NameCensus.

UK surname

Kon

A surname of Korean origin, likely derived from a place name or an occupational title.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Kon surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 103, ranked #30,515, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barnet, Greenwich and Calderdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kon is 108 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5050.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

103

2016, ranked #30,515

Peak year

2014

108 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kon had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016, ranked #30,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Kon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kon surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kon 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
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1997 modern 61 #31,526
1998 modern 60 #31,931
1999 modern 61 #31,971
2000 modern 58 #32,317
2001 modern 53 #32,674
2002 modern 59 #32,468
2003 modern 60 #32,446
2004 modern 57 #32,968
2005 modern 60 #32,917
2006 modern 62 #33,043
2007 modern 66 #32,948
2008 modern 71 #32,753
2009 modern 73 #32,923
2010 modern 91 #31,497
2011 modern 85 #32,127
2012 modern 95 #31,107
2013 modern 101 #30,591
2014 modern 108 #29,658
2015 modern 103 #30,444
2016 modern 103 #30,515

Geography

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Where Kons 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 Barnet, Greenwich and Calderdale. 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 Barnet 035 Barnet
2 Barnet 032 Barnet
3 Greenwich 016 Greenwich
4 Calderdale 019 Calderdale
5 Greenwich 036 Greenwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kon

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kon

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Kon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Kon 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Kon is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kon is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kon 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 Kon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Kon

The surname KON has its origins in Eastern Europe, primarily in Poland and Russia, dating back to the 14th century. It is derived from the Slavic root word "kon," which means "horse" or "equine," suggesting a possible connection to occupations or locations related to horses.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname KON can be found in the 16th century Polish census records, where it appears as a variant spelling, "Kon." This spelling was commonly used in the regions of Krakow and Lublin, indicating a strong presence of the name in those areas.

In the 17th century, the KON surname gained prominence in Russia, where it was associated with noble families and landowners. One notable bearer of the name was Ivan Kon (1634-1701), a Russian military leader and governor of Smolensk, who played a significant role in the Russo-Polish War.

During the 18th century, the KON surname spread to other parts of Eastern Europe, including Ukraine and Belarus. In the Ukrainian city of Lviv, there are records of a prominent merchant family named Kon who traded in horses and other livestock.

The 19th century saw the KON surname expand its reach beyond Eastern Europe. One notable figure was Jan Kon (1826-1891), a Polish artist and painter who gained recognition for his landscape paintings of the Tatra Mountains.

As the 20th century dawned, the KON surname continued to be found in various parts of the world. One notable bearer was Feliks Kon (1904-1986), a Russian philosopher and author who wrote extensively on the subject of existentialism.

Other notable individuals with the surname KON include Yuri Kon (1920-2003), a Russian film director and screenwriter known for his work on the iconic Soviet film "The Cranes Are Flying"; and Andrzej Kon (1940-2021), a Polish composer and conductor who composed numerous orchestral works and film scores.

While the KON surname has its roots in Eastern Europe, it has since been carried to various parts of the world by migration and diaspora communities, reflecting the diverse cultural and historical influences that have shaped its journey.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kon 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. Middlesex leads with 2 Kons recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 2 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mile End New Town London in Middlesex leads with 2 Kons recorded in 1881 and an index of 5000.00x.

Place Total Index
Mile End New Town London 2 5000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Margaret 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Conrad 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 Kon households.

Occupation Count
Pork Butcher Manager 1

FAQ

Kon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Kon surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016. That gives Kon a modern rank of #30,515.

What does the Kon surname mean?

A surname of Korean origin, likely derived from a place name or an occupational title.

What does the Kon map show?

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