UK surname
A surname derived from the Old French word "honor" meaning honor or esteem.
In the 1881 census there were 21 people recorded with the Hornor surname, ranking it #30,609 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 12, ranked #37,385, down from #30,609 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St John Hackney, Walsham, North and St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hornor is 153 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 42.9%.
1881 census count
21
Ranked #30,609
Modern count
12
2016, ranked #37,385
Peak year
1861
153 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hornor surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hornor 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 | 42 | #25,706 |
| 1861 | historical | 153 | #15,032 |
| 1881 | historical | 21 | #30,609 |
| 1891 | historical | 72 | #27,804 |
| 1901 | historical | 46 | #29,047 |
| 1911 | historical | 40 | #28,913 |
| 1997 | modern | 15 | #36,409 |
| 1998 | modern | 14 | #36,565 |
| 1999 | modern | 13 | #36,693 |
| 2000 | modern | 15 | #36,425 |
| 2001 | modern | 14 | #36,372 |
| 2002 | modern | 12 | #36,679 |
| 2003 | modern | 13 | #36,620 |
| 2004 | modern | 13 | #36,742 |
| 2005 | modern | 13 | #36,833 |
| 2006 | modern | 15 | #36,707 |
| 2007 | modern | 12 | #37,095 |
| 2008 | modern | 11 | #37,270 |
| 2009 | modern | 13 | #37,140 |
| 2010 | modern | 15 | #37,038 |
| 2011 | modern | 14 | #37,115 |
| 2012 | modern | 13 | #37,169 |
| 2013 | modern | 14 | #37,127 |
| 2014 | modern | 14 | #37,161 |
| 2015 | modern | 14 | #37,157 |
| 2016 | modern | 12 | #37,385 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St John Hackney, Walsham, North, St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a, Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos and Kingston-on-Thames. 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 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| 2 | Walsham, North | Norfolk |
| 3 | St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a | Norfolk |
| 4 | Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos | Norfolk |
| 5 | Kingston-on-Thames | Surrey |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hornor 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 Hornor, 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 Hornor surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hornor 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, Hornor 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 Hornor is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hornor, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hornor is believed to have originated in England, with roots that can be traced back to the medieval period. It is thought to be a variant spelling of the more common surname "Horner," which itself is derived from the Old English word "horn" and the occupational suffix "-er."
In medieval times, the name likely referred to someone who worked with horns, either as a hornblower or a maker of horn products such as drinking vessels, combs, and decorative items. The earliest recorded instances of the Hornor surname can be found in historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries, where it appeared in various spellings such as "Horner," "Hornere," and "Hornor."
One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1275, which mention a "Johannes le Hornere." Another early record is the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which list a "Willelmus Hornor."
While the Hornor surname is not particularly well-represented in historical records, there are a few notable individuals who bore this name throughout history. One of the earliest was William Hornor, a 16th-century English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Llandaff from 1554 to 1557.
Later figures with the Hornor surname include Thomas Hornor (1633-1701), an English Puritan minister and author, and John Hornor (1775-1846), an American surveyor and politician who served as the 8th Governor of Pennsylvania.
In more recent times, the novelist and short story writer Nick Hornor (born 1957) has gained recognition for his works of speculative fiction and horror, while the American actress and model Jessica Hornor (born 1984) has appeared in various television shows and films.
Another notable individual with the Hornor surname was James Hornor (1901-1972), a Scottish professional footballer who played as a forward for several clubs in the early 20th century, including Falkirk and Ayr United.
Overall, while the Hornor surname may not be as widespread as some others, it has a rich history that can be traced back to the occupational names of medieval England, and has been borne by a diverse range of individuals over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hornor 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 6 Hornors recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.08x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 6 | 3.08x |
| Norfolk | 6 | 20.03x |
| Essex | 4 | 10.40x |
| Oxfordshire | 3 | 24.94x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.43x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Walsham in Norfolk leads with 5 Hornors recorded in 1881 and an index of 2272.73x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| North Walsham | 5 | 2272.73x |
| Halstead | 4 | 888.89x |
| Hampstead London | 4 | 132.01x |
| Oxford St Giles | 3 | 526.32x |
| Shoreditch London | 2 | 23.67x |
| Norwich St George Tombland | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Warrington | 1 | 36.50x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hornor surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 21 people were recorded with the Hornor surname. That placed it at #30,609 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 12 in 2016. That gives Hornor a modern rank of #37,385.
A surname derived from the Old French word "honor" meaning honor or esteem.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hornor 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.