NameCensus.

UK surname

Packman

A surname potentially referring to someone who packed or carried goods for a living.

In the 1881 census there were 736 people recorded with the Packman surname, ranking it #4,976 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 850, ranked #6,581, down from #4,976 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hernhill, Swanscombe and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swale, Canterbury and Dover.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Packman is 1,022 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 15.5%.

1881 census count

736

Ranked #4,976

Modern count

850

2016, ranked #6,581

Peak year

1997

1,022 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Packman had 736 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,976 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 850 in 2016, ranked #6,581.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 934 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Packman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Packman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Packman 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 384 #6,235
1861 historical 455 #5,698
1881 historical 736 #4,976
1891 historical 784 #5,119
1901 historical 886 #5,198
1911 historical 934 #4,809
1997 modern 1,022 #5,385
1998 modern 1,005 #5,653
1999 modern 1,005 #5,691
2000 modern 982 #5,783
2001 modern 938 #5,872
2002 modern 939 #5,989
2003 modern 912 #6,019
2004 modern 927 #5,940
2005 modern 909 #5,981
2006 modern 859 #6,266
2007 modern 858 #6,331
2008 modern 842 #6,476
2009 modern 860 #6,513
2010 modern 884 #6,492
2011 modern 889 #6,373
2012 modern 823 #6,692
2013 modern 863 #6,560
2014 modern 870 #6,536
2015 modern 863 #6,523
2016 modern 850 #6,581

Geography

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Where Packmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hernhill, Swanscombe, London parishes, St Mary Cray and Bexley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Swale, Canterbury and Dover. 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 Hernhill Kent
2 Swanscombe Kent
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Mary Cray Kent
5 Bexley Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Swale 014 Swale
2 Swale 016 Swale
3 Canterbury 003 Canterbury
4 Swale 015 Swale
5 Dover 014 Dover

Forenames

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First names often paired with Packman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Packman

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Packman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Packman household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Packman is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Packman is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Packman falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Packman 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 Packman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Packman

The surname Packman has its roots in England, where it first emerged in the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "pæccan," which meant "to pack" or "to carry." This suggests that the name was likely given to someone whose occupation involved packing or transporting goods.

The earliest known record of the surname Packman dates back to the early 13th century, where it appears in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1205. This document mentions a person named Simon Packman, who was likely involved in the transportation or packing of goods.

As time passed, the name Packman evolved to have various spellings, such asPackeman, Pakeman, and Pakman. These variations often reflected regional dialects and the whims of record keepers.

One notable historical reference to the surname Packman can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327. This record includes the name John Packman, who was likely a resident of the county at the time.

Throughout the centuries, several individuals with the surname Packman have left their mark in various fields. One such person was Sir John Packman (1555-1625), an English merchant and philanthropist who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1616. He was known for his charitable contributions and the construction of almshouses for the poor.

Another notable figure was Thomas Packman (1674-1738), an English Baptist minister and author who wrote several theological works. His most famous publication was "The Doctrine of the Trinity Vindicated" (1724), which defended the concept of the Trinity against Unitarian beliefs.

In the realm of exploration, Robert Packman (1808-1892) was an English navigator and cartographer who participated in several Arctic expeditions. His detailed maps and charts of the Arctic regions contributed significantly to the understanding of these remote areas.

During the 19th century, Charles Packman (1830-1901) was a prominent English architect known for his work on several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas. His designs were influenced by the Gothic Revival style popular during that era.

Finally, Mary Packman (1870-1958) was a British educator and advocate for women's rights. She played a crucial role in the establishment of several girls' schools in London and worked tirelessly to promote equal educational opportunities for women.

These examples showcase the diverse contributions of individuals bearing the surname Packman throughout history, reflecting the enduring legacy of this name across various fields and eras.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Packman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Packman 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. Kent leads with 370 Packmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.08x.

