NameCensus.

UK surname

Kerrison

A surname originating from the English town of Kerrison, near Norwich.

In the 1881 census there were 697 people recorded with the Kerrison surname, ranking it #5,202 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 965, ranked #5,960, down from #5,202 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Gateshead and Elmham, North. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Norfolk, Waveney and Broadland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kerrison is 1,000 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.5%.

1881 census count

697

Ranked #5,202

Modern count

965

2016, ranked #5,960

Peak year

2000

1,000 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kerrison had 697 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,202 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 965 in 2016, ranked #5,960.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 921 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kerrison surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kerrison surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kerrison 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 409 #5,929
1861 historical 392 #6,536
1881 historical 697 #5,202
1891 historical 697 #5,622
1901 historical 921 #5,057
1911 historical 912 #4,892
1997 modern 935 #5,793
1998 modern 966 #5,836
1999 modern 985 #5,782
2000 modern 1,000 #5,686
2001 modern 957 #5,785
2002 modern 981 #5,789
2003 modern 960 #5,789
2004 modern 962 #5,785
2005 modern 949 #5,786
2006 modern 945 #5,817
2007 modern 938 #5,905
2008 modern 933 #5,965
2009 modern 975 #5,881
2010 modern 986 #5,941
2011 modern 983 #5,902
2012 modern 959 #5,932
2013 modern 983 #5,906
2014 modern 980 #5,957
2015 modern 973 #5,941
2016 modern 965 #5,960

Geography

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Where Kerrisons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Gateshead, Elmham, North, Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos and Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Norfolk, Waveney, Broadland, Kingston upon Hull and Ryedale. 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 Gateshead Durham
3 Elmham, North Norfolk
4 Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos Norfolk
5 Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Norfolk 013 North Norfolk
2 Waveney 015 Waveney
3 Broadland 001 Broadland
4 Kingston upon Hull 008 Kingston upon Hull, City of
5 Ryedale 007 Ryedale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kerrison

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kerrison

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Kerrison is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kerrison is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Kerrison

The surname Kerrison is of English origin and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English words "cyrice" meaning church, and "tun" meaning settlement or enclosure, suggesting that the name likely originated from a location known as "the church settlement".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1195, where a William de Kyrketun is mentioned. This early spelling variation highlights the eventual evolution of the name to its modern form.

During the 13th century, the Kerrison family is believed to have originated in the village of Kerrison, located in the county of Norfolk. This village name is thought to be a derivative of the earlier "Kyrketun" spelling, further solidifying the connection between the surname and the church settlement.

In the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, there is a record of a Thomas de Kyrketon, suggesting the widespread use of similar spellings during this time period. The Kerrison name also appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Norfolk from 1327, indicating the family's presence in the region.

One notable individual bearing the Kerrison name was Sir Edward Kerrison (1616-1653), a Member of Parliament for Ipswich during the English Civil War. He was a staunch supporter of the Parliamentary cause and played a significant role in the conflict.

Another prominent figure was Sir Vere Fane Ker Isham-Ker (1825-1868), a British army officer who served in the Crimean War and the Indian Rebellion of 1857. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery during the latter conflict.

In the 18th century, the Kerrison family established themselves as landowners and gentry in Norfolk. One notable member was Sir Edward Ker Dewhurst (1772-1852), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1834.

The Kerrison surname also has connections to the clergy. Reverend Mathew Kerrison (1668-1738) was an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Denton in Norfolk for over 40 years.

Another notable bearer of the name was Sir Roger Ker (1616-1675), a Scottish nobleman and military commander who fought for the Royalist cause during the English Civil War. He was later appointed as the Governor of Dunkirk by King Charles II.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kerrison families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kerrison 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. Norfolk leads with 368 Kerrisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.15x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 368 35.15x
Middlesex 79 1.16x
Suffolk 73 8.80x
Hertfordshire 33 7.03x
Lancashire 30 0.37x
Durham 24 1.18x
Yorkshire 21 0.31x
Essex 15 1.12x
Surrey 14 0.42x
Cheshire 10 0.67x
Kent 8 0.34x
Wiltshire 7 1.16x
Denbighshire 5 1.94x
Stirlingshire 4 1.59x
Berkshire 1 0.20x
Hampshire 1 0.07x
Midlothian 1 0.11x
Royal Navy 1 1.23x
Somerset 1 0.09x
Staffordshire 1 0.04x
Sussex 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Yarmouth in Norfolk leads with 59 Kerrisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 68.04x.

