NameCensus.

UK surname

Hannant

An English occupational surname derived from the Old French term "hanap" meaning cup-bearer or butler.

In the 1881 census there were 420 people recorded with the Hannant surname, ranking it #7,694 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,025, ranked #5,691, up from #7,694 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Gateshead and Walsham, North. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Breckland, South Norfolk and North Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hannant is 1,067 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 144.0%.

1881 census count

420

Ranked #7,694

Modern count

1,025

2016, ranked #5,691

Peak year

1999

1,067 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hannant had 420 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,694 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,025 in 2016, ranked #5,691.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 778 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Hannant surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hannant surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hannant 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 307 #7,502
1861 historical 302 #8,393
1881 historical 420 #7,694
1891 historical 544 #6,940
1901 historical 664 #6,534
1911 historical 778 #5,585
1997 modern 1,007 #5,472
1998 modern 1,039 #5,490
1999 modern 1,067 #5,409
2000 modern 1,030 #5,554
2001 modern 1,013 #5,526
2002 modern 1,010 #5,644
2003 modern 966 #5,752
2004 modern 966 #5,758
2005 modern 956 #5,752
2006 modern 962 #5,733
2007 modern 958 #5,803
2008 modern 968 #5,791
2009 modern 979 #5,864
2010 modern 1,002 #5,876
2011 modern 1,003 #5,809
2012 modern 1,018 #5,655
2013 modern 1,054 #5,581
2014 modern 1,042 #5,669
2015 modern 1,024 #5,701
2016 modern 1,025 #5,691

Geography

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Where Hannants are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Gateshead, Walsham, North, Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos and Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Breckland, South Norfolk and North Norfolk. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Walsham, North Norfolk
4 Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos Norfolk
5 Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Breckland 004 Breckland
2 South Norfolk 010 South Norfolk
3 North Norfolk 012 North Norfolk
4 North Norfolk 010 North Norfolk
5 North Norfolk 006 North Norfolk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hannant

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hannant

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Hannant surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Hannant 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Hannant is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Hannant is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hannant falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hannant 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Hannant

The surname HANNANT originated in England, with its earliest known roots traced back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "hanap," meaning a large drinking cup or goblet. This suggests that the name may have been an occupational surname for someone who made or sold such vessels.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the HANNANT surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from the year 1195, where a person named Richard Hanant is mentioned. This document provides valuable insight into the early spelling variations of the name, as surnames were not standardized during that period.

The HANNANT name also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which were ancient census-like records compiled by the English Crown. This indicates that the surname had spread to different regions of the country by the 13th century.

During the 14th century, a notable figure with the HANNANT surname was John Hannant, a merchant and alderman who lived in the city of Bristol. Records from 1347 mention him as a prominent member of the local community.

In the 15th century, the HANNANT name was associated with the village of Hannant in Wiltshire, which may have been a place of origin for some families bearing this surname. The village's name is derived from the Old English words "hana" meaning "cock" and "ant" meaning "valley," suggesting a connection to a geographical location.

One of the earliest known bearers of the HANNANT surname was William Hannant, who was born in 1512 in Dorset, England. He was a landowner and farmer, and his descendants continued to live in the same region for several generations.

Another notable figure was Sir Richard Hannant, who lived from 1623 to 1689 and served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Shaftesbury in Dorset. He played a significant role in the political and social affairs of the region during his lifetime.

In the 18th century, the HANNANT surname gained recognition through the work of John Hannant, a renowned clockmaker and watchmaker who was active in London between 1720 and 1770. His timepieces were highly sought after by the wealthy and aristocratic classes of the time.

Throughout its history, the HANNANT surname has been associated with various occupations and socioeconomic backgrounds, ranging from merchants and landowners to skilled craftsmen and political figures. While the name may have originated from a specific occupation, it has since branched out and been carried by individuals from diverse walks of life.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hannant families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hannant 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. Norfolk leads with 262 Hannants recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.59x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 262 41.59x
Durham 34 2.79x
Middlesex 31 0.76x
Suffolk 20 4.01x
Northumberland 18 2.95x
Essex 14 1.73x
Oxfordshire 9 3.56x
Kent 8 0.57x
Surrey 8 0.40x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.91x
Yorkshire 5 0.12x
Midlothian 2 0.36x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.60x
Gloucestershire 1 0.12x
Lanarkshire 1 0.08x
Lincolnshire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dilham in Norfolk leads with 44 Hannants recorded in 1881 and an index of 7333.33x.