County Total Index
Kent 370 15.08x
Middlesex 79 1.10x
Surrey 78 2.23x
Essex 38 2.68x
Lancashire 25 0.29x
Yorkshire 23 0.32x
Banffshire 19 12.74x
Buckinghamshire 14 3.22x
Sussex 11 0.91x
Hertfordshire 9 1.82x
Warwickshire 9 0.50x
Hampshire 8 0.54x
Staffordshire 7 0.29x
Aberdeenshire 6 0.90x
Glamorgan 6 0.48x
Brecknockshire 5 3.48x
Derbyshire 4 0.36x
Kincardineshire 4 4.57x
Monmouthshire 4 0.77x
Worcestershire 4 0.43x
Angus 3 0.45x
Ross-shire 3 1.52x
Devon 2 0.13x
Berkshire 1 0.19x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.22x
Cheshire 1 0.06x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.52x
Inverness-shire 1 0.47x
Royal Navy 1 1.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Mary Cray in Kent leads with 32 Packmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 682.30x.

Place Total Index
St Mary Cray 32 682.30x
Faversham 22 94.06x
Sutton At Hone 20 392.93x
Rathven 18 64.26x
Lambeth 16 2.55x
St Pancras London 16 2.76x
Boughton Under Blean 15 364.96x
Cudham 15 597.61x
Eynsford 14 332.54x
Dunkirk 13 710.38x
Leyton Low 13 45.06x
Swanscombe 13 117.97x
Bromley London 10 6.32x
Camberwell 10 2.18x
Lewisham 10 7.65x
Sheffield 10 4.41x
Wilmington 10 292.40x
Canvey Island 9 1304.35x
Hythe St Leonard 9 103.81x
Seasalter 9 290.32x
Bexley 8 36.88x
Cheetham 8 12.57x
Chislehurst 8 60.84x
Gorton 8 9.98x
Hernhill 8 432.43x
Heston 8 33.50x
Barham 7 280.00x
Bromley 7 18.72x
Clapham 7 7.79x
Denham 7 225.81x
Leamington Priors 7 15.69x
New Shoreham 7 96.42x
Newington 7 2.64x
Shoreham 7 200.57x
Watford 7 18.22x
Aylesbury 6 31.15x
Bethnal Green London 6 1.92x
Cobham 6 265.49x
Croydon 6 3.09x
Doddington 6 422.54x
Ewell 6 81.08x
Great Canfield 6 705.88x
Islington London 6 0.86x
Penarth 6 49.06x
Ramsgate 6 14.99x
Salford 6 2.39x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 4.15x
Stafford St Mary 6 17.47x
Throwley 6 392.16x
Wye 6 157.89x
Ash Next Ridley 5 320.51x
Bingley 5 11.02x
Boughton Aluph 5 359.71x
Brecknock St John 5 41.25x
Burham 5 147.49x
Dartford 5 19.94x
Hornsey 5 5.50x
Kingsdown In Dartford 5 490.20x
Liss 5 167.22x
North Cray 5 320.51x
Orpington 5 66.58x
Rayne 5 158.23x
Southwark St Saviour 5 13.53x
Southwark St Thomas 5 260.42x
St George Hanover 5 5.33x
West Ham 5 1.60x
Deptford St Paul 4 2.11x
Dymchurch 4 294.12x
East Wickham 4 137.46x
Farnborough 4 111.73x
Godstone 4 63.69x
Greenwich 4 3.50x
Hackney London 4 0.99x
Halling 4 124.61x
Matherne 4 317.46x
Nigg 4 55.25x
Selling 4 199.01x
Sutton Stoneferry 4 19.63x
Tottenham 4 3.49x
Gairloch 3 26.36x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 40
Henry 36
James 27
George 23
Thomas 21
John 20
Frederick 17
Edward 15
Charles 12
Walter 12
Alfred 9
Arthur 9
Albert 6
Richard 6
Robert 5
Frank 4
Harry 4
Stephen 4
Wm. 4
Edwin 3
Ernest 3
Jonathan 3
Samuel 3
Augustus 2
Ebenezer 2
Fredrick 2
Rowland 2
Sidney 2
Willm. 2
Alfd. 1
Alfonso 1
Augustas 1
Benjamin 1
Caleb 1
Charlie 1
Edney 1
Elias 1
F.W.Vance 1
Francis 1
Geo. 1
Horatia 1
Jesse 1
Joseph 1
Oliver 1
Percival 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Reuben 1
Richd. 1
Wm.G. 1

FAQ

Packman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Packman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 736 people were recorded with the Packman surname. That placed it at #4,976 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Packman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 850 in 2016. That gives Packman a modern rank of #6,581.

What does the Packman surname mean?

A surname potentially referring to someone who packed or carried goods for a living.

What does the Packman map show?

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