NameCensus.

UK surname

Pinn

A surname derived from the Old English word "pinn" meaning "pen" or "enclosure."

In the 1881 census there were 341 people recorded with the Pinn surname, ranking it #8,918 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 391, ranked #12,073, down from #8,918 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Sidbury, Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) and Sidmouth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Devon, East Devon and Central Bedfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pinn is 539 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 14.7%.

1881 census count

341

Ranked #8,918

Modern count

391

2016, ranked #12,073

Peak year

1911

539 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pinn had 341 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,918 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 391 in 2016, ranked #12,073.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 539 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Pinn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pinn surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pinn 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 307 #7,502
1861 historical 388 #6,602
1881 historical 341 #8,918
1891 historical 423 #8,465
1901 historical 383 #9,760
1911 historical 539 #7,400
1997 modern 436 #10,327
1998 modern 445 #10,491
1999 modern 445 #10,535
2000 modern 440 #10,629
2001 modern 426 #10,697
2002 modern 421 #11,026
2003 modern 391 #11,441
2004 modern 387 #11,559
2005 modern 381 #11,619
2006 modern 395 #11,364
2007 modern 390 #11,596
2008 modern 391 #11,675
2009 modern 391 #11,925
2010 modern 410 #11,754
2011 modern 399 #11,882
2012 modern 403 #11,662
2013 modern 400 #11,915
2014 modern 401 #11,979
2015 modern 392 #12,092
2016 modern 391 #12,073

Geography

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Where Pinns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Sidbury, Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Sidmouth and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Devon, East Devon, Central Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes and Maldon. 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 Sidbury Devon
2 Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) Devon
3 Sidmouth Devon
4 London parishes London 1
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Devon 010 North Devon
2 East Devon 008 East Devon
3 Central Bedfordshire 014 Central Bedfordshire
4 Milton Keynes 001 Milton Keynes
5 Maldon 003 Maldon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pinn

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pinn

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Pinn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Pinn household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Pinn is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

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

Pinn is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pinn 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 Pinn 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 Pinn, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Pinn

The surname Pinn is an English name originating from the early 14th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "pynne," meaning a pen or enclosure for animals. The name likely referred to someone who lived near or worked at such an enclosure.

One of the earliest known records of the name Pinn dates back to 1327 in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, where a John le Pynne was listed. The prefix "le" was a common addition to surnames during that period, indicating the name's occupational or locational origins.

In the 15th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Pynne, Pynner, and Pynnour, reflecting the evolution of spelling and pronunciation over time. For instance, a John Pynner was recorded in the Calender of the Patent Rolls of 1460.

The Pinn surname has also been linked to various place names throughout England, including Pinn Lane in Staffordshire and Pinn Farm in Gloucestershire. These locations may have influenced the name's origins or been named after early bearers of the surname.

One notable figure with the Pinn surname was Sir John Pinn (c. 1600-1677), an English politician who served as Member of Parliament for Bere Alston in Devon during the 17th century. He was involved in the English Civil War and supported the Parliamentarian cause.

Another historical figure was William Pinn (1628-1670), an English Quaker preacher and author. He was among the earliest Quaker ministers and wrote several works promoting the Quaker faith, including "The Spiritual Guide" and "A Word of Reproof."

In the 18th century, James Pinn (1743-1819) was a notable English architect who designed several churches and buildings in London and the surrounding areas. His works included St. Mary's Church in Islington and the Inigo Jones Gateway at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea.

During the 19th century, John Pinn (1801-1876) was a successful English businessman and banker. He founded the Pinn & Co. banking firm in London and served as a director of several companies, including the London and County Banking Company.

Another notable bearer of the Pinn surname was Emily Pinn (1857-1927), an English artist and illustrator. She was known for her watercolor paintings and illustrations in books, magazines, and greeting cards during the late Victorian era and early 20th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pinn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pinn 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. Devon leads with 166 Pinns recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.97x.

County Total Index
Devon 166 23.97x
Middlesex 40 1.20x
Surrey 31 1.91x
Kent 27 2.38x
Somerset 14 2.61x
Glamorgan 12 2.07x
Cornwall 10 2.66x
Yorkshire 8 0.24x
Essex 6 0.91x
Gloucestershire 6 0.92x
Warwickshire 4 0.48x
Berkshire 3 1.20x
Cheshire 3 0.41x
Leicestershire 3 0.81x
Carmarthenshire 2 1.43x
Herefordshire 2 1.47x
Hertfordshire 1 0.44x
Lancashire 1 0.03x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.22x
Sussex 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sidbury in Devon leads with 36 Pinns recorded in 1881 and an index of 2432.43x.

