UK surname
A surname derived from an occupational term referring to a swine herder or pig farmer.
In the 1881 census there were 99 people recorded with the Porcher surname, ranking it #19,877 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 59, ranked #34,401, down from #19,877 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Llanwonno and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Porcher is 154 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 40.4%.
1881 census count
99
Ranked #19,877
Modern count
59
2016, ranked #34,401
Peak year
1891
154 bearers
Map years
3
1891 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Porcher surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Porcher surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 76 | #20,127 |
| 1861 | historical | 80 | #23,566 |
| 1881 | historical | 99 | #19,877 |
| 1891 | historical | 154 | #18,004 |
| 1901 | historical | 121 | #20,444 |
| 1911 | historical | 122 | #20,245 |
| 1997 | modern | 77 | #29,874 |
| 1998 | modern | 81 | #29,849 |
| 1999 | modern | 85 | #29,578 |
| 2000 | modern | 81 | #30,036 |
| 2001 | modern | 78 | #30,168 |
| 2002 | modern | 79 | #30,499 |
| 2003 | modern | 72 | #31,281 |
| 2004 | modern | 71 | #31,578 |
| 2005 | modern | 68 | #32,097 |
| 2006 | modern | 66 | #32,629 |
| 2007 | modern | 66 | #32,948 |
| 2008 | modern | 65 | #33,303 |
| 2009 | modern | 67 | #33,450 |
| 2010 | modern | 69 | #33,560 |
| 2011 | modern | 66 | #33,768 |
| 2012 | modern | 60 | #34,287 |
| 2013 | modern | 62 | #34,260 |
| 2014 | modern | 55 | #34,649 |
| 2015 | modern | 56 | #34,571 |
| 2016 | modern | 59 | #34,401 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Llanwonno, London parishes, Boston (incl. Boston allotments) and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | Llanwonno | Glamorganshire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Boston (incl. Boston allotments) | Lincolnshire |
| 5 | Brighton | Sussex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Porcher surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Porcher, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Porcher surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Porcher household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Porcher is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Porcher is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Porcher, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Porcher is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "porcher," which means "swineherd" or "pig farmer." This occupation-based surname first emerged in the 12th century in the northern regions of France, particularly in Normandy and Brittany.
The Porcher name is believed to have originated from the Latin word "porcarius," which translates to "keeper of swine" or "pig breeder." This occupation was common in rural areas where pig farming was a significant economic activity.
In the 13th century, the name Porcher appeared in various historical records, including the Domesday Book, a survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This record indicates the presence of individuals with the Porcher surname in England, likely descendants of Norman settlers who accompanied William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquest.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Porcher surname was Gilles Porcher, a knight from Normandy who participated in the Third Crusade under the leadership of King Richard I of England in the late 12th century.
During the Middle Ages, the Porcher family held lands and properties in various regions of France, particularly in the provinces of Normandy, Brittany, and Poitou. Notable individuals from this period include Jean Porcher (born c. 1390), a prominent landowner in the village of Coutances, and Pierre Porcher (c. 1450-1521), a respected magistrate and jurist from the city of Rouen.
In the 16th century, the Porcher name gained prominence with the birth of René Porcher (1524-1589), a French Protestant theologian and religious reformer. He played a significant role in the French Reformation and was a close associate of John Calvin.
Another notable figure was François Porcher (1676-1741), a French painter and engraver who was renowned for his portraits and religious works. His paintings can be found in several churches and museums across France.
During the 18th century, the Porcher family expanded its influence, with members holding positions of power and influence in various fields. One such individual was Charles-Gérard Porcher (1730-1809), a French military officer and diplomat who served as the ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.
