NameCensus.

UK surname

Sample

A surname derived from the place name Semple, likely referring to someone from Semple in Renfrewshire, Scotland.

In the 1881 census there were 469 people recorded with the Sample surname, ranking it #7,106 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 735, ranked #7,416, down from #7,106 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Kirby Moorside and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sample is 792 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 56.7%.

1881 census count

469

Ranked #7,106

Modern count

735

2016, ranked #7,416

Peak year

2010

792 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sample had 469 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,106 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 735 in 2016, ranked #7,416.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 758 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Sample surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sample surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sample 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 294 #7,758
1861 historical 395 #6,492
1881 historical 469 #7,106
1891 historical 568 #6,687
1901 historical 659 #6,572
1911 historical 758 #5,699
1997 modern 729 #7,021
1998 modern 742 #7,161
1999 modern 762 #7,057
2000 modern 754 #7,071
2001 modern 753 #6,966
2002 modern 762 #7,023
2003 modern 732 #7,137
2004 modern 732 #7,150
2005 modern 729 #7,107
2006 modern 729 #7,144
2007 modern 729 #7,222
2008 modern 744 #7,148
2009 modern 751 #7,235
2010 modern 792 #7,088
2011 modern 772 #7,149
2012 modern 756 #7,179
2013 modern 769 #7,199
2014 modern 764 #7,253
2015 modern 729 #7,492
2016 modern 735 #7,416

Geography

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Where Samples are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Kirby Moorside, Gateshead, Cressingham, Little and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland and Copeland. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Kirby Moorside Yorkshire, North Riding
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Cressingham, Little Norfolk
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newcastle upon Tyne 026 Newcastle upon Tyne
2 North Tyneside 026 North Tyneside
3 Northumberland 006 Northumberland
4 Copeland 008 Copeland
5 Newcastle upon Tyne 027 Newcastle upon Tyne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sample

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sample

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Sample surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Sample household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Sample 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

Sample is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Sample

The surname SAMPLE is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, derived from the Old English word "sampl" or "sampel," meaning a small portion or example. It likely referred to an occupation or a descriptive nickname for someone who worked as a sampler or taster of goods.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname SAMPLE can be traced back to the 13th century in various county records and tax rolls. One notable example is John Sampler, mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1275. The name also appeared in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1279, with a reference to William le Sampeler.

During the 14th century, the surname SAMPLE began to appear in various forms, including Sampler, Sampeler, and Samplour. These variants reflect the evolving spelling and pronunciation of the name over time. One of the earliest known bearers was Walter Sampelere, recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327.

In the 15th century, the surname SAMPLE gained prominence with the birth of Sir John Sample (1415-1484), a prominent landowner and member of the gentry in Warwickshire. His descendants continued to hold significant estates and positions of influence in the region for several generations.

Another notable figure bearing the surname SAMPLE was Thomas Sample (1542-1618), an English clergyman and translator of religious texts. He served as the rector of St. Botolph's Church in Bishopsgate, London, and was known for his scholarly works on biblical interpretation.

During the 17th century, the SAMPLE surname spread across England, with various branches establishing themselves in different counties. One notable individual was Captain William Sample (1628-1692), a renowned sailor and explorer who captained several voyages to the West Indies and the Americas.

In the 18th century, the SAMPLE family continued to flourish, with several members achieving distinction in various fields. Notable among them was Sir Robert Sample (1725-1802), a prominent lawyer and judge who served as the Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.

Throughout history, the surname SAMPLE has been associated with various occupations, from merchants and tradesmen to scholars, clergymen, and landowners. While its origins lie in the humble occupation of a sampler or taster, the name has gained respect and recognition over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sample families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sample 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. Northumberland leads with 129 Samples recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.91x.

County Total Index
Northumberland 129 18.91x
Durham 123 9.02x
Yorkshire 123 2.71x
Lancashire 22 0.40x
Norfolk 21 2.98x
Middlesex 9 0.20x
Midlothian 7 1.14x
Staffordshire 7 0.45x
Cumberland 5 1.27x
Cheshire 3 0.30x
Dunbartonshire 3 2.43x
Surrey 3 0.13x
Ayrshire 2 0.58x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.69x
Hampshire 2 0.21x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.32x
Argyllshire 1 0.78x
Berwickshire 1 1.80x
Channel Islands 1 0.74x
Cornwall 1 0.19x
Lincolnshire 1 0.14x
Perthshire 1 0.49x
Wigtownshire 1 1.64x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cowpen in Northumberland leads with 22 Samples recorded in 1881 and an index of 140.04x.

