NameCensus.

UK surname

Max

A shortened form of a surname beginning with "Max-," such as Maxwell, which means "Mack's stream."

In the 1881 census there were 55 people recorded with the Max surname, ranking it #25,862 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 254, ranked #16,632, up from #25,862 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Aylesbury Vale, Shawlands East and Camden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Max is 254 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 361.8%.

1881 census count

55

Ranked #25,862

Modern count

254

2016, ranked #16,632

Peak year

2016

254 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Max had 55 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #25,862 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 254 in 2016, ranked #16,632.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 94 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Max surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Max surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Max 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 24 #29,038
1881 historical 55 #25,862
1901 historical 94 #23,588
1997 modern 133 #22,705
1998 modern 143 #22,317
1999 modern 139 #22,884
2000 modern 108 #26,549
2001 modern 103 #26,927
2002 modern 104 #27,303
2003 modern 111 #26,091
2004 modern 104 #27,338
2005 modern 106 #27,044
2006 modern 119 #25,413
2007 modern 121 #25,469
2008 modern 135 #24,123
2009 modern 132 #24,929
2010 modern 144 #24,147
2011 modern 154 #22,886
2012 modern 178 #20,758
2013 modern 195 #19,857
2014 modern 210 #19,064
2015 modern 227 #17,941
2016 modern 254 #16,632

Geography

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Where Max' 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 Aylesbury Vale, Shawlands East, Camden, Pembrokeshire and Barnet. 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 Aylesbury Vale 023 Aylesbury Vale
2 Shawlands East Glasgow City
3 Camden 016 Camden
4 Pembrokeshire 012 Pembrokeshire
5 Barnet 035 Barnet

Forenames

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First names often paired with Max

These lists show first names that appear often with the Max 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 Max

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Max, 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 Max surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Max 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, Max 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

Max 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

Max falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Max

The surname Max originates from Germany and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Germanic personal name Maximilian, which itself is derived from the Latin name Maximilianus, meaning "greatest Aemilius." Aemilius was a Roman family name.

In medieval times, the surname Max was most commonly found in the regions of Bavaria and Saxony. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Codex Traditionum Monasterii Sancti Emmerami, a 12th-century manuscript from the Benedictine abbey of St. Emmeram in Regensburg, Bavaria.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname was Konrad Max, a burgher of Nuremberg, who was mentioned in records from the city in 1296. Another early recorded individual with the surname was Heinrich Max, a citizen of Augsburg, who was listed in the city's tax records in 1357.

The surname Max is also associated with several notable figures throughout history. One such individual was Georg Max, a German painter and engraver who lived from 1557 to 1619. He was known for his religious paintings and engravings, many of which can be found in churches across Germany.

Another notable bearer of the surname was Gabriel von Max, a German painter and sculptor who lived from 1840 to 1915. He was known for his works depicting mythological and allegorical subjects, and his paintings can be found in museums throughout Europe.

In the literary world, there was Walter Max, a German author and playwright who lived from 1856 to 1920. He wrote several novels and plays that explored themes of social criticism and satire.

One of the most famous bearers of the surname Max was the philosopher and mathematician Max Planck, who lived from 1858 to 1947. He is best known for his work in quantum theory and for being the originator of the concept of the Planck constant, which is fundamental to modern physics.

Overall, the surname Max has a rich history that can be traced back to medieval Germany, with notable bearers of the name spanning various fields, from art and literature to science and philosophy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Max families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Max 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. Pembrokeshire leads with 20 Max' recorded in 1881 and an index of 129.03x.

County Total Index
Pembrokeshire 20 129.03x
Middlesex 13 2.67x
Surrey 5 2.10x
Yorkshire 5 1.03x
Kent 2 1.20x
Lancashire 2 0.35x
Glamorgan 1 1.18x
Gloucestershire 1 1.05x
Sussex 1 1.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Walton West in Pembrokeshire leads with 9 Max' recorded in 1881 and an index of 15000.00x.

Place Total Index
Walton West 9 15000.00x
Hubberston 8 3478.26x
Lambeth 5 11.76x
Leeds 5 18.33x
Shoreditch London 4 18.92x
Paddington London 3 16.73x
Talbenny 3 7500.00x
Gillingham 2 58.31x
Hammersmith London 2 16.65x
Liverpool 2 5.69x
Brighton 1 6.03x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 1 11.11x
Islington London 1 2.12x
Merthyr Tydfil 1 12.25x
Mile End Old Town 1 12.99x
Spitalfields London 1 27.25x
St Botolph 1 10000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Ann 2
Eliza 2
Margaret 2
Susan 2
Alma 1
Annie 1
Emmily 1
Esther 1
Jessie 1
Letitia 1
Lettice 1
Martha 1
Mathilda 1
Mindle 1
Rossetta 1
Tobe 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 5
George 4
Thomas 3
Alexander 1
Barned 1
Charles 1
David 1
Frank 1
Hauser 1
Henry 1
James 1
Joel 1
John 1
Joseph 1
Joshua 1
Maurice 1
Nathan 1
Sylvan 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 Max households.

FAQ

Max surname: questions and answers

How common was the Max surname in 1881?

In 1881, 55 people were recorded with the Max surname. That placed it at #25,862 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Max surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 254 in 2016. That gives Max a modern rank of #16,632.

What does the Max surname mean?

A shortened form of a surname beginning with "Max-," such as Maxwell, which means "Mack's stream."

What does the Max map show?

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