NameCensus.

UK surname

Inniss

A variant of the Irish surname "Ennis", derived from the place name Ennis in County Clare.

In the 1881 census there were 29 people recorded with the Inniss surname, ranking it #29,484 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 334, ranked #13,640, up from #29,484 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Bucks, Torridge and Newham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Inniss is 373 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1051.7%.

1881 census count

29

Ranked #29,484

Modern count

334

2016, ranked #13,640

Peak year

2010

373 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Inniss had 29 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,484 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 334 in 2016, ranked #13,640.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 42 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Inniss surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Inniss surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Inniss 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 35 #27,037
1861 historical 18 #31,580
1881 historical 29 #29,484
1891 historical 33 #31,681
1901 historical 25 #31,259
1911 historical 42 #28,691
1997 modern 286 #13,942
1998 modern 297 #13,967
1999 modern 315 #13,524
2000 modern 310 #13,618
2001 modern 310 #13,452
2002 modern 332 #13,090
2003 modern 334 #12,847
2004 modern 337 #12,818
2005 modern 349 #12,390
2006 modern 339 #12,754
2007 modern 345 #12,714
2008 modern 343 #12,899
2009 modern 362 #12,637
2010 modern 373 #12,628
2011 modern 361 #12,800
2012 modern 321 #13,836
2013 modern 322 #14,037
2014 modern 332 #13,807
2015 modern 333 #13,676
2016 modern 334 #13,640

Geography

Back to top

Where Inniss' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Bucks, Torridge, Newham, Birmingham and Tendring. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Bucks 002 South Bucks
2 Torridge 009 Torridge
3 Newham 014 Newham
4 Birmingham 052 Birmingham
5 Tendring 003 Tendring

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Inniss

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Inniss

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Inniss surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Inniss 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Inniss 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

Inniss 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

Inniss falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Inniss 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 Inniss, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Inniss

The surname INNISS originated in England, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Middle English term "Innes," which was a locational name referring to someone who lived near a place called "Innes," likely derived from the Old English word "inn," meaning a dwelling or lodging.

One of the earliest recorded references to the INNISS surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de Innes," indicating its locational origin. The name was particularly prevalent in the counties of Somerset, Dorset, and Wiltshire in southwestern England.

During the 13th century, the surname underwent various spelling variations, such as "Innes," "Ynnes," and "Innys," reflecting the fluid nature of surname spellings in those early times. One notable bearer of the name was Sir Robert Innys (c. 1285-1349), a prominent landowner and knight from Somerset, who played a significant role in the conflicts between King Edward III and the barons.

In the 16th century, the INNISS surname gained prominence with the birth of John Innys (1558-1610), a renowned English theologian and author, who served as the rector of Wigan and published several influential religious works.

Another distinguished individual bearing the INNISS surname was Sir William Innys (1674-1740), a successful merchant and politician from London. He served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Southwark and was knighted by King George I in recognition of his contributions to the city.

During the 18th century, the INNISS family produced several notable figures, including James Innys (1715-1792), a celebrated English printer and publisher who established the renowned Innys & Co. publishing house in London. His son, also named James Innys (1746-1819), followed in his footsteps and became a respected bookseller and publisher in his own right.

As the INNISS surname spread across England and later to other parts of the British Empire, it continued to be associated with individuals of distinction. One such example was Sir John Innys (1801-1879), a British colonial administrator who served as the Governor of the Leeward Islands and the Governor of British Guiana (now Guyana) in the mid-19th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Inniss families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Inniss 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. Warwickshire leads with 8 Inniss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.22x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 8 11.22x
Middlesex 6 2.12x
Aberdeenshire 5 19.09x
Kent 4 4.15x
Nottinghamshire 2 5.25x
Surrey 2 1.45x
Northumberland 1 2.38x
Yorkshire 1 0.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 8 Inniss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.66x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 8 33.66x
Hammersmith London 6 86.08x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 5 102.04x
Newington In Milton 4 4000.00x
Croydon 2 26.14x
Nottingham St Mary 2 20.28x
Sheffield 1 11.21x
Wooler 1 666.67x

Top occupations

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 Inniss households.

FAQ

Inniss surname: questions and answers

How common was the Inniss surname in 1881?

In 1881, 29 people were recorded with the Inniss surname. That placed it at #29,484 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Inniss surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 334 in 2016. That gives Inniss a modern rank of #13,640.

What does the Inniss surname mean?

A variant of the Irish surname "Ennis", derived from the place name Ennis in County Clare.

What does the Inniss map show?

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