Throughout history, the Porcher surname has been associated with numerous professions, ranging from agriculture and politics to the arts and sciences. While the name originated from a humble occupation, it has evolved to represent a diverse and accomplished lineage across various regions and cultures.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Porcher surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Norfolk leads with 27 Porchers recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.19x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Norfolk | 27 | 18.19x |
| Kent | 18 | 5.46x |
| Gloucestershire | 10 | 5.28x |
| Cambridgeshire | 9 | 14.72x |
| Lincolnshire | 8 | 5.18x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 0.83x |
| Sussex | 6 | 3.69x |
| Glamorgan | 5 | 2.97x |
| Suffolk | 2 | 1.70x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.43x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.47x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.52x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.51x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.64x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bressingham in Norfolk leads with 10 Porchers recorded in 1881 and an index of 5882.35x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bressingham | 10 | 5882.35x |
| Cheltenham | 10 | 68.45x |
| Plumstead | 9 | 81.97x |
| Boston | 8 | 170.94x |
| Garboldisham | 7 | 3333.33x |
| Llanwonno | 5 | 82.78x |
| Margate St John Baptist | 5 | 82.92x |
| Norwich St Julian | 4 | 634.92x |
| Preston | 4 | 140.85x |
| Roydon In Guiltcross | 3 | 1500.00x |
| Shelfanger | 3 | 2727.27x |
| St George In East | 3 | 45.66x |
| St Marythe Less | 3 | 810.81x |
| Chatteris | 2 | 128.21x |
| Lambeth | 2 | 2.38x |
| Ramsgate | 2 | 37.17x |
| St Andrewthe Less | 2 | 28.61x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 2 | 36.10x |
| Whitechapel London | 2 | 21.01x |
| Woolwich | 2 | 16.43x |
| Alverstoke | 1 | 13.97x |
| Bathwick | 1 | 58.14x |
| Benwick | 1 | 370.37x |
| Brighton | 1 | 3.05x |
| Frant | 1 | 86.96x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 1.86x |
| Lowestoft | 1 | 17.99x |
| South Weald | 1 | 61.35x |
| St Benedict Cambridge | 1 | 285.71x |
| Stockport | 1 | 9.12x |
| Yaxley | 1 | 833.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Porcher surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth | 7 |
| Emma | 4 |
| Clara | 2 |
| Florence | 2 |
| Maria | 2 |
| Mary | 2 |
| Rose | 2 |
| Sarah | 2 |
| Amelia | 1 |
| Anna | 1 |
| Annie | 1 |
| Betsey | 1 |
| Caroline | 1 |
| Charlotte | 1 |
| Dolly | 1 |
| Dorothea | 1 |
| Elisabeth | 1 |
| Eliz. | 1 |
| Emmeline | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Gertrude | 1 |
| Harriet | 1 |
| Jane | 1 |
| Kate | 1 |
| Kathleen | 1 |
| Laura | 1 |
| Louisa | 1 |
| Margaret | 1 |
| Matilda | 1 |
| Millicent | 1 |
| Pamela | 1 |
| Rhoda | 1 |
| Sophia | 1 |
| Susan | 1 |
| Susannah | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Porcher surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Porcher households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 22 |
| Musician | 2 |
| Shoemaker | 2 |
| Tailor | 2 |
| Whaler | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Apprentice (To Bricklayer) | 1 |
| Assistant | 1 |
| Boot Maker | 1 |
| Bootmaker | 1 |
| Bootmakers Wife | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Bricklayer Wife | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Cook (Dom) | 1 |
| Cook Domestic | 1 |
| Cooper | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Farmer Of 28 Ac Emp 2 Men | 1 |
| Foreman Stores Arsenal | 1 |
| Gas Fitter | 1 |
| House & Dividends | 1 |
| House Wife | 1 |
| Journeyman Carpenter | 1 |
| Land Surveyor | 1 |
| Master Bootmaker | 1 |
| Messenger Lad | 1 |
| Monthly Nurse | 1 |
| Newsagent | 1 |
| Newsagent Daur | 1 |
| Newsagent Wife | 1 |
| Nurse (Dom) | 1 |
| Paid Monitor | 1 |
| Paid Monitor (School M) | 1 |
| Pensioner Civil & Military | 1 |
| Private R M L I | 1 |
| School Master | 1 |
| School Masters Wife | 1 |
| Seaman | 1 |
| Shoemaker Master Employ 2 Men | 1 |
| Solrs Clerk | 1 |
| Tinman | 1 |
| Trumpeter Royal Artillery | 1 |
| Trumpeter Royl Arty | 1 |
| Upholsterer | 1 |
| Wheelwright | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 99 people were recorded with the Porcher surname. That placed it at #19,877 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 59 in 2016. That gives Porcher a modern rank of #34,401.
A surname derived from an occupational term referring to a swine herder or pig farmer.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Porcher bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.