NameCensus.

UK surname

Hannah

Derived from a place name meaning "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew, also associated with the biblical name Hannah.

In the 1881 census there were 3,865 people recorded with the Hannah surname, ranking it #1,181 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6,158, ranked #1,099, up from #1,181 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Toxteth Park and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rhins North, Stranraer South and Rhins South.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hannah is 6,233 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 59.3%.

1881 census count

3,865

Ranked #1,181

Modern count

6,158

2016, ranked #1,099

Peak year

2010

6,233 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hannah had 3,865 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,181 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 6,158 in 2016, ranked #1,099.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5,014 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Hannah surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hannah surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hannah 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 2,772 #1,056
1861 historical 3,506 #807
1881 historical 3,865 #1,181
1891 historical 4,405 #1,073
1901 historical 5,014 #1,122
1911 historical 2,041 #2,448
1997 modern 5,958 #1,100
1998 modern 6,119 #1,111
1999 modern 6,081 #1,125
2000 modern 6,009 #1,130
2001 modern 5,798 #1,144
2002 modern 5,966 #1,140
2003 modern 5,823 #1,141
2004 modern 5,875 #1,127
2005 modern 5,851 #1,120
2006 modern 5,864 #1,111
2007 modern 5,919 #1,111
2008 modern 5,955 #1,115
2009 modern 6,122 #1,113
2010 modern 6,233 #1,114
2011 modern 6,101 #1,120
2012 modern 6,025 #1,113
2013 modern 6,127 #1,111
2014 modern 6,198 #1,107
2015 modern 6,142 #1,105
2016 modern 6,158 #1,099

Geography

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Where Hannahs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Toxteth Park, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rhins North, Stranraer South, Rhins South, Fernhill and Cathkin and Mansfield. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Toxteth Park Lancashire
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rhins North Dumfries and Galloway
2 Stranraer South Dumfries and Galloway
3 Rhins South Dumfries and Galloway
4 Fernhill and Cathkin South Lanarkshire
5 Mansfield 004 Mansfield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hannah

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hannah

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Hannah surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Hannah household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Hannah is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Hannah is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hannah falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hannah is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Hannah

The surname Hannah originated from the Hebrew language and culture. It is believed to have derived from the Hebrew name Channah, which means "grace" or "favor." The name Hannah can be traced back to the biblical figure Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, who is mentioned in the Book of Samuel in the Old Testament.

Hannah was a popular name among the Jewish community in ancient times, and it gradually spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. The earliest recorded instances of Hannah as a surname can be found in medieval Europe, particularly in England and Germany.

In England, the surname Hannah is thought to have emerged during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. It is believed that the name was brought to England by Jewish immigrants or Norman settlers who had adopted the name from their interactions with the Jewish community in France or other parts of Europe.

One of the earliest recorded references to the surname Hannah can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, dated around 1195, where a person named Robert Hannah is mentioned. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also contain entries of individuals with the surname Hannah.

In Germany, the surname Hannah has a long history dating back to the 13th century. It is associated with the Jewish communities in various cities, such as Frankfurt and Berlin. One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Hannah was Jacob Hannah, a merchant who lived in Frankfurt in the late 13th century.

Over the centuries, the surname Hannah has been associated with several notable individuals. One prominent example is Hannah Arendt (1906-1975), a German-born American political philosopher and author, whose works explored the nature of totalitarianism and the human condition.

Another significant figure with the surname Hannah was John Hannah (1918-2009), a Scottish actor and writer best known for his roles in films such as "The Elephant Man" and "Sliding Doors."

Other notable individuals with the surname Hannah include:

1. William Hannah (1833-1888), an American politician and lawyer who served as a U.S. Representative from Indiana. 2. Walter Hannah (1885-1967), a Canadian politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Canadian House of Commons. 3. Kathleen Hannah (1949-present), an American musician and feminist activist, known as the lead singer of the punk rock band Bikini Kill. 4. Ian Hannah (1950-present), a Scottish professional golfer who won the British Masters in 1975. 5. David Hannah (1936-2018), an American actor and director, best known for his work in television series such as "The Rockford Files" and "Barney Miller."

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hannah families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hannah 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. Lanarkshire leads with 810 Hannahs recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.60x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 810 6.60x
Lancashire 568 1.26x
Ayrshire 475 16.71x
Wigtownshire 343 68.02x
Kirkcudbrightshire 190 34.56x
Renfrewshire 181 6.15x
Cumberland 129 3.95x
Midlothian 127 2.50x
Durham 115 1.02x
Yorkshire 105 0.28x
Lincolnshire 87 1.43x
Middlesex 85 0.22x
Stirlingshire 84 6.00x
Northumberland 62 1.10x
Dunbartonshire 55 5.39x
Angus 47 1.34x
Dumfriesshire 40 4.77x
Warwickshire 33 0.34x
Norfolk 30 0.51x
Isle of Man 27 3.83x
Cheshire 22 0.26x
Roxburghshire 18 2.62x
Sussex 18 0.28x
Kent 17 0.13x
Surrey 17 0.09x
Gloucestershire 15 0.20x
Devon 13 0.16x
Nottinghamshire 13 0.25x
Fife 12 0.53x
Clackmannanshire 11 3.51x
Glamorgan 11 0.17x
Derbyshire 10 0.17x
Essex 10 0.13x
West Lothian 10 1.75x
Hampshire 9 0.12x
Aberdeenshire 8 0.23x
Argyllshire 8 0.76x
Berwickshire 7 1.52x
East Lothian 6 1.19x
Shropshire 6 0.18x
Staffordshire 6 0.05x
Worcestershire 5 0.10x
Anglesey 4 0.59x
Monmouthshire 4 0.15x
Perthshire 4 0.23x
Royal Navy 4 0.88x
Berkshire 3 0.11x
Channel Islands 3 0.27x
Denbighshire 3 0.21x
Dorset 3 0.12x
Northamptonshire 3 0.08x
Somerset 3 0.05x
Buteshire 2 0.87x
Caernarfonshire 2 0.13x
Flintshire 2 0.20x
Suffolk 2 0.04x
Westmorland 2 0.24x
Cornwall 1 0.02x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.08x
Selkirkshire 1 0.29x
Sutherland 1 0.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 258 Hannahs recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.49x.

