UK surname
An occupational surname referring to a seaman, mariner, or one who works on ships or boats.
In the 1881 census there were 48 people recorded with the Seamans surname, ranking it #26,869 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 31, ranked #35,942, down from #26,869 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Dudley, Maldon All Saints and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Seamans is 115 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 35.4%.
1881 census count
48
Ranked #26,869
Modern count
31
2016, ranked #35,942
Peak year
1861
115 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Seamans surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Seamans surname density by area, 1891 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 | 65 | #21,747 |
| 1861 | historical | 115 | #18,880 |
| 1881 | historical | 48 | #26,869 |
| 1891 | historical | 115 | #21,878 |
| 1901 | historical | 60 | #27,502 |
| 1911 | historical | 28 | #30,296 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 27 | #35,148 |
| 1999 | modern | 32 | #34,717 |
| 2000 | modern | 35 | #34,420 |
| 2001 | modern | 33 | #34,436 |
| 2002 | modern | 33 | #34,717 |
| 2003 | modern | 31 | #34,957 |
| 2004 | modern | 28 | #35,354 |
| 2005 | modern | 27 | #35,588 |
| 2006 | modern | 28 | #35,665 |
| 2007 | modern | 30 | #35,661 |
| 2008 | modern | 28 | #35,875 |
| 2009 | modern | 35 | #35,545 |
| 2010 | modern | 34 | #35,730 |
| 2011 | modern | 37 | #35,553 |
| 2012 | modern | 36 | #35,595 |
| 2013 | modern | 35 | #35,697 |
| 2014 | modern | 33 | #35,843 |
| 2015 | modern | 32 | #35,876 |
| 2016 | modern | 31 | #35,942 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Dudley, Maldon All Saints, London parishes, St Pancras and Ilketshall St Lawrence, Bungay St Mary, Bungay Holy Trinity. 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 | Dudley | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Maldon All Saints | Essex |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Ilketshall St Lawrence, Bungay St Mary, Bungay Holy Trinity | Suffolk |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Seamans 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 Seamans, 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 Seamans surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Seamans 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, Seamans 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 Seamans is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Seamans, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Seamans is of English origin and dates back to the medieval period. It is an occupational name derived from the Old English words 'sæmann' or 'sæman', meaning a sailor or seafarer. The name is believed to have originated in coastal regions of England, where many individuals were engaged in maritime activities.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Seamans can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where a certain William Seman is mentioned. The Hundred Rolls were administrative records maintained by the English government during the reign of King Edward I.
In the 14th century, the surname appears in various spellings, including Seman, Seaman, and Seamann. These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time. The surname is also found in the famous Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and tenants commissioned by William the Conqueror.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Seamans surname gained prominence in England. One notable individual was Edward Seaman (1539-1625), an English political writer and philosopher who served as the Secretary of State to King James I. Another prominent figure was Lazarus Seaman (1589-1675), a Puritan minister and member of the Westminster Assembly, which played a crucial role in the English Civil War.
In the 18th century, the Seamans family had a strong presence in the coastal town of Rye, East Sussex. John Seamans (1719-1799) was a renowned shipbuilder and merchant who constructed several vessels for the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War.
The 19th century saw the Seamans surname spread across the globe as British emigrants sought new opportunities in various parts of the world. One notable individual was Isaac Seamans (1809-1886), a successful businessman and politician who served as the Mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the United States.
Throughout history, the Seamans surname has been associated with maritime professions, reflecting its occupational origins. While the spelling variations have evolved over time, the name remains a testament to the seafaring heritage of those who bore it.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Seamans 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. Suffolk leads with 19 Seamans' recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.33x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Eltham in Kent leads with 7 Seamans' recorded in 1881 and an index of 744.68x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Eltham | 7 | 744.68x |
| Wissett | 7 | 11666.67x |
| Hindolveston | 6 | 5454.55x |
| St Pancras London | 6 | 15.93x |
| Uggeshall | 4 | 10000.00x |
| Westhall | 3 | 4285.71x |
| Frostenden | 2 | 3333.33x |
| Mortlake | 2 | 196.08x |
| Rumburgh | 2 | 3333.33x |
| Ardrossan | 1 | 82.64x |
| Chatham | 1 | 22.78x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 3.81x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 13.72x |
| Levington | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Penshurst | 1 | 370.37x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 11.33x |
| St Botolph | 1 | 10000.00x |
| Walthamstow | 1 | 30.03x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Seamans 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 Seamans 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 Seamans households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 11 |
| Ag Lab | 4 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Painter | 2 |
| 2nd Corp R E | 1 |
| Clerk To A Solrs | 1 |
| Cow Boy | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Fish Factor | 1 |
| Gardener Dom Serv | 1 |
| House Painter | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Laborer (Ag) | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Manager Of Public House | 1 |
| Parish Relief | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 48 people were recorded with the Seamans surname. That placed it at #26,869 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 31 in 2016. That gives Seamans a modern rank of #35,942.
An occupational surname referring to a seaman, mariner, or one who works on ships or boats.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Seamans 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.