NameCensus.

UK surname

Ivens

An English surname derived from the old German name Ivin, meaning "yew wood tree".

In the 1881 census there were 410 people recorded with the Ivens surname, ranking it #7,833 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 328, ranked #13,831, down from #7,833 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Clifton-on-Dunsmoor, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Milton Keynes, Reading and Hyndburn.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ivens is 483 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 20.0%.

1881 census count

410

Ranked #7,833

Modern count

328

2016, ranked #13,831

Peak year

1901

483 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ivens had 410 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,833 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 328 in 2016, ranked #13,831.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 483 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Ivens surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ivens surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ivens 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 293 #7,783
1861 historical 261 #9,481
1881 historical 410 #7,833
1891 historical 376 #9,319
1901 historical 483 #8,256
1911 historical 477 #8,114
1997 modern 405 #10,908
1998 modern 431 #10,754
1999 modern 448 #10,482
2000 modern 429 #10,834
2001 modern 425 #10,716
2002 modern 426 #10,918
2003 modern 398 #11,301
2004 modern 401 #11,264
2005 modern 370 #11,875
2006 modern 356 #12,284
2007 modern 356 #12,437
2008 modern 346 #12,813
2009 modern 358 #12,736
2010 modern 370 #12,701
2011 modern 363 #12,738
2012 modern 347 #13,048
2013 modern 356 #13,016
2014 modern 356 #13,098
2015 modern 340 #13,455
2016 modern 328 #13,831

Geography

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Where Ivens' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Clifton-on-Dunsmoor, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Priors Marston and Long Compton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Milton Keynes, Reading, Hyndburn, Daventry and Wiltshire. 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 Clifton-on-Dunsmoor Warwickshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Priors Marston Warwickshire
5 Long Compton Oxfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Milton Keynes 002 Milton Keynes
2 Reading 001 Reading
3 Hyndburn 002 Hyndburn
4 Daventry 004 Daventry
5 Wiltshire 019 Wiltshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ivens

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ivens

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Ivens is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Ivens is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ivens 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 Ivens is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Ivens

The surname Ivens is of English origin and dates back to the late 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English given name Ivan, which was a form of the name John or Johannes. The surname likely emerged as a patronymic, meaning "son of Ivan."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Ivens can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire in 1195, where it appears as "Iuene." This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

In the 13th century, the surname Ivens was prominent in the southern counties of England, particularly in Somerset and Dorset. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 list several individuals with the surname Ivens or similar spellings, such as Iven and Ivyn, residing in these areas.

During the medieval period, the surname Ivens was often associated with landowners and individuals of notable status. For instance, in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327, a William Ivens is recorded as a taxpayer in the village of Winterborne Stickland, Dorset.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname Ivens was Sir Adam Ivens, a prominent knight who lived in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. He was a member of the retinue of King Edward I and participated in the Scottish Wars of Independence.

Another notable figure with the surname Ivens was Richard Ivens (c. 1540-1620), an English composer and organist who served at the Chapel Royal during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I.

In the 17th century, the surname Ivens was found in various English records, including the Parish Registers of Stoke Gifford, Gloucestershire, which mention a Thomas Ivens in 1628.

During the 18th century, the name Ivens was associated with several notable individuals, such as John Ivens (1725-1798), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War.

Another prominent bearer of the surname was Robert Ivens (1740-1821), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Coleshill in Warwickshire.

