NameCensus.

UK surname

Herman

Derived from the Old German name "Hariman," meaning "army man" or "warrior."

In the 1881 census there were 542 people recorded with the Herman surname, ranking it #6,362 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,465, ranked #4,204, up from #6,362 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Hanney, West and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Barnet and Mauchline Rural.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Herman is 1,474 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 170.3%.

1881 census count

542

Ranked #6,362

Modern count

1,465

2016, ranked #4,204

Peak year

2015

1,474 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Herman had 542 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,362 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,465 in 2016, ranked #4,204.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,073 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Herman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Herman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Herman 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 347 #6,781
1861 historical 507 #5,159
1881 historical 542 #6,362
1891 historical 760 #5,241
1901 historical 984 #4,824
1911 historical 1,073 #4,321
1997 modern 1,276 #4,465
1998 modern 1,349 #4,412
1999 modern 1,333 #4,487
2000 modern 1,315 #4,523
2001 modern 1,266 #4,592
2002 modern 1,332 #4,480
2003 modern 1,307 #4,464
2004 modern 1,300 #4,483
2005 modern 1,284 #4,485
2006 modern 1,299 #4,443
2007 modern 1,323 #4,417
2008 modern 1,329 #4,427
2009 modern 1,366 #4,409
2010 modern 1,410 #4,378
2011 modern 1,406 #4,346
2012 modern 1,430 #4,235
2013 modern 1,452 #4,245
2014 modern 1,465 #4,248
2015 modern 1,474 #4,199
2016 modern 1,465 #4,204

Geography

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Where Hermans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Hanney, West, Manchester and Isleham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Barnet, Mauchline Rural, Bournemouth and South Somerset. 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 1
2 Hanney, West Berkshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Isleham Cambridgeshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 040 Cornwall
2 Barnet 032 Barnet
3 Mauchline Rural East Ayrshire
4 Bournemouth 021 Bournemouth
5 South Somerset 002 South Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Herman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Herman

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Herman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Herman 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Herman is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Herman is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Herman 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 Herman 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 Herman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Herman

The surname Herman has its origins in the Germanic language, deriving from the elements "heri" meaning army and "man" meaning man or person. It was initially a personal name given to a brave or valiant warrior, but over time it transitioned into a hereditary surname.

The earliest known record of the name Herman can be traced back to the 8th century in the Frankish Empire, where it was used as a personal name among the noble class. One of the earliest recorded instances is found in the Annales Regni Francorum, a historical chronicle from the late 8th century, which mentions a nobleman named Herman.

In the 11th century, the surname Herman began to appear more frequently in various regions of present-day Germany and the Netherlands. It is found in the Codex Traditionum Westfalicarum, a collection of medieval charters and documents from Westphalia, Germany.

During the Middle Ages, the name Herman was particularly common in the Rhineland region of Germany. One notable figure was Herman of Reichenau (1013-1054), a Benedictine monk, scholar, and composer from the Abbey of Reichenau. His works included influential treatises on music theory and astronomical calculations.

In the 13th century, the surname Herman gained prominence in the Netherlands, where it was often associated with influential families and individuals. One such example is Herman de Liege (c. 1240-1301), a Flemish architect and sculptor who contributed to the construction of several notable Gothic cathedrals, including the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp.

In England, the surname Herman can be traced back to the 16th century, likely introduced by immigrants from the Low Countries. One of the earliest recorded instances is William Herman (c. 1535-1598), an English botanist and author of the influential work "The Herbal, or General Historie of Plantes."

Another notable figure with the surname Herman is Johann Herman (1527-1605), a German theologian and one of the authors of the Heidelberg Catechism, a influential Protestant confessional document.

As the surname spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Hermanns, Hermaen, and Hermans, reflecting regional linguistic differences and scribal interpretations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Herman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Herman 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. Middlesex leads with 116 Hermans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.20x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 116 2.20x
Lancashire 68 1.09x
Berkshire 67 16.91x
Somerset 42 4.94x
Surrey 33 1.28x
Gloucestershire 24 2.32x
Sussex 18 2.02x
Worcestershire 17 2.47x
Oxfordshire 16 4.91x
Glamorgan 15 1.63x
Norfolk 15 1.85x
Essex 13 1.25x
Kent 12 0.67x
Yorkshire 12 0.23x
Hertfordshire 9 2.47x
Northumberland 8 1.02x
Stirlingshire 7 3.60x
West Lothian 7 8.81x
Durham 6 0.38x
Warwickshire 6 0.45x
Argyllshire 4 2.72x
Lincolnshire 4 0.47x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.42x
Angus 2 0.41x
Cheshire 2 0.17x
Derbyshire 2 0.24x
Devon 2 0.18x
Hampshire 2 0.18x
Midlothian 2 0.28x
Monmouthshire 2 0.52x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.31x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.30x
Fife 1 0.32x
Lanarkshire 1 0.06x
Wiltshire 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Manchester in Lancashire leads with 20 Hermans recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.10x.

