NameCensus.

UK surname

Semmence

In the 1881 census there were 68 people recorded with the Semmence surname, ranking it #23,950 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 112, ranked #28,844, down from #23,950 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Attleburgh, Wicklewood and St Leonard Shoreditch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Norfolk, Mid Suffolk and South Tyneside.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Semmence is 140 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 64.7%.

1881 census count

68

Ranked #23,950

Modern count

112

2016, ranked #28,844

Peak year

1999

140 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Semmence had 68 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #23,950 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 112 in 2016, ranked #28,844.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 104 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Semmence surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Semmence surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Semmence 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 33 #27,390
1861 historical 51 #27,498
1881 historical 68 #23,950
1891 historical 74 #27,538
1901 historical 93 #23,689
1911 historical 104 #22,209
1997 modern 136 #22,398
1998 modern 137 #22,922
1999 modern 140 #22,789
2000 modern 139 #22,855
2001 modern 135 #22,945
2002 modern 129 #24,021
2003 modern 123 #24,497
2004 modern 122 #24,812
2005 modern 110 #26,430
2006 modern 112 #26,415
2007 modern 115 #26,348
2008 modern 113 #26,920
2009 modern 123 #26,098
2010 modern 128 #26,036
2011 modern 132 #25,303
2012 modern 124 #26,432
2013 modern 124 #26,842
2014 modern 125 #26,896
2015 modern 121 #27,405
2016 modern 112 #28,844

Geography

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Where Semmences are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Attleburgh, Wicklewood, St Leonard Shoreditch, Watton and Gateshead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Norfolk, Mid Suffolk and South Tyneside. 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 Attleburgh Norfolk
2 Wicklewood Norfolk
3 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
4 Watton Norfolk
5 Gateshead Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Norfolk 004 South Norfolk
2 Mid Suffolk 007 Mid Suffolk
3 South Norfolk 007 South Norfolk
4 South Tyneside 015 South Tyneside
5 South Norfolk 005 South Norfolk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Semmence

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Semmence

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Semmence surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Semmence 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Semmence is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Semmence is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Semmence falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Semmence is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

1881 census detail

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Semmence families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Semmence 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. Norfolk leads with 52 Semmences recorded in 1881 and an index of 51.00x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 52 51.00x
Middlesex 7 1.06x
Warwickshire 6 3.59x
Lancashire 3 0.38x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wymondham in Norfolk leads with 13 Semmences recorded in 1881 and an index of 1250.00x.

Place Total Index
Wymondham 13 1250.00x
Deopham 10 10000.00x
Attleborough 9 1730.77x
Hingham 9 2571.43x
Watton 9 2812.50x
Birmingham 6 10.76x
St Luke London 4 37.59x
Barrow In Furness 3 28.04x
Shoreditch London 3 10.43x
Wicklewood 2 1176.47x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alice 4
Elizabeth 3
Mary 3
Emily 2
Harriet 2
Martha 2
Ada 1
Agness 1
Beatrice 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Ellen 1
Ellis 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Florence 1
Jessie 1
Maria 1
Marianne 1
Rebecca 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 6
William 4
Alfred 3
James 3
Albert 2
Charles 2
Edmund 2
Robert 2
Wm. 2
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Eli 1
Ellis 1
George 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Leonard 1
Sydney 1
Thomas 1

FAQ

Semmence surname: questions and answers

How common was the Semmence surname in 1881?

In 1881, 68 people were recorded with the Semmence surname. That placed it at #23,950 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Semmence surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 112 in 2016. That gives Semmence a modern rank of #28,844.

What does the Semmence map show?

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