NameCensus.

UK surname

Kennerson

An anglicized variant of the patronymic Scottish surname "MacKennerson" referring to the son of Kenneth.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Kennerson surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 106, ranked #29,927, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hounslow, South Cambridgeshire and North Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kennerson is 110 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10500.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

106

2016, ranked #29,927

Peak year

2014

110 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kennerson had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 106 in 2016, ranked #29,927.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 46 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kennerson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kennerson surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Kennerson 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
1861 historical 32 #29,944
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 21 #32,526
1901 historical 33 #30,384
1911 historical 46 #28,224
1997 modern 78 #29,785
1998 modern 79 #30,080
1999 modern 86 #29,496
2000 modern 85 #29,598
2001 modern 88 #29,056
2002 modern 82 #30,181
2003 modern 80 #30,425
2004 modern 79 #30,799
2005 modern 81 #30,740
2006 modern 85 #30,556
2007 modern 88 #30,515
2008 modern 98 #29,355
2009 modern 102 #29,286
2010 modern 106 #29,305
2011 modern 103 #29,589
2012 modern 103 #29,733
2013 modern 109 #29,209
2014 modern 110 #29,294
2015 modern 109 #29,327
2016 modern 106 #29,927

Geography

Back to top

Where Kennersons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hounslow, South Cambridgeshire, North Devon, Wiltshire and Hart. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hounslow 014 Hounslow
2 South Cambridgeshire 017 South Cambridgeshire
3 North Devon 013 North Devon
4 Wiltshire 048 Wiltshire
5 Hart 003 Hart

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Kennerson

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Kennerson

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Kennerson is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kennerson is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kennerson 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 Kennerson 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 Kennerson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kennerson

The surname Kennerson originates from the United Kingdom, with roots tracing back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "cyne" meaning "kingly" or "royal" and "here" meaning "army" or "host." This suggests that the name may have been borne by an individual with ties to a royal military force or a leader of a kingly army.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Kenardeson." This entry suggests that the name had already evolved and been established in the region by the late 11th century. Over time, the spelling evolved further, with variations such as "Kennardson," "Kennerdsone," and eventually "Kennerson" emerging.

The name Kennerson has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the earliest known bearers was Sir William Kennerson, a 13th-century knight who fought in the Scottish Wars of Independence. Another prominent figure was John Kennerson, a 16th-century merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol, England.

In the 17th century, the name was carried by Richard Kennerson, a respected clergyman and author who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Nottingham. His works included treatises on theology and moral philosophy.

During the 18th century, the Kennerson family established roots in the county of Yorkshire, where they were prominent landowners. One notable member was Thomas Kennerson (1723-1801), a wealthy industrialist and philanthropist who funded the construction of several schools and hospitals in the region.

In the 19th century, the name gained further recognition with the achievements of Sir Arthur Kennerson (1845-1923), a renowned explorer and naturalist. His expeditions to the Amazon basin and the Andes Mountains yielded significant contributions to the fields of biology and anthropology.

Throughout its history, the surname Kennerson has been associated with various place names and geographic locations. For instance, the village of Kennerson's Green in Gloucestershire is believed to have derived its name from an early settlement of the Kennerson family. Additionally, the Kennerson Estate in Wiltshire was a prominent manor house owned by a branch of the family during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Kennerson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kennerson 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. Lincolnshire leads with 1 Kennersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 64.94x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 1 64.94x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kirton in Lincolnshire leads with 1 Kennersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Kirton 1 10000.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Robert 1

FAQ

Kennerson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kennerson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Kennerson surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kennerson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 106 in 2016. That gives Kennerson a modern rank of #29,927.

What does the Kennerson surname mean?

An anglicized variant of the patronymic Scottish surname "MacKennerson" referring to the son of Kenneth.

What does the Kennerson map show?

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