UK surname
A surname derived from the Old English word "nosu" meaning nose or promontory.
In the 1881 census there were 25 people recorded with the Noss surname, ranking it #30,077 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 40, ranked #35,434, down from #30,077 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Willesden, South Stoneham and Southampton St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Noss is 110 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 60.0%.
1881 census count
25
Ranked #30,077
Modern count
40
2016, ranked #35,434
Peak year
1861
110 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Noss surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Noss 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 | 65 | #21,747 |
| 1861 | historical | 110 | #19,562 |
| 1881 | historical | 25 | #30,077 |
| 1891 | historical | 91 | #25,239 |
| 1901 | historical | 31 | #30,616 |
| 1911 | historical | 36 | #29,370 |
| 1997 | modern | 34 | #34,282 |
| 1998 | modern | 33 | #34,532 |
| 1999 | modern | 38 | #34,142 |
| 2000 | modern | 40 | #33,976 |
| 2001 | modern | 39 | #33,923 |
| 2002 | modern | 40 | #34,133 |
| 2003 | modern | 45 | #33,803 |
| 2004 | modern | 45 | #33,957 |
| 2005 | modern | 50 | #33,784 |
| 2006 | modern | 44 | #34,568 |
| 2007 | modern | 43 | #34,845 |
| 2008 | modern | 41 | #35,067 |
| 2009 | modern | 41 | #35,221 |
| 2010 | modern | 43 | #35,233 |
| 2011 | modern | 46 | #35,047 |
| 2012 | modern | 42 | #35,269 |
| 2013 | modern | 42 | #35,325 |
| 2014 | modern | 42 | #35,350 |
| 2015 | modern | 39 | #35,472 |
| 2016 | modern | 40 | #35,434 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Willesden, South Stoneham, Southampton St Mary, Dorchester All Saints and St John Hackney. 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 | Willesden | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | South Stoneham | Hampshire |
| 3 | Southampton St Mary | Hampshire |
| 4 | Dorchester All Saints | Dorset |
| 5 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Noss 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 Noss, 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 Noss surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Noss 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, Noss 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 Noss is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Noss, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Noss originated in England and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "nos," which means "nose" or "promontory." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a prominent headland or cliff.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where a Robert de Noses is mentioned. This spelling variation suggests that the name may have initially been pronounced with a long "o" sound.
In the 13th century, the name appears in various manorial records and charters from the county of Yorkshire. Notably, a William de Nosse is mentioned in the Yorkshire Assize Rolls of 1260.
The Noss surname is also associated with several place names in England, such as Noss Mayo in Devon and Noss Head in Caithness, Scotland. These locations may have been named after individuals with the surname, or the surname may have derived from these place names.
Notable individuals with the surname Noss throughout history include:
1. John Noss (c. 1590-1673), an English Puritan clergyman and author. 2. James Noss (1670-1739), a Scottish merchant and landowner in Virginia, United States. 3. Benjamin Noss (1757-1826), an American Revolutionary War soldier and early settler of Kentucky. 4. Thomas Noss (1785-1864), an English architect and surveyor known for his work in Bath. 5. Susanna Noss (1828-1905), a Norwegian-American pioneer who settled in Minnesota.
While the Noss surname is not among the most common in England or other parts of the world, it has a rich history dating back several centuries. Its origins likely stem from geographic features or place names, and it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout the years.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Noss 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. Hampshire leads with 9 Noss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.02x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hampshire | 9 | 18.02x |
| Essex | 6 | 12.47x |
| Lancashire | 6 | 2.08x |
| Devon | 1 | 1.97x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 3.05x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 1.22x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.84x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. South Stoneham in Hampshire leads with 8 Noss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 740.74x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| South Stoneham | 8 | 740.74x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 6 | 94.94x |
| West Ham | 6 | 56.50x |
| Barnstaple | 1 | 125.00x |
| Battersea | 1 | 11.15x |
| Cheadle | 1 | 256.41x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 1 | 11.78x |
| Southampton St Mary | 1 | 31.85x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Noss 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 Noss 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 Noss households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 8 |
| ...hal Examiner | 1 |
| Clerk In HM Customs | 1 |
| Engine Tenter | 1 |
| Gen Serv Dom | 1 |
| Genl Serv | 1 |
| Half Time Mill And School (C) | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Painter & Decorator | 1 |
| Printer | 1 |
| Reeler In Cotton Mill | 1 |
| Trunk Maker Leather Goods | 1 |
| Trunk Maker Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 25 people were recorded with the Noss surname. That placed it at #30,077 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 40 in 2016. That gives Noss a modern rank of #35,434.
A surname derived from the Old English word "nosu" meaning nose or promontory.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Noss 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.