UK surname
A surname derived from the Middle English word "miht," meaning strength or power.
In the 1881 census there were 52 people recorded with the Might surname, ranking it #26,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 9, ranked #37,705, down from #26,281 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Sedgley, Tamworth and Paddington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Might is 445 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 82.7%.
1881 census count
52
Ranked #26,281
Modern count
9
2016, ranked #37,705
Peak year
1861
445 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Might surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Might surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 54 | #23,577 |
| 1861 | historical | 445 | #5,811 |
| 1881 | historical | 52 | #26,281 |
| 1891 | historical | 211 | #14,366 |
| 1901 | historical | 25 | #31,259 |
| 1911 | historical | 18 | #31,542 |
| 1997 | modern | 3 | #38,317 |
| 1998 | modern | 3 | #38,304 |
| 1999 | modern | 2 | #38,551 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2008 | modern | 1 | #38,949 |
| 2009 | modern | 1 | #38,998 |
| 2010 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2011 | modern | 1 | #39,015 |
| 2012 | modern | 6 | #38,008 |
| 2013 | modern | 6 | #38,049 |
| 2014 | modern | 10 | #37,567 |
| 2015 | modern | 9 | #37,684 |
| 2016 | modern | 9 | #37,705 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Sedgley, Tamworth, Paddington, St Pancras and West Derby. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sedgley | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Tamworth | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | West Derby | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Might surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Might, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Might surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Might household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Might is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Might is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Might, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "Might" originates from England and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "miht," meaning strength or power. The name was likely given as a nickname to someone who was physically strong or held a position of authority.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a person named Richard le Myghte is mentioned. This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the surname over time.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various legal documents and records. For instance, a Walter Might is mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327.
The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname "Might." However, it does include several place names that may have influenced the development of the name, such as Michelham in Sussex and Michen in Hertfordshire.
One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname "Might" was John Might, a merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 15th century. He was born around 1430 and served as an alderman from 1472 until his death in 1498.
In the 16th century, the surname appears in various parish records and historical documents. For example, a William Might was recorded as a resident of Stratford-upon-Avon in 1567, the same town where William Shakespeare was born.
Sir Thomas Might, born in 1592, was a prominent lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for East Retford in Nottinghamshire during the 17th century. He played a significant role in the English Civil War, initially supporting the Parliamentarians but later switching sides to support King Charles I.
Another notable individual with the surname "Might" was John Might, a successful merchant and landowner born in 1683 in Somerset. He amassed considerable wealth through his business ventures and acquired several properties in the region.
In the 18th century, the name appears in various records, including those of the Church of England. One example is the baptism of Mary Might in 1712 at St. Mary's Church in Warwick.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Might surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 14 Mights recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.76x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 14 | 2.76x |
| Lancashire | 8 | 1.33x |
| Staffordshire | 7 | 4.09x |
| Devon | 5 | 4.74x |
| Norfolk | 4 | 5.13x |
| Suffolk | 4 | 6.48x |
| Warwickshire | 4 | 3.13x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 1.92x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 3.11x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.66x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.40x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.20x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westminster St in Middlesex leads with 8 Mights recorded in 1881 and an index of 427.81x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Westminster St | 8 | 427.81x |
| Everton | 7 | 36.50x |
| East Teignmouth | 5 | 1162.79x |
| Aston | 4 | 11.36x |
| Kings Lynn St Margaret | 4 | 170.94x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 4 | 22.04x |
| Aspall | 3 | 10000.00x |
| St George In East | 2 | 57.97x |
| Wolstanton | 2 | 38.46x |
| Aldeburgh | 1 | 270.27x |
| All Hallows Barking | 1 | 769.23x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 6.54x |
| Darlington | 1 | 17.15x |
| Dorking | 1 | 60.24x |
| Eston | 1 | 91.74x |
| Northwood | 1 | 67.57x |
| Oldham | 1 | 5.15x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 5.36x |
| Portsmouth | 1 | 41.84x |
| St Botolph Cambridge | 1 | 1250.00x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 1 | 34.36x |
| Uttoxeter | 1 | 113.64x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Might surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Might surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Might households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Needlewoman | 2 |
| Artist (Art2) | 1 |
| Boatswains Mate | 1 |
| Car Driver | 1 |
| Coachman | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Fancy Shop | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Servant (Domestic) | 1 |
| Grocers Apprentice | 1 |
| Ironer | 1 |
| Ironstone Miner | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Lawyer | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| None (Has Fits) | 1 |
| Office Boy | 1 |
| Printer Compositor | 1 |
| Professor Of Music | 1 |
| Sailmaker | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Ships Steward | 1 |
| Shoe Maker | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Stoker & Driver | 1 |
| Traveller | 1 |
| Warehousewoman (Tiles) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 52 people were recorded with the Might surname. That placed it at #26,281 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 9 in 2016. That gives Might a modern rank of #37,705.
A surname derived from the Middle English word "miht," meaning strength or power.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Might bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.