NameCensus.

UK surname

Kneebone

Possibly derived from a nickname for someone with prominent knees.

In the 1881 census there were 470 people recorded with the Kneebone surname, ranking it #7,098 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 376, ranked #12,437, down from #7,098 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Phillack, Wendron and Paul. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall and West Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kneebone is 497 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 20.0%.

1881 census count

470

Ranked #7,098

Modern count

376

2016, ranked #12,437

Peak year

1911

497 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kneebone had 470 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,098 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 376 in 2016, ranked #12,437.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 497 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kneebone surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kneebone surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kneebone 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 380 #6,284
1861 historical 337 #7,564
1881 historical 470 #7,098
1891 historical 444 #8,149
1901 historical 485 #8,235
1911 historical 497 #7,861
1997 modern 348 #12,229
1998 modern 391 #11,539
1999 modern 381 #11,873
2000 modern 373 #11,996
2001 modern 365 #12,014
2002 modern 379 #11,913
2003 modern 375 #11,808
2004 modern 374 #11,843
2005 modern 357 #12,194
2006 modern 356 #12,284
2007 modern 352 #12,546
2008 modern 356 #12,534
2009 modern 351 #12,940
2010 modern 356 #13,071
2011 modern 362 #12,773
2012 modern 356 #12,784
2013 modern 364 #12,790
2014 modern 376 #12,553
2015 modern 377 #12,428
2016 modern 376 #12,437

Geography

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Where Kneebones are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Phillack, Wendron, Paul, Gwennap and St Columb Minor. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall and West Devon. 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 Phillack Cornwall
2 Wendron Cornwall
3 Paul Cornwall
4 Gwennap Cornwall
5 St Columb Minor Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 056 Cornwall
2 West Devon 004 West Devon
3 Cornwall 045 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 042 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 060 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kneebone

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kneebone

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Kneebone is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Kneebone is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kneebone falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kneebone 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 Kneebone, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kneebone

The surname Kneebone is of English origin, with its earliest known records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated in the county of Cornwall, in the southwest of England. The name is thought to be derived from the Cornish words "yn" meaning "the" and "keneben" meaning "knee." It is speculated that the name may have initially referred to someone with a distinctive physical feature, such as a knee deformity or injury.

One of the earliest documented instances of the name Kneebone can be found in the Assize Rolls of Cornwall from 1284, where a Robert Kenebon is mentioned. This early spelling variation highlights the name's Cornish roots and provides insight into its evolution over time.

In the 16th century, the Kneebone family was well-established in the Cornish town of St. Austell. This is evidenced by the presence of several Kneebone family members in the parish records of St. Austell during this period.

During the 17th century, the name Kneebone appeared in the records of the nearby parish of St. Blazey, with the baptism of a John Kneebone in 1634. This suggests that the family had spread to other areas of Cornwall by this time.

One notable figure in the history of the Kneebone surname was Richard Kneebone (1621-1677), a Cornish landowner and member of the gentry. His estate, Kneebone Manor, was located in the parish of St. Blazey, and his family held considerable influence in the area.

Another prominent individual was John Kneebone (1740-1818), a successful merchant and shipowner based in the port town of Falmouth, Cornwall. He amassed a significant fortune through his maritime enterprises and was a respected figure in the local community.

In the 19th century, the name Kneebone can be found in various records across Cornwall, with families residing in towns such as Truro, Redruth, and Penzance. One notable individual from this era was William Kneebone (1802-1876), a renowned mining engineer who made significant contributions to the Cornish mining industry.

As the Kneebone family spread beyond Cornwall, they can be found in other parts of England, as well as in countries with historical ties to Britain, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, the name remains most strongly associated with its Cornish origins and the county's rich cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kneebone families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kneebone 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. Cornwall leads with 254 Kneebones recorded in 1881 and an index of 48.83x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 254 48.83x
Devon 71 7.42x
Lancashire 33 0.61x
Derbyshire 25 3.48x
Middlesex 19 0.41x
Northumberland 19 2.78x
Renfrewshire 14 3.93x
Surrey 9 0.40x
Bedfordshire 7 2.94x
Caernarfonshire 5 2.69x
Hampshire 4 0.42x
Glamorgan 3 0.38x
Durham 2 0.15x
Shropshire 2 0.50x
Yorkshire 2 0.04x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.36x
Gloucestershire 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Phillack in Cornwall leads with 32 Kneebones recorded in 1881 and an index of 476.90x.

