NameCensus.

UK surname

San

A Japanese surname meaning "mountain" or a Chinese surname meaning "three" or referring to the Tang Dynasty state of San.

In the 1881 census there were 14 people recorded with the San surname, ranking it #31,604 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 375, ranked #12,457, up from #31,604 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Greenwich, Lambeth and Hackney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for San is 387 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2578.6%.

1881 census count

14

Ranked #31,604

Modern count

375

2016, ranked #12,457

Peak year

2011

387 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • San had 14 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,604 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 375 in 2016, ranked #12,457.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 14 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

San surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

San surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

San 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 13 #30,970
1881 historical 14 #31,604
1901 historical 7 #33,435
1997 modern 171 #19,438
1998 modern 183 #19,106
1999 modern 189 #18,862
2000 modern 194 #18,554
2001 modern 192 #18,388
2002 modern 210 #17,753
2003 modern 212 #17,454
2004 modern 220 #17,129
2005 modern 239 #16,144
2006 modern 251 #15,696
2007 modern 272 #14,994
2008 modern 321 #13,516
2009 modern 340 #13,244
2010 modern 370 #12,701
2011 modern 387 #12,142
2012 modern 320 #13,868
2013 modern 346 #13,291
2014 modern 368 #12,770
2015 modern 362 #12,825
2016 modern 375 #12,457

Geography

Back to top

Where Sans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Greenwich, Lambeth, Hackney, Islington and Birmingham. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Greenwich 015 Greenwich
2 Lambeth 022 Lambeth
3 Hackney 025 Hackney
4 Islington 019 Islington
5 Birmingham 043 Birmingham

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with San

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for San

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the San surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every San 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, San is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

San 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

San falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for San 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
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of San

The surname "San" has its origins in Spain and dates back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "santo," meaning "saint." The surname likely emerged as a way to identify individuals who lived near a church or monastery dedicated to a particular saint.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Cartulario de San Vicente de Oviedo, a medieval manuscript from the 9th century, where a person named Gomez San is mentioned. This suggests that the surname was already in use during that time period in the northern regions of Spain.

During the 13th century, the surname appeared in various historic records, such as the Fuero de Benavente, a charter granted to the town of Benavente in the Kingdom of León. In this document, a nobleman named Rodrigo San is mentioned, indicating the presence of the surname among the nobility.

The surname is also connected to certain place names in Spain, particularly those derived from the prefix "San" or "Santa," which denotes a connection to a saint. For example, the town of San Sebastián (Saint Sebastian) in the Basque Country is a potential source for the surname San.

Notable individuals with the surname San include:

1. Juan San (1590-1657), a Spanish painter known for his religious works in the Baroque style. 2. Mateo San (1616-1667), a Spanish architect who designed several churches and monasteries in Seville. 3. Pedro San (1779-1853), a Spanish military officer who fought in the Peninsular War against the French. 4. María San (1831-1901), a Spanish educator and advocate for women's education in the 19th century. 5. José San (1887-1961), a Spanish poet and member of the Generation of '27 literary movement.

While the surname San is not as common as some other Spanish surnames, it has a rich history rooted in the religious and cultural traditions of Spain, particularly in the northern regions. Its connection to saints and holy sites has contributed to its enduring presence throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

San families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the San 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. Surrey leads with 7 Sans recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.40x.

County Total Index
Surrey 7 13.40x
Lancashire 1 0.79x
Northumberland 1 6.27x
Royal Navy 1 78.13x
Suffolk 1 7.66x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Battersea in Surrey leads with 7 Sans recorded in 1881 and an index of 177.22x.

Place Total Index
Battersea 7 177.22x
Exning 1 1428.57x
Liverpool 1 12.94x
Newcastle On Tyne 1 5000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Arthur 1
Aubrey 1
Benito 1
Charles 1
Ernest 1
Foo 1
Johan 1
Thomas 1
WONG 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 San households.

FAQ

San surname: questions and answers

How common was the San surname in 1881?

In 1881, 14 people were recorded with the San surname. That placed it at #31,604 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the San surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 375 in 2016. That gives San a modern rank of #12,457.

What does the San surname mean?

A Japanese surname meaning "mountain" or a Chinese surname meaning "three" or referring to the Tang Dynasty state of San.

What does the San map show?

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