NameCensus.

UK surname

Severin

Derived from the Latin name Severinus, meaning "stern" or "severe," and likely referring to a person with a serious demeanor.

In the 1881 census there were 4 people recorded with the Severin surname, ranking it #33,288 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 124, ranked #26,975, up from #33,288 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Basildon, Havering and Aylesbury Vale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Severin is 124 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 3000.0%.

1881 census count

4

Ranked #33,288

Modern count

124

2016, ranked #26,975

Peak year

2016

124 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Severin had 4 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,288 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 124 in 2016, ranked #26,975.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 18 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Severin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Severin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Severin 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 3 #32,890
1861 historical 18 #31,580
1881 historical 4 #33,288
1891 historical 18 #32,706
1901 historical 12 #32,772
1911 historical 13 #32,172
1997 modern 75 #30,109
1998 modern 76 #30,386
1999 modern 77 #30,427
2000 modern 71 #31,082
2001 modern 69 #31,098
2002 modern 75 #30,950
2003 modern 74 #31,091
2004 modern 79 #30,799
2005 modern 83 #30,486
2006 modern 81 #31,044
2007 modern 88 #30,515
2008 modern 94 #29,950
2009 modern 99 #29,754
2010 modern 103 #29,780
2011 modern 99 #30,218
2012 modern 99 #30,442
2013 modern 112 #28,675
2014 modern 115 #28,439
2015 modern 120 #27,561
2016 modern 124 #26,975

Geography

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Where Severins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Basildon, Havering, Aylesbury Vale, Balfron and Drymen and Greenwich. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Basildon 020 Basildon
2 Havering 005 Havering
3 Aylesbury Vale 018 Aylesbury Vale
4 Balfron and Drymen Stirling
5 Greenwich 017 Greenwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Severin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Severin

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Severin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Severin 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Severin is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Severin 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

Severin falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Severin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Severin

The surname Severin originated in France during the medieval period. It is derived from the Latin name Severinus, which means "severe" or "stern." The name was likely a nickname given to someone with a serious or strict demeanor.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Severin dates back to the 11th century in the Domesday Book, a medieval census commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. It lists several individuals with the name Severinus or similar variations, such as Severyn, residing in various parts of England.

In the 12th century, the name Severin appeared in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, which were administrative records kept by the English Exchequer. One notable individual from this period was Severin of Deerhurst, a monk and scholar who lived in the latter half of the 12th century and wrote extensively on religious topics.

During the 13th century, the name Severin was particularly prevalent in the regions of Normandy and Brittany in France. Records from this time show the name being spelled in various forms, including Séverin, Sevrin, and Severin.

In the 14th century, the name Severin appeared in the Hundredorum Rolls, which were tax records compiled in England during the reign of King Edward I. One notable individual from this period was Severin Bonefoy, a French nobleman and military leader who participated in the Hundred Years' War.

In the 15th century, the name Severin was found in the records of the University of Paris, indicating its presence among scholars and academics of the time. One notable figure was Severin de Soissons, a French philosopher and theologian who taught at the university in the early 1400s.

In the 16th century, the name Severin was associated with various place names across Europe, such as Severin-sur-Aveyron in France and Severin in Austria. One prominent individual from this period was Severin Nahuys, a Dutch theologian and reformer who lived from 1480 to 1536.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Severin, including:

1. Pierre Severin (1588-1668), a French philosopher and mathematician. 2. Johann Severin Vater (1771-1826), a German theologian and linguist. 3. Severin Roesen (1640-1708), a Dutch still-life painter known for his depictions of fruit and flowers. 4. Severin Eisenlohr (1863-1936), a German-American architect known for his work in the Arts and Crafts style. 5. Severin Bourne (1900-1984), an American composer and music educator.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Severin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Severin 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. Surrey leads with 2 Severins recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.57x.

County Total Index
Surrey 2 10.57x
Middlesex 1 2.57x
Staffordshire 1 7.62x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Battersea in Surrey leads with 2 Severins recorded in 1881 and an index of 139.86x.

Place Total Index
Battersea 2 139.86x
Rocester 1 5000.00x
Westminster St James 1 250.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Emma 1
Louisa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
August 1

Top occupations

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 Severin households.

FAQ

Severin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Severin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4 people were recorded with the Severin surname. That placed it at #33,288 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Severin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 124 in 2016. That gives Severin a modern rank of #26,975.

What does the Severin surname mean?

Derived from the Latin name Severinus, meaning "stern" or "severe," and likely referring to a person with a serious demeanor.

What does the Severin map show?

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