NameCensus.

UK surname

Honor

A surname derived from the Old French word meaning "honor" or "respect".

In the 1881 census there were 215 people recorded with the Honor surname, ranking it #12,249 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 159, ranked #22,798, down from #12,249 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Wingrave with Rowsham, Drayton Beauchamp, Buckland and Willesden. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stockton-on-Tees, Reading and Aylesbury Vale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Honor is 230 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 26.0%.

1881 census count

215

Ranked #12,249

Modern count

159

2016, ranked #22,798

Peak year

1901

230 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Honor had 215 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,249 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 159 in 2016, ranked #22,798.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 230 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Honor surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Honor surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Honor 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 111 #16,006
1861 historical 192 #12,423
1881 historical 215 #12,249
1891 historical 222 #13,854
1901 historical 230 #13,851
1911 historical 218 #14,177
1997 modern 170 #19,505
1998 modern 179 #19,372
1999 modern 189 #18,862
2000 modern 178 #19,570
2001 modern 163 #20,372
2002 modern 175 #19,902
2003 modern 160 #20,789
2004 modern 158 #21,077
2005 modern 149 #21,866
2006 modern 149 #22,013
2007 modern 147 #22,510
2008 modern 144 #23,037
2009 modern 151 #22,816
2010 modern 155 #22,985
2011 modern 157 #22,574
2012 modern 153 #22,963
2013 modern 156 #23,004
2014 modern 157 #23,101
2015 modern 162 #22,509
2016 modern 159 #22,798

Geography

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Where Honors are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Wingrave with Rowsham, Drayton Beauchamp, Buckland, Willesden, London parishes and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stockton-on-Tees, Reading, Aylesbury Vale and Ealing. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Wingrave with Rowsham, Drayton Beauchamp, Buckland Buckinghamshire
3 Willesden Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
4 London parishes London 3
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stockton-on-Tees 010 Stockton-on-Tees
2 Reading 018 Reading
3 Aylesbury Vale 005 Aylesbury Vale
4 Ealing 012 Ealing
5 Reading 009 Reading

Forenames

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First names often paired with Honor

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Honor

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Honor, 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 Honor surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Honor 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Honor is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Honor 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

Honor falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Honor is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Honor

The surname HONOR is of English origin, derived from the Old French word "honur" or "honor," meaning honor, respect, or esteem. It is believed to have emerged as a surname during the medieval period, when it was likely used as a nickname or descriptor for someone who was highly regarded or held in high esteem within their community.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname HONOR can be traced back to the 13th century in various parts of England, including counties such as Essex, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was William Honor, who was mentioned in the Feet of Fines records for Essex in 1292.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the HONOR surname appeared in various historical records and documents, including the Lay Subsidy Rolls for Oxfordshire in 1334, where a John Honor was listed. The name was also found in the Subsidy Rolls for Berkshire in 1379, with a mention of a Thomas Honor.

The HONOR surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such person was Sir Patience Ward Honor (1686-1752), a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for St Ives in Cornwall from 1722 to 1727.

Another notable bearer of the HONOR name was John Honor (1758-1836), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. He achieved the rank of Admiral and was awarded several honors for his service.

In the literary world, the HONOR surname is associated with the English poet and playwright Thomas Honor (1615-1680), who is best known for his poetic work "Cupid's Whirligig" and his plays "The Parson's Wedding" and "The City Bride."

The HONOR surname has also been found in various place names and locations throughout England, such as Honor Oak in London, which is believed to have derived its name from an old oak tree that was once held in high regard or honor by the local community.

While the HONOR surname has been predominantly associated with England, it has also been found in other parts of the world, likely due to migration and the spread of English culture and language. However, its origins and earliest recorded instances can be traced back to the medieval period in England, where it emerged as a surname reflecting the perceived honor or esteem of its bearers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Honor families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Honor 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 42 Honors recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.01x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 42 2.01x
Buckinghamshire 41 32.49x
Surrey 29 2.85x
Oxfordshire 15 11.64x
Gloucestershire 14 3.42x
Warwickshire 12 2.28x
Hertfordshire 10 6.95x
Worcestershire 8 2.93x
Hampshire 7 1.64x
Essex 6 1.46x
Yorkshire 6 0.29x
Berkshire 5 3.19x
Cheshire 4 0.87x
Bedfordshire 2 1.85x
Devon 2 0.46x
Kent 2 0.28x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.71x
Sussex 2 0.57x
Cornwall 1 0.42x
Lanarkshire 1 0.15x
Lancashire 1 0.04x
Royal Navy 1 4.02x
Somerset 1 0.30x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bristol St Philip Jacob in Gloucestershire leads with 13 Honors recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.73x.

Place Total Index
Bristol St Philip Jacob 13 33.73x
Wingrave 13 2000.00x
Aston 12 8.28x
Hillingdon 12 180.45x
Lambeth 8 4.40x
Newington 8 10.37x
Penn 8 1012.66x
Wendover 8 588.24x
Worcester St Martin 8 217.39x
Kidlington 7 700.00x
Thame 7 299.15x
Hughenden 6 465.12x
Portsea 6 7.16x
Putney 6 63.09x
West Ham 6 6.60x
Ealing 4 21.45x
Kensington London 4 3.45x
Middlewich 4 421.05x
Northchurch 4 259.74x
Reading St Mary 4 31.87x
St Pancras London 4 2.38x
Thorpe 4 888.89x
Tottenham 4 12.03x
Chiswick 3 26.29x
Islington London 3 1.48x
Beaconsfield 2 170.94x
Hove 2 12.95x
Nottingham St Mary 2 2.75x
Sculcoates 2 6.10x
St Giles In Fields London 2 19.53x
Upton Cum Chalvey 2 39.76x
Wheathampstead 2 120.48x
Abbots Langley 1 46.73x
Berkhampstead 1 30.96x
Bermondsey 1 1.61x
Blackburn 1 1.52x
Bladon 1 227.27x
Bovingdon 1 133.33x
Bray 1 21.74x
Brickendon 1 149.25x
Bridgewater 1 10.96x
Bristol Christchurch 1 169.49x
Cambusnethan 1 6.67x
Carisbrooke 1 16.84x
Chelsea London 1 1.59x
Coulsdon 1 54.05x
Dunstable 1 30.12x
Great Brickhill 1 250.00x
Greenwich 1 3.01x
Hammersmith London 1 1.94x
Hilderthorpe 1 96.15x
Holy Trinity 1 2.01x
Isleworth 1 10.78x
Lawhitton 1 322.58x
Leeds 1 0.86x
Luton 1 5.34x
Marfleet 1 769.23x
Poplar London 1 2.54x
Royal Navy 1 4.70x
Ruislip 1 96.15x
Seer Green 1 416.67x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.72x
Streatham 1 6.46x
Tormoham 1 5.44x
West Teignmouth 1 30.12x
Woolwich 1 3.80x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 14
George 12
Henry 11
Thomas 7
Joseph 5
Albert 4
Alfred 4
James 4
Charles 3
Ernest 3
David 2
Edward 2
Frederick 2
John 2
Wm. 2
Annie 1
Ashton 1
Benjamin 1
Caleb 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Harry 1
Jas. 1
Josiah 1
Nathan 1
Philip 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Sandry 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Honor surname: questions and answers

How common was the Honor surname in 1881?

In 1881, 215 people were recorded with the Honor surname. That placed it at #12,249 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Honor surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 159 in 2016. That gives Honor a modern rank of #22,798.

What does the Honor surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old French word meaning "honor" or "respect".

What does the Honor map show?

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