UK surname
An English surname derived from the given name "Jennings", a variant of "John".
In the 1881 census there were 10 people recorded with the Jennigs surname, ranking it #32,243 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5, ranked #38,264, down from #32,243 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Waltham, Great and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jennigs is 110 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 50.0%.
1881 census count
10
Ranked #32,243
Modern count
5
2016, ranked #38,264
Peak year
1891
110 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Jennigs surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Jennigs surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 9 | #31,675 |
| 1861 | historical | 3 | #33,861 |
| 1881 | historical | 10 | #32,243 |
| 1891 | historical | 110 | #22,557 |
| 1901 | historical | 35 | #30,194 |
| 1911 | historical | 22 | #31,030 |
| 1997 | modern | 79 | #29,672 |
| 1998 | modern | 62 | #31,735 |
| 1999 | modern | 45 | #33,511 |
| 2000 | modern | 25 | #35,382 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 3 | #38,152 |
| 2003 | modern | 5 | #37,750 |
| 2004 | modern | 4 | #38,013 |
| 2005 | modern | 4 | #38,078 |
| 2006 | modern | 6 | #37,788 |
| 2007 | modern | 8 | #37,572 |
| 2008 | modern | 8 | #37,597 |
| 2009 | modern | 10 | #37,446 |
| 2010 | modern | 8 | #37,769 |
| 2011 | modern | 9 | #37,598 |
| 2012 | modern | 6 | #38,008 |
| 2013 | modern | 6 | #38,049 |
| 2014 | modern | 5 | #38,228 |
| 2015 | modern | 5 | #38,221 |
| 2016 | modern | 5 | #38,264 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Waltham, Great, Gateshead, Newington and Leamington Priors. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 2 | Waltham, Great | Essex |
| 3 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 4 | Newington | Berkshire |
| 5 | Leamington Priors | Warwickshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Jennigs surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Jennigs, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Jennigs surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Jennigs household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Jennigs is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Jennigs is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Jennigs, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Jennigs is of English origin, derived from the medieval personal name Jenyn or Jenkin, a diminutive form of John. The name first emerged in the 12th century and was concentrated in the northern counties of England, particularly Yorkshire and Northumberland.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jennigs can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where a Richard Jennings is mentioned. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also contain references to individuals with the surname Jennigs or similar spellings like Jenyns and Jenynges.
The name Jennigs is likely derived from the Old English word "geon," meaning "to go," or the Old French word "jeune," meaning "young." This suggests that the name may have been given to a young or youthful person or someone who was known for their travels or wanderings.
In the 14th century, the Jennigs surname appeared in various records, such as the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, where a Robert Jenynges is listed. The Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire in 1327 also mention a John Jenynges.
Notable individuals bearing the surname Jennigs throughout history include:
1. Sir John Jennings (1599-1642), an English politician and Member of Parliament. 2. Edmund Jennings (1663-1725), an English mathematician and surveyor. 3. Sarah Jennings (1660-1744), the Duchess of Marlborough and a close friend of Queen Anne. 4. Robert Jennings (1811-1871), an English cricketer who played for Cambridge University. 5. Louis Jennings (1836-1893), an American actor and playwright.
The surname Jennigs has also been associated with various place names, such as Jennings in Cumbria, England, and Jennings County in Indiana, United States, which were likely named after individuals bearing this surname.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Jennigs surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Durham leads with 6 Jennigs' recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.73x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 6 | 20.73x |
| Hampshire | 3 | 15.05x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 5.24x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Gateshead in Durham leads with 6 Jennigs' recorded in 1881 and an index of 276.50x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Jennigs surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Jennigs surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Jennigs households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Greenwich Pensioner | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer Wife | 1 |
| Labours Daughter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 10 people were recorded with the Jennigs surname. That placed it at #32,243 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 5 in 2016. That gives Jennigs a modern rank of #38,264.
An English surname derived from the given name "Jennings", a variant of "John".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Jennigs bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.