NameCensus.

UK surname

Nice

A nickname-derived surname for a pleasant or agreeable person, or from a place name meaning "at the oak trees."

In the 1881 census there were 705 people recorded with the Nice surname, ranking it #5,155 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,166, ranked #5,067, up from #5,155 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Rougham 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 St Edmundsbury, Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nice is 1,305 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 65.4%.

1881 census count

705

Ranked #5,155

Modern count

1,166

2016, ranked #5,067

Peak year

1999

1,305 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Nice had 705 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,155 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,166 in 2016, ranked #5,067.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,272 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Nice surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nice surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nice 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 506 #4,943
1861 historical 721 #3,771
1881 historical 705 #5,155
1891 historical 925 #4,467
1901 historical 1,088 #4,439
1911 historical 1,272 #3,732
1997 modern 1,245 #4,573
1998 modern 1,296 #4,584
1999 modern 1,305 #4,586
2000 modern 1,272 #4,666
2001 modern 1,237 #4,684
2002 modern 1,244 #4,743
2003 modern 1,205 #4,796
2004 modern 1,199 #4,813
2005 modern 1,164 #4,887
2006 modern 1,178 #4,852
2007 modern 1,192 #4,835
2008 modern 1,197 #4,851
2009 modern 1,221 #4,867
2010 modern 1,220 #4,970
2011 modern 1,194 #5,004
2012 modern 1,209 #4,881
2013 modern 1,223 #4,916
2014 modern 1,206 #4,997
2015 modern 1,178 #5,054
2016 modern 1,166 #5,067

Geography

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Where Nices are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Rougham, Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a and Birch, Easthorpe, Copford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to St Edmundsbury, Babergh, Mid Suffolk and Braintree. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Rougham Suffolk
4 Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a Essex
5 Birch, Easthorpe, Copford Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 St Edmundsbury 008 St Edmundsbury
2 Babergh 007 Babergh
3 St Edmundsbury 004 St Edmundsbury
4 Mid Suffolk 004 Mid Suffolk
5 Braintree 002 Braintree

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nice

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Nice

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Nice surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Nice 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Nice is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Nice is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Nice falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Nice is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Nice

The surname NICE is believed to have originated in France during the medieval period, deriving from the Old French word "nice," which meant "foolish" or "simple." This term likely evolved from the Latin word "nescius," meaning "ignorant" or "unaware."

The name was initially associated with individuals who were perceived as naive or unsophisticated, often used as a derogatory term. However, over time, the connotation shifted, and the name came to represent qualities like kindness, gentleness, and a pleasant demeanor.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the NICE surname can be traced back to the 13th century in the Normandy region of France. It appeared in various historical documents, including tax records and court proceedings, indicating its presence among the local population.

During the Middle Ages, the name NICE was occasionally found in literary works and manuscripts, although references were relatively scarce compared to more common surnames of the time.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the NICE surname was Barthélemy Nice (c. 1510-1580), a French Protestant theologian and reformer. He played a significant role in the spread of Calvinism in France and authored several influential religious texts.

Another prominent individual was Jean Nice (1623-1678), a French painter and engraver known for his landscape paintings and etchings depicting rural scenes. His works are celebrated for their attention to detail and atmospheric quality.

In the 18th century, Joseph-Ignace Nice (1737-1808) was a French architect and urban planner who designed several notable buildings in Paris, including the Théâtre de l'Odéon and the Palais de la Bourse.

Moving into the 19th century, Édouard Nice (1811-1892) was a French lawyer and politician who served as a member of the National Assembly and played a role in the establishment of the Third Republic.

In the realm of literature, Jacques Nice (1933-2007) was a French poet and writer whose works explored themes of love, nature, and human existence. He received numerous literary awards and accolades throughout his prolific career.

While the NICE surname has its roots in France, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, the origins and historical significance of this name can be traced back to the French soil and the linguistic evolution that shaped its meaning over centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Nice families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nice 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. Essex leads with 257 Nices recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.90x.

County Total Index
Essex 257 18.90x
Suffolk 142 16.93x
Middlesex 138 2.00x
Surrey 43 1.28x
Kent 29 1.23x
Lancashire 17 0.21x
Nottinghamshire 11 1.19x
Yorkshire 9 0.13x
Cambridgeshire 8 1.83x
Gloucestershire 8 0.59x
Staffordshire 6 0.26x
Norfolk 5 0.47x
Devon 4 0.28x
Durham 4 0.20x
Oxfordshire 4 0.94x
Cheshire 3 0.20x
Hampshire 3 0.21x
Huntingdonshire 3 2.19x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.24x
Cornwall 1 0.13x
Derbyshire 1 0.09x
Lanarkshire 1 0.04x
Leicestershire 1 0.13x
Midlothian 1 0.11x
Northamptonshire 1 0.15x
Renfrewshire 1 0.19x
Shetland 1 1.42x
Sussex 1 0.09x
Westmorland 1 0.66x
Worcestershire 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Copford in Essex leads with 42 Nices recorded in 1881 and an index of 2692.31x.