Place Total Index
Phillack 32 476.90x
Paul 29 306.88x
Gwinear 26 1052.63x
Wendron 24 332.41x
Crich 21 447.76x
North Petherwyn 21 1555.56x
Plymouth St Andrew 21 28.51x
Kenwyn 18 132.35x
Seaton Delaval 18 300.00x
Madron Penzance 17 89.90x
Dalton In Furness 15 71.29x
Stoke Damerel 15 22.41x
Middle Greenock 14 144.03x
Gwennap 10 101.94x
Barrow In Furness 9 12.14x
Camborne 9 42.00x
St Columb Minor 8 183.07x
Bedford St Paul 7 42.89x
Calstock 7 68.63x
Helston 7 129.39x
St Hilary Marazion 7 496.45x
Madron 6 142.86x
St Agnes 6 82.42x
St Austell 6 33.75x
St Columb Major 6 138.89x
St Erth 6 190.48x
Westminster St John 6 10.72x
Barton Upon Irwell 5 12.18x
Bettws Y Coed 5 406.50x
Croydon 5 4.02x
Kensington London 5 1.96x
Duffield 4 70.55x
Falmouth 4 21.73x
Iddesleigh 4 615.38x
Illogan 4 29.05x
St Clement 4 73.66x
St Marylebone London 3 1.22x
St Stithians 3 104.53x
Briton Ferry 2 20.96x
Camberwell 2 0.68x
Exeter St Sidwell 2 9.13x
Farnham 2 11.49x
Hyssington 2 400.00x
Lifton 2 86.96x
Marazion 2 322.58x
Paignton 2 27.47x
Radcliffe 2 7.61x
Redruth 2 13.60x
St Mary Extra 2 26.39x
Tywardreath 2 59.88x
Werrington 2 194.17x
Acton 1 3.71x
Bishopwearmouth 1 0.85x
Broughton In Salford 1 2.01x
Cheltenham 1 1.44x
Cramlington 1 11.07x
Devonport 1 9.10x
Ealing 1 2.44x
Hackney London 1 0.39x
Heeley 1 7.23x
Liskeard 1 11.49x
Ludgvan 1 24.10x
Lythe 1 55.25x
Menheniot 1 46.30x
Pilton 1 31.65x
Portsea 1 0.54x
Saltash 1 24.81x
Scilly Islands 1 107.53x
Shoreditch London 1 0.50x
Southampton St Mary 1 1.69x
St Buryan 1 46.51x
St Mary Magdalene 1 26.18x
Stockton On Tees 1 1.52x
Stoke Climsland 1 30.12x
Swansea 1 111.11x
Tonge 1 8.74x
Truro St Mary 1 22.88x
Westminster St Margaret 1 4.51x
Wycombe 1 4.83x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 46
Elizabeth 27
Jane 15
Eliza 14
Annie 9
Ann 8
Ellen 7
Sarah 7
Bessie 6
Emily 5
Hannah 5
Edith 4
Emma 4
Grace 4
Kate 4
Martha 4
Susan 4
Caroline 3
Harriett 3
Jessie 3
Johanna 3
Alice 2
Clara 2
Helen 2
Henrietta 2
Lilly 2
Louisa 2
Margaret 2
Sophia 2
Alma 1
Amelia 1
Anne 1
Blanche 1
Catherine 1
E.Mary 1
Effie 1
Eleanor 1
Elizab. 1
Elizath. 1
Elizh. 1
Elizth 1
Emeline 1
Georgena 1
Georgina 1
Gertrude 1
Harriet 1
Henritta 1
Henryetta 1
Lilian 1
Willie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 32
John 31
Thomas 17
Richard 14
George 9
Joseph 8
Charles 5
Francis 5
Frederick 5
James 5
Philip 5
Robert 5
Edward 4
Edwin 4
Henry 4
Adam 3
Hugh 3
Israel 3
Samuel 3
Wm. 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
David 2
Matthew 2
Peter 2
Willm. 2
Benjamine 1
Daniel 1
E.W.Henry 1
Earnest 1
Edgar 1
Evi 1
Frances 1
Frank 1
Herbert 1
Ira 1
Jas.Hy. 1
Jonas 1
Kenard 1
Maitland 1
Martin 1
Nickolas 1
Rbt. 1
Reinfred 1
Richd. 1
Ruben 1
Sidney 1
Simon 1
Theapous 1
Wm.R. 1

FAQ

Kneebone surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kneebone surname in 1881?

In 1881, 470 people were recorded with the Kneebone surname. That placed it at #7,098 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kneebone surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 376 in 2016. That gives Kneebone a modern rank of #12,437.

What does the Kneebone surname mean?

Possibly derived from a nickname for someone with prominent knees.

What does the Kneebone map show?

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