Place Total Index
Great Yarmouth 59 68.04x
Wymondham 19 177.57x
Coltishall 17 765.77x
Palling 17 1588.79x
Sandridge 13 659.90x
Lowestoft 12 30.63x
East Harling 11 443.55x
St Pancras London 11 2.01x
Hemsby 10 662.25x
Norwich St Stephen 10 104.06x
St Albans St Peter 10 63.17x
Walsham Le Willows 10 361.01x
Bradfield 9 1698.11x
Great Ellingham 9 584.42x
Hackney London 9 2.36x
St Albans St Stephen 9 219.51x
Tittleshall 9 750.00x
Tottenham 9 8.30x
West Ham 9 3.03x
Wissett 9 978.26x
East Murton 8 211.08x
Limehouse London 8 10.70x
Martham 8 312.50x
North Elmham 8 314.96x
Spexhall 8 1666.67x
Sutton 8 909.09x
Tranmere 8 14.48x
Rollesby 7 534.35x
South Walsham St Mary 7 813.95x
Southwick 7 36.50x
Stratton St Margaret 7 75.76x
Burgh Castle 6 491.80x
Eston 6 40.82x
Everton 6 2.33x
Fakenham 6 116.28x
Gorton 6 7.90x
Hampstead London 6 5.66x
Ipswich St Mathew 6 25.82x
Islington London 6 0.91x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 6 19.09x
Lakenham 6 40.35x
Newington 6 2.39x
Walton On Hill 6 13.71x
Brightside Bierlow 5 3.78x
Chelsea London 5 2.44x
Gorleston 5 23.73x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 5 5.70x
Keighley 5 6.95x
Norwich St Saviour 5 136.24x
Poringland 5 454.55x
Richmond 5 10.76x
Roudham 5 1282.05x
St Marylebone London 5 1.38x
Trowse Cum Newton 5 193.05x
Colchester St James 4 73.39x
East Somerton 4 3636.36x
Falkirk 4 6.81x
Filby 4 294.12x
Frettenham 4 769.23x
Happisburgh 4 305.34x
Horstead With Stanninghall 4 303.03x
Ipswich St Mary At Tower 4 217.39x
Lammas Cum Little Hautbois 4 769.23x
Lessingham 4 975.61x
Mile End Old Town London 4 2.76x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 4 58.91x
Ormesby St Margaret W 4 152.67x
Sheringham 4 148.15x
South Walsham St Lawrence 4 754.72x
Sporle With Palgrave 4 235.29x
Wrexham Regis 4 20.94x
Belton 3 206.90x
Caistor Next Yarmouth 3 81.52x
East Dereham 3 22.68x
Halesworth 3 51.02x
Little Mongeham 3 731.71x
Norwich St Peter Mancroft 3 57.03x
Ranworth 3 428.57x
Runham 3 143.54x
Rusholme 3 13.92x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 42
Elizabeth 34
Sarah 30
Emma 21
Emily 14
Ellen 12
Eliza 10
Ann 9
Alice 8
Annie 8
Harriet 8
Jane 8
Louisa 8
Charlotte 7
Gertrude 7
Hannah 7
Julia 7
Rebecca 7
Edith 6
Laura 6
Ada 5
Maria 5
Clara 4
Ethel 4
Kate 4
Margaret 4
Susan 4
Susanna 4
Anne 3
Beatrice 3
Florence 3
Harriett 3
Lucy 3
Rosa 3
Susannah 3
Agnes 2
Anna 2
Bessie 2
Lydia 2
Mabel 2
Martha 2
Maud 2
Rose 2
Angelina 1
Betsy 1
Blanch 1
Eilee 1
Eleanor 1
Elice 1
Elizh.Grou. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 33
William 29
Robert 28
John 19
James 14
Charles 13
Henry 13
Samuel 13
Edward 10
Thomas 10
Arthur 9
Richard 8
Walter 8
Albert 7
Frederick 6
Alfred 5
Herbert 5
Mark 5
Robt. 5
Edwin 4
Joseph 4
Benjamin 3
Ernest 3
Roger 3
Edgar 2
Edmund 2
Frank 2
Harry 2
Horace 2
Horatio 2
Ozias 2
Philip 2
Sidney 2
Solomon 2
Willie 2
Champion 1
Charle 1
Elijah 1
Geo. 1
Hector 1
Isiah 1
J.R. 1
Jacob 1
Nicholas 1
Nimrod 1
Noah 1
Olonzo 1
Percy 1
Rownald 1
Wm.Robert 1

FAQ

Kerrison surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kerrison surname in 1881?

In 1881, 697 people were recorded with the Kerrison surname. That placed it at #5,202 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kerrison surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 965 in 2016. That gives Kerrison a modern rank of #5,960.

What does the Kerrison surname mean?

A surname originating from the English town of Kerrison, near Norwich.

What does the Kerrison map show?

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