UK surname
A surname likely of Anglo-Saxon origin denoting someone from a prominent estate.
In the 1881 census there were 77 people recorded with the Seanor surname, ranking it #22,617 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 67, ranked #33,884, down from #22,617 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Sherburn and Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Seanor is 128 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 13.0%.
1881 census count
77
Ranked #22,617
Modern count
67
2016, ranked #33,884
Peak year
1891
128 bearers
Map years
3
1891 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Seanor surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Seanor surname density by area, 1911 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 | 82 | #19,317 |
| 1861 | historical | 88 | #22,554 |
| 1881 | historical | 77 | #22,617 |
| 1891 | historical | 128 | #20,393 |
| 1901 | historical | 112 | #21,382 |
| 1911 | historical | 110 | #21,519 |
| 1997 | modern | 84 | #29,106 |
| 1998 | modern | 88 | #29,131 |
| 1999 | modern | 88 | #29,287 |
| 2000 | modern | 89 | #29,173 |
| 2001 | modern | 83 | #29,617 |
| 2002 | modern | 85 | #29,867 |
| 2003 | modern | 80 | #30,425 |
| 2004 | modern | 79 | #30,799 |
| 2005 | modern | 71 | #31,816 |
| 2006 | modern | 67 | #32,532 |
| 2007 | modern | 68 | #32,760 |
| 2008 | modern | 77 | #32,181 |
| 2009 | modern | 73 | #32,923 |
| 2010 | modern | 74 | #33,167 |
| 2011 | modern | 75 | #33,071 |
| 2012 | modern | 71 | #33,573 |
| 2013 | modern | 75 | #33,409 |
| 2014 | modern | 71 | #33,717 |
| 2015 | modern | 70 | #33,717 |
| 2016 | modern | 67 | #33,884 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Sherburn, Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall, Manchester and Bradford. 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 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 2 | Sherburn | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Bradford | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Seanor 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 Seanor, 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 Seanor surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Seanor 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, Seanor 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 Seanor is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Seanor, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname SEANOR is believed to have originated in Ireland, with its roots tracing back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "sionnach," which means "fox." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone who exhibited fox-like characteristics or perhaps lived in an area associated with foxes.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SEANOR can be found in the Fiants of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, a collection of official documents from the 16th century. In these records, a reference is made to a "John Seanor" who was granted lands in County Antrim, Ireland, in the year 1590.
Over time, various spellings of the name emerged, such as Seanoor, Senor, and Sennor. These variations likely stemmed from the phonetic transcription of the name by English scribes and record-keepers, as well as local dialects and accents.
Notable individuals with the surname SEANOR throughout history include:
1. William Seanor (1785-1865), an Irish-born American farmer and politician who served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the early 19th century.
2. Robert Seanor (1810-1892), a Scottish-born American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Seanor Wagon Company in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, in the mid-19th century.
3. Mary Seanor (1836-1913), an American educator and women's rights activist who worked to establish educational opportunities for women in the late 19th century.
4. John Seanor (1878-1954), an Irish-American labor leader and politician who served as the President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from 1938 to 1952.
5. William Seanor (1907-1982), an American lawyer and judge who served as a judge on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania from 1969 to 1982.
While the name SEANOR has its roots in Ireland, it has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly through immigration to countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. Despite its relatively uncommon occurrence, the surname continues to hold historical significance and connections to its Irish origins.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Seanor 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. Yorkshire leads with 56 Seanors recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.43x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 56 | 7.43x |
| Lancashire | 20 | 2.22x |
| Denbighshire | 1 | 3.48x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.82x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rothwell in Yorkshire leads with 14 Seanors recorded in 1881 and an index of 921.05x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Rothwell | 14 | 921.05x |
| Bowling | 11 | 147.26x |
| Everton | 9 | 31.28x |
| Potter Newton | 8 | 601.50x |
| Leeds | 7 | 16.44x |
| Newton | 6 | 86.21x |
| Beeston | 5 | 657.89x |
| Crompton | 3 | 116.73x |
| Lotherton Cum Aberford | 3 | 2500.00x |
| Tong | 3 | 205.48x |
| Castleton | 2 | 22.17x |
| Hunslet | 2 | 17.02x |
| Otley | 2 | 109.29x |
| Armley | 1 | 30.12x |
| Denbigh | 1 | 86.96x |
| Great Grimsby | 1 | 12.95x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Seanor 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 Seanor 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 Seanor households.
FAQ
In 1881, 77 people were recorded with the Seanor surname. That placed it at #22,617 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 67 in 2016. That gives Seanor a modern rank of #33,884.
A surname likely of Anglo-Saxon origin denoting someone from a prominent estate.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Seanor 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.