NameCensus.

UK surname

Popper

An occupational surname deriving from the German word for a maker of buttons or tassels.

In the 1881 census there were 26 people recorded with the Popper surname, ranking it #29,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 103, ranked #30,515, down from #29,911 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, Dover St James, Dover St Mary and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester, Brighton and Hove and Uttlesford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Popper is 199 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 296.2%.

1881 census count

26

Ranked #29,911

Modern count

103

2016, ranked #30,515

Peak year

1861

199 bearers

Map years

2

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Popper had 26 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,911 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016, ranked #30,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 199 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Popper surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Popper surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Popper 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 20 #29,743
1861 historical 199 #12,062
1881 historical 26 #29,911
1891 historical 96 #24,559
1901 historical 56 #27,952
1911 historical 49 #27,894
1997 modern 84 #29,106
1998 modern 90 #28,920
1999 modern 88 #29,287
2000 modern 85 #29,598
2001 modern 84 #29,508
2002 modern 88 #29,534
2003 modern 94 #28,686
2004 modern 82 #30,468
2005 modern 78 #31,058
2006 modern 74 #31,850
2007 modern 83 #31,183
2008 modern 84 #31,370
2009 modern 77 #32,553
2010 modern 85 #32,185
2011 modern 85 #32,127
2012 modern 97 #30,798
2013 modern 101 #30,591
2014 modern 104 #30,365
2015 modern 101 #30,816
2016 modern 103 #30,515

Geography

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Where Poppers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, Dover St James, Dover St Mary, Manchester, Lambeth and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leicester, Brighton and Hove, Uttlesford, Cardiff and South Lakeland. 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 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
2 Dover St James, Dover St Mary Kent
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leicester 003 Leicester
2 Brighton and Hove 029 Brighton and Hove
3 Uttlesford 004 Uttlesford
4 Cardiff 019 Cardiff
5 South Lakeland 013 South Lakeland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Popper

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Popper

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Popper, 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 Popper surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Popper 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Popper is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Popper 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

Popper falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Popper is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Popper

The surname Popper has its origins in Germany and can be traced back to the early 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the German word "Pöpper," which referred to someone who dealt in the production or sale of poppies or poppy seeds. The name may also be related to the Middle High German word "poppen," meaning to stamp or beat, suggesting a possible connection to an occupation or trade.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Popper can be found in the Nuremberg Burgraviate Court Records of 1432, which mention a "Hans Popper" residing in the city. This suggests that the name was already established in the region by the early 15th century.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in various German-speaking areas, including the town of Waldshut in Baden-Württemberg, where a "Caspar Popper" is mentioned in the town's records from 1571. In the same century, a "Johann Popper" is recorded in the parish registers of the village of Pöggstall in Lower Austria, dating back to 1585.

The name Popper has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the most renowned figures was Sir Karl Popper (1902-1994), an influential Austrian-British philosopher known for his contributions to the philosophy of science and his influential work, "The Open Society and Its Enemies."

Another notable Popper was David Popper (1843-1913), a Bohemian cellist and composer who is considered one of the most important figures in the history of cello playing. His compositions, such as the "Hungarian Rhapsody," are still widely performed and studied.

In the realm of literature, the name Popper is associated with Reginald Popper (1910-1998), an English-born American journalist and author who wrote several novels, including "The Traveller" and "After the Glory."

The name Popper has also been linked to the world of science and medicine. One example is Arthur Popper (1900-1985), an American physician and researcher who made significant contributions to the understanding of cardiovascular diseases and the development of modern cardiac surgery techniques.

Additionally, Ingrid Popper (1925-2012), an Austrian-born American historian and author, is recognized for her work on the history of immigration and ethnic studies, particularly in the United States.

While these are just a few examples, the surname Popper has a rich history and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, contributing to various fields and leaving their mark on society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Popper families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Popper 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. Middlesex leads with 19 Poppers recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.80x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 19 7.80x
Nottinghamshire 3 9.14x
Surrey 2 1.68x
Wiltshire 1 4.64x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Botolph Bishopsgate in Middlesex leads with 5 Poppers recorded in 1881 and an index of 1470.59x.

Place Total Index
St Botolph Bishopsgate 5 1470.59x
Islington London 3 12.70x
Mile End Old Town 3 77.92x
Nottingham St Mary 3 35.34x
Shoreditch London 3 28.41x
Clerkenwell London 2 34.78x
St Luke London 2 51.15x
Lambeth 1 4.71x
Richmond 1 60.24x
St Marylebone London 1 7.69x
Swindon 1 59.88x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 2
Mary 2
Ann 1
Hannah 1
Isabel 1
Jeannette 1
Louisa 1
Louise 1
Marley 1
Rebecca 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 2
Walter 2
Alexander 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
George 1
Isaac 1
Joseph 1
Simon 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 Popper households.

FAQ

Popper surname: questions and answers

How common was the Popper surname in 1881?

In 1881, 26 people were recorded with the Popper surname. That placed it at #29,911 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Popper surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016. That gives Popper a modern rank of #30,515.

What does the Popper surname mean?

An occupational surname deriving from the German word for a maker of buttons or tassels.

What does the Popper map show?

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