UK surname
A surname originating from a regional dialect meaning "to know" or "knowledge".
In the 1881 census there were 19 people recorded with the Kender surname, ranking it #30,872 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 20, ranked #36,679, down from #30,872 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Harborne, Almondbury and Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kender is 100 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5.3%.
1881 census count
19
Ranked #30,872
Modern count
20
2016, ranked #36,679
Peak year
1861
100 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Kender surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Kender surname density by area, 1861 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 | 64 | #21,914 |
| 1861 | historical | 100 | #21,103 |
| 1881 | historical | 19 | #30,872 |
| 1891 | historical | 84 | #26,229 |
| 1901 | historical | 42 | #29,487 |
| 1911 | historical | 46 | #28,224 |
| 1997 | modern | 19 | #35,928 |
| 1998 | modern | 22 | #35,687 |
| 1999 | modern | 23 | #35,612 |
| 2000 | modern | 20 | #35,915 |
| 2001 | modern | 19 | #35,866 |
| 2002 | modern | 17 | #36,164 |
| 2003 | modern | 17 | #36,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 17 | #36,342 |
| 2005 | modern | 18 | #36,332 |
| 2006 | modern | 15 | #36,707 |
| 2007 | modern | 17 | #36,628 |
| 2008 | modern | 16 | #36,766 |
| 2009 | modern | 15 | #36,942 |
| 2010 | modern | 16 | #36,937 |
| 2011 | modern | 20 | #36,587 |
| 2012 | modern | 20 | #36,570 |
| 2013 | modern | 20 | #36,614 |
| 2014 | modern | 19 | #36,740 |
| 2015 | modern | 20 | #36,653 |
| 2016 | modern | 20 | #36,679 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Harborne, Almondbury, Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire), Handsworth and Stockport. 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 | Harborne | Worcestershire |
| 2 | Almondbury | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire) | Staffordshire |
| 4 | Handsworth | Staffordshire |
| 5 | Stockport | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Kender 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 Kender, 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 Kender surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Kender 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, Kender 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 Kender is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Kender, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname KENDER is thought to have originated in Germany, with its roots traced back to the Middle Ages. The name is believed to have derived from the Old German word "kint," which means "child." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a descriptive nickname for someone who exhibited childlike qualities or behaviors.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the KENDER surname can be found in the town of Rostock, located in the northern German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In the 14th century, a man named Johann Kender was documented as residing in the town, suggesting that the name had already been established by that time.
During the 16th century, the KENDER name appeared in several historical records across various regions of Germany. In 1542, a man named Hans Kender was listed as a resident of the town of Augsburg, located in the southern German state of Bavaria. Additionally, in 1567, a record from the city of Nuremberg mentioned a certain Caspar Kender, who was a merchant and landowner.
One notable individual bearing the KENDER surname was Friedrich Kender, a German artist and painter who lived from 1768 to 1832. He was known for his landscape paintings and his works can be found in several art galleries and museums throughout Germany.
Another prominent figure was Wilhelm Kender, a German politician and lawyer who was born in 1845 and died in 1923. He served as a member of the Reichstag (Imperial Parliament) and was involved in various political movements during his lifetime.
In the 19th century, the KENDER surname also spread to other parts of Europe, including Austria and Switzerland. In 1867, a record from the city of Vienna mentioned a man named Johann Kender, who was a baker by trade.
As the 20th century approached, the KENDER name continued to appear in various records and documents across Germany and other parts of Europe. One notable individual was Ernst Kender, a German writer and journalist who lived from 1892 to 1968. He was known for his works on social and political issues and his contributions to various newspapers and magazines.
While the KENDER surname has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and immigration patterns. However, its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where it likely began as a descriptive nickname for someone exhibiting childlike qualities or behaviors.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kender 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. Warwickshire leads with 5 Kenders recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.70x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Warwickshire | 5 | 10.70x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 2.16x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 4.80x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 1.63x |
| Devon | 1 | 2.59x |
| Essex | 1 | 2.74x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 2.63x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 6.25x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 4 Kenders recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.69x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 4 | 25.69x |
| Barnsley | 3 | 158.73x |
| Harborne | 3 | 150.00x |
| Tottenham | 3 | 101.69x |
| Aston | 1 | 7.78x |
| Devonport | 1 | 227.27x |
| Portsea | 1 | 13.44x |
| Shrewsbury St Chad | 1 | 178.57x |
| St Giles In Fields London | 1 | 109.89x |
| West Ham | 1 | 12.39x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kender 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 Kender 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 Kender households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Dress Maker | 2 |
| Assistant (Oil) | 1 |
| C M Top | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Housekeeper Dom | 1 |
| Jeweller | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Oilman | 1 |
| Professor Of Music | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
| Servant Dom (Inn) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 19 people were recorded with the Kender surname. That placed it at #30,872 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 20 in 2016. That gives Kender a modern rank of #36,679.
A surname originating from a regional dialect meaning "to know" or "knowledge".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kender 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.