NameCensus.

UK surname

Phoenix

A surname derived from the mythical bird, indicating someone who has risen from adversity or experienced rebirth.

In the 1881 census there were 403 people recorded with the Phoenix surname, ranking it #7,933 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,302, ranked #4,599, up from #7,933 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Basford, Gresford and Wrexham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Manchester, Wrexham and Fenland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Phoenix is 1,335 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 223.1%.

1881 census count

403

Ranked #7,933

Modern count

1,302

2016, ranked #4,599

Peak year

2010

1,335 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Phoenix had 403 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,933 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,302 in 2016, ranked #4,599.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 660 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Phoenix surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Phoenix surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Phoenix 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 105 #16,618
1861 historical 157 #14,732
1881 historical 403 #7,933
1891 historical 491 #7,536
1901 historical 644 #6,684
1911 historical 660 #6,361
1997 modern 1,043 #5,300
1998 modern 1,115 #5,200
1999 modern 1,117 #5,230
2000 modern 1,135 #5,135
2001 modern 1,122 #5,080
2002 modern 1,160 #5,059
2003 modern 1,150 #4,991
2004 modern 1,158 #4,967
2005 modern 1,163 #4,890
2006 modern 1,169 #4,878
2007 modern 1,192 #4,835
2008 modern 1,208 #4,816
2009 modern 1,249 #4,778
2010 modern 1,335 #4,584
2011 modern 1,278 #4,715
2012 modern 1,259 #4,703
2013 modern 1,300 #4,653
2014 modern 1,313 #4,631
2015 modern 1,299 #4,637
2016 modern 1,302 #4,599

Geography

Back to top

Where Phoenix' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Basford, Gresford, Wrexham, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Warrington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Manchester, Wrexham, Fenland and Boston. 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 Basford Nottinghamshire
2 Gresford Denbighshire
3 Wrexham Denbighshire
4 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
5 Warrington Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Manchester 051 Manchester
2 Wrexham 020 Wrexham
3 Fenland 002 Fenland
4 Boston 006 Boston
5 Fenland 003 Fenland

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Phoenix

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Phoenix

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

Young Families in Industrial Towns

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Phoenix 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

Phoenix 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

Phoenix falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Phoenix

The surname Phoenix has its origins in England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 16th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Greek mythological bird, the phoenix, which symbolized renewal and rebirth. It is possible that the name was initially adopted as a nickname or descriptive name for someone who had experienced a significant transformation or rebirth in their life.

One of the earliest documented examples of the Phoenix surname can be found in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, where a Thomas Phoenix was recorded in 1568. Another early reference is in the records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, where a William Phoenix from Colchester, Essex, had his will probated in 1585.

During the 17th century, the Phoenix surname appeared in various regions of England, including London, Kent, and Oxfordshire. In 1635, a John Phoenix was listed as a resident of the parish of St. Dunstan's in the East, London. Later, in 1672, a Thomas Phoenix was recorded in the parish registers of Maidstone, Kent.

Notable individuals with the surname Phoenix include Sir Edward Phoenix (1617-1670), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire during the English Civil War. Another prominent figure was John Phoenix (1745-1810), an English Unitarian minister and writer who published several works on theology and philosophy.

In the 18th century, the surname spread to other parts of the British Isles, including Scotland and Ireland. One example is David Phoenix (1755-1830), a Scottish architect who designed several notable buildings in Edinburgh, such as the Assembly Rooms and the Regent Bridge.

As the British Empire expanded, the Phoenix surname also found its way to other parts of the world. In the 19th century, there were individuals with this surname recorded in British colonies such as India and Australia. One notable Australian with the Phoenix surname was John Phoenix (1862-1940), a politician who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.

While the Phoenix surname is not among the most common in the English-speaking world, it has a rich history and is associated with various notable figures throughout the centuries. The name's mythological origins and symbolism of renewal and rebirth have contributed to its enduring appeal and significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Phoenix families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Phoenix 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. Lancashire leads with 114 Phoenix' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.47x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 114 2.47x
Denbighshire 71 48.29x
Cheshire 38 4.42x
Nottinghamshire 30 5.72x
Norfolk 21 3.51x
Staffordshire 18 1.37x
Lincolnshire 17 2.73x
Yorkshire 13 0.34x
Durham 12 1.04x
Lanarkshire 12 0.95x
Cambridgeshire 10 4.06x
Middlesex 8 0.21x
Renfrewshire 8 2.65x
Kent 7 0.53x
Suffolk 6 1.27x
Derbyshire 3 0.49x
Flintshire 3 2.87x
Oxfordshire 2 0.83x
Devon 1 0.12x
Merionethshire 1 1.40x
Montgomeryshire 1 1.12x
Northamptonshire 1 0.27x
Shropshire 1 0.30x
Warwickshire 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Basford in Nottinghamshire leads with 28 Phoenix' recorded in 1881 and an index of 115.80x.

