UK surname
A Scottish habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "head of the ravine."
In the 1881 census there were 93 people recorded with the Kinner surname, ranking it #20,593 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 63, ranked #34,163, down from #20,593 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Ealing, Chiswick and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kinner is 338 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 32.3%.
1881 census count
93
Ranked #20,593
Modern count
63
2016, ranked #34,163
Peak year
1891
338 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Kinner surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Kinner surname density by area, 1911 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 | 112 | #15,913 |
| 1861 | historical | 255 | #9,699 |
| 1881 | historical | 93 | #20,593 |
| 1891 | historical | 338 | #10,113 |
| 1901 | historical | 174 | #16,520 |
| 1911 | historical | 119 | #20,535 |
| 1997 | modern | 73 | #30,306 |
| 1998 | modern | 72 | #30,775 |
| 1999 | modern | 70 | #31,135 |
| 2000 | modern | 53 | #32,805 |
| 2001 | modern | 57 | #32,275 |
| 2002 | modern | 58 | #32,564 |
| 2003 | modern | 55 | #32,895 |
| 2004 | modern | 67 | #31,976 |
| 2005 | modern | 66 | #32,303 |
| 2006 | modern | 62 | #33,043 |
| 2007 | modern | 62 | #33,346 |
| 2008 | modern | 64 | #33,402 |
| 2009 | modern | 71 | #33,102 |
| 2010 | modern | 74 | #33,167 |
| 2011 | modern | 66 | #33,768 |
| 2012 | modern | 67 | #33,840 |
| 2013 | modern | 62 | #34,260 |
| 2014 | modern | 65 | #34,082 |
| 2015 | modern | 61 | #34,284 |
| 2016 | modern | 63 | #34,163 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Ealing, Chiswick, St Pancras and Battersea. 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 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Ealing, Chiswick | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Battersea | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Kinner 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 Kinner, 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 Kinner surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Kinner 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, Kinner 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 Kinner is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Kinner, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Kinner is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "cyn," meaning "kin" or "family," combined with the suffix "-er," indicating "one who is associated with." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a person who was responsible for managing or overseeing a family or household.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions a person named "Kinnere" residing in Northamptonshire.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name appeared in various historical records, often with different spellings such as "Kynner," "Kinnere," and "Kynnere." These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling conventions of the time.
In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the surname Kinner was John Kinner, a merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol, England, who lived from approximately 1520 to 1585. He played a significant role in the city's trade and governance during his lifetime.
Another individual of note was Sir John Kinner, a British military officer who served in the East India Company during the 18th century. He was born in 1725 and played a crucial role in several campaigns in India, ultimately becoming the Governor of Fort St. George (present-day Chennai) in 1771.
In the 19th century, the name Kinner was associated with several prominent figures in various fields. One such individual was Samuel Kinner, a renowned artist and engraver who lived from 1803 to 1868. His works showcased exceptional skill and were widely celebrated during his lifetime.
Another notable bearer of the surname was Elizabeth Kinner, a pioneering educator who established several schools for girls in England during the latter half of the 19th century. She was born in 1832 and dedicated her life to promoting education and empowerment for women.
Lastly, the name Kinner has also been linked to certain place names in England, such as Kinner's Green in Hertfordshire and Kinner's Field in Warwickshire. These locations may have derived their names from historical figures or landowners associated with the surname.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kinner 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 36 Kinners recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.69x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 36 | 3.69x |
| Surrey | 10 | 2.10x |
| Lancashire | 8 | 0.69x |
| Fife | 7 | 12.12x |
| Isle of Man | 6 | 33.13x |
| Cheshire | 5 | 2.32x |
| Cornwall | 5 | 4.53x |
| Kent | 4 | 1.20x |
| Lanarkshire | 3 | 0.95x |
| Aberdeenshire | 2 | 2.21x |
| Berkshire | 2 | 2.73x |
| Devon | 2 | 0.99x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 1.05x |
| Perthshire | 2 | 4.57x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.65x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.34x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.52x |
| Kirkcudbrightshire | 1 | 7.08x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 1.32x |
| Wigtownshire | 1 | 7.72x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ealing in Middlesex leads with 13 Kinners recorded in 1881 and an index of 149.08x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Ealing | 13 | 149.08x |
| Chelsea London | 10 | 34.03x |
| Kinghorn | 7 | 569.11x |
| Onchan | 6 | 114.94x |
| Church Hulme | 5 | 2272.73x |
| Lanlivery | 5 | 1086.96x |
| Kensington London | 4 | 7.38x |
| Lambeth | 4 | 4.70x |
| Rotherhithe | 4 | 33.20x |
| West Derby | 4 | 11.81x |
| Barony | 3 | 3.76x |
| Burham | 3 | 652.17x |
| Great Little Marsden | 3 | 56.60x |
| Clerkenwell London | 2 | 8.69x |
| Clewer | 2 | 66.67x |
| St George Hanover Square | 2 | 11.63x |
| St Martin Ludgate London | 2 | 4000.00x |
| Abbey | 1 | 8.67x |
| Aberdeen St Nicholas | 1 | 5.92x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 1.60x |
| Cheltenham | 1 | 6.78x |
| Clifton | 1 | 10.34x |
| Colvend | 1 | 232.56x |
| Fortingall | 1 | 178.57x |
| Gateshead | 1 | 4.60x |
| Gravesend | 1 | 35.46x |
| Grays Thurrock | 1 | 55.87x |
| Kenmore | 1 | 192.31x |
| Kirkinner | 1 | 188.68x |
| Meshaw | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Mortlake | 1 | 47.17x |
| Normanton | 1 | 77.52x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 2.79x |
| Paignton | 1 | 64.94x |
| Peterhead | 1 | 20.92x |
| Skelmersdale | 1 | 51.81x |
| St George In East London | 1 | 10.91x |
| Willesden | 1 | 10.88x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kinner 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 Kinner 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 Kinner households.
FAQ
In 1881, 93 people were recorded with the Kinner surname. That placed it at #20,593 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 63 in 2016. That gives Kinner a modern rank of #34,163.
A Scottish habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "head of the ravine."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kinner 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.