Place Total Index
Dilham 44 7333.33x
Great Yarmouth 24 45.99x
Swaffham 14 273.44x
Belaugh 11 5789.47x
Heigham 10 29.58x
Norwich St Stephen 10 173.01x
Catfield 9 1011.24x
Henley On Thames 9 173.75x
North Walsham 9 198.24x
Gateshead 8 8.77x
Little Barningham 8 2857.14x
Murston 8 650.41x
Norwich St Julian 8 301.89x
Wallsend 8 41.39x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 7 13.26x
Helmington Row 7 123.24x
Hopton 7 569.11x
Itteringham 7 1555.56x
Kensington London 7 3.07x
Kyo 7 121.95x
Limehouse London 7 15.56x
Little Plumstead 7 1521.74x
Ormesby St Margaret W 7 443.04x
Elswick 6 12.33x
Gorleston 6 47.32x
Harwich St Nicholas 6 96.00x
Hevingham 6 560.75x
Lambeth 6 1.68x
Worstead 6 555.56x
Wymondham 6 93.17x
Coltishall 5 373.13x
Repps Cum Bastwick 5 1351.35x
Shotton 5 166.11x
Skegby 5 147.93x
St Marylebone London 5 2.29x
Tunstead 5 847.46x
West Beckham 5 1190.48x
Hackford In Aylsham 4 353.98x
Holy Trinity 4 4.10x
Leyton 4 28.72x
Norwich St Lawrence 4 465.12x
Whitwell 4 666.67x
Belton 3 340.91x
Caistor Next Yarmouth 3 135.14x
Clerkenwell London 3 3.10x
Corton 3 379.75x
Cowpen 3 21.37x
Hoveton St Peter 3 1578.95x
Norwich St Saviour 3 135.75x
St Pancras London 3 0.91x
Westwick 3 1153.85x
Bow London 2 3.83x
Briston 2 168.07x
Brundall 2 2500.00x
Hemsby 2 219.78x
Norwich All Sts 2 377.36x
Redenhall 2 81.63x
Reepham With Kerdiston 2 270.27x
Scottow 2 322.58x
Temple 2 91.74x
West Ham 2 1.12x
Clifton 1 2.46x
Glasgow 1 0.43x
Hackney London 1 0.44x
Ingham 1 156.25x
Islington London 1 0.25x
Little Warley 1 88.50x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 3.16x
Oxnead 1 909.09x
Plumbstead 1 370.37x
Reigate Foreign 1 4.63x
Rollesby 1 126.58x
Scoulton 1 217.39x
Sloley 1 270.27x
Stalham 1 83.33x
Streatham 1 3.29x
Sudbury St Peter 1 36.63x
Sutton 1 188.68x
Walthamstow 1 3.44x
Westminster St James 1 2.37x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 23
Mary 20
Sarah 16
Emma 7
Maria 7
Susan 7
Ann 6
Hannah 6
Alice 5
Ellen 5
Emily 5
Jane 5
Edith 4
Eliza 4
Harriet 4
Margaret 4
Sophia 4
Amelia 3
Kate 3
Louisa 3
Susannah 3
Anna 2
Anne 2
Annie 2
Beatrice 2
Blanche 2
Charlotte 2
Gertrude 2
Grace 2
Helena 2
Martha 2
Sussanna 2
Agness 1
Bertha 1
Caraline 1
Carey 1
Caroline 1
Elisabeth 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Henrietta 1
Isabella 1
Laura 1
Lousia 1
Margrett 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 30
John 27
Robert 15
James 13
Charles 11
George 11
Thomas 8
Henry 7
Herbert 7
Richard 7
Walter 7
Arthur 6
Samuel 5
Solomon 5
Ernest 4
Frederick 4
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Benjamin 3
Edward 3
Nathaniel 3
Fredrick 2
Geo. 2
Isaac 2
Joseph 2
Cubitt 1
Daniel 1
Dennis 1
Ebenezer 1
Edgar 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Geo.A. 1
Gooch 1
Henery 1
Horace 1
Hudson 1
Jas. 1
Jeremiah 1
Job 1
Leonard 1
Page 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Robt. 1
Sidney 1
Sydney 1
Tho. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Hannant surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hannant surname in 1881?

In 1881, 420 people were recorded with the Hannant surname. That placed it at #7,694 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hannant surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,025 in 2016. That gives Hannant a modern rank of #5,691.

What does the Hannant surname mean?

An English occupational surname derived from the Old French term "hanap" meaning cup-bearer or butler.

What does the Hannant map show?

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