Place Total Index
Basford 28 115.80x
Gresford Gwersyllt 20 438.60x
Warrington 18 32.88x
Everton 17 11.55x
Deopham 16 2807.02x
Stansty 15 925.93x
Govan 12 3.85x
Stockton On Tees 12 21.50x
Barton Upon Irwell 11 31.64x
Chester St Oswald 11 70.69x
Toxteth Park 11 7.03x
Wisbech St Peter 10 80.91x
Bradford 9 41.63x
Dukinfield 9 22.67x
Wrexham Regis 9 82.42x
Broughton 8 138.41x
Moulton 8 266.67x
Nantwich 7 70.14x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 7 52.63x
Ecclesall Bierlow 6 7.65x
Ipswich St Mary Stoke 6 136.36x
Kilbarchan 6 65.50x
Pendlebury 6 61.54x
Tettenhall 6 74.72x
Acton 5 1136.36x
Audley Talk O Th Hill 5 210.97x
Huntington 5 3125.00x
Islington London 5 1.33x
Liverpool 5 1.78x
Newcastle Under Lyme 5 21.51x
Oldham 5 3.35x
Sheffield 5 4.07x
Chorley 4 15.43x
Esclusham Below 4 294.12x
Kirkdale 4 5.15x
Surfleet 4 310.08x
Bersham 3 47.85x
Hingham 3 144.93x
Ince In Makerfield 3 13.96x
Aberwheeler 2 363.64x
Ashton On Mersey 2 45.05x
Deptford St Nicholas 2 18.98x
Gosberton 2 72.46x
Hope 2 38.39x
Kirton Simon Weir 2 317.46x
Nottingham St Mary 2 1.47x
Plumstead 2 4.52x
Preston 2 1.62x
Salford 2 1.47x
Staveley 2 18.48x
Thame 2 45.77x
Wolverhampton 2 1.98x
Wrexham Abbot 2 54.05x
Allington 1 90.91x
Birmingham 1 0.31x
Burton 1 105.26x
Cathcart 1 6.13x
Chelsea London 1 0.85x
Crowton 1 161.29x
Deptford St Paul 1 0.98x
Devonport 1 10.74x
Edmonton 1 3.19x
Ellesmere Penley 1 243.90x
Gate Fulford 1 11.10x
Higher Bebington 1 18.18x
Lea Ashton Ingol 1 32.57x
Leighton 1 192.31x
Levenshulme 1 21.05x
Llanycil 1 26.11x
Manchester 1 0.48x
Pendleton In Salford 1 1.82x
Ruabon 1 4.95x
Shrewsbury St Alkmond 1 53.48x
St George Hanover 1 1.97x
Sutton St Mary St James 1 136.99x
Tranmere 1 3.17x
Walton On Hill 1 4.00x
Whittingham 1 49.26x
Wigan 1 1.55x
Winfarthing 1 125.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 26
Sarah 24
Elizabeth 21
Ann 12
Martha 11
Ellen 10
Jane 10
Hannah 7
Annie 5
Agnes 4
Eliza 4
Kate 4
Louisa 4
Margaret 4
Anne 3
Clara 3
Emily 3
Emma 3
Harriet 3
Ada 2
Alice 2
Maria 2
Matilda 2
Phoebe 2
Susanah 2
Acibs 1
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Anna 1
Bridget 1
Catherine 1
Daborah 1
Edith 1
Elizth. 1
Ema 1
Euphemia 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Jessie 1
Joanna 1
Lily 1
Lydia 1
Nellie 1
Rachel 1
Ruth 1
S.E. 1
Sophia 1
Terreasa 1
Thomas 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 34
William 23
Joseph 15
James 13
Thomas 11
George 9
Edward 8
Richard 8
Albert 6
Henry 6
Robert 6
Samuel 6
Arthur 3
Charles 3
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Wm. 2
Alfred 1
Cecil 1
Chas. 1
Ernest 1
Fredk. 1
Geo 1
Harlan 1
Harold 1
Ithel 1
Jim 1
Jno. 1
Joe 1
Jos 1
Matthew 1
Price 1
Saml. 1
Septimus 1
Taylor 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Phoenix surname: questions and answers

How common was the Phoenix surname in 1881?

In 1881, 403 people were recorded with the Phoenix surname. That placed it at #7,933 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Phoenix surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,302 in 2016. That gives Phoenix a modern rank of #4,599.

What does the Phoenix surname mean?

A surname derived from the mythical bird, indicating someone who has risen from adversity or experienced rebirth.

What does the Phoenix map show?

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