NameCensus.

UK surname

Poyner

A locational surname referring to someone from a place called Poynings, in Sussex, England.

In the 1881 census there were 444 people recorded with the Poyner surname, ranking it #7,385 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 944, ranked #6,077, up from #7,385 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) and Stottesden, Kinlet. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Herefordshire, Shropshire and Dudley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Poyner is 1,006 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 112.6%.

1881 census count

444

Ranked #7,385

Modern count

944

2016, ranked #6,077

Peak year

1999

1,006 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Poyner had 444 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,385 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 944 in 2016, ranked #6,077.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 724 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Poyner surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Poyner surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Poyner 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 191 #10,808
1861 historical 287 #8,773
1881 historical 444 #7,385
1891 historical 529 #7,085
1901 historical 724 #6,116
1911 historical 713 #5,983
1997 modern 951 #5,715
1998 modern 984 #5,747
1999 modern 1,006 #5,687
2000 modern 992 #5,723
2001 modern 976 #5,689
2002 modern 959 #5,876
2003 modern 941 #5,877
2004 modern 949 #5,846
2005 modern 924 #5,901
2006 modern 924 #5,916
2007 modern 958 #5,803
2008 modern 959 #5,835
2009 modern 970 #5,903
2010 modern 967 #6,038
2011 modern 951 #6,070
2012 modern 936 #6,055
2013 modern 957 #6,039
2014 modern 955 #6,100
2015 modern 946 #6,086
2016 modern 944 #6,077

Geography

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Where Poyners are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Stottesden, Kinlet, Desford and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Herefordshire, Shropshire and Dudley. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
3 Stottesden, Kinlet Shropshire
4 Desford Leicestershire
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Herefordshire 005 Herefordshire, County of
2 Shropshire 039 Shropshire
3 Dudley 016 Dudley
4 Herefordshire 010 Herefordshire, County of
5 Herefordshire 016 Herefordshire, County of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Poyner

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Poyner

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Poyner, 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 Poyner surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Poyner 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, Poyner 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

Poyner is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Poyner 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 Poyner is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Poyner

The surname POYNER is believed to have originated in England, tracing its roots back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old French word "poyner," which means "a maker or seller of cloth." This suggests that the name was initially associated with individuals involved in the textile trade or cloth-making industry.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279, where it appears as "le Poyner." This document provides valuable insight into the name's early usage and spelling variations.

During the 14th century, the name POYNER began to spread across various regions of England. In 1327, a John le Poyner was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, indicating the presence of the name in that county. Additionally, the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1380 record a Robert Poyner, showcasing the gradual standardization of the spelling.

The POYNER surname has also been linked to specific place names, such as Poynings in Sussex, which may have influenced its development. This connection suggests that some individuals bearing the name may have originated from or resided in these localities.

Notable individuals throughout history who carried the POYNER surname include:

1. Sir Thomas Poyner (c. 1515 - 1587), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire. 2. John Poyner (c. 1568 - 1632), an English clergyman and writer known for his religious works. 3. Richard Poyner (c. 1630 - 1700), a prominent Quaker minister and author from Gloucestershire. 4. William Poyner (c. 1670 - 1745), a merchant and landowner in Virginia, USA, who established the Poyner family line in the American colonies. 5. Elizabeth Poyner (1744 - 1821), an English philanthropist and benefactor who supported various charitable causes in her hometown of Bristol.

