UK surname
A variant spelling of the English surname Kinnison, derived from the nickname "son of little Kenneth".
In the 1881 census there were 31 people recorded with the Kenison surname, ranking it #29,218 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 29, ranked #36,059, down from #29,218 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Merrington, Long Benton and St John Hampstead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kenison is 118 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 6.5%.
1881 census count
31
Ranked #29,218
Modern count
29
2016, ranked #36,059
Peak year
1861
118 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Kenison surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Kenison 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 | 55 | #23,413 |
| 1861 | historical | 118 | #18,512 |
| 1881 | historical | 31 | #29,218 |
| 1891 | historical | 100 | #24,045 |
| 1901 | historical | 41 | #29,602 |
| 1911 | historical | 55 | #27,313 |
| 1997 | modern | 29 | #34,795 |
| 1998 | modern | 28 | #35,053 |
| 1999 | modern | 26 | #35,320 |
| 2000 | modern | 27 | #35,188 |
| 2001 | modern | 27 | #35,041 |
| 2002 | modern | 25 | #35,428 |
| 2003 | modern | 27 | #35,279 |
| 2004 | modern | 26 | #35,519 |
| 2005 | modern | 27 | #35,588 |
| 2006 | modern | 30 | #35,526 |
| 2007 | modern | 29 | #35,725 |
| 2008 | modern | 28 | #35,875 |
| 2009 | modern | 33 | #35,671 |
| 2010 | modern | 32 | #35,848 |
| 2011 | modern | 34 | #35,705 |
| 2012 | modern | 35 | #35,645 |
| 2013 | modern | 37 | #35,582 |
| 2014 | modern | 36 | #35,662 |
| 2015 | modern | 33 | #35,803 |
| 2016 | modern | 29 | #36,059 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Merrington, Long Benton, St John Hampstead, St Paul Shadwell, Ratcliff hamlet and Blackburn. 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 | Merrington | Durham |
| 2 | Long Benton | Northumberland |
| 3 | St John Hampstead | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | St Paul Shadwell, Ratcliff hamlet | London (East Districts) |
| 5 | Blackburn | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Kenison 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 Kenison, 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 Kenison surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Kenison 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, Kenison 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 Kenison is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Kenison, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Kenison is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "kene" meaning bold or brave, and "son" which denotes a descendant or son. This combination suggests that the name was likely given to someone who was considered a brave or courageous person.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Kenison can be traced back to the 13th century in various areas of England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk. The name was also found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror.
One of the earliest documented individuals with the surname Kenison was Sir Richard Kenison, a knight who fought alongside King Edward I in the Scottish Wars of Independence during the late 13th century. Another notable figure was John Kenison, a wealthy merchant from York who lived in the 14th century and was involved in the wool trade.
In the 16th century, the Kenison family was particularly prominent in the village of Keniston, located in the county of Norfolk. This place name likely derived from the surname itself, suggesting that a person named Kenison may have been an early settler or landowner in the area.
During the 17th century, several Kenisons emigrated to the American colonies, including William Kenison, who arrived in Virginia in 1635, and Thomas Kenison, who settled in Massachusetts in 1638. These early settlers helped establish the Kenison name in the New World.
Another notable individual with the surname Kenison was Sir Edward Kenison, a British military officer who served in the American Revolutionary War. He was born in 1744 and played a significant role in several battles against the Continental Army.
Throughout history, the surname Kenison has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including soldiers, merchants, landowners, and settlers. While the name may have evolved slightly in spelling over time, its origins and meaning have remained deeply rooted in the concepts of bravery and courage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kenison 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. Hampshire leads with 9 Kenisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.52x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hampshire | 9 | 14.52x |
| Suffolk | 8 | 21.72x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.98x |
| Angus | 2 | 7.14x |
| Lanarkshire | 2 | 2.05x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.56x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 1.50x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.68x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Northington in Hampshire leads with 7 Kenisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 23333.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northington | 7 | 23333.33x |
| Ashby | 5 | 50000.00x |
| Ealing | 5 | 185.19x |
| Mendham | 3 | 3750.00x |
| Glamis | 2 | 1176.47x |
| Glasgow | 2 | 11.52x |
| New Alresford | 2 | 1250.00x |
| Birkenhead | 1 | 18.80x |
| Bromley London | 1 | 15.04x |
| Everton | 1 | 8.74x |
| Knowsley | 1 | 769.23x |
| West Ham | 1 | 7.59x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kenison 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 Kenison 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 Kenison households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Agr Lab | 2 |
| Agricul Labourer | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Domestic Servant (Genl) | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| Groom & Gardener (D) | 1 |
| Groom & Gardener Wife | 1 |
| Innkeeper (Unemployed) | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Stoker In Gas Works | 1 |
| Washing | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 31 people were recorded with the Kenison surname. That placed it at #29,218 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 29 in 2016. That gives Kenison a modern rank of #36,059.
A variant spelling of the English surname Kinnison, derived from the nickname "son of little Kenneth".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kenison 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.