NameCensus.

UK surname

Knowlson

An occupational surname referring to someone who was knowledgeable or wise.

In the 1881 census there were 326 people recorded with the Knowlson surname, ranking it #9,167 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 456, ranked #10,705, down from #9,167 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Thirsk. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hambleton, Sunderland and Harrogate.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Knowlson is 490 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 39.9%.

1881 census count

326

Ranked #9,167

Modern count

456

2016, ranked #10,705

Peak year

1911

490 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Knowlson had 326 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,167 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 456 in 2016, ranked #10,705.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 490 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Knowlson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Knowlson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Knowlson 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 179 #11,346
1861 historical 230 #10,611
1881 historical 326 #9,167
1891 historical 380 #9,231
1901 historical 456 #8,624
1911 historical 490 #7,943
1997 modern 428 #10,451
1998 modern 432 #10,737
1999 modern 446 #10,513
2000 modern 452 #10,394
2001 modern 438 #10,462
2002 modern 445 #10,538
2003 modern 438 #10,507
2004 modern 450 #10,321
2005 modern 425 #10,667
2006 modern 428 #10,659
2007 modern 431 #10,703
2008 modern 434 #10,756
2009 modern 440 #10,888
2010 modern 454 #10,833
2011 modern 456 #10,676
2012 modern 440 #10,849
2013 modern 459 #10,682
2014 modern 461 #10,694
2015 modern 458 #10,678
2016 modern 456 #10,705

Geography

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Where Knowlsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Thirsk, Westbury-on-Trym, Henbury, Compton Greenfield and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hambleton, Sunderland and Harrogate. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Thirsk Yorkshire, North Riding
4 Westbury-on-Trym, Henbury, Compton Greenfield Gloucestershire
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hambleton 010 Hambleton
2 Sunderland 030 Sunderland
3 Hambleton 008 Hambleton
4 Hambleton 009 Hambleton
5 Harrogate 009 Harrogate

Forenames

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First names often paired with Knowlson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Knowlson

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

Knowlson is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Knowlson falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Knowlson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Knowlson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Knowlson

The surname Knowlson is of English origin, derived from the Anglo-Saxon personal name "Knoll" or "Knoll-son," meaning "the son of Knoll." The name can be traced back to the 11th century in various English counties, particularly in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Cnolleson" in Lincolnshire. This entry suggests that the name was already established in England before the Norman Conquest.

During the Middle Ages, the name was often spelled differently, including variations such as Knollson, Knolson, and Knowleson. These variations reflect the inconsistencies in spelling and record-keeping during that period.

In the 13th century, a prominent figure named John Knowlson was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire in 1246. This indicates that the name had spread to various parts of England by that time.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was William Knowlson, who was born in Yorkshire around 1520. He was a prominent merchant and landowner in the region.

Another notable figure was Thomas Knowlson (1692-1782), a renowned clockmaker from London. His timepieces were highly sought after and can still be found in various museums and private collections.

In the 18th century, the Knowlson family established themselves as successful farmers and landowners in Derbyshire. One of their descendants, James Knowlson (1784-1862), became a respected horticulturist and contributed significantly to the development of new plant varieties.

During the 19th century, the name gained further recognition with the achievements of Robert Knowlson (1820-1884), a prominent architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Albert Hall.

Another significant figure was John Knowlson (1852-1929), a renowned historian and author who wrote extensively on the history of England and its religious developments.

Throughout its history, the surname Knowlson has been associated with various places in England, such as Knowlson Manor in Cheshire and Knowlson Hall in Yorkshire, both of which were once owned by members of the Knowlson family.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Knowlson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Knowlson 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. Yorkshire leads with 134 Knowlsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.21x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 134 4.21x
Gloucestershire 54 8.58x
Lancashire 38 1.00x
Middlesex 28 0.87x
Surrey 22 1.41x
Derbyshire 13 2.59x
Durham 9 0.94x
Devon 8 1.20x
Nottinghamshire 6 1.39x
Kent 4 0.37x
Brecknockshire 3 4.67x
Leicestershire 3 0.84x
Royal Navy 3 7.85x
Berkshire 1 0.42x
Dorset 1 0.47x
Essex 1 0.16x
Sussex 1 0.18x

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 George in Gloucestershire leads with 18 Knowlsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 61.83x.