While the POYNER surname may have evolved and spread over time, its origins can be traced back to the textile industry and the occupational name associated with cloth-making in medieval England. The name's longevity and presence across different regions underscore its historical significance and the diverse backgrounds of those who have carried it throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Poyner families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Poyner 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. Warwickshire leads with 80 Poyners recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.39x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 80 7.39x
Staffordshire 73 5.04x
Worcestershire 49 8.74x
Gloucestershire 39 4.63x
Shropshire 34 9.17x
Leicestershire 30 6.30x
Lancashire 20 0.39x
Herefordshire 16 9.09x
Middlesex 12 0.28x
Somerset 10 1.45x
Derbyshire 8 1.19x
Monmouthshire 8 2.58x
Northamptonshire 8 1.98x
Buckinghamshire 7 2.70x
Glamorgan 7 0.94x
Cambridgeshire 6 2.21x
Dorset 6 2.13x
Lanarkshire 6 0.43x
Brecknockshire 5 5.83x
Denbighshire 3 1.85x
Hampshire 3 0.34x
Lincolnshire 3 0.44x
Northumberland 3 0.47x
Cheshire 2 0.21x
Norfolk 1 0.15x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 42 Poyners recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.64x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 42 11.64x
Aston 38 12.75x
Wolverhampton 17 15.26x
Huntley 15 2380.95x
Cannock 13 51.42x
Kidderminster Borough 13 39.63x
Leicester St Mary 12 31.21x
Stottesdon 12 714.29x
Taynton 12 1411.76x
Marston Upon Dove 8 370.37x
Much Wenlock 8 233.92x
Worcester St Peter 8 75.40x
Castle Church 7 80.37x
Llantrisant 7 37.16x
Sedgley 7 13.01x
West Derby 7 4.70x
Wolverton 7 130.35x
Ardwick 6 13.06x
Dilwyn 6 389.61x
Melcombe Regis 6 51.41x
Ratby 6 252.10x
Skenfrith 6 652.17x
Teddington London 6 61.73x
Willenhall 6 22.11x
Wisbech St Peter 6 44.02x
Droitwich St Andrew 5 354.61x
Dudley 5 7.34x
Finedon 5 141.24x
Govan 5 1.46x
Llanelly 5 48.69x
Radstock 5 110.13x
Rowley Regis 5 12.38x
Stoke St Milborough 5 649.35x
Tipton 5 11.27x
Walsall Foreign 5 6.68x
Chaddesley Corbett 4 190.48x
Desford 4 303.03x
Northfield 4 37.63x
Pelsall 4 92.81x
Walford 4 228.57x
Aldershot 3 10.18x
Byker 3 9.50x
Esclusham Below 3 200.00x
Hereford St Peter 3 63.83x
Liverpool 3 0.97x
Peterborough 3 10.26x
Silvington 3 4285.71x
Warrington 3 4.97x
Beckbury 2 416.67x
Chelsea London 2 1.55x
Christchurch 2 20.83x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 2 12.99x
Hallow 2 72.99x
High Ham 2 121.21x
Huncote 2 294.12x
Newent 2 46.73x
Ombersley 2 64.10x
Preston On Wye 2 606.06x
Sheepshed 2 30.67x
St George Hanover 2 3.57x
Tibberton 2 377.36x
Walcot 2 5.43x
Whistones 2 49.26x
Wilsford 2 198.02x
Worcester All Sts 2 61.54x
Billingsley 1 555.56x
Bisley 1 13.11x
Cheslyn Hay 1 37.88x
Dyrham Hinton 1 169.49x
Gloucester St Owen 1 108.70x
Hagley 1 55.25x
Hale 1 30.58x
Houghton On The Hill 1 163.93x
Ludlow St Lawrence 1 13.55x
Lye 1 10.72x
Nottingham St Nicholas 1 12.69x
Ravenstone 1 151.52x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 0.65x
Timperley 1 30.40x
Toxteth Park 1 0.58x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 26
Sarah 23
Elizabeth 11
Ann 9
Alice 8
Eliza 8
Ellen 8
Anne 7
Clara 7
Annie 6
Catherine 5
Jane 5
Martha 5
Emily 4
Emma 4
Florence 4
Harriet 4
Louisa 4
Matilda 4
Ada 3
Caroline 3
Frances 3
Amy 2
Charlotte 2
Jenetta 2
Jessie 2
Lucy 2
Susan 2
Agnes 1
Aurelia 1
Charllotte 1
Christian 1
Drussila 1
Edith 1
Enila 1
Eunice 1
Fanny 1
Geraldine 1
Gertrude 1
Hariet 1
Hariett 1
Hisabela 1
Kate 1
Keziak 1
Lavinia 1
Lilley 1
Margaret 1
Margrett 1
Maria 1
Ursula 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 34
John 28
Thomas 21
George 19
James 16
Charles 9
Henry 8
Richard 8
Edward 6
Frederick 5
Albert 4
Joseph 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
David 3
Robert 3
Walter 3
Alfd. 2
Archibald 2
Benjamin 2
Edwin 2
Francis 2
Geo. 2
Harry 2
Samuel 2
Andrew 1
Archibold 1
Daniel 1
Frank 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Geo.S. 1
Hannah 1
Herbert 1
J. 1
Jonah 1
Jos. 1
Lawrence 1
Leonard 1
Mathew 1
Matthew 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Robt. 1
Ruby 1
Sept 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1
Will. 1

FAQ

Poyner surname: questions and answers

How common was the Poyner surname in 1881?

In 1881, 444 people were recorded with the Poyner surname. That placed it at #7,385 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Poyner surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 944 in 2016. That gives Poyner a modern rank of #6,077.

What does the Poyner surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from a place called Poynings, in Sussex, England.

What does the Poyner map show?

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