NameCensus.

UK surname

Semper

A surname of Latin origin meaning "always" or "ever".

In the 1881 census there were 149 people recorded with the Semper surname, ranking it #15,551 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 251, ranked #16,744, down from #15,551 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lincoln St Botolph, Scothern and Boston (incl. Boston allotments). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Islington, North Kesteven and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Semper is 262 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 68.5%.

1881 census count

149

Ranked #15,551

Modern count

251

2016, ranked #16,744

Peak year

2009

262 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Semper had 149 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,551 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 251 in 2016, ranked #16,744.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 200 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Semper surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Semper surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Semper 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 75 #20,268
1861 historical 70 #24,911
1881 historical 149 #15,551
1891 historical 162 #17,390
1901 historical 192 #15,518
1911 historical 200 #14,960
1997 modern 234 #15,939
1998 modern 253 #15,547
1999 modern 239 #16,268
2000 modern 236 #16,380
2001 modern 237 #16,048
2002 modern 243 #16,147
2003 modern 238 #16,144
2004 modern 217 #17,276
2005 modern 220 #17,078
2006 modern 221 #17,149
2007 modern 229 #16,941
2008 modern 238 #16,640
2009 modern 262 #15,888
2010 modern 261 #16,294
2011 modern 255 #16,428
2012 modern 238 #17,092
2013 modern 248 #16,877
2014 modern 255 #16,682
2015 modern 254 #16,608
2016 modern 251 #16,744

Geography

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Where Sempers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lincoln St Botolph, Scothern, Boston (incl. Boston allotments), Scarle, North and Sibsey, Carrington, West Ville, Thornton-le-Fen, Langrick Ville, Silt Pits, Frith Ville, Rowlands Ma. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Islington, North Kesteven, Birmingham, East Riding of Yorkshire and Haringey. 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 Lincoln St Botolph Lincolnshire
2 Scothern Lincolnshire
3 Boston (incl. Boston allotments) Lincolnshire
4 Scarle, North Nottinghamshire
5 Sibsey, Carrington, West Ville, Thornton-le-Fen, Langrick Ville, Silt Pits, Frith Ville, Rowlands Ma Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Islington 012 Islington
2 North Kesteven 001 North Kesteven
3 Birmingham 137 Birmingham
4 East Riding of Yorkshire 039 East Riding of Yorkshire
5 Haringey 025 Haringey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Semper

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Semper

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Semper surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Semper 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 includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Semper is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Semper is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Semper falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Semper is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Semper

The surname Semper originated in Germany, with its earliest known records dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the German word "semper," which translates to "always" or "ever." This word has its roots in the Latin term "semper," suggesting a potential connection to Roman influence in the region.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Semper surname can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Brandenburgensis, a collection of historical documents from the Mark Brandenburg region of Germany, dating back to the 1200s. The name is believed to have been initially used as a descriptive term for someone known for their steadfastness or consistency.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the Semper surname was Johannes Semper, a German theologian and philosopher born around 1330. He gained recognition for his writings on scholastic philosophy and his contributions to the intellectual discourse of his time.

During the Renaissance period, the Semper name gained prominence in the field of architecture. Gottfried Semper (1803-1879), a German architect and writer, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the development of modern architectural theory. His seminal work, "The Four Elements of Architecture," published in 1851, outlined his influential ideas on the symbolic and practical aspects of building design.

Another significant figure with the Semper surname was Carl Semper (1832-1893), a German botanist and explorer. He conducted extensive research on tropical flora and made significant contributions to the field of plant taxonomy, particularly in his studies of Central American plant species.

In the realm of music, the Semper name is associated with Otto Semper (1833-1908), a German composer and conductor. He is best known for his operas and choral works, which were widely performed and acclaimed during his lifetime.

The Semper surname also has a presence in the literary world, with Hans Semper (1897-1972), a German writer and journalist, gaining recognition for his novels and essays exploring themes of social critique and moral dilemmas.

While the Semper name has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to various regions around the world, carried by individuals and families who have migrated over the centuries. However, its origins and historical significance remain firmly grounded in the German cultural and intellectual traditions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Semper families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Semper 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. Lincolnshire leads with 99 Sempers recorded in 1881 and an index of 42.60x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 99 42.60x
Middlesex 25 1.72x
Yorkshire 16 1.11x
Essex 5 1.74x
Kent 3 0.61x
Northumberland 1 0.46x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Scarle in Lincolnshire leads with 12 Sempers recorded in 1881 and an index of 4615.38x.

Place Total Index
North Scarle 12 4615.38x
Nocton 10 3225.81x
Sibsey 9 1730.77x
Boston 8 113.48x
Dunston 8 2051.28x
Skirbeck 8 615.38x
Scothern 7 2800.00x
St Stephen Walbrook 7 14000.00x
Toynton St Peter 7 4117.65x
St Botolph Lincoln 5 299.40x
West Ham 5 7.89x
Willesden 5 36.50x
Nether Hallam 4 20.52x
Sculcoates 4 17.52x
St Botolph Aldgate 4 202.02x
St Pancras London 4 3.42x
Bexley 3 68.49x
Hackney London 3 3.68x
Sheffield 3 6.54x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 3 91.74x
Great Steeping 2 1538.46x
Hardwick 2 5000.00x
Holy Trinity 2 5.77x
Horncastle 2 83.33x
Langriville 2 1176.47x
Liversedge 2 31.20x
Wrangle 2 344.83x
Wyberton 2 625.00x
Bennington By Boston 1 370.37x
Branston 1 140.85x
Ecclesfield 1 9.47x
Elswick 1 5.79x
Fishtoft 1 217.39x
Fosdyke 1 416.67x
Friskney 1 135.14x
Frithville Boston Sibsey 1 666.67x
Islington London 1 0.71x
Leake 1 94.34x
Metheringham 1 107.53x
St Marylebone London 1 1.29x
St Swithin Lincoln 1 27.40x
Stickney 1 294.12x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 13
John 11
Thomas 7
Frederick 5
George 5
Edward 4
James 4
Richard 3
Fred 2
Tom 2
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
David 1
Edmund 1
Eli 1
Evison 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Jm.B. 1
Joseph 1
Soloman 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Semper surname: questions and answers

How common was the Semper surname in 1881?

In 1881, 149 people were recorded with the Semper surname. That placed it at #15,551 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Semper surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 251 in 2016. That gives Semper a modern rank of #16,744.

What does the Semper surname mean?

A surname of Latin origin meaning "always" or "ever".

What does the Semper map show?

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