NameCensus.

UK surname

Minion

A surname derived from the Middle English word "minion" meaning a favorite or obedient follower.

In the 1881 census there were 86 people recorded with the Minion surname, ranking it #21,449 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 160, ranked #22,694, down from #21,449 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Peter, St Alkmund and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Amber Valley, Derby and West Oxfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Minion is 161 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 86.0%.

1881 census count

86

Ranked #21,449

Modern count

160

2016, ranked #22,694

Peak year

2011

161 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Minion had 86 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,449 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 160 in 2016, ranked #22,694.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 112 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Minion surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Minion surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Minion 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 52 #23,915
1861 historical 51 #27,498
1881 historical 86 #21,449
1891 historical 74 #27,538
1901 historical 97 #23,227
1911 historical 112 #21,274
1997 modern 137 #22,301
1998 modern 156 #21,144
1999 modern 154 #21,455
2000 modern 146 #22,170
2001 modern 151 #21,375
2002 modern 157 #21,261
2003 modern 152 #21,486
2004 modern 151 #21,720
2005 modern 148 #21,961
2006 modern 147 #22,221
2007 modern 146 #22,596
2008 modern 146 #22,822
2009 modern 145 #23,473
2010 modern 158 #22,692
2011 modern 161 #22,187
2012 modern 158 #22,460
2013 modern 151 #23,529
2014 modern 156 #23,231
2015 modern 156 #23,106
2016 modern 160 #22,694

Geography

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Where Minions are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Peter, St Alkmund, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, St Werburgh and Bolton-le-Moors. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Amber Valley, Derby, West Oxfordshire, Bolton and Blackpool. 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 St Peter Derbyshire
2 St Alkmund Derbyshire
3 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
4 St Werburgh Derbyshire
5 Bolton-le-Moors Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Amber Valley 010 Amber Valley
2 Derby 027 Derby
3 West Oxfordshire 008 West Oxfordshire
4 Bolton 028 Bolton
5 Blackpool 013 Blackpool

Forenames

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First names often paired with Minion

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Minion

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Minion surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Minion household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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, Minion 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

Minion is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Minion 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 Minion 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 Minion, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Minion

The surname "MINION" is believed to have originated in France during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old French word "mignon," which means "favorite" or "darling." This suggests that the name may have been given as a nickname to someone who was particularly favored or cherished.

The earliest known record of the name "MINION" can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in several entries, indicating that it was already in use among the Norman nobility at that time.

Over the centuries, the name "MINION" has been spelled in various ways, including "Mignon," "Mignot," and "Mignard." These variations reflect the different regional dialects of French and the influence of other languages, such as English and Norman French.

One notable individual with the surname "MINION" was Jean Mignon, a French painter and engraver who lived from 1614 to 1684. He was known for his portraits and religious works, and his engravings were highly regarded during his lifetime.

Another prominent figure was Pierre Minion, a French typographer and printer who lived in the 16th century. He is credited with creating a typeface that bears his name, the Minion typeface, which is still widely used today.

In England, the name "MINION" has been recorded since the 14th century. Sir John Minion was a knight who served under King Edward III and fought in the Battle of Crécy during the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453).

During the Renaissance period, the name "MINION" was associated with courtiers and favorites of royalty. One such individual was Gilles de Minion, a French nobleman who served as a close advisor to King Louis XI in the 15th century.

Finally, in the 19th century, there was a British military officer named William Minion who served in the Napoleonic Wars. He was born in 1786 and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before his death in 1856.

While these are just a few examples, the surname "MINION" has a rich history that spans several centuries and multiple countries, reflecting its origins as a term of endearment and favoritism.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Minion families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Minion 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. Derbyshire leads with 40 Minions recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.46x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 40 30.46x
Lancashire 24 2.41x
Nottinghamshire 8 7.08x
Warwickshire 6 2.84x
Yorkshire 4 0.48x
Essex 2 1.21x
Gloucestershire 1 0.61x
Leicestershire 1 1.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Derby St Werburgh in Derbyshire leads with 18 Minions recorded in 1881 and an index of 237.47x.

Place Total Index
Derby St Werburgh 18 237.47x
Little Bolton 11 85.94x
Ticknall 9 3333.33x
Chorley 7 125.45x
Derby All Sts 7 636.36x
Nottingham St Peter 6 476.19x
Cubley 4 4444.44x
Toxteth Park 4 11.87x
Wheatley 4 1379.31x
Aston 3 5.15x
Birmingham 2 2.84x
Nottingham St Mary 2 6.84x
Preston 2 7.51x
Wimbish 2 833.33x
Ashborne 1 112.36x
Mancetter 1 163.93x
Ratcliffe Culey 1 1428.57x
Shirland 1 102.04x
Westbury On Trym 1 17.95x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 6
Sarah 5
Elizabeth 4
Harriet 3
Jane 3
Ann 2
Charlotte 2
Emma 2
Alice 1
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Anne 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Ethel 1
Hetta 1
Jessie 1
Lousia 1
Lydia 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 11
Walter 4
Joseph 3
Ernest 2
Gilbert 2
Henry 2
James 2
John 2
Stephen 2
Thomas 2
William 2
Arthur 1
Authur 1
Fred 1
Lambert 1
Lewis 1
Lizzy 1
Ralph 1
Robert 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Minion surname: questions and answers

How common was the Minion surname in 1881?

In 1881, 86 people were recorded with the Minion surname. That placed it at #21,449 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Minion surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 160 in 2016. That gives Minion a modern rank of #22,694.

What does the Minion surname mean?

A surname derived from the Middle English word "minion" meaning a favorite or obedient follower.

What does the Minion map show?

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