UK surname
An Anglicized form of the German surname Hanisch, derived from Hans, a pet form of Johannes.
In the 1881 census there were 27 people recorded with the Hansey surname, ranking it #29,793 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 15, ranked #37,092, down from #29,793 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ditchingham, Christchurch and Bedford St Paul. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hansey is 125 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 44.4%.
1881 census count
27
Ranked #29,793
Modern count
15
2016, ranked #37,092
Peak year
1861
125 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hansey surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hansey 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 | 46 | #24,985 |
| 1861 | historical | 125 | #17,678 |
| 1881 | historical | 27 | #29,793 |
| 1891 | historical | 59 | #29,325 |
| 1901 | historical | 39 | #29,799 |
| 1911 | historical | 27 | #30,437 |
| 1997 | modern | 14 | #36,528 |
| 1998 | modern | 12 | #36,790 |
| 1999 | modern | 12 | #36,806 |
| 2000 | modern | 12 | #36,749 |
| 2001 | modern | 11 | #36,727 |
| 2002 | modern | 11 | #36,780 |
| 2003 | modern | 10 | #36,964 |
| 2004 | modern | 10 | #37,096 |
| 2005 | modern | 11 | #37,065 |
| 2006 | modern | 11 | #37,118 |
| 2007 | modern | 11 | #37,217 |
| 2008 | modern | 10 | #37,371 |
| 2009 | modern | 10 | #37,446 |
| 2010 | modern | 11 | #37,411 |
| 2011 | modern | 12 | #37,287 |
| 2012 | modern | 14 | #37,078 |
| 2013 | modern | 16 | #36,955 |
| 2014 | modern | 16 | #36,974 |
| 2015 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2016 | modern | 15 | #37,092 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ditchingham, Christchurch, Bedford St Paul, South Stoneham and Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a. 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 | Ditchingham | Norfolk |
| 2 | Christchurch | London (South Districts) |
| 3 | Bedford St Paul | Bedfordshire |
| 4 | South Stoneham | Hampshire |
| 5 | Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a | Essex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hansey 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 Hansey, 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 Hansey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hansey 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, Hansey 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 Hansey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hansey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hansey originates from England, with its earliest recorded uses dating back to the late 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "hana," meaning "rooster" or "cock," and the suffix "-ey," indicating a place of origin. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a place associated with roosters or poultry.
One of the earliest known references to the name Hansey can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, which mentions a person named Richard de Hanneye. This early spelling variation provides insight into the name's evolution over time.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various records, such as the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire from 1260, which listed a John de Hanesye. This indicates that the name was present in different regions of England during this period.
The Hansey surname has also been linked to several place names, including Hanney in Berkshire and Hanney in Oxfordshire. These locations likely served as the original homesteads or areas of origin for some early Hansey families.
Notable individuals with the Hansey surname throughout history include:
1. Sir Thomas Hansey (c. 1450 - 1520), an English politician and member of Parliament during the reign of Henry VIII. 2. William Hansey (1590 - 1658), an English clergyman and author who served as the Archdeacon of York. 3. Elizabeth Hansey (1660 - 1732), a renowned English painter known for her portraits and still-life works. 4. John Hansey (1704 - 1778), a prominent merchant and landowner in colonial Virginia, who played a role in the American Revolution. 5. Margaret Hansey (1825 - 1901), a British philanthropist and social reformer who advocated for the rights of women and children.
While the Hansey surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and immigration patterns over the centuries. However, its origins can be traced back to the Old English language and the historical regions of England where the name first emerged.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hansey 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 8 Hanseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.04x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chiswick in Middlesex leads with 7 Hanseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 486.11x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Chiswick | 7 | 486.11x |
| South Stoneham | 7 | 598.29x |
| Bishop Burton | 5 | 12500.00x |
| Broome | 3 | 6000.00x |
| Gateshead | 3 | 51.19x |
| Bromsgrove | 1 | 86.21x |
| St George Martyr London | 1 | 188.68x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hansey 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 Hansey 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 Hansey households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 9 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Artist (Painter) | 1 |
| Baker & Grocer | 1 |
| Baker & Grocer Wife | 1 |
| Gen Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Miller 3 Ac Emp 1 Man 1 Boy | 1 |
| Shop Assistant (Grocer) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 27 people were recorded with the Hansey surname. That placed it at #29,793 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 15 in 2016. That gives Hansey a modern rank of #37,092.
An Anglicized form of the German surname Hanisch, derived from Hans, a pet form of Johannes.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hansey 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.