NameCensus.

UK surname

Jenson

Son of Jens, a patronymic surname of Scandinavian origin.

In the 1881 census there were 254 people recorded with the Jenson surname, ranking it #10,949 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 326, ranked #13,896, down from #10,949 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Kirkham and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Havant, Dartford and Stockton-on-Tees.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jenson is 326 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 28.3%.

1881 census count

254

Ranked #10,949

Modern count

326

2016, ranked #13,896

Peak year

2016

326 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Jenson had 254 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,949 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 326 in 2016, ranked #13,896.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 279 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Jenson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Jenson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Jenson 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 85 #18,940
1861 historical 193 #12,371
1881 historical 254 #10,949
1891 historical 279 #11,698
1901 historical 264 #12,693
1911 historical 214 #14,333
1997 modern 271 #14,486
1998 modern 275 #14,715
1999 modern 268 #15,070
2000 modern 267 #15,055
2001 modern 260 #15,113
2002 modern 269 #15,044
2003 modern 260 #15,216
2004 modern 278 #14,609
2005 modern 282 #14,368
2006 modern 277 #14,667
2007 modern 268 #15,172
2008 modern 284 #14,687
2009 modern 285 #14,944
2010 modern 285 #15,276
2011 modern 280 #15,310
2012 modern 297 #14,607
2013 modern 310 #14,403
2014 modern 321 #14,150
2015 modern 318 #14,155
2016 modern 326 #13,896

Geography

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Where Jensons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Kirkham, London parishes, Gateshead and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Havant, Dartford, Stockton-on-Tees, Cambridge and Cornwall. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Kirkham Lancashire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Gateshead Durham
5 St Marylebone London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Havant 019 Havant
2 Dartford 007 Dartford
3 Stockton-on-Tees 015 Stockton-on-Tees
4 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
5 Cornwall 014 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Jenson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Jenson

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Jenson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Jenson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Jenson 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

Jenson is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Jenson falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Jenson

The surname Jenson has its origins in England, and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is believed to be a patronymic surname, derived from the given name John, which in turn comes from the Hebrew name "Yohanan" meaning "Yahweh is gracious." Specifically, Jenson is thought to be a variation of the surname Johnson, which was initially spelled as "Jonessone" or "Jonesone."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Jenson surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1195, which mention a "Roger Jenessone." Another early reference is in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where a "Johannes Jenessone" is listed.

The surname Jenson may also have been influenced by the Old Norse name "Jensson," which was brought to England by Scandinavian settlers during the Viking Age. This name was derived from the Old Norse given name "Jón," which was a variant of the name John.

In terms of notable historical figures bearing the Jenson surname, one can mention William Jenson (c. 1420-1490), a French printer and engraver who is credited with introducing the Roman typeface to France. Another notable figure is Thomas Jenson (1593-1673), an English mathematician and teacher who published works on arithmetic and navigation.

Other individuals of note include Sir Nicholas Jenson (c. 1585-1668), an English judge and politician who served as a Member of Parliament, and John Jenson (1759-1824), an English naval officer who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and was later knighted for his service.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname Jenson was particularly prevalent in parts of northern England, such as Yorkshire and Lancashire, where it was sometimes spelled as "Jenison" or "Jennison." Place names like Jenkinson and Jenison in these regions may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Jenson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Jenson 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 45 Jensons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.88x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 45 1.88x
Yorkshire 42 1.77x
Lancashire 39 1.37x
Kent 23 2.81x
Warwickshire 21 3.47x
Staffordshire 13 1.60x
Sussex 11 2.72x
Northumberland 10 2.80x
Cheshire 9 1.70x
Durham 9 1.26x
Surrey 7 0.60x
Lanarkshire 4 0.52x
Bedfordshire 2 1.61x
Derbyshire 2 0.53x
Dorset 2 1.27x
Northamptonshire 2 0.89x
Cornwall 1 0.37x
Glamorgan 1 0.24x
Hampshire 1 0.20x
Monmouthshire 1 0.58x
Shetland 1 4.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Preston in Lancashire leads with 13 Jensons recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.06x.

