NameCensus.

UK surname

Innocent

A surname indicating a person of pure or blameless character.

In the 1881 census there were 312 people recorded with the Innocent surname, ranking it #9,451 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 334, ranked #13,640, down from #9,451 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Werburgh and Sheffield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Middlesbrough, North East Derbyshire and Gedling.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Innocent is 409 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 7.1%.

1881 census count

312

Ranked #9,451

Modern count

334

2016, ranked #13,640

Peak year

1911

409 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Innocent had 312 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,451 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 409 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Innocent surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Innocent surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Innocent 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 210 #10,030
1861 historical 203 #11,865
1881 historical 312 #9,451
1891 historical 372 #9,386
1901 historical 384 #9,745
1911 historical 409 #9,140
1997 modern 337 #12,522
1998 modern 343 #12,707
1999 modern 360 #12,371
2000 modern 367 #12,153
2001 modern 367 #11,968
2002 modern 371 #12,096
2003 modern 357 #12,233
2004 modern 361 #12,175
2005 modern 361 #12,090
2006 modern 357 #12,253
2007 modern 359 #12,356
2008 modern 350 #12,694
2009 modern 354 #12,858
2010 modern 359 #12,975
2011 modern 362 #12,773
2012 modern 361 #12,647
2013 modern 359 #12,917
2014 modern 354 #13,153
2015 modern 343 #13,365
2016 modern 334 #13,640

Geography

Back to top

Where Innocents are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Werburgh, Sheffield, Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken and St Matthew Bethnal Green. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Middlesbrough, North East Derbyshire, Gedling, Wigan and Rhondda Cynon Taf. 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 3
2 St Werburgh Derbyshire
3 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken Warwickshire
5 St Matthew Bethnal Green London (East Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Middlesbrough 020 Middlesbrough
2 North East Derbyshire 001 North East Derbyshire
3 Gedling 002 Gedling
4 Wigan 003 Wigan
5 Rhondda Cynon Taf 027 Rhondda Cynon Taf

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Innocent

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Innocent

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Innocent is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Innocent 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

Innocent falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Innocent is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Innocent

The surname Innocent is of French origin, derived from the Old French personal name "Innocent" or "Innocens." This name was originally a nickname given to someone perceived as being pure, virtuous, or simple-minded.

Historically, the name Innocent can be traced back to the 12th century in various regions of France, particularly in the northern and central areas. It was often used as a descriptive surname, reflecting the perceived character or demeanor of the original bearer.

In medieval records, such as the "Cartulaire de l'abbaye de Saint-Père de Chartres" from the 13th century, instances of the surname Innocent can be found, indicating its early usage in the region of Chartres, France.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing this surname was Jehan Innocent, a French poet and chronicler born around 1280 in Paris. He is known for his work "Le Roman de la Rose," which was a significant literary work of the time.

Another notable figure was Pierre Innocent, a French theologian and educator who lived in the 15th century (c. 1430-1499). He served as the rector of the University of Paris and was known for his contributions to the field of theology.

In England, the surname Innocent was introduced by French immigrants and can be found in records dating back to the 16th century. One such individual was John Innocent, a merchant and alderman of the City of London, who lived during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (c. 1550-1620).

The variant spelling "Innocente" was also used, particularly in Italy. Vincenzo Innocente (1508-1590) was an Italian painter from the Venetian school, known for his religious works and portraits.

Another notable bearer of the surname was Charles Innocent, a French architect and engineer who lived in the 17th century (c. 1640-1703). He was involved in the construction of several notable buildings in Paris, including the Hôtel des Invalides.

While the surname Innocent has its roots in France, it has since spread and been adopted in various parts of the world, including other European countries, the Americas, and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Innocent families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Innocent 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. Yorkshire leads with 144 Innocents recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.76x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 144 4.76x
Middlesex 42 1.38x
Warwickshire 31 4.03x
Surrey 20 1.34x
Nottinghamshire 19 4.62x
Leicestershire 10 2.95x
Derbyshire 9 1.88x
Lancashire 9 0.25x
Kent 7 0.67x
Lincolnshire 6 1.23x
Oxfordshire 6 3.18x
Essex 3 0.50x
Berkshire 1 0.44x
Hampshire 1 0.16x
Rutland 1 4.46x
Shropshire 1 0.38x
Stirlingshire 1 0.89x
Sussex 1 0.19x
Wiltshire 1 0.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ecclesall Bierlow in Yorkshire leads with 46 Innocents recorded in 1881 and an index of 74.75x.

Place Total Index
Ecclesall Bierlow 46 74.75x
Brightside Bierlow 45 75.83x
Sheffield 21 21.80x
Coventry St Michael 17 68.74x
Bethnal Green London 13 9.80x
Aston 11 5.19x
Islington London 9 3.04x
Bermondsey 8 8.80x
Mile End Old Town London 8 12.31x
Nottingham St Mary 8 7.52x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 7 24.83x
Doncaster 7 31.67x
Battersea 6 5.34x
Burford 6 365.85x
Cantley 6 1034.48x
Lambeth 6 2.25x
Plumstead 6 17.28x
Chorlton On Medlock 5 8.69x
Derby St Peter 5 32.83x
Hampstead London 5 10.52x
Melton Mowbray 5 82.10x
Rempstone 5 1515.15x
Spittlegate 5 74.07x
St George In East London 5 17.41x
Marton Cum Grafton 4 1052.63x
Whatton 4 1333.33x
Cheetham 3 11.10x
Coventry Holy Trinity 3 13.05x
Kibworth Beauchamp 3 256.41x
Leyton 3 28.90x
Litchurch 3 15.59x
Kimberworth 2 11.91x
Leicester St Margaret 2 2.42x
Nether Hallam 2 4.89x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.24x
Hackney London 1 0.58x
Hastings St Mary In The 1 9.11x
Holme Pierrepont 1 434.78x
Manton 1 303.03x
Matlock 1 15.58x
Oldham 1 0.86x
Portsea 1 0.82x
Rossington 1 270.27x
Rotherham 1 5.86x
Shrewsbury St Mary 1 9.61x
St Nicholas Lincoln 1 21.41x
St Ninians 1 8.96x
Thorpe In Balne 1 526.32x
Tottenham 1 2.06x
Upper Dunsforth W 1 909.09x
Waltham St Lawrence 1 111.11x
Warminster 1 16.89x
Wilford 1 86.21x

FAQ

Innocent surname: questions and answers

How common was the Innocent surname in 1881?

In 1881, 312 people were recorded with the Innocent surname. That placed it at #9,451 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Innocent surname today?

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

What does the Innocent surname mean?

A surname indicating a person of pure or blameless character.

What does the Innocent map show?

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