Place Total Index
Sidbury 36 2432.43x
Holy Trinity 16 1103.45x
Exeter St Sidwell 15 94.58x
Sidmouth 14 353.54x
Newington 13 10.58x
Lambeth 11 3.79x
Deptford St Paul 10 11.42x
Kings Nympton 10 1388.89x
St Anne Soho London 10 52.63x
Wembworthy 10 2040.82x
Swansea Lower 9 305.08x
Tonbridge 9 21.99x
Chulmleigh 8 506.33x
Exeter St David 8 135.14x
Exeter St Mary Major 8 191.85x
Redruth 7 65.73x
Battersea 6 4.90x
Exeter St Leonard 6 317.46x
Northfleet 6 60.00x
South Molton 6 157.89x
St George Hanover 6 13.82x
Eggesford 5 2380.95x
Exeter St Mary Arches 5 769.23x
Fulham London 5 10.36x
Holy Trinity 5 6.31x
West Ham 5 3.45x
Clerkenwell London 4 5.09x
Paddington London 4 3.27x
Sampford Brett 4 1600.00x
Tormoham 4 13.65x
Clifton 3 9.10x
Cookham 3 38.56x
Hackney London 3 1.61x
Lanlivery 3 189.87x
Scalford 3 384.62x
St Stephen Coleman 3 337.08x
Stockport 3 7.94x
Taunton St Mary 3 30.52x
Totnes 3 74.07x
Cheltenham 2 3.97x
Coleshill 2 74.35x
East Stonehouse 2 14.66x
East Teignmouth 2 70.67x
Exeter Holy Trinity 2 73.80x
Highweek 2 80.97x
Llanelly 2 6.33x
Llangarren 2 163.93x
Shoreditch London 2 1.39x
Stogumber 2 141.84x
Ynysawdre 2 215.05x
Ashtead 1 95.24x
Bath St Michael 1 36.90x
Bathwick 1 16.86x
Bridgewater 1 6.88x
Brighton 1 0.88x
Broxbourne 1 22.03x
Cheriton 1 21.60x
Clifton In York 1 14.51x
Dawlish 1 19.38x
Holy Trinity Less 1 138.89x
Lytham 1 16.58x
Margate St John Baptist 1 4.81x
Meriden 1 105.26x
North Tawton 1 46.95x
Nottingham St Mary 1 0.86x
Otterton 1 90.09x
Penarth 1 17.67x
Salcombe Regis 1 153.85x
Sculcoates 1 1.91x
Settle 1 39.68x
St George In East 1 4.42x
Taunton St James 1 12.80x
Wanstead 1 8.70x
Wedmore 1 28.74x
Westbury On Trym 1 4.52x
Westminster St John 1 2.47x
Wootton Wawen 1 37.88x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 33
Elizabeth 12
Sarah 9
Emily 6
Louisa 6
Alice 4
Amelia 4
Ann 4
Ellen 4
Frances 4
Hannah 4
Jane 4
Lucy 4
Annie 3
Caroline 3
Eliza 3
Laura 3
Margaret 3
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Emma 2
Ethel 2
Florence 2
Harriet 2
Janet 2
Maggie 2
Martha 2
Susannah 2
Anne 1
Bessy 1
Cora 1
Decima 1
Elizth. 1
Elsie 1
Esther 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Francis 1
Georgeanna 1
Georgeenna 1
Gertrude 1
Harriett 1
Infant 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Lattie 1
Letitia 1
Lilian 1
Maude 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 26
Thomas 14
James 13
John 12
Henry 10
Frederick 9
George 8
Francis 7
Charles 6
Edward 5
Walter 4
Richard 3
Robert 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Edwin 2
Frank 2
Gilbert 2
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Louis 2
Samuel 2
Thos. 2
Archibald 1
Bertie 1
Cecil 1
Chas. 1
Chas.Ed. 1
Chillsanwalloh 1
Clifford 1
Ed. 1
Ed.John 1
Eli 1
Emma 1
Ephriam 1
Ernest 1
Ezra 1
Frances 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Geo. 1
Harold 1
Jas. 1
Oscar 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Salem 1
Theophilus 1
W.Ruthven 1

FAQ

Pinn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pinn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 341 people were recorded with the Pinn surname. That placed it at #8,918 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pinn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 391 in 2016. That gives Pinn a modern rank of #12,073.

What does the Pinn surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English word "pinn" meaning "pen" or "enclosure."

What does the Pinn map show?

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