2006 modern 84 #30,665
2007 modern 97 #29,156
2008 modern 94 #29,950
2009 modern 103 #29,127
2010 modern 104 #29,618
2011 modern 112 #28,117
2012 modern 112 #28,174
2013 modern 115 #28,176
2014 modern 111 #29,113
2015 modern 102 #30,624
2016 modern 105 #30,114

Geography

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Where Hanans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Spott, Haddington, London parishes, Edinburgh and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Haringey, Chichester, East Hampshire, Barnet and Wiltshire. 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 Spott Haddington
2 Haddington Haddington
3 London parishes London 3
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Haringey 029 Haringey
2 Chichester 012 Chichester
3 East Hampshire 016 East Hampshire
4 Barnet 037 Barnet
5 Wiltshire 055 Wiltshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hanan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hanan

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hanan, 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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Hanan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Hanan 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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, Hanan 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

Hanan 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

Hanan falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hanan 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Hanan

The surname HANAN originated in the Middle East, particularly in the region of modern-day Israel and Palestine. It traces its roots back to the ancient Hebrew language, derived from the word "hanan," which means "grace" or "favor." This name has been a part of Jewish culture and tradition for centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name HANAN can be found in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Jeremiah, where it refers to one of the sons of Igdaliah. This biblical reference dates back to around the 6th century BCE, indicating the antiquity of the surname.

During the medieval period, the name HANAN appeared in various Jewish communities across the Middle East and North Africa. It was particularly prevalent among Sephardic Jews, who were dispersed from the Iberian Peninsula after the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492.

Notable individuals bearing the surname HANAN throughout history include Rabbi Hanan of Iskiya, a prominent Jewish scholar who lived in Babylonia in the 8th century CE. Another famous bearer was Rabbi Hanan ben Hisda, a renowned Talmudic scholar from the 3rd century CE, known for his contributions to Jewish law and ethics.

In the 11th century, a Jewish scholar named Hanan ben Shemuel lived in Kairuan, Tunisia, and authored several works on Hebrew grammar and literature. His writings played a significant role in the preservation and dissemination of Jewish knowledge during that era.

Moving forward in time, Rabbi Hanan Porat (1940-2017) was a prominent Israeli scholar and religious Zionist leader who played a crucial role in the settlement movement in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Lastly, Samih Al-Hanan (born 1949) is a Palestinian writer and novelist, known for his works that explore the Palestinian struggle and identity. His novels, such as "The Borrowers" and "Spider's Room," have received critical acclaim and have been translated into several languages.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the surname HANAN throughout history, reflecting its long-standing presence in various Jewish and Middle Eastern communities, as well as its enduring cultural and literary significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hanan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hanan 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. East Lothian leads with 8 Hanans recorded in 1881 and an index of 101.52x.

County Total Index
East Lothian 8 101.52x
Midlothian 7 8.79x
Lancashire 6 0.85x
Ross-shire 6 36.74x
Surrey 6 2.07x
Middlesex 5 0.84x
Renfrewshire 5 10.85x
Lanarkshire 4 2.08x
Ayrshire 3 6.74x
Cumberland 2 3.91x
Hampshire 2 1.64x
Monmouthshire 2 4.65x
Durham 1 0.57x
Essex 1 0.85x
Oxfordshire 1 2.72x
Perthshire 1 3.75x
Yorkshire 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 7 Hanans recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.83x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 7 21.83x
Haddington 6 517.24x
Kingston On Thames 6 86.21x
Urquhart 6 2727.27x
Liverpool 4 9.33x
Paisley High Church 4 108.99x
Ardrossan 3 194.81x
Govan 3 6.31x
Abergavenny 2 124.22x
Berwick North 2 363.64x
Hackney London 2 6.00x
High Bolton 2 3333.33x
Kensington London 2 6.05x
Banbury 1 135.14x
Barony 1 2.05x
Blairgowrie 1 94.34x
Crumpsall 1 60.24x
Durham St Nicholas 1 232.56x
East Ham 1 45.87x
Mile End Old Town London 1 7.90x
Newport 1 151.52x
Pendleton In Salford 1 11.89x
Shanklin 1 277.78x
Thornaby 1 45.45x
West Greenock 1 12.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Elizabeth 2
Alice 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Eleanor 1
Ellen 1
Florence 1
Hanah 1
Isabella 1
Louisa 1
Matildia 1
Norah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 2
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Harry 1
James 1
Patrick 1
Robt. 1
Samuel 1
Thomas 1
William 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 Hanan households.

FAQ

Hanan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hanan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 61 people were recorded with the Hanan surname. That placed it at #24,992 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hanan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 105 in 2016. That gives Hanan a modern rank of #30,114.

What does the Hanan surname mean?

A Hebrew surname meaning "he is merciful".

What does the Hanan map show?

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