NameCensus.

UK surname

Sees

A surname referring to one who sows or plants seeds.

In the 1881 census there were 5 people recorded with the Sees surname, ranking it #33,110 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 56, ranked #34,562, down from #33,110 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Darlaston, Manchester and St Anne Limehouse. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sees is 213 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1020.0%.

1881 census count

5

Ranked #33,110

Modern count

56

2016, ranked #34,562

Peak year

1861

213 bearers

Map years

1

1861 to 1861

Key insights

  • Sees had 5 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,110 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 56 in 2016, ranked #34,562.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 213 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is No data.

Sees surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sees surname density by area, 1861 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sees 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 42 #25,706
1861 historical 213 #11,419
1881 historical 5 #33,110
1891 historical 51 #30,158
1901 historical 13 #32,633
1911 historical 36 #29,370
1997 modern 53 #32,329
1998 modern 58 #32,138
1999 modern 64 #31,692
2000 modern 63 #31,829
2001 modern 61 #31,891
2002 modern 65 #31,903
2003 modern 64 #32,056
2004 modern 64 #32,286
2005 modern 59 #33,008
2006 modern 58 #33,433
2007 modern 60 #33,539
2008 modern 61 #33,655
2009 modern 63 #33,751
2010 modern 56 #34,480
2011 modern 58 #34,330
2012 modern 60 #34,287
2013 modern 56 #34,581
2014 modern 54 #34,700
2015 modern 55 #34,620
2016 modern 56 #34,562

Geography

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Where Sees' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Darlaston, Manchester, St Anne Limehouse, Rochdale and St George. 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.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Darlaston Staffordshire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 St Anne Limehouse London (East Districts)
4 Rochdale Yorkshire, West Riding
5 St George Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 No data No data

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sees

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

Recent female names

No Forenames Found

Recent male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sees

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

No data

Group

No data

Nationally, the Sees surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Sees household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

No data

Group

No data

Within London, Sees 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

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Sees is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Sees

The surname SEES is believed to have originated in Germany during the Middle Ages. It was likely derived from the German word "See", which means "lake" or "sea". This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a body of water or worked on a lake or sea.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SEES can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of medieval documents from the 9th to the 15th century. In this collection, there is a reference to a person named "Seesch" in a document dated 1312.

Another early mention of the name SEES is found in the Stadtbuch von Friedberg, a historical record from the town of Friedberg, Germany. This record, dating back to the 14th century, includes an entry for a man named "Hans Sees" in the year 1376.

In the 15th century, there is a record of a man named "Peter Sees" who was a merchant and landowner in the city of Nuremberg, Germany. He was known for his successful trading business and his involvement in local politics.

During the 16th century, the name SEES appeared in various church records and tax registers across different regions of Germany. One notable person with this surname was Johann Sees (1532-1599), a German Protestant theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the Reformation movement.

In the 17th century, a man named Hans Georg Sees (1628-1704) was a respected painter and engraver from the city of Nuremberg. His works are still admired for their intricate details and artistic mastery.

As the centuries passed, the SEES family spread across different parts of Europe and eventually to other continents. Some individuals with this surname made notable contributions in various fields, such as science, literature, and politics.

While the surname SEES may have originated in Germany, it has since become a part of the cultural fabric of many countries around the world, with each family carrying their own unique stories and legacies.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sees families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sees 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. East Lothian leads with 2 Sees' recorded in 1881 and an index of 392.16x.

County Total Index
East Lothian 2 392.16x
Nottinghamshire 2 38.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dunbar in East Lothian leads with 2 Sees' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2857.14x.

Place Total Index
Dunbar 2 2857.14x
Nottingham St Mary 2 148.15x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Frances 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Edward 1

FAQ

Sees surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sees surname in 1881?

In 1881, 5 people were recorded with the Sees surname. That placed it at #33,110 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sees surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 56 in 2016. That gives Sees a modern rank of #34,562.

What does the Sees surname mean?

A surname referring to one who sows or plants seeds.

What does the Sees map show?

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