Place Total Index
Govan 258 8.49x
Barony 228 7.34x
Glasgow 122 5.59x
Liverpool 91 3.33x
Toxteth Park 89 5.83x
Everton 71 4.94x
Kilmarnock 68 20.10x
Penninghame 65 126.39x
Stoneykirk 63 174.71x
Maybole 60 69.33x
Whithorn 52 135.31x
Salford 42 3.17x
Avondale 41 57.10x
Gateshead 36 4.26x
Great Grimsby 35 9.08x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 33 1.61x
Girvan 32 44.86x
Maryhill 32 13.31x
Kirkcolm 30 124.12x
Abbey 28 6.24x
Barrow In Furness 27 4.41x
Sorbie 27 122.45x
Ayr 26 19.38x
Kirkcudbright 26 57.14x
Lesmahagow 25 19.25x
Newchurch 25 6.78x
West Greenock 25 4.73x
Kirkdale 23 3.03x
Minnigaff 22 106.49x
Bothkennar 21 50.23x
Cleator 21 15.43x
Ballantrae 20 106.38x
Denny 20 26.85x
East Greenock 20 7.20x
Old Kilpatrick 20 16.59x
Cadder 19 20.95x
Dundonald 19 18.13x
Hulme 18 1.91x
Dundee 17 1.29x
Kilwinning 17 18.52x
Kirkmabreck 17 70.72x
Mochrum 17 56.46x
Paisley Low Church 17 18.25x
St Quivox 17 17.69x
Wigtown 17 59.07x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 16 3.27x
Inch 16 32.55x
Lasswade 16 13.76x
Paisley Middle Church 16 9.34x
Riccarton Hurlford 16 32.10x
Workington 16 8.55x
Dalmellington 15 17.95x
Islington London 15 0.41x
Kirkmichael 15 57.89x
Manchester 15 0.74x
Shotts 15 10.21x
Urr 15 20.98x
Ardrossan 14 14.23x
Bentham 14 48.81x
Kensington London 14 0.66x
Stranraer 14 30.36x
Anwoth 13 137.42x
Buittle 13 100.70x
Bullers Green 13 303.74x
Cardross 13 10.61x
Troqueer 13 18.03x
West Derby 13 0.99x
Colinton 12 21.15x
Falkirk 12 3.66x
Girthon 12 64.90x
Heworth 12 5.39x
Leeds 12 0.56x
Onchan 12 5.91x
Paisley High Church 12 5.12x
Whitehaven 12 6.89x
Cathcart 11 6.91x
Dumfries 11 13.29x
Kirkmaiden 11 34.47x
Loudoun 11 16.09x
Newton On Ayr 11 12.92x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 110
Elizabeth 61
Margaret 49
Sarah 35
Jane 34
Ann 32
Ellen 22
Eliza 21
Catherine 20
Annie 18
Agnes 17
Anne 12
Hannah 12
Martha 12
Alice 10
Emily 10
Emma 9
Isabella 9
Frances 7
Jessie 7
Rose 7
Susan 7
Harriet 6
Janet 6
Ada 5
Bridget 5
Clara 5
Florence 5
Marion 5
Rachel 5
Cecilia 4
Edith 4
Eleanor 4
Fanny 4
Kate 4
Mabel 4
Margt. 4
Maria 4
Rebecca 4
Anna 3
Charlotte 3
Elizth. 3
Esther 3
Georgina 3
Helen 3
Louisa 3
Maud 3
Selina 3
Maggie 2
Marian 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 121
John 116
James 65
Thomas 51
Robert 48
George 38
Samuel 21
Alexander 19
David 18
Charles 17
Joseph 17
Andrew 13
Henry 12
Richard 9
Alfred 8
Edward 8
Peter 8
Frederick 7
Walter 6
Wm. 6
Francis 5
Geo. 5
Hugh 5
Patrick 5
Adam 4
Arthur 4
Frank 4
Herbert 4
Chas. 3
Ernest 3
Robt. 3
Alex 2
Allen 2
Daniel 2
Ensy 2
Fredrick 2
Gilbert 2
Harry 2
Isaac 2
Louis 2
Michael 2
Philip 2
Phillip 2
Tom 2
W. 2
Alexdr.J. 1
Bernard 1
Fred. 1
Jos. 1
Wm.John 1

FAQ

Hannah surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hannah surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,865 people were recorded with the Hannah surname. That placed it at #1,181 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hannah surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 6,158 in 2016. That gives Hannah a modern rank of #1,099.

What does the Hannah surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew, also associated with the biblical name Hannah.

What does the Hannah map show?

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