UK surname
A topographic surname denoting someone living by or near a specific place or landmark.
In the 1881 census there were 38 people recorded with the Near surname, ranking it #28,285 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 38, ranked #35,537, down from #28,285 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Coggeshall, Great, Clee and Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Near is 105 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 0.0%.
1881 census count
38
Ranked #28,285
Modern count
38
2016, ranked #35,537
Peak year
1891
105 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Near surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Near 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 | 35 | #27,037 |
| 1861 | historical | 59 | #26,466 |
| 1881 | historical | 38 | #28,285 |
| 1891 | historical | 105 | #23,241 |
| 1901 | historical | 52 | #28,377 |
| 1911 | historical | 45 | #28,332 |
| 1997 | modern | 39 | #33,759 |
| 1998 | modern | 36 | #34,246 |
| 1999 | modern | 37 | #34,248 |
| 2000 | modern | 36 | #34,317 |
| 2001 | modern | 37 | #34,082 |
| 2002 | modern | 40 | #34,133 |
| 2003 | modern | 41 | #34,113 |
| 2004 | modern | 36 | #34,717 |
| 2005 | modern | 37 | #34,815 |
| 2006 | modern | 37 | #35,074 |
| 2007 | modern | 34 | #35,410 |
| 2008 | modern | 37 | #35,327 |
| 2009 | modern | 38 | #35,380 |
| 2010 | modern | 36 | #35,620 |
| 2011 | modern | 34 | #35,705 |
| 2012 | modern | 35 | #35,645 |
| 2013 | modern | 30 | #35,990 |
| 2014 | modern | 36 | #35,662 |
| 2015 | modern | 37 | #35,593 |
| 2016 | modern | 38 | #35,537 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Coggeshall, Great, Clee, Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a, Birch, Easthorpe, Copford and Manchester. 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 | Coggeshall, Great | Essex |
| 2 | Clee | Lincolnshire |
| 3 | Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a | Essex |
| 4 | Birch, Easthorpe, Copford | Essex |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Near 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 Near, 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 Near surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Near 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, Near 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 Near is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Near, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname NEAR is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from the Old English word "nearu," meaning "narrow" or "constricted." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with people who lived in a narrow valley or a place with a narrow geographical feature.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname NEAR can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of Lincolnshire, dated 1273, where it appears as "de la Nere." This early spelling variation highlights the locational nature of the name and its connection to a specific place.
In the 14th century, the surname NEAR appears in various historical records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327, where it is listed as "Nere." This indicates the spread and establishment of the name across different regions of England.
During the reign of King Edward III, in the late 14th century, a notable figure named John NEAR served as a member of the King's Council. His prominence in this influential position suggests that the NEAR family held a respected status within English society at the time.
In the 16th century, the NEAR surname was associated with several notable individuals. One such person was William NEAR, a merchant and alderman in the city of London, who lived from 1520 to 1588. Another prominent figure was Thomas NEAR, a scholar and clergyman who served as the Dean of Canterbury from 1570 to 1589.
The 17th century saw the rise of Edward NEAR, a prominent lawyer and judge who served as the Chief Baron of the Exchequer from 1660 to 1677. His legal expertise and high-ranking position in the English judicial system further elevated the status of the NEAR family.
In the 18th century, the NEAR surname gained international recognition through the accomplishments of Sir Archibald NEAR, a British naval officer and explorer. Born in 1725 and serving until his death in 1792, Sir Archibald made significant contributions to the exploration of the Pacific Ocean and the mapping of various islands and coastlines.
As the centuries progressed, the NEAR surname continued to be associated with notable individuals across various fields, further solidifying its place in English history and genealogy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Near 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. Essex leads with 19 Nears recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.98x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Essex | 19 | 25.98x |
| Northamptonshire | 5 | 14.35x |
| Lincolnshire | 4 | 6.75x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 1.09x |
| Surrey | 3 | 1.66x |
| Angus | 1 | 2.91x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 3.92x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.60x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Copford in Essex leads with 8 Nears recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Copford | 8 | 10000.00x |
| Ringstead | 5 | 4166.67x |
| Great Coggeshall | 4 | 1052.63x |
| Camberwell | 3 | 12.68x |
| North South Anston | 3 | 1875.00x |
| Stanway | 3 | 2307.69x |
| West Ham | 3 | 18.59x |
| Clee With Weelsby | 2 | 153.85x |
| Great Grimsby | 2 | 53.19x |
| Lochee | 1 | 322.58x |
| Newhaven | 1 | 196.08x |
| Rawdon | 1 | 232.56x |
| Romford | 1 | 86.21x |
| Stanstead Abbots | 1 | 666.67x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Near 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 Near 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 Near households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Ag Lab | 3 |
| Baptist Minister | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Corn Miller | 1 |
| Domestic | 1 |
| Drapery Warehouseman | 1 |
| Fireman | 1 |
| Fisherman | 1 |
| Fishermans Wife | 1 |
| Footman Dom Servt | 1 |
| General Domestic | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Junior Clerk | 1 |
| Mate | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Quarry Labourer | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Washerwoman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 38 people were recorded with the Near surname. That placed it at #28,285 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 38 in 2016. That gives Near a modern rank of #35,537.
A topographic surname denoting someone living by or near a specific place or landmark.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Near 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.