In the 19th century, the surname Ivens continued to be found in various parts of England, with some individuals achieving notable accomplishments. One such individual was William Ivens (1818-1900), a British architect and surveyor who designed several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

The surname Ivens has a rich history that spans several centuries, with its origins rooted in the Old English given name Ivan. Throughout its evolution, the name has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including knights, composers, naval officers, clergymen, and architects.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ivens families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ivens 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 155 Ivens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.33x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 155 15.33x
Middlesex 48 1.20x
Northamptonshire 31 8.22x
Worcestershire 25 4.78x
Gloucestershire 21 2.67x
Buckinghamshire 20 8.25x
Kent 15 1.10x
Oxfordshire 15 6.06x
Staffordshire 13 0.96x
Yorkshire 10 0.25x
Durham 8 0.67x
Cambridgeshire 7 2.76x
Lancashire 6 0.13x
Bedfordshire 5 2.41x
Berkshire 5 1.66x
Lincolnshire 5 0.78x
Rutland 5 16.98x
Leicestershire 4 0.90x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.74x
Essex 3 0.38x
Glamorgan 2 0.29x
Sussex 2 0.30x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.62x
Royal Navy 1 2.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Warwick St Mary in Warwickshire leads with 17 Ivens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 193.62x.

Place Total Index
Warwick St Mary 17 193.62x
Coventry Holy Trinity 15 49.69x
Aston 10 3.59x
Bishops Itchington 10 1030.93x
Maidstone 9 22.09x
St Pancras London 9 2.79x
Tottenham 9 14.10x
Harbury 8 487.80x
Snitterfield 8 714.29x
Tanfield 8 56.42x
Boynton 7 3333.33x
Brize Norton 7 666.67x
Charlecote 7 1944.44x
Newbold Pacey 7 1346.15x
Rugby 7 51.17x
Twyford 7 909.09x
Willoughby 7 1666.67x
Caldecote 6 4000.00x
Canons Ashby 6 7500.00x
Chelsea London 6 4.97x
Clifford Chambers 6 1132.08x
Clifton On Dunsmore 6 731.71x
Eydon 6 967.74x
Leamington Priors 6 24.12x
Marsh Gibbon 6 588.24x
St Andrewthe Less 6 20.68x
Worcester St Peter 6 60.54x
Barford 5 505.05x
Bedford St Peter 5 92.76x
Kensington London 5 2.24x
Lewisham 5 6.85x
Peterborough 5 18.32x
Ridlington 5 1562.50x
Sedgley 5 9.95x
St Martin Lincoln 5 84.03x
Uxbridge 5 109.17x
Wolverton 5 99.60x
Bristol St George 4 11.00x
Burton Upon Trent 4 12.63x
Cheltenham 4 6.59x
Churchover 4 909.09x
Clewer 4 32.44x
Daventry 4 75.05x
Dudley 4 6.28x
Fladbury 4 645.16x
Hampstead London 4 6.41x
Kidderminster Foreign 4 54.05x
Kirkdale 4 5.00x
Newbold Upon Avon 4 416.67x
West Bromwich 4 5.16x
Budbrooke 3 291.26x
Caversham 3 60.61x
Clifton 3 7.55x
Coventry St Michael 3 9.24x
Kings Norton 3 6.39x
Leamington 3 44.78x
Milverton 3 101.35x
Napton On Hill 3 245.90x
Nottingham St Mary 3 2.15x
Piddington 3 769.23x
Stoke Newington London 3 9.61x
Thorpe 3 357.14x
Birmingham 2 0.59x
Frankton 2 666.67x
Hove 2 6.74x
Islington London 2 0.51x
Islip 2 256.41x
Lillington 2 153.85x
Litchborough 2 416.67x
Morton Pinkney 2 327.87x
Sherborne 2 253.16x
Sowe 2 109.89x
Wenvoe 2 357.14x
Alveston 1 75.19x
Long Buckby 1 28.65x
Neithrop 1 12.02x
Royal Navy 1 2.45x
Ruddington 1 27.62x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.42x
Warkworth 1 29.50x

FAQ

Ivens surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ivens surname in 1881?

In 1881, 410 people were recorded with the Ivens surname. That placed it at #7,833 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ivens surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 328 in 2016. That gives Ivens a modern rank of #13,831.

What does the Ivens surname mean?

An English surname derived from the old German name Ivin, meaning "yew wood tree".

What does the Ivens map show?

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