Place Total Index
Cowpen 22 140.04x
Sherburn 14 337.35x
Kirkby Moorside 13 449.83x
Berwick Upon Tweed 12 83.05x
East Chevington 12 528.63x
Ferryhill 12 251.57x
Redcar 12 333.33x
Seaton Delaval 12 200.33x
Chorlton On Medlock 10 11.57x
Ruswarp 10 198.02x
Little Cressingham 9 2727.27x
York St Mary 9 47.82x
Hart 8 240.96x
Merrington 8 304.18x
Ruswarp Hawsker Cum 8 714.29x
Seghill 8 239.52x
Tanfield 8 49.32x
West Matfen 8 1666.67x
Bedlington 7 30.73x
Darlington 7 13.29x
East Thickley 7 252.71x
Harborne 7 14.11x
Stranton 7 15.24x
Watton 7 316.74x
Whitby 7 45.72x
Barton 6 740.74x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 6 2.43x
Everton 6 3.46x
Guiseley 6 103.09x
Middlesbrough 6 10.14x
Ryhope 6 63.36x
Tunstall 6 88.37x
Brightside Bierlow 5 5.61x
Dawdon 5 29.80x
East Harlsey 5 847.46x
Ellenborough Ewanrigg 5 182.48x
Elswick 5 9.18x
Necton 5 403.23x
Normanby In 5 41.15x
Ryton 5 104.38x
Embleton 4 275.86x
Great Smeaton 4 1333.33x
Heaton 4 176.99x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 4 6.77x
Jesmond 4 41.67x
Linthorpe 4 14.75x
Moss Side 4 13.97x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 4 9.82x
Ormesby 4 32.76x
Sedgefield 4 82.30x
Whitfield 4 851.06x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 3 7.09x
Bishopwearmouth 3 2.56x
Bothal Demesne 3 92.02x
Byker 3 8.90x
Dumbarton 3 17.49x
Eldon 3 138.89x
Horton 3 89.02x
Islington London 3 0.68x
Longbenton 3 10.38x
Normanby In Helmsley 3 1071.43x
Scarborough 3 7.27x
Skelton In Guisbrough 3 24.41x
Southwick 3 23.22x
St Pancras London 3 0.81x
Witton Gilbert 3 55.76x
Ayr 2 12.35x
Beverley St Nicholas 2 53.62x
Birkenhead 2 2.48x
Bishopton 2 363.64x
Hauxley 2 131.58x
Kirby Fleetham 2 229.89x
Lambeth 2 0.50x
Newcastle On Tyne St 2 5.66x
North Shields 2 14.70x
Pudsey 2 8.24x
Southampton St Mary 2 3.38x
St Marythe Less 2 112.99x
Westgate 2 4.73x
Worksop 2 10.91x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 37
Elizabeth 21
Annie 14
Jane 13
Sarah 13
Margaret 12
Ann 11
Hannah 8
Emily 6
Isabella 6
Alice 5
Ellen 5
Eliza 4
Emma 4
Martha 4
Ada 3
Agnes 3
Catherine 3
Isabel 3
Adelaide 2
Barbara 2
Bertha 2
Ethel 2
Frances 2
Harriet 2
Laura 2
Lydia 2
Maria 2
Susannah 2
Bessey 1
Betsy 1
Bridget 1
Charlotte 1
Eleanor 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Grace 1
Helen 1
Isabelle 1
Joanna 1
Johann 1
Kate 1
Louisa 1
M. 1
Margaretta 1
Margarit 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
Zeporah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 42
William 34
Thomas 29
James 26
Robert 16
Charles 7
Edward 7
George 7
Joseph 6
Alfred 4
Andrew 3
Ernest 3
Henry 3
Richard 3
Arthur 2
David 2
Edwin 2
Francis 2
Harry 2
Isaiah 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
Albert 1
Alexander 1
Burton 1
Daniel 1
Ebenezer 1
Edgar 1
Edwd. 1
Erenest 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Geo.L. 1
Harold 1
Janet 1
Mary 1
Peter 1
Robinson 1
Robt. 1
Robt.Margt. 1
Sidney 1
Theinas 1
W. 1

FAQ

Sample surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sample surname in 1881?

In 1881, 469 people were recorded with the Sample surname. That placed it at #7,106 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sample surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 735 in 2016. That gives Sample a modern rank of #7,416.

What does the Sample surname mean?

A surname derived from the place name Semple, likely referring to someone from Semple in Renfrewshire, Scotland.

What does the Sample map show?

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