NameCensus.

UK surname

Kember

A locational surname referring to someone from the region of Kent, England.

In the 1881 census there were 328 people recorded with the Kember surname, ranking it #9,126 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 546, ranked #9,334, down from #9,126 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Tunbridge, Bidborough and Dover St James, Dover St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tunbridge Wells, Thanet and Bexley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kember is 568 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 66.5%.

1881 census count

328

Ranked #9,126

Modern count

546

2016, ranked #9,334

Peak year

2010

568 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kember had 328 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,126 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 546 in 2016, ranked #9,334.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 481 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kember surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kember surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kember 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 258 #8,568
1861 historical 262 #9,458
1881 historical 328 #9,126
1891 historical 397 #8,927
1901 historical 412 #9,283
1911 historical 481 #8,062
1997 modern 527 #8,948
1998 modern 558 #8,824
1999 modern 567 #8,766
2000 modern 550 #8,943
2001 modern 543 #8,892
2002 modern 563 #8,821
2003 modern 537 #8,997
2004 modern 550 #8,865
2005 modern 506 #9,367
2006 modern 523 #9,170
2007 modern 551 #8,894
2008 modern 547 #9,011
2009 modern 561 #9,028
2010 modern 568 #9,134
2011 modern 567 #9,055
2012 modern 526 #9,513
2013 modern 558 #9,223
2014 modern 556 #9,298
2015 modern 552 #9,277
2016 modern 546 #9,334

Geography

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Where Kembers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Tunbridge, Bidborough, Dover St James, Dover St Mary and Marden. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tunbridge Wells, Thanet, Bexley, Dover and Wealden. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
3 London parishes London 3
4 Dover St James, Dover St Mary Kent
5 Marden Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tunbridge Wells 011 Tunbridge Wells
2 Thanet 016 Thanet
3 Bexley 008 Bexley
4 Dover 013 Dover
5 Wealden 002 Wealden

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kember

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kember

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Kember is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kember is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kember falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Kember

The surname Kember has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "cumb," meaning a valley or a hollow, combined with the suffix "-er," indicating a resident or dweller. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in or near a valley or a hollow area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kember can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it is spelled as "Cumbere." This document was a survey of landholdings in England, providing valuable insight into the distribution of surnames during that period.

Another notable reference to the name Kember appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296, where it is listed as "Kumbere." These rolls were tax records that documented individuals who were subject to paying taxes, further indicating the presence of the name in various regions of England.

The Kember surname is also believed to have originated from place names such as Comber in County Down, Northern Ireland, or Comberbach in Cheshire, England. These place names share a similar etymology, further reinforcing the connection between the surname and geographical features like valleys or hollows.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Kember was John Kember, who was born around 1550 in Gloucestershire, England. He was a prominent landowner and member of the local gentry.

Another notable figure with the Kember surname was William Kember, born in 1685 in Somerset, England. He was a successful merchant and trader, contributing to the economic development of the region.

In the 18th century, Thomas Kember, born in 1745 in Oxfordshire, gained recognition as a skilled craftsman and furniture maker. His work is still highly regarded by antique collectors and enthusiasts.

During the 19th century, the Kember surname was associated with the literary world through the works of Samuel Kember, born in 1811 in Dorset. He was a renowned poet and author, known for his romantic and pastoral themes.

Lastly, one cannot overlook the contributions of Sir John Kember, born in 1876 in Hampshire, England. He was a distinguished military officer who served in both World Wars and received numerous honors for his bravery and leadership.

These examples highlight the rich history and diversity of the Kember surname, which has been present in various regions of England and beyond, spanning several centuries and encompassing individuals from various walks of life.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kember families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kember 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. Kent leads with 142 Kembers recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.01x.

