NameCensus.

UK surname

Knowland

A locational surname derived from a place name containing a topographic element related to a hill or knoll.

In the 1881 census there were 72 people recorded with the Knowland surname, ranking it #23,371 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 135, ranked #25,505, down from #23,371 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mid Suffolk, Isle of Wight and Bolsover.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Knowland is 136 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 87.5%.

1881 census count

72

Ranked #23,371

Modern count

135

2016, ranked #25,505

Peak year

2015

136 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Knowland had 72 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #23,371 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 135 in 2016, ranked #25,505.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 96 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Knowland surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Knowland surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Knowland 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 72 #20,720
1861 historical 73 #24,492
1881 historical 72 #23,371
1891 historical 96 #24,559
1901 historical 64 #27,010
1911 historical 81 #24,719
1997 modern 102 #26,638
1998 modern 108 #26,417
1999 modern 115 #25,620
2000 modern 113 #25,843
2001 modern 108 #26,184
2002 modern 120 #25,110
2003 modern 121 #24,776
2004 modern 119 #25,200
2005 modern 121 #24,947
2006 modern 112 #26,415
2007 modern 111 #26,954
2008 modern 118 #26,212
2009 modern 121 #26,373
2010 modern 130 #25,775
2011 modern 115 #27,634
2012 modern 112 #28,174
2013 modern 129 #26,211
2014 modern 135 #25,581
2015 modern 136 #25,352
2016 modern 135 #25,505

Geography

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Where Knowlands 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 Mid Suffolk, Isle of Wight, Bolsover and Durno-Chapel of Garioch. 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 Mid Suffolk 007 Mid Suffolk
2 Isle of Wight 011 Isle of Wight
3 Bolsover 001 Bolsover
4 Durno-Chapel of Garioch Aberdeenshire
5 Isle of Wight 008 Isle of Wight

Forenames

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First names often paired with Knowland

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Knowland

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Knowland, 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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Knowland surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Knowland household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Knowland 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

Knowland 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

Knowland falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Knowland

The surname KNOWLAND is of Anglo-Saxon origin, first appearing in England during the 8th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "cnoll" meaning "hill" and "land" meaning "land" or "estate," suggesting the name was initially given to someone who lived on or near a hilltop.

The earliest recorded instance of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Cnolleland," referring to a settlement in Wiltshire. This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

In the 13th century, records show a Robert de Knolland, born around 1220 in Gloucestershire, who was a landowner and knight. His descendants continued to use the name, with variations like "Knollonde" and "Knowlande" appearing in various historical documents.

During the 14th century, the name gained prominence with Sir John Knowland (1320-1390), a wealthy merchant and Lord Mayor of London in 1385. His family's coat of arms, featuring a hilltop, further reinforced the connection between the name and its geographical origins.

Another notable figure was William Knowland (1495-1568), a clergyman and academic who served as the vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge in the mid-16th century.

In the 17th century, the KNOWLAND surname spread across England, with records showing families in counties like Essex, Somerset, and Lincolnshire. One prominent figure from this period was Edward Knowland (1619-1692), a wealthy London merchant and philanthropist who funded the construction of several churches and schools.

As the name continued to evolve, variations like "Knowlend," "Knowlin," and "Knowling" emerged, reflecting regional dialects and spelling preferences. However, the core meaning and origin remained consistent throughout its history.

While the KNOWLAND surname may not be among the most common surnames today, it has left an indelible mark on English history, with various notable individuals bearing the name across different periods and professions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Knowland families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Knowland 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. Gloucestershire leads with 22 Knowlands recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.76x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 22 15.76x
Middlesex 17 2.39x
Kent 9 3.71x
Lancashire 9 1.07x
Yorkshire 7 0.99x
Devon 4 2.70x
Berkshire 2 3.74x
Isle of Man 1 7.56x
Suffolk 1 1.15x
Surrey 1 0.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bristol St Philip Jacob in Gloucestershire leads with 9 Knowlands recorded in 1881 and an index of 68.44x.

Place Total Index
Bristol St Philip Jacob 9 68.44x
Rochester St Margaret 9 351.56x
St George Martyr 8 666.67x
Limehouse London 7 89.51x
Hulme 5 28.34x
Stapleton 5 188.68x
Bristol St James St Paul 4 85.84x
Ecclesall Bierlow 4 27.87x
Windle 3 63.16x
Hanwell 2 158.73x
Horton In Bradford 2 18.15x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 17.51x
Reading St Giles 2 38.17x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 1 78.74x
Bristol St Peter 1 200.00x
Bristol St Stephen 1 277.78x
Camberwell 1 2.20x
Exeter Allhallows On The 1 416.67x
Ipswich St Mary Stoke 1 125.00x
Little Houghton 1 2000.00x
Liverpool 1 1.95x
Onchan 1 26.25x
Pilton 1 204.08x
Winterbourne 1 129.87x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Eliza 3
Kate 3
Mary 3
Elizabeth 2
Elizth. 2
Hannah 2
Sarah 2
Ada 1
Ann 1
Bridget 1
Bridgett 1
Edith 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Harriet 1
Jessie 1
Maud 1
Nellie 1
Rebecca 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 6
Henry 4
Edward 3
Frank 3
Albert 2
Charles 2
Thomas 2
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Frederick 1
Harold 1
James 1
John 1
Joseph 1
Mark 1
Mk. 1
Patrick 1
Philip 1
Robert 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1
Wm.H.Y. 1
Wm.Hy. 1

Top occupations

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 Knowland households.

FAQ

Knowland surname: questions and answers

How common was the Knowland surname in 1881?

In 1881, 72 people were recorded with the Knowland surname. That placed it at #23,371 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Knowland surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 135 in 2016. That gives Knowland a modern rank of #25,505.

What does the Knowland surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name containing a topographic element related to a hill or knoll.

What does the Knowland map show?

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