NameCensus.

UK surname

Ponsonby

From a place name referring to a location in Yorkshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 207 people recorded with the Ponsonby surname, ranking it #12,555 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 407, ranked #11,735, up from #12,555 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stockport, St Bees and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Birmingham, Wakefield and West Oxfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ponsonby is 426 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 96.6%.

1881 census count

207

Ranked #12,555

Modern count

407

2016, ranked #11,735

Peak year

2013

426 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ponsonby had 207 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,555 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 407 in 2016, ranked #11,735.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 311 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Ponsonby surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ponsonby surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ponsonby 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 127 #14,547
1861 historical 179 #13,127
1881 historical 207 #12,555
1891 historical 229 #13,539
1901 historical 311 #11,363
1911 historical 250 #12,918
1997 modern 341 #12,407
1998 modern 374 #11,963
1999 modern 373 #12,054
2000 modern 365 #12,196
2001 modern 363 #12,057
2002 modern 350 #12,620
2003 modern 349 #12,435
2004 modern 364 #12,110
2005 modern 380 #11,639
2006 modern 361 #12,178
2007 modern 370 #12,073
2008 modern 379 #11,960
2009 modern 403 #11,659
2010 modern 403 #11,925
2011 modern 404 #11,786
2012 modern 407 #11,584
2013 modern 426 #11,350
2014 modern 425 #11,432
2015 modern 412 #11,642
2016 modern 407 #11,735

Geography

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Where Ponsonbys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stockport, St Bees, London parishes, Bridekirk and Tideswell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Birmingham, Wakefield, West Oxfordshire and Thurrock. 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 Stockport Cheshire
2 St Bees Cumberland
3 London parishes London 1
4 Bridekirk Cumberland
5 Tideswell Derbyshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Birmingham 073 Birmingham
2 Wakefield 011 Wakefield
3 West Oxfordshire 004 West Oxfordshire
4 Thurrock 006 Thurrock
5 Wakefield 010 Wakefield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ponsonby

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ponsonby

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Ponsonby surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Ponsonby 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Ponsonby 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

Ponsonby 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

Ponsonby falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Ponsonby

The surname Ponsonby originates from England and dates back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the old French words 'pont' meaning bridge and 'soubz' meaning under, referring to someone who lived near or under a bridge. The name was initially spelled as 'de Pontesoubz' or 'Pontesoubu'.

One of the earliest recorded references to the Ponsonby name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name is mentioned in relation to a landowner in Cumberland, England.

The Ponsonby family has a long and illustrious history, with many members holding prominent positions and titles throughout the centuries. One of the earliest notable figures was Sir John Ponsonby (1413-1471), who served as a member of Parliament and fought in the War of the Roses.

Another prominent individual was Sir William Ponsonby (1546-1604), who was a member of the Privy Council under Queen Elizabeth I and played a crucial role in the Tudor government.

In the 18th century, John Ponsonby (1713-1789) served as the Speaker of the Irish House of Commons and was a prominent figure in the Irish Patriot movement.

The Ponsonby family also had connections to the British aristocracy, with several members holding titles such as Earl of Bessborough and Baron Ponsonby of Shulbrede. One of the most famous Earls of Bessborough was Frederick Ponsonby (1758-1844), who served as the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and played a significant role in Irish politics during the early 19th century.

Another notable figure was Sir Henry Ponsonby (1825-1895), who was the Private Secretary to Queen Victoria and played a crucial role in the management of the British Royal Household during her reign.

Throughout history, the Ponsonby surname has been associated with various place names, including Ponsonby in Cumberland, England, and the Ponsonby estate in County Kilkenny, Ireland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ponsonby families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ponsonby 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 35 Ponsonbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.46x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 35 1.46x
Middlesex 26 1.29x
Cumberland 21 12.08x
Hampshire 15 3.62x
Derbyshire 14 4.43x
Cheshire 13 2.92x
Yorkshire 12 0.60x
Berkshire 9 5.94x
Dunbartonshire 9 16.59x
Suffolk 7 2.85x
Surrey 7 0.71x
Renfrewshire 6 3.83x
Kent 5 0.73x
Sussex 5 1.47x
Wiltshire 4 2.24x
Gloucestershire 3 0.76x
Essex 2 0.50x
Leicestershire 2 0.89x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.73x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.82x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.78x
Devon 1 0.24x
Dumfriesshire 1 2.24x
Durham 1 0.17x
Lanarkshire 1 0.15x
Somerset 1 0.31x
Stirlingshire 1 1.34x
Warwickshire 1 0.20x
Worcestershire 1 0.38x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St George Hanover in Middlesex leads with 14 Ponsonbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 53.11x.

