NameCensus.

UK surname

Nag

A surname derived from an Old English word meaning "nag" or small horse.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Nag surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 100, ranked #31,123, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wirral, Wandsworth and Camden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nag is 100 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9900.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

100

2016, ranked #31,123

Peak year

2010

100 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Nag had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016, ranked #31,123.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Nag surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nag surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nag 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 6 #32,278
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1997 modern 29 #34,795
1998 modern 37 #34,149
1999 modern 42 #33,778
2000 modern 42 #33,791
2001 modern 42 #33,658
2002 modern 48 #33,459
2003 modern 54 #32,990
2004 modern 57 #32,968
2005 modern 59 #33,008
2006 modern 66 #32,629
2007 modern 70 #32,580
2008 modern 82 #31,597
2009 modern 92 #30,820
2010 modern 100 #30,225
2011 modern 90 #31,564
2012 modern 84 #32,502
2013 modern 86 #32,557
2014 modern 89 #32,409
2015 modern 91 #32,153
2016 modern 100 #31,123

Geography

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Where Nags 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 Wirral, Wandsworth, Camden, Hounslow and Sutton. 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 Wirral 041 Wirral
2 Wandsworth 018 Wandsworth
3 Camden 026 Camden
4 Hounslow 011 Hounslow
5 Sutton 021 Sutton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nag

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

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Nag is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Nag 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

Nag falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Nag 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
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Nag

The surname NAG originated in the northern regions of Germany, tracing its roots back to the early medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old German word "nagel," meaning "nail" or "spike," which may have been a nickname given to a blacksmith or someone involved in metalworking.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the "Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae," a collection of medieval documents from the region, dating back to the 12th century. The name is mentioned in a document from 1186, referring to a certain "Conradus Nagel" from the town of Halberstadt.

In the 13th century, the surname appears in the "Urkundenbuch der Stadt Quedlinburg," a collection of records from the city of Quedlinburg, where a "Johannes Nagel" is mentioned in a document from 1247.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname NAG, as it was primarily focused on the English population at the time.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname NAG was Hans Nag, a German painter and engraver who lived in the 15th century. His woodcuts and engravings were widely renowned and can be found in various collections across Europe.

In the 16th century, Johannes Nag, a German theologian and reformer, played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. He was born in 1510 and worked alongside Martin Luther, translating and disseminating religious texts.

During the 17th century, Philipp Nag, a German mathematician and astronomer, made notable contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. He was born in 1619 and is known for his works on planetary motion and the calculation of eclipses.

In the 19th century, Friedrich Nag, a German composer and conductor, gained recognition for his operas and orchestral works. He was born in 1829 and his compositions were performed in various theaters across Germany.

Another notable figure with the surname NAG was Karl Nag, a German philosopher and writer who lived in the early 20th century. He was born in 1888 and wrote extensively on ethics, metaphysics, and the philosophy of language.

While the surname NAG has its origins in Germany, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and immigration. However, its Germanic roots and historical connections to metalworking and various professions remain significant aspects of its etymology.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Nag families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nag 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. Westmorland leads with 1 Nags recorded in 1881 and an index of 476.19x.

County Total Index
Westmorland 1 476.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bampton in Westmorland leads with 1 Nags recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Bampton 1 0.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 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 Nag households.

Occupation Count
Ag Lab 1

FAQ

Nag surname: questions and answers

How common was the Nag surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Nag surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Nag surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016. That gives Nag a modern rank of #31,123.

What does the Nag surname mean?

A surname derived from an Old English word meaning "nag" or small horse.

What does the Nag map show?

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