UK surname
An English surname derived from the King's son, denoting royal or noble descent.
In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Kenson surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 14, ranked #37,178, down from #32,581 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Lambeth and Scrayingham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kenson is 263 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 75.0%.
1881 census count
8
Ranked #32,581
Modern count
14
2016, ranked #37,178
Peak year
1861
263 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Kenson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Kenson 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 | 21 | #29,550 |
| 1861 | historical | 263 | #9,423 |
| 1881 | historical | 8 | #32,581 |
| 1891 | historical | 125 | #20,713 |
| 1901 | historical | 6 | #33,591 |
| 1911 | historical | 28 | #30,296 |
| 1997 | modern | 10 | #37,060 |
| 1998 | modern | 6 | #37,703 |
| 1999 | modern | 9 | #37,217 |
| 2000 | modern | 8 | #37,264 |
| 2001 | modern | 7 | #37,293 |
| 2002 | modern | 7 | #37,379 |
| 2003 | modern | 7 | #37,397 |
| 2004 | modern | 9 | #37,213 |
| 2005 | modern | 10 | #37,180 |
| 2006 | modern | 12 | #37,014 |
| 2007 | modern | 9 | #37,435 |
| 2008 | modern | 9 | #37,473 |
| 2009 | modern | 9 | #37,573 |
| 2010 | modern | 9 | #37,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 8 | #37,737 |
| 2012 | modern | 10 | #37,509 |
| 2013 | modern | 10 | #37,539 |
| 2014 | modern | 11 | #37,462 |
| 2015 | modern | 13 | #37,251 |
| 2016 | modern | 14 | #37,178 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Lambeth, Scrayingham, Liverpool 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 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 2 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 3 | Scrayingham | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 4 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 5 | Blackburn | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Kenson 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 Kenson, 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 Kenson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Kenson 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, Kenson 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 Kenson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Kenson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Kenson has its origins in England, with the earliest records dating back to the late 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "kenna," which means "to know" or "to be acquainted with." The surname may have originally been given as a descriptive name to someone who was known for their knowledge or wisdom.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Kenson can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1197, where a person named William Kenson is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in the region during that time period.
Another early reference to the surname Kenson comes from the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, dated around 1273. In this record, a John Kenson is listed as a landowner in the area, indicating that the family had gained some social standing by that point.
In the 14th century, the surname Kenson appears to have spread to other parts of England. The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 include a mention of a Richard Kenson, while the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1332 list a Thomas Kenson.
One notable bearer of the Kenson surname was Sir John Kenson, a member of the landed gentry in Warwickshire during the 15th century. He was born around 1420 and served as a knight and landowner in the region.
Another prominent individual with the surname Kenson was William Kenson, a merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol during the late 16th century. He was born in 1545 and played an influential role in the city's trade and governance.
In the 17th century, the Kenson surname can be found in various parish records across England. One example is Robert Kenson, who was baptized in the village of Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, in 1632.
As the name spread and evolved over time, variations in spelling emerged, such as Kenson, Kenston, and Kensone. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of local record-keepers.
While the surname Kenson is not among the most common in England, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including members of the landed gentry, merchants, and tradesmen.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kenson 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. Middlesex leads with 2 Kensons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.56x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 2 | 2.56x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 2.59x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 8.19x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 6.54x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 1.08x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 3.80x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nether Hallam in Yorkshire leads with 2 Kensons recorded in 1881 and an index of 190.48x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Nether Hallam | 2 | 190.48x |
| Breaston | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Newton In Makerfield | 1 | 357.14x |
| Shoreditch London | 1 | 29.59x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 24.04x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 1 | 35.84x |
| Westbury On Trym | 1 | 192.31x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kenson 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 Kenson 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 Kenson households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Boot Finisher | 1 |
| Coachman (D) | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Governess | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Potters Color Grinder | 1 |
| Printer Pressman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Kenson surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 14 in 2016. That gives Kenson a modern rank of #37,178.
An English surname derived from the King's son, denoting royal or noble descent.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kenson 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.