UK surname
A surname of German origin signifying someone from or associated with the city of Hanover.
In the 1881 census there were 65 people recorded with the Hanover surname, ranking it #24,420 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 70, ranked #33,700, down from #24,420 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Alva and St Giles-in-the-Fields. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hanover is 116 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 7.7%.
1881 census count
65
Ranked #24,420
Modern count
70
2016, ranked #33,700
Peak year
1861
116 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hanover surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hanover 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 | 53 | #23,739 |
| 1861 | historical | 116 | #18,751 |
| 1881 | historical | 65 | #24,420 |
| 1891 | historical | 90 | #25,399 |
| 1901 | historical | 79 | #25,363 |
| 1911 | historical | 71 | #25,742 |
| 1997 | modern | 81 | #29,436 |
| 1998 | modern | 79 | #30,080 |
| 1999 | modern | 84 | #29,700 |
| 2000 | modern | 86 | #29,484 |
| 2001 | modern | 79 | #30,065 |
| 2002 | modern | 80 | #30,387 |
| 2003 | modern | 73 | #31,186 |
| 2004 | modern | 73 | #31,403 |
| 2005 | modern | 70 | #31,912 |
| 2006 | modern | 66 | #32,629 |
| 2007 | modern | 70 | #32,580 |
| 2008 | modern | 68 | #33,047 |
| 2009 | modern | 73 | #32,923 |
| 2010 | modern | 67 | #33,713 |
| 2011 | modern | 68 | #33,613 |
| 2012 | modern | 67 | #33,840 |
| 2013 | modern | 74 | #33,483 |
| 2014 | modern | 74 | #33,531 |
| 2015 | modern | 71 | #33,666 |
| 2016 | modern | 70 | #33,700 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Alva, St Giles-in-the-Fields, St Marylebone and Brancepeth. 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 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | Alva | Stirling |
| 3 | St Giles-in-the-Fields | London (Central Districts) |
| 4 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Brancepeth | Durham |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hanover 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 Hanover, 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 Hanover surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hanover 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, Hanover 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 Hanover is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hanover, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hanover originated in the region of northwestern Germany known as Lower Saxony. It is derived from the German place name Hannover, which is believed to come from the Old Saxon word "Hanovordi" or "Honovere," meaning a high or raised bank on the River Leine.
The name Hanover first appears in historical records from the 12th century, with references to the town of Hanover and the ruling House of Hanover. In the Domesday Book of 1086, there are no listings for the name Hanover, as it was not an English surname at that time.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Hanover was Ernst August, Elector of Hanover, who was born in 1629 and died in 1698. He was the first monarch of the Hanoverian line and played a significant role in the formation of the Kingdom of Hanover.
Another notable figure associated with the name was King George I of Great Britain, born Georg Ludwig von Hannover in 1660. He was the first monarch of the House of Hanover to rule over the British kingdoms after the Act of Settlement in 1701.
During the 18th century, the name Hanover became more widely known due to the influence of the Hanoverian monarchs in Britain. One notable bearer of the name was Sir William Herschel, the German-born British astronomer who discovered the planet Uranus in 1781.
In the 19th century, a prominent figure with the Hanover surname was Princess Caroline of Hanover, born in 1768 and died in 1821. She was the wife of Prince William, Duke of Clarence, who later became King William IV of the United Kingdom.
Throughout history, there have been several other notable individuals with the surname Hanover, including military leaders, politicians, and intellectuals. The name continues to be associated with its German roots and the historical significance of the House of Hanover.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hanover 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 16 Hanovers recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.49x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 16 | 2.49x |
| Stirlingshire | 12 | 50.55x |
| Durham | 9 | 4.70x |
| Devon | 7 | 5.23x |
| Norfolk | 5 | 5.05x |
| Gloucestershire | 4 | 3.17x |
| Monmouthshire | 4 | 8.60x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 1.52x |
| Westmorland | 2 | 14.14x |
| Ayrshire | 1 | 2.08x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.70x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.79x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.89x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 13.04x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Alva in Stirlingshire leads with 12 Hanovers recorded in 1881 and an index of 1061.95x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Alva | 12 | 1061.95x |
| St Marylebone London | 7 | 20.37x |
| Brandon Byshottles | 5 | 208.33x |
| Rushford | 5 | 12500.00x |
| East Stonehouse | 4 | 151.52x |
| Tanfield | 4 | 175.44x |
| Bedwellty | 3 | 36.54x |
| St Giles In Fields London | 3 | 94.94x |
| Applethwaite | 2 | 476.19x |
| Bethnal Green London | 2 | 7.15x |
| Bristol St Augustine | 2 | 98.04x |
| Bristol St Philip Jacob | 2 | 16.84x |
| Devonport | 2 | 129.87x |
| Islington London | 2 | 3.21x |
| Portsea | 2 | 7.74x |
| Chester St John Baptist | 1 | 39.22x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 9.98x |
| Holcombe Rogus | 1 | 625.00x |
| Kilmaurs | 1 | 121.95x |
| Leyton | 1 | 45.66x |
| Llantwit Vairdre | 1 | 79.37x |
| Mamhilad | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 8.23x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 15.24x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hanover 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 Hanover 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 Hanover households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 10 |
| Carman | 2 |
| Carpenter | 2 |
| Tailoress | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Barber | 1 |
| Beer House Keeper | 1 |
| Cigar Maker | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Confectioner | 1 |
| Cook (Dom Serv) | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Grocer | 1 |
| Groom | 1 |
| House Painter | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Inmate Of Reformatory | 1 |
| Iron Worker | 1 |
| Labourer (General) | 1 |
| Milliner | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Ord | 1 |
| Painter 1 Cl | 1 |
| Painter H.M.R.Navy (RN Seaman) | 1 |
| Paper Stainer | 1 |
| Pauper | 1 |
| Pensioner RN | 1 |
| Plasterer | 1 |
| Weaver Silk | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 65 people were recorded with the Hanover surname. That placed it at #24,420 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 70 in 2016. That gives Hanover a modern rank of #33,700.
A surname of German origin signifying someone from or associated with the city of Hanover.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hanover 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.