County Total Index
Kent 142 13.01x
Surrey 54 3.46x
Sussex 48 8.90x
Middlesex 36 1.13x
Hampshire 12 1.83x
Gloucestershire 7 1.12x
Somerset 6 1.17x
Cheshire 4 0.57x
Northumberland 3 0.63x
Shropshire 3 1.09x
Staffordshire 3 0.28x
Warwickshire 3 0.37x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.52x
Devon 1 0.15x
Durham 1 0.11x
Essex 1 0.16x
Hertfordshire 1 0.45x
Norfolk 1 0.20x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.98x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lindfield in Sussex leads with 23 Kembers recorded in 1881 and an index of 1008.77x.

Place Total Index
Lindfield 23 1008.77x
Croydon 19 21.96x
Linton 14 1458.33x
Penshurst 14 760.87x
East Malling 10 383.14x
Hackney London 10 5.57x
Marden 9 351.56x
Margate St John Baptist 9 45.02x
Tonbridge 8 20.32x
Camberwell 7 3.43x
Detling 7 1891.89x
Folkestone 7 33.07x
Ramsgate 7 39.28x
Shalden 7 3181.82x
Stone In Dartford 7 250.00x
Bath St Peter St Paul 6 263.16x
St Lawrence 6 79.89x
Carshalton 5 83.75x
Frant 5 130.89x
Maidstone 5 15.38x
Mortlake 5 71.94x
Northbourne 5 480.77x
Westmeston 5 1388.89x
Wivelsfield 5 236.97x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 4 6.77x
Chailey 4 239.52x
Cheriton 4 89.89x
East Langdon Oxney 4 1111.11x
Epsom 4 52.63x
Islington London 4 1.29x
Mile End New Town London 4 63.29x
Penge 4 19.57x
Ripple 4 1333.33x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 6.21x
Stockport 4 11.00x
Whippingham 4 80.48x
Hammersmith London 3 3.81x
Hatherton 3 638.30x
Hillingdon 3 29.41x
Queenborough 3 277.78x
Shrewsbury St Chad 3 30.93x
St George In East London 3 9.97x
St Marylebone London 3 1.76x
Tynemouth 3 11.77x
Aston 2 0.90x
Avening 2 90.09x
Beckenham 2 14.02x
Brighton 2 1.84x
Buckland In Dover 2 55.25x
Caterham 2 29.03x
Charlton 2 27.59x
Clerkenwell London 2 2.65x
Farnborough 2 125.79x
Hawkinge 2 1538.46x
Hook Malden 2 322.58x
Ticehurst 2 60.61x
Alkham 1 158.73x
Bidborough 1 333.33x
Bristol St James St Paul 1 4.78x
Downe 1 166.67x
East Barnet 1 22.88x
East Farleigh 1 54.64x
Enfield 1 4.76x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 1 2.43x
Hougham 1 15.41x
Hurstpierpoint 1 33.33x
Lambeth 1 0.36x
Lewes St John Southover 1 27.62x
Manerdivy 1 120.48x
Romsey Infra 1 45.05x
Sevington 1 769.23x
Sidmouth 1 26.25x
St Margarets At Cliffe 1 153.85x
St Pancras London 1 0.39x
Stoke Newington London 1 4.01x
Taplow 1 86.21x
Thorpe Next Norwich 1 19.19x
Westerham 1 39.68x
Westminster St Margaret 1 6.48x
Wootton Wawen 1 39.37x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 25
George 15
Henry 14
John 13
Thomas 11
James 9
Alfred 8
Edward 6
Albert 5
Ernest 5
Frank 5
Frederick 4
Charles 3
Walter 3
Arthur 2
David 2
Harry 2
Jno. 2
Joseph 2
Richard 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
Alfd. 1
Archibald 1
Benjamin 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Felix 1
Fred 1
Fred. 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Hy. 1
Isaac 1
Michael 1
Patrick 1
Samuel 1
Steven 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Kember surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kember surname in 1881?

In 1881, 328 people were recorded with the Kember surname. That placed it at #9,126 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kember surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 546 in 2016. That gives Kember a modern rank of #9,334.

What does the Kember surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from the region of Kent, England.

What does the Kember map show?

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