NameCensus.

UK surname

Jacob

A patronymic surname derived from the Hebrew given name Ya'aqov, meaning "supplanter" or "one who grasps the heel."

In the 1881 census there were 2,333 people recorded with the Jacob surname, ranking it #1,906 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,930, ranked #1,718, up from #1,906 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Carmarthenshire, Mid Suffolk and Oxford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jacob is 3,932 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 68.5%.

1881 census count

2,333

Ranked #1,906

Modern count

3,930

2016, ranked #1,718

Peak year

2014

3,932 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Jacob had 2,333 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,906 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,930 in 2016, ranked #1,718.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,141 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Jacob surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Jacob surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Jacob 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 2,104 #1,383
1861 historical 2,236 #1,315
1881 historical 2,333 #1,906
1891 historical 2,672 #1,783
1901 historical 2,663 #2,074
1911 historical 3,141 #1,655
1997 modern 2,594 #2,447
1998 modern 2,770 #2,395
1999 modern 2,780 #2,404
2000 modern 2,761 #2,409
2001 modern 2,716 #2,397
2002 modern 2,860 #2,352
2003 modern 2,838 #2,313
2004 modern 2,959 #2,219
2005 modern 3,098 #2,084
2006 modern 3,308 #1,979
2007 modern 3,409 #1,924
2008 modern 3,511 #1,892
2009 modern 3,669 #1,852
2010 modern 3,792 #1,837
2011 modern 3,744 #1,834
2012 modern 3,791 #1,772
2013 modern 3,903 #1,753
2014 modern 3,932 #1,748
2015 modern 3,917 #1,733
2016 modern 3,930 #1,718

Geography

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Where Jacobs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, St Pancras and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Carmarthenshire, Mid Suffolk, Oxford and Meadows and Southside. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Carmarthenshire 001 Carmarthenshire
2 Mid Suffolk 006 Mid Suffolk
3 Oxford 006 Oxford
4 Meadows and Southside City of Edinburgh
5 Carmarthenshire 021 Carmarthenshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Jacob

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Jacob

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Jacob surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Jacob household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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, Jacob 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

Jacob 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

Jacob falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Jacob

The surname Jacob is derived from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows upon the heel of another". It is believed to have originated in ancient Israel, dating back to biblical times.

Jacob is a popular surname among Jewish communities worldwide, particularly in Europe and North America. It is also found in various spellings, such as Jacobs, Jacobson, and Jacobsohn, among others.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jacob can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, including Jacob and Jacobus.

In the Middle Ages, the name Jacob was commonly associated with Jewish communities in Europe. Notable individuals with this surname include Jacob ben Meir, also known as Rabbenu Tam (c. 1100-1171), a influential French rabbi and scholar. Another prominent figure was Jacob ben Samson (c. 1230-1292), a Spanish rabbi and philosopher.

During the Renaissance, Jacob da Gaeta (c. 1450-1517), an Italian humanist and physician, made significant contributions to the field of medicine. In the 17th century, Jacob Bobart (1599-1680), a German botanist and the first curator of the Oxford Botanic Garden, was renowned for his work in horticulture.

In the 18th century, Jacob Grimm (1785-1863), a German philologist and one of the Brothers Grimm, gained fame for his collection of folktales and his contributions to the study of linguistics. Another notable figure was Jacob Henle (1809-1885), a German physician and anatomist, who made significant discoveries in the field of microscopic anatomy.

In the 19th century, Jacob Burckhardt (1818-1897), a Swiss historian and cultural theorist, was highly influential in the study of Renaissance art and culture. Jacob Riis (1849-1914), a Danish-American social reformer and photographer, is renowned for his work in documenting the living conditions of the poor in New York City.

