UK surname
An occupational surname referring to a professional scribe or notary.
In the 1881 census there were 95 people recorded with the Scrivner surname, ranking it #20,349 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 47, ranked #35,069, down from #20,349 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Althorne and St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Scrivner is 116 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 50.5%.
1881 census count
95
Ranked #20,349
Modern count
47
2016, ranked #35,069
Peak year
1851
116 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Scrivner surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Scrivner surname density by area, 1851 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 | 116 | #15,545 |
| 1861 | historical | 38 | #29,216 |
| 1881 | historical | 95 | #20,349 |
| 1891 | historical | 87 | #25,802 |
| 1901 | historical | 63 | #27,134 |
| 1911 | historical | 31 | #29,952 |
| 1997 | modern | 52 | #32,444 |
| 1998 | modern | 49 | #33,000 |
| 1999 | modern | 51 | #32,940 |
| 2000 | modern | 50 | #33,087 |
| 2001 | modern | 49 | #33,048 |
| 2002 | modern | 54 | #32,927 |
| 2003 | modern | 49 | #33,456 |
| 2004 | modern | 47 | #33,819 |
| 2005 | modern | 46 | #34,081 |
| 2006 | modern | 48 | #34,245 |
| 2007 | modern | 51 | #34,272 |
| 2008 | modern | 50 | #34,521 |
| 2009 | modern | 50 | #34,663 |
| 2010 | modern | 53 | #34,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 50 | #34,816 |
| 2012 | modern | 49 | #34,873 |
| 2013 | modern | 48 | #35,012 |
| 2014 | modern | 49 | #34,991 |
| 2015 | modern | 48 | #35,004 |
| 2016 | modern | 47 | #35,069 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Althorne, St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford, Houghton Regis and Wicken. 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 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 2 | Althorne | Essex |
| 3 | St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Houghton Regis | Bedfordshire |
| 5 | Wicken | Cambridgeshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Scrivner 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 Scrivner, 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 Scrivner surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Scrivner 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, Scrivner 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 Scrivner is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Scrivner, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Scrivner has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "scrifan," meaning "to write" or "to inscribe." The name likely originated as an occupational surname, referring to individuals who worked as scribes or writers, often employed by churches, monasteries, or wealthy patrons.
In the early days, scribes were highly skilled individuals who meticulously transcribed religious texts, legal documents, and literary works by hand. The Scrivner surname would have been given to those who excelled in this profession, recognizing their expertise in calligraphy and their ability to preserve knowledge through written records.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Scrivner name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Scrivener," "Scrivener," and "Scriveyn," reflecting the fluid nature of surname spellings during that era.
Notable individuals bearing the Scrivner surname throughout history include John Scrivener (c. 1550-1615), an English printer and publisher known for his work on the Geneva Bible and other religious texts. Another prominent figure was Richard Scrivener (1613-1698), a Church of England clergyman and scholar who contributed to the study of biblical manuscripts and textual criticism.
In the 16th century, the Scrivner name was associated with the village of Scrivener's Hatch in Kent, England. This place name likely derived from the occupation of scribes or writers who lived and worked in the area, further solidifying the connection between the surname and the scribal profession.
Other notable individuals with the Scrivner surname include Henry Scrivener (1776-1841), an English architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London, and Frederick Scrivener (1813-1891), a Church of England clergyman and biblical scholar who made significant contributions to the study of New Testament manuscripts.
Throughout the centuries, the Scrivner surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including writers, scholars, clergymen, and professionals in various fields. While the occupation of scribes has evolved over time, the surname remains a testament to the historical importance of preserving knowledge and communication through the written word.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Scrivner 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. Essex leads with 31 Scrivners recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.95x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Essex | 31 | 16.95x |
| Bedfordshire | 26 | 54.19x |
| Yorkshire | 8 | 0.87x |
| Cambridgeshire | 6 | 10.22x |
| Kent | 6 | 1.90x |
| Buckinghamshire | 5 | 8.93x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.45x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.32x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 1.05x |
| Suffolk | 2 | 1.77x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.64x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Luton in Bedfordshire leads with 20 Scrivners recorded in 1881 and an index of 240.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Luton | 20 | 240.67x |
| Belchamp Walter | 16 | 8000.00x |
| Mundon | 9 | 9000.00x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 8 | 44.42x |
| Upminster | 6 | 1578.95x |
| Wicken | 6 | 2222.22x |
| Deptford St Nicholas | 5 | 199.20x |
| Newport Pagnell | 5 | 427.35x |
| Hulme | 4 | 17.42x |
| Toddington | 4 | 579.71x |
| Islington London | 3 | 3.34x |
| Bishops Waltham | 2 | 253.16x |
| Hundon | 2 | 714.29x |
| Cardington | 1 | 256.41x |
| Dartford | 1 | 30.96x |
| Hove | 1 | 14.58x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 1.50x |
| Stevington | 1 | 500.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Scrivner surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Scrivner 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 Scrivner households.
FAQ
In 1881, 95 people were recorded with the Scrivner surname. That placed it at #20,349 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 47 in 2016. That gives Scrivner a modern rank of #35,069.
An occupational surname referring to a professional scribe or notary.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Scrivner 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.