Place Total Index
St George Hanover 14 53.11x
Litton 13 2600.00x
Dumbarton 9 119.21x
Bridekirk 8 575.54x
Aughton 7 295.36x
Stutton 7 1891.89x
Aldershot 6 43.29x
East Meon 6 555.56x
Ulverston 6 85.96x
Windsor Castle 6 4285.71x
Deptford St Paul 5 9.41x
Everton 5 6.55x
Middle Greenock 5 117.10x
Toxteth Park 5 6.16x
Kinniside 4 2352.94x
Swindon 4 28.88x
Bolton Le Sands 3 555.56x
Cheadle 3 35.25x
Clifton In York 3 71.60x
Ennerdale Kinniside 3 1500.00x
Horsham 3 45.39x
Lambeth 3 1.70x
Marple 3 98.04x
Pontefract 3 69.61x
Seaton 3 147.78x
Sinnington 3 1363.64x
St Marylebone London 3 2.78x
Stockport 3 13.08x
Brightside Bierlow 2 5.10x
Chelsea London 2 3.29x
Flixton 2 162.60x
Fulshaw 2 243.90x
Godalming 2 32.31x
Horsley 2 114.29x
Liverpool 2 1.37x
Loddington 2 2000.00x
Nottingham St Mary 2 2.84x
Pendlebury 2 39.53x
Romiley 2 158.73x
Southampton St Mary 2 7.68x
St Martin In Fields 2 16.54x
Sunninghill 2 95.24x
All Saints Cambridge 1 111.11x
Aston 1 0.71x
Batcombe 1 232.56x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 1 14.62x
Brighton 1 1.46x
Chesterfield 1 8.44x
Clifton 1 5.00x
Darlington 1 4.31x
Dorking 1 15.13x
Eton 1 36.10x
Govan 1 0.62x
Grays Thurrock 1 27.03x
Haile 1 500.00x
Hastings St Mary 1 11.81x
Hayton Mealo 1 500.00x
Islington London 1 0.51x
Kensington London 1 0.89x
Kingston 1 303.03x
Leyton 1 14.56x
Litherland 1 19.96x
Moffat 1 49.02x
Mortimer 1 136.99x
Ormskirk 1 21.83x
Oughterside Allerby 1 285.71x
Paddington London 1 1.35x
Skelmersdale 1 25.06x
Southampton All Sts 1 14.08x
St Pancras London 1 0.62x
Stirling 1 10.65x
West Greenock 1 3.56x
Whistones 1 52.36x
Whitechapel London 1 5.03x
Wimbledon 1 9.05x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Sarah 6
Ann 5
Elizabeth 4
Hannah 4
Ellen 3
Florence 3
Margaret 3
Martha 3
Annie 2
Catherine 2
Isabella 2
Julia 2
Amelia 1
Anne 1
B.M. 1
Blanche 1
C. 1
Clara 1
Clementina 1
Constance 1
Dora 1
Edith 1
Eidith 1
Eliza 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Ethel 1
Eugine 1
Evelyn 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Helena 1
J. 1
Jane 1
K.L.J. 1
Louis 1
Louisa 1
M.F. 1
Madeleine 1
Magdalen 1
Maria 1
Olive 1
Sophia 1
Susannah 1
Vere 1
Verona 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 12
William 10
Thomas 7
George 6
Henry 5
Robert 5
Charles 4
Edward 3
James 3
Joseph 3
Miles 3
Walter 3
Frederick 2
Maurice 2
Richard 2
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Ashley 1
Claude 1
Cyril 1
Edwin 1
Enstance 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fritz 1
Gerald 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
Hubert 1
Hugh 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
R. 1
Robt. 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1
Sydney 1
Theohala 1
Tom 1
Wm.A.W. 1

FAQ

Ponsonby surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ponsonby surname in 1881?

In 1881, 207 people were recorded with the Ponsonby surname. That placed it at #12,555 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ponsonby surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 407 in 2016. That gives Ponsonby a modern rank of #11,735.

What does the Ponsonby surname mean?

From a place name referring to a location in Yorkshire, England.

What does the Ponsonby map show?

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