These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and achievements of individuals bearing the surname Jacob throughout history, spanning various fields and time periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Jacob families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Jacob 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 498 Jacobs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.19x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 498 2.19x
Surrey 122 1.10x
Glamorgan 120 3.03x
Lancashire 119 0.44x
Hampshire 116 2.49x
Kent 113 1.46x
Norfolk 102 2.92x
Cornwall 96 3.73x
Suffolk 84 3.03x
Carmarthenshire 79 8.25x
Monmouthshire 76 4.63x
Yorkshire 73 0.32x
Cardiganshire 66 11.90x
Oxfordshire 63 4.49x
Somerset 63 1.72x
Devon 41 0.87x
Sussex 40 1.04x
Berkshire 39 2.29x
Lanarkshire 38 0.52x
Northamptonshire 38 1.78x
Huntingdonshire 36 7.98x
Cambridgeshire 28 1.94x
Dorset 27 1.81x
Cheshire 24 0.48x
Pembrokeshire 21 2.91x
Midlothian 19 0.62x
Wiltshire 19 0.95x
Essex 18 0.40x
Gloucestershire 16 0.36x
Leicestershire 16 0.63x
Durham 15 0.22x
Staffordshire 15 0.20x
Worcestershire 15 0.51x
Brecknockshire 12 2.64x
Warwickshire 12 0.21x
Herefordshire 8 0.86x
Northumberland 8 0.24x
Derbyshire 5 0.14x
Lincolnshire 4 0.11x
Merionethshire 4 0.96x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.13x
Angus 3 0.14x
Buckinghamshire 3 0.22x
Hertfordshire 3 0.19x
Isle of Man 2 0.47x
Royal Navy 2 0.74x
Buteshire 1 0.73x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.11x
Perthshire 1 0.10x
Shropshire 1 0.05x
Westmorland 1 0.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 58 Jacobs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.63x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 58 2.63x
Hackney London 55 4.32x
St Austell 53 60.25x
St Pancras London 44 2.41x
Headington 36 165.21x
Cheetham 31 15.41x
Paddington London 30 3.59x
Camberwell 29 2.00x
Whitechapel London 29 12.94x
Liverpool 27 1.65x
Hornsey 25 8.70x
Ystradyfodwg 25 7.20x
St Marylebone London 24 1.98x
Baltonsborough 22 402.19x
Llanfihangel Ar Arth 22 144.26x
Portsea 21 2.30x
Shoreditch London 21 2.13x
Bow London 19 6.57x
Leeds 19 1.49x
Clase 18 12.23x
Newington 18 2.14x
Spitalfields London 18 10.53x
Woodnewton 17 456.99x
Deptford St Paul 16 2.68x
Melindwr 16 207.25x
Bethnal Green London 15 1.52x
Holt 15 125.63x
Walcot 15 7.70x
Baughurst 14 369.39x
Bromley London 14 2.80x
Fen Stanton 14 168.47x
Trevethin 14 9.02x
Govan 13 0.72x
Kensington London 13 1.03x
Lambeth 13 0.66x
Merthyr Tydfil 13 3.42x
Cromer 12 96.62x
Croydon 12 1.95x
Culford 12 515.02x
Everton 12 1.40x
Faversham 12 16.23x
Heacham 12 154.44x
Llanbadarn Fawr 12 163.49x
Oxford St Giles 12 17.92x
Tregoney St James 12 251.05x
Wolverhampton 12 2.03x
Ashford 11 14.57x
Birmingham 11 0.58x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 11 0.90x
Hanworth 11 138.02x
Limehouse London 11 4.41x
St George In East London 11 5.15x
St Woollos 11 6.00x
Birkenhead 10 2.50x
Feltwell 10 147.49x
Glasgow 10 0.77x
Huntingdon St Benedict 10 176.68x
Llanover 10 17.82x
Lower Llanvrechva 10 62.00x
Mile End Old Town London 10 2.07x
Plymouth Charles The 10 4.80x
West Teignmouth 10 27.63x
Barony 9 0.48x
Beckenham 9 8.88x
Bury St Edmunds St James 9 12.17x
Devynnock 9 82.95x
Feltham 9 39.67x
Llangadock 9 34.08x
Shaw Cum Donnington 9 164.53x
Brighton 8 1.03x
Eglwysilan 8 11.65x
Elswick 8 2.96x
Llanfihangel 8 115.77x
Llanwonno 8 5.63x
Old Weston 8 314.96x
Plumstead 8 3.09x
Powick 8 38.91x
Thornham Magna 8 360.36x
White Waltham 8 125.20x
Yspytty Ystwyth 8 109.74x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 130
Elizabeth 71
Sarah 61
Jane 43
Emma 35
Ann 30
Alice 29
Annie 29
Emily 26
Eliza 24
Hannah 24
Margaret 24
Ellen 22
Louisa 21
Maria 21
Anne 20
Catherine 18
Charlotte 17
Caroline 16
Fanny 16
Martha 15
Florence 14
Frances 14
Rachel 14
Ada 13
Lucy 13
Edith 12
Harriet 12
Amy 11
Susan 10
Agnes 9
Kate 8
Eleanor 7
Esther 7
Julia 7
Amelia 6
Clara 6
Lydia 6
Mabel 6
Rose 6
Ruth 6
Anna 5
Bertha 5
Betsy 5
Ethel 5
Harriett 5
Henrietta 5
Bessie 4
Francis 4
Gertrude 4

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 118
John 104
George 56
Thomas 53
Henry 48
James 41
Charles 40
Edward 33
Robert 33
Alfred 32
David 31
Arthur 26
Joseph 26
Frederick 21
Harry 19
Richard 17
Samuel 17
Albert 13
Ernest 13
Lewis 13
Walter 13
Abraham 12
Evan 11
Frank 11
Jacob 10
Benjamin 8
Daniel 8
Edwin 8
Herbert 8
Isaac 6
Israel 6
Morris 6
Thos. 6
Willie 6
Edmund 5
Peter 5
Simon 5
Francis 4
Fred 4
Geo. 4
Harris 4
Louis 4
Philip 4
Barnett 3
Emanuel 3
Hugh 3
Julius 3
Mark 3
Reuben 3
Stanley 3

FAQ

Jacob surname: questions and answers

How common was the Jacob surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,333 people were recorded with the Jacob surname. That placed it at #1,906 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Jacob surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,930 in 2016. That gives Jacob a modern rank of #1,718.

What does the Jacob surname mean?

A patronymic surname derived from the Hebrew given name Ya'aqov, meaning "supplanter" or "one who grasps the heel."

What does the Jacob map show?

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