NameCensus.

UK surname

Persson

A patronymic surname of Swedish origin, meaning "son of Per" (Peter).

In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Persson surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 284, ranked #15,323, up from #32,081 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Craven, Torridge and St Andrews North and Strathkinness.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Persson is 284 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2481.8%.

1881 census count

11

Ranked #32,081

Modern count

284

2016, ranked #15,323

Peak year

2016

284 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Persson had 11 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,081 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 284 in 2016, ranked #15,323.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 72 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Persson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Persson surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Persson 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
1861 historical 47 #28,023
1881 historical 11 #32,081
1891 historical 28 #32,046
1901 historical 47 #28,929
1911 historical 72 #25,642
1997 modern 180 #18,812
1998 modern 208 #17,693
1999 modern 226 #16,884
2000 modern 218 #17,246
2001 modern 217 #17,059
2002 modern 205 #18,009
2003 modern 211 #17,513
2004 modern 211 #17,590
2005 modern 218 #17,170
2006 modern 236 #16,384
2007 modern 238 #16,505
2008 modern 245 #16,295
2009 modern 268 #15,620
2010 modern 281 #15,441
2011 modern 257 #16,335
2012 modern 275 #15,459
2013 modern 278 #15,618
2014 modern 277 #15,734
2015 modern 280 #15,485
2016 modern 284 #15,323

Geography

Back to top

Where Perssons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Craven, Torridge, St Andrews North and Strathkinness and Brent. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Craven 008 Craven
2 Torridge 004 Torridge
3 Craven 007 Craven
4 St Andrews North and Strathkinness Fife
5 Brent 034 Brent

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Persson

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Persson

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Persson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Persson 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Persson is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Persson is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Persson 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 Persson 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Persson

The surname Persson originated in Sweden and dates back several centuries. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it was derived from the father's given name of Per, a common Swedish variant of the name Peter. The suffix "-son" means "son of" in Swedish.

Persson was one of the most widespread surnames in Sweden during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. It can be found in various historical records, including parish registers, census records, and tax rolls from the 16th century onwards.

One of the earliest known references to the name Persson comes from the Västgöta laws, a legal code from the 13th century that mentions a person named Persson. Additionally, the Småland Annals, a medieval chronicle from the late 15th century, includes references to individuals with the surname Persson.

In the 17th century, the Swedish soldier and explorer Jonas Persson Viding (1616-1690) became one of the first Europeans to explore the Arctic regions of North America. He was part of an expedition that mapped parts of Hudson Bay and the surrounding areas.

Another notable figure with the surname Persson was the Swedish botanist and zoologist Carl Persson (1773-1857), who made significant contributions to the study of Scandinavian flora and fauna. He authored several books on the subject and was a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

During the 19th century, the Swedish author and playwright August Persson (1823-1897) gained prominence for his works, which often depicted rural life in Sweden. His plays and novels were widely popular and helped to preserve the cultural heritage of the country.

In the 20th century, one of the most famous individuals with the surname Persson was the Swedish painter and sculptor Ivan Persson (1917-2000). He was known for his abstract expressionist works and was a pioneer of modern art in Sweden.

Another notable figure was the Swedish politician Ingvar Persson (1941-2022), who served as the Prime Minister of Sweden from 1996 to 1998. He was a prominent member of the Social Democratic Party and played a significant role in shaping Sweden's political landscape during the late 20th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Persson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Persson 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. Durham leads with 6 Perssons recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.81x.

County Total Index
Durham 6 18.81x
Middlesex 4 3.73x
Midlothian 1 6.96x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stranton in Durham leads with 5 Perssons recorded in 1881 and an index of 467.29x.

Place Total Index
Stranton 5 467.29x
St Marylebone London 2 34.97x
Westminster St James 2 181.82x
Leith North 1 3333.33x
South Shields 1 357.14x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 1
Sarrah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Benjt. 1
Carl 1
H. 1
Henrik 1
Johan 1
Nils 1
P. 1
Victor 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 Persson households.

Occupation Count
Sailor 5
Tailor 2
Basen 1

FAQ

Persson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Persson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Persson surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Persson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 284 in 2016. That gives Persson a modern rank of #15,323.

What does the Persson surname mean?

A patronymic surname of Swedish origin, meaning "son of Per" (Peter).

What does the Persson map show?

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