Place Total Index
Manchester 20 7.10x
Whitechapel London 18 34.60x
East West Hanney 16 1025.64x
Great Yarmouth 15 22.32x
East Lockinge 13 2166.67x
St Pancras London 12 2.83x
North Cadbury 11 674.85x
Sutton Courtney 11 674.85x
Bristol St James St Paul 9 26.08x
Chelsea London 9 5.66x
Dowdeswell 9 1000.00x
Horspath 9 1525.42x
Kensington London 9 3.07x
Ratcliffe London 9 30.89x
St Botolph Bishopsgate 9 120.48x
Cardiff St Mary 8 15.81x
Chapel 8 1230.77x
Kings Walden 8 388.35x
Kingston 8 467.84x
Lambeth 8 1.74x
Bathgate 7 40.58x
Hastings St Clement 7 83.63x
Slamannan 7 65.67x
St Marylebone London 7 2.48x
Bedminster 6 7.52x
Cheetham 6 12.85x
Clapham 6 9.10x
Limehouse London 6 10.36x
Oxford St Clement 6 72.99x
Tilehurst 6 75.00x
Tynemouth 6 14.27x
Weston 6 91.88x
Barnes 5 46.00x
Dartford 5 27.16x
Feckenham 5 63.37x
Hammersmith London 5 3.85x
Holy Trinity 5 3.98x
Liverpool 5 1.31x
Oldham 5 2.47x
Shoreditch London 5 2.19x
Sparsholt 5 632.91x
Stanton Prior 5 2777.78x
Walton On Hill 5 14.74x
Camberwell 4 1.19x
Childrey 4 430.11x
Hillmorton 4 168.78x
Lyncombe Widcombe 4 17.99x
Lytham 4 41.84x
Salford 4 2.17x
Shadwell London 4 27.08x
St Anne Soho London 4 13.27x
Strachur Stralachlan 4 330.58x
Upton On Severn 4 88.69x
West Ham 4 1.74x
Ashton Under Lyne 3 2.19x
Bermondsey 3 1.91x
Croydon 3 2.10x
Dawdon 3 15.54x
Hastings St Mary In The 3 15.81x
Holdfast Queenshill 3 909.09x
Sibsey 3 157.89x
Snodland 3 58.82x
Stapleton 3 15.28x
Steventon 3 179.64x
Toxteth Park 3 1.41x
Brighton 2 1.11x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 2.01x
Derby St Peter 2 7.60x
Dundee 2 1.10x
Gravesend 2 13.12x
Great Bolton 2 2.41x
Great Rissington 2 266.67x
Hulme 2 1.53x
Isleworth 2 8.53x
Leamington 2 22.68x
Leeds 2 0.68x
Paddington London 2 1.03x
Spitalfields London 2 5.04x
Stourbridge 2 11.28x
West Derby 2 1.09x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 28
William 25
George 23
Charles 14
Henry 13
James 13
Thomas 13
Joseph 9
Robert 8
Albert 7
Frederick 7
Samuel 7
David 5
Abraham 4
Edward 4
Alfred 3
Ernest 3
Harry 3
Louis 3
Walter 3
Andrew 2
Frank 2
Jno. 2
Richard 2
Antoy 1
Authon 1
Belcora 1
Bernard 1
Bertie 1
Charlie 1
Edwd. 1
Elijah 1
Emil 1
Emile 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Fritz 1
Heinrich 1
Hyman 1
Isaac 1
Johann 1
Joshua 1
Julius 1
Keith 1
Laurie 1
Lazarus 1
Leo 1
Leonard 1
Wm.D. 1

FAQ

Herman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Herman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 542 people were recorded with the Herman surname. That placed it at #6,362 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Herman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,465 in 2016. That gives Herman a modern rank of #4,204.

What does the Herman surname mean?

Derived from the Old German name "Hariman," meaning "army man" or "warrior."

What does the Herman map show?

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