UK surname
An English surname possibly derived from elements meaning "hand" and "son", signifying one's profession or ancestor's occupation.
In the 1881 census there were 77 people recorded with the Handerson surname, ranking it #22,617 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 23, ranked #36,457, down from #22,617 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Paddington and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Handerson is 697 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 70.1%.
1881 census count
77
Ranked #22,617
Modern count
23
2016, ranked #36,457
Peak year
1861
697 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Handerson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Handerson surname density by area, 1901 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 | 208 | #10,107 |
| 1861 | historical | 697 | #3,879 |
| 1881 | historical | 77 | #22,617 |
| 1891 | historical | 359 | #9,635 |
| 1901 | historical | 127 | #19,893 |
| 1911 | historical | 98 | #22,959 |
| 1997 | modern | 20 | #35,809 |
| 1998 | modern | 15 | #36,457 |
| 1999 | modern | 16 | #36,371 |
| 2000 | modern | 12 | #36,749 |
| 2001 | modern | 8 | #37,124 |
| 2002 | modern | 9 | #37,051 |
| 2003 | modern | 10 | #36,964 |
| 2004 | modern | 12 | #36,835 |
| 2005 | modern | 9 | #37,302 |
| 2006 | modern | 8 | #37,481 |
| 2007 | modern | 6 | #37,837 |
| 2008 | modern | 9 | #37,473 |
| 2009 | modern | 12 | #37,230 |
| 2010 | modern | 14 | #37,124 |
| 2011 | modern | 13 | #37,191 |
| 2012 | modern | 12 | #37,292 |
| 2013 | modern | 9 | #37,653 |
| 2014 | modern | 13 | #37,256 |
| 2015 | modern | 19 | #36,736 |
| 2016 | modern | 23 | #36,457 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Paddington, Gateshead, Toxteth Park and Edinburgh. 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 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 2 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 3 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 4 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 5 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Handerson 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 Handerson, 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 Handerson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Handerson 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, Handerson 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 Handerson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Handerson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Handerson has its origins in England and dates back to the late medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "handa" meaning hand and "reson" meaning to cover or protect, suggesting that the name may have originally referred to a maker or seller of gloves or mittens.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1379, where a Thomas Handerson is mentioned. This indicates that the name was present in the northern regions of England during the 14th century.
In the 15th century, the surname appears in various forms such as Handersone and Hendersone, reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation at the time. The name is also found in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire from 1523, where a Robert Handerson is listed.
The Handerson name has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was William Handerson (1515-1585), an English politician and member of Parliament for Steyning during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
In the 17th century, John Handerson (1620-1688) was a Scottish minister and theologian who played a significant role in the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. He was a commissioner at the Westminster Assembly and a supporter of the Solemn League and Covenant.
Another prominent figure was Sir Edward Handerson (1675-1743), an English naval officer and politician. He served as a member of Parliament for Shoreham and was later appointed as a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty.
In the realm of literature, Henry Handerson (1780-1857) was a Scottish poet and writer, best known for his work "The Paisley Poets," which celebrated the literary culture of his hometown.
Moving into the 19th century, James Handerson (1825-1890) was a Scottish businessman and philanthropist. He founded the Handerson Trust, which provided educational opportunities and supported various charitable causes in his native Glasgow.
These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and contributions of individuals bearing the Handerson surname throughout history, spanning various fields and regions of the British Isles.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Handerson 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 19 Handersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.56x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 19 | 2.56x |
| Lancashire | 13 | 1.48x |
| Glamorgan | 6 | 4.65x |
| Warwickshire | 6 | 3.21x |
| Durham | 5 | 2.27x |
| Norfolk | 5 | 4.39x |
| Kent | 4 | 1.58x |
| Lincolnshire | 3 | 2.53x |
| Northamptonshire | 3 | 4.30x |
| Devon | 2 | 1.30x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.27x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 1.19x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 1.57x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.86x |
| Flintshire | 1 | 5.02x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.84x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.40x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.80x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.03x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 6 Handersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.66x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Aston | 6 | 11.66x |
| Barton Upon Irwell | 5 | 75.53x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 5 | 31.71x |
| Paddington London | 5 | 18.35x |
| Thornham | 5 | 1041.67x |
| Great Yarmouth | 4 | 42.37x |
| St Marylebone London | 4 | 10.11x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 3 | 42.19x |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 3 | 24.19x |
| Northampton All Sts | 3 | 126.58x |
| Cleethorpes | 2 | 285.71x |
| Darlington | 2 | 23.50x |
| East Stonehouse | 2 | 65.79x |
| Stockley | 2 | 714.29x |
| Buxton | 1 | 102.04x |
| Cornforth | 1 | 153.85x |
| Cudworth | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Falmouth | 1 | 33.67x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 8.47x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 8.67x |
| Hanmer Willington | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Hastings St Mary | 1 | 32.15x |
| Kingswinford | 1 | 11.01x |
| Kirkdale | 1 | 6.76x |
| Leigh | 1 | 85.47x |
| Manchester | 1 | 2.53x |
| Old Artillery Ground | 1 | 156.25x |
| Oldham | 1 | 3.52x |
| Orpington | 1 | 129.87x |
| Plumstead | 1 | 11.86x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 7.15x |
| Potter Newton | 1 | 76.92x |
| Ramsgate | 1 | 24.21x |
| Sheffield | 1 | 4.28x |
| Spittlegate | 1 | 60.98x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.68x |
| Teddington London | 1 | 59.52x |
| Whitehaven | 1 | 29.41x |
| Wreningham | 1 | 833.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Handerson 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 Handerson 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 Handerson households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 8 |
| Labourer | 4 |
| Cardroom Cotton Mill | 2 |
| Doffer Cotton Mill | 2 |
| General Servant | 2 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Barge Proprietor (I N S) | 1 |
| Book Sewer | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Bricksetters Labourer | 1 |
| Cabinet Maker | 1 |
| Chimney Sweep | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Cook (Dom) Servant | 1 |
| Cotton Carder | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Electrician | 1 |
| Fisherman | 1 |
| General (Domestic Ser) | 1 |
| General Domestic | 1 |
| General Domestic Serv | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Governess (Prof) | 1 |
| Hooker | 1 |
| House Painter | 1 |
| Income From Dividends | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Labourer (Day) | 1 |
| Labourer (General) | 1 |
| Labourer Iron Works | 1 |
| Mate | 1 |
| Painter | 1 |
| Pot Boy | 1 |
| Publican | 1 |
| Railway Lab | 1 |
| Railway Porter | 1 |
| Servant (Farm) | 1 |
| Solicitors Clerk | 1 |
| Svt | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
| Work In Paper Mill | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 77 people were recorded with the Handerson surname. That placed it at #22,617 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 23 in 2016. That gives Handerson a modern rank of #36,457.
An English surname possibly derived from elements meaning "hand" and "son", signifying one's profession or ancestor's occupation.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Handerson 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.