NameCensus.

UK surname

Pennie

A surname derived from a Scottish word meaning a small enclosed area or pen for livestock.

In the 1881 census there were 131 people recorded with the Pennie surname, ranking it #16,824 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 369, ranked #12,617, up from #16,824 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Old Deer, Alva and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Hertfordshire, Wiltshire and Northumberland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pennie is 373 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 181.7%.

1881 census count

131

Ranked #16,824

Modern count

369

2016, ranked #12,617

Peak year

2014

373 bearers

Map years

7

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pennie had 131 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,824 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 369 in 2016, ranked #12,617.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 274 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Pennie surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pennie surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Pennie 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 112 #15,913
1861 historical 93 #22,009
1881 historical 131 #16,824
1891 historical 204 #14,702
1901 historical 274 #12,370
1911 historical 69 #25,965
1997 modern 319 #13,000
1998 modern 339 #12,810
1999 modern 350 #12,609
2000 modern 345 #12,693
2001 modern 333 #12,817
2002 modern 349 #12,652
2003 modern 331 #12,944
2004 modern 327 #13,094
2005 modern 326 #13,045
2006 modern 338 #12,779
2007 modern 343 #12,773
2008 modern 347 #12,786
2009 modern 356 #12,800
2010 modern 352 #13,187
2011 modern 348 #13,134
2012 modern 348 #13,020
2013 modern 370 #12,626
2014 modern 373 #12,633
2015 modern 373 #12,519
2016 modern 369 #12,617

Geography

Back to top

Where Pennies are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Old Deer, Alva, London parishes, Edinburgh and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Hertfordshire, Wiltshire, Northumberland, Parkhead East and Braidfauld North and Gwynedd. 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 Old Deer Aberdeen
2 Alva Stirling
3 London parishes London 3
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Hertfordshire 011 North Hertfordshire
2 Wiltshire 041 Wiltshire
3 Northumberland 039 Northumberland
4 Parkhead East and Braidfauld North Glasgow City
5 Gwynedd 013 Gwynedd

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Pennie

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Pennie

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Pennie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Pennie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Pennie is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Pennie is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pennie falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Pennie

The surname Pennie is believed to have originated in Scotland during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "penig," which means "penny" or a small coin. This suggests that the name may have been an occupational name for someone who worked as a moneylender or a tax collector.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Pennie name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which was a record of Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appears in this document as "Peny," indicating its Scottish origins.

During the 13th century, the name Pennie was also found in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Northumberland and Yorkshire. It is possible that the name spread from Scotland to the northern regions of England due to the close proximity and frequent interactions between the two regions.

In the 14th century, the name Pennie appeared in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, which were records of financial transactions and land holdings. This suggests that individuals with this surname may have held positions of authority or wealth during that time period.

One notable individual with the surname Pennie was Sir John Pennie, a Scottish knight who lived in the 15th century. He was known for his involvement in various military campaigns and his service to the Scottish crown.

Another historical figure bearing the Pennie name was William Pennie, a Scottish merchant and trader who lived in the 16th century. He was involved in the lucrative trade of wool and cloth between Scotland and the Netherlands.

In the 17th century, the Pennie surname was found in various parts of Scotland, including the regions of Fife and Aberdeenshire. One notable individual from this period was James Pennie, a Scottish clergyman and author who wrote several religious texts.

During the 18th century, the Pennie name appeared in the records of the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the region of Argyll. This may suggest that the name had spread to different parts of Scotland over time.

Another notable individual with the Pennie surname was Robert Pennie, a Scottish physician and botanist who lived in the 19th century. He made significant contributions to the study of plants and was recognized for his work in the field of botany.

Overall, the surname Pennie has a rich history rooted in Scotland, with its origins dating back to the medieval period. While the name has spread to other parts of the world, its Scottish heritage remains a significant part of its identity and legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Pennie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pennie 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. Aberdeenshire leads with 39 Pennies recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.96x.

County Total Index
Aberdeenshire 39 32.96x
Stirlingshire 15 31.83x
Banffshire 9 33.95x
Lancashire 8 0.53x
Shetland 7 53.64x
Devon 6 2.26x
Staffordshire 6 1.39x
Lanarkshire 5 1.21x
Middlesex 4 0.31x
Midlothian 4 2.34x
Surrey 4 0.64x
Angus 3 2.53x
Caernarfonshire 3 5.81x
Cheshire 3 1.06x
Kincardineshire 3 19.28x
West Lothian 3 15.59x
Yorkshire 2 0.16x
Ayrshire 1 1.05x
Derbyshire 1 0.50x
Durham 1 0.26x
Essex 1 0.40x
Kent 1 0.23x
Kinross-shire 1 30.96x
Roxburghshire 1 4.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aberdeen St Nicholas in Aberdeenshire leads with 9 Pennies recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.65x.

Place Total Index
Aberdeen St Nicholas 9 40.65x
Banff 8 347.83x
Manchester 8 11.73x
Peterhead 7 111.82x
Alva 6 266.67x
Rugeley 6 193.55x
Pitsligo 5 442.48x
Tyrie 5 335.57x
Aberdour 4 430.11x
Battersea 4 8.51x
St Ninians 4 85.65x
Unst 4 421.05x
Aberdeen Old Machar 3 12.14x
Banchory Devenick 3 206.90x
Bressay 3 1428.57x
Cruden 3 197.37x
Dalmeny 3 405.41x
Denio 3 247.93x
Dundee 3 6.79x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 3 4.36x
Plymouth St Andrew 3 14.64x
Sutton In Macclesfield 3 102.39x
Govan 2 1.96x
Islington London 2 1.61x
Keighley 2 14.81x
Killearn 2 400.00x
Stirling 2 33.67x
Westminster St 2 42.46x
Ardrossan 1 30.21x
Barony 1 0.96x
Dover St Mary Virgin 1 23.70x
Falkirk 1 9.07x
Foveran 1 111.11x
Fyvie 1 51.81x
Great Clacton 1 116.28x
Kingsbridge 1 149.25x
Kinross 1 90.09x
Lasswade 1 25.58x
Lesmahagow 1 22.88x
Old Deer 1 44.64x
Plymouth Charles The 1 8.53x
St Fergus 1 149.25x
Sunderland 1 14.90x
Sutton Cum Duckmanton 1 476.19x
Totnes 1 64.10x
Walston 1 666.67x
Wilton 1 39.37x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Catherine 3
Fanny 3
Mary 3
Margaret 2
Annie 1
Christina 1
Edith 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Jane 1
Julia 1
M. 1
Prudence 1
Sarah 1
Susanna 1
Thomazine 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Edward 3
Robert 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Henry 1
James 1
John 1
Richard 1
Thomas 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Pennie households.

FAQ

Pennie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pennie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 131 people were recorded with the Pennie surname. That placed it at #16,824 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pennie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 369 in 2016. That gives Pennie a modern rank of #12,617.

What does the Pennie surname mean?

A surname derived from a Scottish word meaning a small enclosed area or pen for livestock.

What does the Pennie map show?

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