Place Total Index
Copford 42 2692.31x
West Ham 30 10.00x
Islington London 29 4.34x
Walsham Le Willows 25 892.86x
Rougham 21 1093.75x
Acton 20 1459.85x
Stanway 16 669.46x
Tottenham 16 14.59x
Colchester St Giles 13 96.80x
St Marylebone London 13 3.54x
Toppesfield 13 640.39x
Badwell Ash 11 1047.62x
Deptford St Paul 11 6.07x
Orsett 11 309.86x
Brightlingsea 9 115.83x
Colchester St Peter 9 165.44x
Croydon 9 4.83x
Deptford St Nicholas 9 48.26x
Hackney London 9 2.33x
Lambeth 9 1.50x
Peldon 9 833.33x
Ballingdon Cum Brundon 8 465.12x
Barking 8 20.11x
Colchester St Nicholas 8 655.74x
Mile End Old Town 8 7.36x
Salcott 8 1428.57x
Shoreditch London 8 2.68x
Great Maplestead 7 752.69x
Lexden 7 128.21x
Prittlewell 7 37.16x
Reigate Foreign 7 19.27x
Birch 6 269.06x
Colchester Holy Trinity 6 198.68x
Fornham All Sts 6 600.00x
Newington 6 2.36x
Norwell 6 618.56x
St George Hanover 6 6.67x
Walton 6 200.00x
Bow London 5 5.70x
Carlton 5 625.00x
Farnworth 5 10.21x
Ixworth 5 210.97x
Long Melford 5 64.10x
St Osyth 5 151.06x
Sudbury St Gregory 5 74.40x
Ardleigh 4 106.10x
Bermondsey 4 1.95x
Bury St Edmunds St James 4 17.86x
Chelsea London 4 1.93x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 3.08x
Ditchingham 4 158.10x
Felixstow 4 196.08x
Great Bradley 4 470.59x
Horninglow 4 36.53x
Lewisham 4 3.19x
Manningham 4 4.76x
Mile End 4 161.29x
Oxford St Giles 4 19.71x
St Anne Soho London 4 10.17x
St George Bloomsbury 4 10.12x
Stuston 4 888.89x
Thurston 4 243.90x
Trowell 4 404.04x
Acton 3 7.43x
Bethnal Green London 3 1.00x
Feltham 3 43.60x
Gestingthorpe 3 197.37x
Gloucester Barton St 3 37.88x
Great Tey 3 181.82x
Hadleigh 3 36.86x
Hail Weston 3 365.85x
Keighley 3 4.12x
Kensington London 3 0.78x
Paddington London 3 1.18x
Rotherhithe 3 3.53x
Salford 3 1.25x
South Hamlet 3 35.89x
Todmorden Walsden 3 13.70x
Wakes Colne 3 252.10x
Westminster St James 3 4.24x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 38
George 25
John 24
Thomas 24
Charles 19
Edward 18
James 17
Arthur 15
Henry 14
Frederick 12
Alfred 11
Harry 10
Joseph 9
Herbert 8
Walter 8
Samuel 7
Albert 6
Ambrose 6
Ernest 3
Josiah 3
Robert 3
Alma 2
Bertie 2
David 2
Edmund 2
Frank 2
Jesse 2
Newman 2
Patrick 2
Richard 2
Silas 2
Wm. 2
Arther 1
Clarke 1
Dennis 1
Edwin 1
Francis 1
Fredk.C. 1
Fredk.Leonard 1
Geo.Wm. 1
Hauslip 1
Henery 1
Jeremiah 1
Johan 1
Kenny 1
Leonard 1
Lewis 1
Marshall 1
Moses 1
Zachariah 1

FAQ

Nice surname: questions and answers

How common was the Nice surname in 1881?

In 1881, 705 people were recorded with the Nice surname. That placed it at #5,155 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Nice surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,166 in 2016. That gives Nice a modern rank of #5,067.

What does the Nice surname mean?

A nickname-derived surname for a pleasant or agreeable person, or from a place name meaning "at the oak trees."

What does the Nice map show?

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