UK surname
A surname of Irish origin meaning "nephew" or "grandson."
In the 1881 census there were 79 people recorded with the Neven surname, ranking it #22,357 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 17, ranked #36,904, down from #22,357 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Allendale and Abernethy. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Neven is 174 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 78.5%.
1881 census count
79
Ranked #22,357
Modern count
17
2016, ranked #36,904
Peak year
1861
174 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Neven surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Neven surname density by area, 1861 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 | 152 | #12,786 |
| 1861 | historical | 174 | #13,483 |
| 1881 | historical | 79 | #22,357 |
| 1891 | historical | 96 | #24,559 |
| 1901 | historical | 87 | #24,386 |
| 1911 | historical | 44 | #28,454 |
| 1997 | modern | 21 | #35,692 |
| 1998 | modern | 21 | #35,788 |
| 1999 | modern | 19 | #36,041 |
| 2000 | modern | 18 | #36,104 |
| 2001 | modern | 19 | #35,866 |
| 2002 | modern | 18 | #36,067 |
| 2003 | modern | 20 | #35,915 |
| 2004 | modern | 20 | #36,053 |
| 2005 | modern | 19 | #36,247 |
| 2006 | modern | 16 | #36,601 |
| 2007 | modern | 20 | #36,362 |
| 2008 | modern | 19 | #36,534 |
| 2009 | modern | 22 | #36,394 |
| 2010 | modern | 20 | #36,599 |
| 2011 | modern | 17 | #36,839 |
| 2012 | modern | 16 | #36,897 |
| 2013 | modern | 17 | #36,857 |
| 2014 | modern | 18 | #36,811 |
| 2015 | modern | 18 | #36,809 |
| 2016 | modern | 17 | #36,904 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Allendale, Abernethy, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. 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 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 2 | Allendale | Northumberland |
| 3 | Abernethy | Perth |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Neven 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 Neven, 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 Neven surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Neven 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, Neven 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 Neven is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Neven, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Neven has its origins in the Netherlands, dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old Dutch word "neef," meaning nephew or cousin. In some regions of the Netherlands, the name was also spelled as "Neeven" or "Neven."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Neven can be found in the Leiden archives from the early 1600s, where it appears as a surname for a family residing in the city. The name was particularly prevalent in the provinces of South Holland and Utrecht during this time period.
In the 17th century, the name Neven was associated with several notable individuals. One such person was Pieter Corneliszoon Neven (1597-1673), a Dutch Golden Age painter known for his still-life paintings and portraits. His works can be found in various museums across the Netherlands and Europe.
Another prominent figure with the surname Neven was Adriaen Neven (1620-1680), a Dutch architect and military engineer. He was responsible for designing several fortifications and buildings in the Netherlands, including the Muiderslot Castle near Amsterdam.
In the 18th century, the name Neven gained recognition in the literary world. Jacob Neven (1745-1808) was a Dutch poet and playwright who wrote several acclaimed works, including the play "De Gijzelaar" (The Hostage).
Moving into the 19th century, the name Neven was associated with historical figures in various fields. One example is Willem Neven (1827-1897), a Dutch botanist and horticulturist who made significant contributions to the study of plant taxonomy and cultivation techniques.
Another notable individual was Pieter Neven (1856-1933), a Dutch architect known for his work in the Art Nouveau and Rationalist styles. He designed several iconic buildings in Amsterdam, including the former Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Library and the Tuschinski Theater.
As the surname Neven spread across different regions, variations in spelling and pronunciation emerged. In some areas of Belgium, for instance, the name was sometimes spelled as "Nevens" or "Neveins."
While the name Neven is not as common as some other Dutch surnames, it has left its mark on history through the achievements of individuals in various fields, from art and literature to architecture and science.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Neven 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. Lanarkshire leads with 13 Nevens recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.09x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 13 | 5.09x |
| Northumberland | 13 | 11.06x |
| Lancashire | 11 | 1.17x |
| Perthshire | 11 | 31.03x |
| Cheshire | 6 | 3.44x |
| Angus | 5 | 6.83x |
| Fife | 3 | 6.42x |
| Channel Islands | 2 | 8.54x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 1.89x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 1.00x |
| Wigtownshire | 2 | 19.07x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.26x |
| Banffshire | 1 | 6.10x |
| Buteshire | 1 | 20.88x |
| Dunbartonshire | 1 | 4.71x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.64x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.62x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.13x |
| Stirlingshire | 1 | 3.43x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.26x |
| Sutherland | 1 | 16.47x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Derby in Lancashire leads with 9 Nevens recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.82x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| West Derby | 9 | 32.82x |
| Glasgow | 7 | 15.43x |
| Longforgan | 7 | 1400.00x |
| Birkenhead | 5 | 35.97x |
| Chirton | 5 | 187.97x |
| Carstairs | 3 | 566.04x |
| Kinghorn | 3 | 303.03x |
| Liff Benvie | 3 | 27.00x |
| Wallsend | 3 | 80.43x |
| Cowpen | 2 | 73.80x |
| Dundee | 2 | 7.32x |
| Muthill | 2 | 434.78x |
| Old Monkland | 2 | 19.72x |
| Portpatrick | 2 | 571.43x |
| South Leith | 2 | 16.79x |
| St Helier | 2 | 26.25x |
| Stamfordham | 2 | 2857.14x |
| Tadcaster West | 2 | 322.58x |
| Alyth | 1 | 105.26x |
| Balfron | 1 | 277.78x |
| Barony | 1 | 1.55x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 1.51x |
| Bowdon | 1 | 144.93x |
| Cargill | 1 | 270.27x |
| Cheetham | 1 | 14.31x |
| Colchester St Giles | 1 | 64.94x |
| Coventry St Michael | 1 | 15.63x |
| Dornoch | 1 | 147.06x |
| Hulme | 1 | 5.11x |
| Inveravon | 1 | 142.86x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 2.28x |
| Kirkintilloch | 1 | 34.72x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 1.45x |
| North Shields | 1 | 42.55x |
| Rothesay | 1 | 43.10x |
| Ryde | 1 | 28.74x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Neven 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 Neven 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 Neven households.
FAQ
In 1881, 79 people were recorded with the Neven surname. That placed it at #22,357 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 17 in 2016. That gives Neven a modern rank of #36,904.
A surname of Irish origin meaning "nephew" or "grandson."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Neven 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.