Place Total Index
Preston 13 17.06x
Middlesbrough 11 35.52x
Newhaven 9 273.56x
Toxteth Park 9 9.33x
Kenilworth 8 234.60x
Manchester 8 6.25x
Monks Coppenhall 8 40.02x
Sculcoates 8 21.22x
Holy Trinity 7 12.24x
Mile End Old Town London 7 13.71x
Paddington London 7 7.93x
Elswick 6 21.05x
Hunslet 6 16.18x
Plumstead 6 21.99x
Hornsey 5 16.48x
Kimberworth 5 37.88x
Stranton 5 20.81x
Tettenhall 5 101.01x
Bury 4 12.30x
East Wickham 4 412.37x
Lewisham 4 9.16x
St George In East London 4 17.72x
St Marylebone London 4 3.12x
Tynemouth 4 20.92x
Wolston 4 2000.00x
Wolverhampton 4 6.42x
Gravesend 3 43.29x
Lambeth 3 1.43x
Southcoates 3 22.73x
St Pancras London 3 1.55x
Sutton Coldfield 3 47.17x
Tamworth 3 69.28x
Thurlaston 3 1111.11x
Barony 2 1.02x
Deptford St Paul 2 3.17x
Dunstable 2 52.36x
Glasgow 2 1.45x
Goosnargh 2 217.39x
Hampstead London 2 5.35x
Limehouse London 2 7.59x
Longfleet 2 109.89x
Old Artillery Ground 2 96.62x
Peterborough 2 12.24x
Poplar London 2 4.42x
Stockton On Tees 2 5.81x
Wolfhampcote 2 740.74x
Ardingly 1 77.52x
Battersea 1 1.13x
Bishopwearmouth 1 1.63x
Bolehall Glascote 1 39.06x
Bromley 1 8.01x
Cardiff St Mary 1 4.35x
Coatham Mundeville 1 1000.00x
Derby All Sts 1 31.85x
Derby St Werburgh 1 4.61x
Dover Castle 1 169.49x
Eastbourne 1 5.37x
Edmonton 1 5.17x
Gillingham 1 5.92x
Hanwell 1 23.53x
Headingley Cum Burley 1 6.53x
Lerwick Gulberwick 1 26.39x
Liverpool 1 0.58x
Madron Penzance 1 10.12x
Moss Side 1 6.68x
Newport 1 12.08x
Penkridge 1 47.85x
Portsea 1 1.04x
Poulton Cum Seacombe 1 16.42x
Ramsgate 1 7.49x
Reigate Foreign 1 7.90x
Rotherhithe 1 3.37x
Shoreditch London 1 0.96x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 2.07x
Spitalfields London 1 5.54x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.37x
St Luke London 1 2.60x
Sutton 1 36.90x
West Derby 1 1.20x
Westminster St James 1 4.05x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 11
Mary 8
Annie 5
Emma 5
Anna 4
Caroline 4
Hannah 4
Sarah 4
Alice 3
Eliza 3
Emily 3
Margaret 3
Ann 2
Anne 2
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Elizth. 2
Ellen 2
Frances 2
Gertrude 2
Harriet 2
Jane 2
Julia 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Minnie 2
Rose 2
Agnes 1
Bertha 1
Dora 1
Dorothy 1
Emilee 1
Esther 1
Evelyn 1
Florance 1
Florence 1
Halena 1
Isabella 1
Janet 1
Jessie 1
Johnanna 1
Laura 1
Letticha 1
Lillian 1
Lily 1
Phillipa 1
Prudence 1
Rosey 1
Sara 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 17
John 12
George 8
James 6
Robert 6
Frederick 5
Walter 5
Thomas 4
Arthur 3
Edward 3
Peter 3
Alfred 2
August 2
Ernest 2
Henry 2
Jens 2
Charles 1
Christian 1
Daniel 1
Earl 1
Edd. 1
Evan 1
Foewald 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
Gilbert 1
H. 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Jas. 1
Jerome 1
Jonathan 1
Joseph 1
Julien 1
Laurence 1
Louis 1
Maurice 1
Neilch 1
Neils 1
Ole 1
Percival 1
Pete 1
Philip 1
Rasmus 1
Robt. 1
Samuel 1
Tom 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Jenson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Jenson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 254 people were recorded with the Jenson surname. That placed it at #10,949 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Jenson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 326 in 2016. That gives Jenson a modern rank of #13,896.

What does the Jenson surname mean?

Son of Jens, a patronymic surname of Scandinavian origin.

What does the Jenson map show?

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