NameCensus.

UK surname

Morman

An occupational surname for a servant or steward, derived from the Old English word "morgen" meaning "morning."

In the 1881 census there were 93 people recorded with the Morman surname, ranking it #20,593 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 67, ranked #33,884, down from #20,593 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Ilfracombe and Wath-on-Dearn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Morman is 146 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 28.0%.

1881 census count

93

Ranked #20,593

Modern count

67

2016, ranked #33,884

Peak year

1861

146 bearers

Map years

2

1861 to 1891

Key insights

  • Morman had 93 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #20,593 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 67 in 2016, ranked #33,884.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 146 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is No data.

Morman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Morman surname density by area, 1891 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Morman 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 69 #21,148
1861 historical 146 #15,628
1881 historical 93 #20,593
1891 historical 134 #19,777
1901 historical 88 #24,270
1911 historical 83 #24,531
1997 modern 88 #28,611
1998 modern 88 #29,131
1999 modern 90 #29,056
2000 modern 85 #29,598
2001 modern 81 #29,828
2002 modern 75 #30,950
2003 modern 72 #31,281
2004 modern 72 #31,488
2005 modern 66 #32,303
2006 modern 66 #32,629
2007 modern 68 #32,760
2008 modern 71 #32,753
2009 modern 72 #33,021
2010 modern 76 #33,009
2011 modern 74 #33,151
2012 modern 72 #33,502
2013 modern 64 #34,127
2014 modern 68 #33,898
2015 modern 68 #33,854
2016 modern 67 #33,884

Geography

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Where Mormans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Ilfracombe, Wath-on-Dearn, Rotherham and Stoke St Mary, Taunton St Mary Magdalen, Taunton St James, Wilton, Bishops Hull, Staplegrove, Kingst. 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.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 3
2 Ilfracombe Devon
3 Wath-on-Dearn Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Rotherham Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Stoke St Mary, Taunton St Mary Magdalen, Taunton St James, Wilton, Bishops Hull, Staplegrove, Kingst Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 No data No data

Forenames

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First names often paired with Morman

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

Recent female names

No Forenames Found

Recent male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Morman

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

No data

Group

No data

Nationally, the Morman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Morman household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

No data

Group

No data

Within London, Morman 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

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Morman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Morman

The surname MORMAN is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "mor," meaning a marsh or moor, and the suffix "-man," indicating a person associated with that particular geographic feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive land survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book mentions an individual named Moreman, who was likely a landowner or tenant in the area now known as Somerset.

During the Middle Ages, the name Morman was predominantly found in the southern and western regions of England, particularly in counties like Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall. This geographical distribution aligns with the name's association with marshlands and moorlands, which were prevalent in those areas.

In the 14th century, records show a Sir John Morman, a prominent landowner and knight from Dorset, who fought alongside King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War against France. Another notable figure was William Morman, a merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol during the late 15th century.

As time passed, variations in the spelling of the name emerged, such as Moorman, Moreman, and Moerman. These variations often reflected regional dialects and scribal traditions of the time.

In the 16th century, a prominent individual bearing the name Morman was Robert Morman, a renowned scholar and theologian who served as the Bishop of Salisbury from 1561 to 1579. He played a significant role in the English Reformation and was known for his contributions to the development of the Church of England.

During the 17th century, a notable figure was Sir Thomas Morman, a wealthy landowner and member of Parliament who represented the county of Somerset. He was actively involved in local politics and played a role in the English Civil War, initially supporting the Parliamentarian cause but later switching allegiances to the Royalists.

As the centuries progressed, the Morman family continued to leave their mark in various fields, including agriculture, trade, and education. Some examples include John Morman, a successful merchant in Bristol during the 18th century, and Elizabeth Morman, a renowned educator and advocate for women's education in the early 19th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Morman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Morman 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. Gloucestershire leads with 28 Mormans recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.57x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 28 15.57x
Devon 14 7.34x
Hampshire 13 6.92x
Surrey 10 2.24x
Cheshire 5 2.47x
Durham 5 1.83x
Fife 3 5.53x
Middlesex 3 0.33x
Sussex 3 1.94x
Yorkshire 3 0.33x
Angus 1 1.18x
Dorset 1 1.66x
Huntingdonshire 1 5.49x
Lancashire 1 0.09x
Leicestershire 1 0.98x
Royal Navy 1 9.16x
Worcestershire 1 0.84x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hartpury in Gloucestershire leads with 20 Mormans recorded in 1881 and an index of 8000.00x.

Place Total Index
Hartpury 20 8000.00x
Brading 7 280.00x
Cirencester 7 288.07x
Lambeth 7 8.76x
Ottery St Mary 7 560.00x
Northwood 6 223.88x
Ryhope 5 264.55x
Birkenhead 4 24.80x
Brixham 4 181.00x
Aberdour 3 545.45x
Dartmouth St Petrox 3 1071.43x
Great Driffield 3 161.29x
Hastings Holy Trinity 3 263.16x
Newington 3 8.86x
Bromley London 2 9.92x
Buckden 1 303.03x
Cheadle 1 25.84x
Dundee 1 3.15x
Fordington 1 76.92x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 1 30.40x
Leicester St Margaret 1 4.03x
Leigh 1 68.97x
Liverpool 1 1.51x
Royal Navy 1 10.71x
St Luke London 1 6.80x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

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 Morman households.

FAQ

Morman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Morman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 93 people were recorded with the Morman surname. That placed it at #20,593 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Morman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 67 in 2016. That gives Morman a modern rank of #33,884.

What does the Morman surname mean?

An occupational surname for a servant or steward, derived from the Old English word "morgen" meaning "morning."

What does the Morman map show?

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