Place Total Index
Bristol St George 18 61.83x
Westbury On Trym 18 84.43x
Leeds 14 7.80x
Stillington 14 2121.21x
Ashton Under Lyne 12 14.42x
Normanton 12 283.02x
Addington 9 1232.88x
Drighlington 9 194.38x
Ecclesall Bierlow 9 13.91x
Hartlepool 9 66.32x
Sutton On Forest 9 1428.57x
Bethnal Green London 8 5.74x
Birkdale 8 83.07x
Manchester 8 4.67x
Thormanby 8 5333.33x
Bagby 7 2258.06x
Croydon 7 8.06x
Bristol St Paul In 6 35.78x
Nottingham St Mary 6 5.36x
Sheffield 6 5.93x
Skirpenbeck 6 3529.41x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 5 45.96x
Chelsea London 5 5.17x
Cirencester 5 58.69x
Middlesbrough 5 12.07x
Newington 5 4.22x
Paddington London 5 4.24x
Birdforth 4 8000.00x
Churwell 4 184.33x
Clifton 4 12.57x
Hackney London 4 2.22x
Helperby 4 571.43x
Stoke Damerel 4 8.56x
Tonbridge 4 10.13x
West Derby 4 3.59x
Headingley Cum Burley 3 14.66x
Knayton With Brawith 3 789.47x
Leicester St Margaret 3 3.46x
Llanelly 3 39.06x
Royal Navy 3 9.18x
St George Hanover Square 3 5.31x
Yeadon 3 41.78x
York Mint Yard St 3 1071.43x
York St Saviour 3 98.68x
Borrowby In 2 571.43x
Clifton In York 2 30.08x
Denton 2 23.70x
Devonport 2 26.04x
East Stonehouse 2 15.20x
Haughton 2 35.97x
Kirkby Moorside 2 99.01x
Shoreditch London 2 1.44x
Tollerton 2 357.14x
Blackburn 1 0.99x
Brightside Bierlow 1 1.60x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 1 17.45x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 1 1.69x
Cleckheaton 1 8.54x
Derby St Werburgh 1 3.45x
Grays Thurrock 1 16.98x
Hatfield In Thorne 1 50.51x
Kirkdale 1 1.56x
Lambeth 1 0.36x
Linthorpe 1 5.27x
Portland 1 8.83x
Sandhurst 1 21.41x
St Pancras London 1 0.39x
Stapleton 1 8.38x
Walberton 1 149.25x
York Minster Yard W 1 135.14x
York St Mary 1 7.59x
York St Maurice 1 16.69x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 25
Elizabeth 16
Alice 10
Jane 10
Sarah 9
Annie 7
Ann 6
Eliza 5
Harriet 5
Charlotte 4
Edith 4
Emily 4
Louisa 4
Anne 3
Hannah 3
Lucy 3
Margaret 3
Rose 3
Emma 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Melita 2
Minnie 2
Susan 2
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Clara 1
Ellen 1
Ethel 1
Helen 1
Isab. 1
Isabella 1
Jennie 1
Kezia 1
Lilly 1
Margret 1
Marion 1
Matilda 1
Nellie 1
Norah 1
R.Hetter 1
Rachel 1
Rosetta 1
Rosina 1
Theophila 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 25
John 19
Thomas 16
George 15
James 11
Joseph 8
Henry 7
Charles 6
Alfred 5
Albert 4
Richard 4
Walter 4
Arthur 3
Francis 3
Harry 3
Robert 3
Christopher 2
Frederick 2
Herbert 2
Robt. 2
Alfd. 1
Chas.Ernest 1
Chasford 1
Christr. 1
Edgar 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
Hiram 1
Mark 1
Matthew 1
Michael 1
Morley 1
Oliver 1
Phillip 1
Silas 1
Thos. 1
Thos.C. 1
Thos.Wm. 1
Willie 1
Willis 1

FAQ

Knowlson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Knowlson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 326 people were recorded with the Knowlson surname. That placed it at #9,167 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Knowlson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 456 in 2016. That gives Knowlson a modern rank of #10,705.

What does the Knowlson surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to someone who was knowledgeable or wise.

What does the Knowlson map show?

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