NameCensus.

UK surname

Horns

An English surname referring to someone with prominent or horn-like features.

In the 1881 census there were 27 people recorded with the Horns surname, ranking it #29,793 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #29,793 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Norton Subcourse, St John Hackney and Llangynider. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Horns is 234 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 70.4%.

1881 census count

27

Ranked #29,793

Modern count

8

2016, ranked #37,829

Peak year

1861

234 bearers

Map years

2

1861 to 1891

Key insights

  • Horns had 27 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,793 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016, ranked #37,829.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 234 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is No data.

Horns surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Horns surname density by area, 1891 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Horns 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 53 #23,739
1861 historical 234 #10,463
1881 historical 27 #29,793
1891 historical 139 #19,311
1901 historical 31 #30,616
1911 historical 30 #30,073
1997 modern 7 #37,533
1998 modern 6 #37,703
1999 modern 6 #37,696
2000 modern 7 #37,430
2001 modern 8 #37,124
2002 modern 10 #36,902
2003 modern 8 #37,248
2004 modern 12 #36,835
2005 modern 15 #36,621
2006 modern 11 #37,118
2007 modern 13 #36,990
2008 modern 10 #37,371
2009 modern 11 #37,336
2010 modern 16 #36,937
2011 modern 12 #37,287
2012 modern 6 #38,008
2013 modern 8 #37,767
2014 modern 8 #37,806
2015 modern 10 #37,563
2016 modern 8 #37,829

Geography

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Where Horns' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Norton Subcourse, St John Hackney, Llangynider, Liverpool and St Mary Islington. 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.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Norton Subcourse Norfolk
2 St John Hackney London (North Districts)
3 Llangynider Brecon
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 No data No data

Forenames

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First names often paired with Horns

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

Recent female names

No Forenames Found

Recent male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Horns

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

No data

Group

No data

Nationally, the Horns surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Horns household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

No data

Group

No data

Within London, Horns 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

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Horns is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Horns

The surname "HORNS" is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 12th century. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "horn," referring to a horn-like object or a person who worked with horns, such as a horn-maker or a horn-blower.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1190, where a person named William Horne is mentioned. This early spelling variation, "Horne," highlights the potential connection to the Old English word "horn."

In the 13th century, the surname appeared in several historical records, including the Curia Regis Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1227, which listed a Robert Horne. The Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273 also mentioned a Johannes Horne, further solidifying the presence of the name during this time period.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of land ownership in England compiled in 1086, does not contain any direct mentions of the surname "HORNS" or its variants. However, it is possible that the name had not yet emerged or was not widely documented at that time.

As the surname spread across England, various place names and locations may have influenced its spelling and pronunciation. For instance, the village of Horne in Surrey and the town of Horn in Hertfordshire could have contributed to the development of the surname in those regions.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname "HORNS." One such example is Robert Horne, an English clergyman and Bishop of Winchester, who lived from 1519 to 1580. Another notable figure was Thomas Horne, an English theologian and biblical scholar, who lived from 1780 to 1862.

Other individuals with the surname "HORNS" include:

1. William Horne, an English composer and musician who lived in the 16th century. 2. Richard Henry Horne, an English poet and writer who lived from 1802 to 1884. 3. Charles F. Horne, an American author and editor who lived from 1870 to 1942. 4. Herman Harrell Horne, an American academic and writer who lived from 1874 to 1946. 5. Lena Horne, an American singer, actress, and civil rights activist who lived from 1917 to 2010.

While the surname "HORNS" has undergone various spelling variations over time, its origins can be traced back to the Old English word "horn," reflecting its connection to the horn-related professions or objects of the past. The name has been documented in historical records spanning several centuries and has been borne by notable individuals across various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Horns families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Horns 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 8 Horns' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.04x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 8 3.04x
Dunbartonshire 6 84.87x
Lancashire 5 1.60x
Yorkshire 5 1.92x
Lanarkshire 1 1.17x
Norfolk 1 2.47x
Northumberland 1 2.55x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mile End Old Town London in Middlesex leads with 7 Horns' recorded in 1881 and an index of 125.00x.

Place Total Index
Mile End Old Town London 7 125.00x
Row 6 652.17x
Brightside Bierlow 4 78.13x
Heaton Norris 3 168.54x
Blenkinsopp 1 1428.57x
Dalserf 1 117.65x
Eaton St Andrew 1 909.09x
Liverpool 1 5.27x
Preston 1 11.96x
Sculcoates 1 24.15x
St Pancras London 1 4.72x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 2
Ann 1
Catherine 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Harriett 1
Margret 1
Nelly 1
Susanna 1
Sussana 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Edward 1
George 1
Henry 1
Herbert 1
Heseyiah 1
John 1
Richard 1

FAQ

Horns surname: questions and answers

How common was the Horns surname in 1881?

In 1881, 27 people were recorded with the Horns surname. That placed it at #29,793 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Horns surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Horns a modern rank of #37,829.

What does the Horns surname mean?

An English surname referring to someone with prominent or horn-like features.

What does the Horns map show?

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