NameCensus.

UK surname

Jane

An English surname derived from the Norman French 'Jane', which was originally a diminutive nickname for 'John'.

In the 1881 census there were 854 people recorded with the Jane surname, ranking it #4,427 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,572, ranked #3,944, up from #4,427 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bodmin, London parishes and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall and Plymouth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jane is 2,651 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 84.1%.

1881 census count

854

Ranked #4,427

Modern count

1,572

2016, ranked #3,944

Peak year

1861

2,651 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Jane had 854 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,427 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,572 in 2016, ranked #3,944.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,651 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Jane surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Jane surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Jane 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 1,715 #1,682
1861 historical 2,651 #1,107
1881 historical 854 #4,427
1891 historical 1,367 #3,175
1901 historical 1,154 #4,225
1911 historical 1,349 #3,555
1997 modern 901 #5,956
1998 modern 900 #6,159
1999 modern 938 #6,008
2000 modern 894 #6,206
2001 modern 867 #6,237
2002 modern 886 #6,255
2003 modern 880 #6,187
2004 modern 881 #6,201
2005 modern 867 #6,206
2006 modern 853 #6,301
2007 modern 878 #6,211
2008 modern 874 #6,270
2009 modern 889 #6,327
2010 modern 956 #6,097
2011 modern 992 #5,858
2012 modern 1,123 #5,199
2013 modern 1,190 #5,023
2014 modern 1,292 #4,702
2015 modern 1,378 #4,406
2016 modern 1,572 #3,944

Geography

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Where Janes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bodmin, London parishes, Manchester and St Austell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall and Plymouth. 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 Bodmin Cornwall
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 St Austell Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 073 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 006 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 035 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 005 Cornwall
5 Plymouth 020 Plymouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Jane

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Jane

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

Jane 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

Jane 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 Jane 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 Jane, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Jane

The surname "JANE" is of English origin and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the medieval English given name "Jane," which itself came from the Old French "Jehane" or "Johane," a feminine form of the Hebrew name "Yohanan," meaning "Yahweh is gracious."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "JANE" can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the 13th century, where a person named William Jane is mentioned. The name's connection to Yorkshire suggests that it may have initially been more common in the northern regions of England.

In the 14th century, the surname "JANE" appeared in various records and documents across different parts of England. For instance, in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield from 1348, a person named Robert Jane is listed as a tenant.

The name "JANE" has also been associated with certain place names, such as Janeways in Cornwall, which may have contributed to its use as a surname in that region. Additionally, variations in spelling, like "Jeane" and "Jene," were common in historical records.

Notable individuals with the surname "JANE" include:

1. Sir William Jane (c. 1509-1585), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Southampton. 2. Joseph Jane (1654-1707), an English nonconformist minister and author of theological works. 3. Frederick Thomas Jane (1837-1916), a British naval writer and illustrator known for his works on naval history and architecture. 4. Cecil Jane (1857-1932), an English translator and author who translated several works of Spanish literature, including Don Quixote. 5. Lionel Cecil Jane (1856-1932), a British military historian and author of several books on the history of warfare.

While the surname "JANE" may not be as prominent as some other English surnames, it has a rich history dating back to the medieval period and has been borne by notable individuals across various fields throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Jane families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Jane 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. Cornwall leads with 463 Janes recorded in 1881 and an index of 48.58x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 463 48.58x
Devon 101 5.76x
Middlesex 56 0.67x
Durham 42 1.68x
Lancashire 39 0.39x
Glamorgan 25 1.71x
Surrey 18 0.44x
Monmouthshire 17 2.79x
Gloucestershire 16 0.97x
Essex 13 0.78x
Kent 12 0.42x
Hampshire 11 0.64x
Yorkshire 11 0.13x
Isle of Man 9 5.76x
Somerset 9 0.66x
Lincolnshire 4 0.30x
Worcestershire 3 0.27x
Brecknockshire 2 1.19x
Herefordshire 2 0.58x
Warwickshire 2 0.09x
Cheshire 1 0.05x
Dorset 1 0.18x
Hertfordshire 1 0.17x
Inverness-shire 1 0.40x
Oxfordshire 1 0.19x
Royal Navy 1 1.00x
Staffordshire 1 0.04x
Sussex 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Damerel in Devon leads with 40 Janes recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.62x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Damerel 40 32.62x
St Cleer 39 472.16x
Bodmin 25 158.53x
St Austell 21 64.46x
Grade 20 2380.95x
St Enoder 19 586.42x
Ruan Minor 17 2023.81x
St Ive 16 261.87x
Redruth 15 55.64x
Kensington London 14 2.99x
Calstock 13 69.56x
Falmouth 13 38.54x
Hetton Le Hole 12 37.81x
Lanlivery 12 300.00x
Lostwithel 12 444.44x
St Dominick 12 502.09x
Cardynham 11 1358.02x
Landrake 11 518.87x
Perranzabuloe 11 133.82x
Plymouth Charles The 11 14.25x
St Columb Major 11 139.06x
St Stephens By Saltash 11 267.64x
West Looe 11 438.25x
Quethiock 10 714.29x
Southill 10 684.93x
St Neot 10 266.67x
St Tudy 10 666.67x
Aberystruth 9 16.78x
Feock 9 151.01x
Lonan 9 95.04x
Merthyr Tydfil 9 6.39x
Portsea 9 2.66x
Wolborough 9 40.63x
Edmonton 8 11.79x
Menheniot 8 202.02x
Ryhope 8 46.00x
Warrington 8 6.76x
West Ham 8 2.18x
Accrington 7 7.71x
Lanivet 7 235.69x
Linkinhorne 7 105.42x
Lofthouse 7 56.22x
Swansea St Thomas 7 47.55x
Upton Pyne 7 598.29x
Hunwick Helmington 6 99.83x
Iveston 6 51.99x
Maker 6 68.18x
North Petherwyn 6 241.94x
Paddington London 6 1.94x
Tormoham 6 8.09x
Bethnal Green London 5 1.37x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 5 3.22x
Camberwell 5 0.93x
Chepstow 5 48.26x
Cirencester 5 22.37x
Cliviger 5 88.97x
East Looe 5 129.53x
Everton 5 1.57x
Gerrans 5 194.55x
Kirkdale 5 2.98x
Luxulyan 5 157.73x
Royton 5 16.36x
St Clement 5 50.25x
Tonbridge 5 4.83x
Ugborough 5 117.92x
West Herrington 5 57.01x
Congresbury 4 116.62x
Gelligaer 4 11.95x
Kenwyn 4 16.05x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 2.96x
Ratcliffe London 4 8.60x
St Johns 4 754.72x
Stoke Climsland 4 65.68x
Wendron 4 30.23x
Battersea 3 0.97x
Illogan 3 11.89x
Ladock 3 111.11x
Lambeth 3 0.41x
Landulph 3 205.48x
Stranton 3 3.56x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

FAQ

Jane surname: questions and answers

How common was the Jane surname in 1881?

In 1881, 854 people were recorded with the Jane surname. That placed it at #4,427 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Jane surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,572 in 2016. That gives Jane a modern rank of #3,944.

What does the Jane surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Norman French 'Jane', which was originally a diminutive nickname for 'John'.

What does the Jane map show?

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