UK surname
An occupational surname referring to a tailor or one who sews.
In the 1881 census there were 320 people recorded with the Seymore surname, ranking it #9,298 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 61, ranked #34,287, down from #9,298 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Edmonton, St Leonard Shoreditch and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Seymore is 398 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 80.9%.
1881 census count
320
Ranked #9,298
Modern count
61
2016, ranked #34,287
Peak year
1861
398 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Seymore surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Seymore surname density by area, 1881 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 | 314 | #7,361 |
| 1861 | historical | 398 | #6,441 |
| 1881 | historical | 320 | #9,298 |
| 1891 | historical | 324 | #10,453 |
| 1901 | historical | 184 | #15,942 |
| 1911 | historical | 125 | #19,932 |
| 1997 | modern | 25 | #35,261 |
| 1998 | modern | 31 | #34,740 |
| 1999 | modern | 29 | #35,031 |
| 2000 | modern | 25 | #35,382 |
| 2001 | modern | 26 | #35,152 |
| 2002 | modern | 29 | #35,030 |
| 2003 | modern | 32 | #34,862 |
| 2004 | modern | 28 | #35,354 |
| 2005 | modern | 26 | #35,674 |
| 2006 | modern | 33 | #35,329 |
| 2007 | modern | 41 | #34,974 |
| 2008 | modern | 38 | #35,262 |
| 2009 | modern | 42 | #35,148 |
| 2010 | modern | 52 | #34,726 |
| 2011 | modern | 49 | #34,868 |
| 2012 | modern | 51 | #34,756 |
| 2013 | modern | 52 | #34,780 |
| 2014 | modern | 55 | #34,649 |
| 2015 | modern | 53 | #34,726 |
| 2016 | modern | 61 | #34,287 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Edmonton, St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes, Chieveley and Battersea. 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 | Edmonton | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Chieveley | Berkshire |
| 5 | Battersea | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Seymore 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 Seymore, 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 Seymore surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Seymore 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, Seymore 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 Seymore is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Seymore, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Seymore dates back to the early medieval period in England, originating from the Old English words "sæ" meaning "sea" and "mere" meaning "lake" or "pool." It was likely an occupational name given to someone who lived by the sea or a large body of water.
The earliest recorded instance of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Seimor" and "Seymer." This suggests that the name was already established in various parts of England by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.
In the 12th century, the name appeared as "Seymour" in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, indicating a connection to the region. It is believed that the Seymour family held lands in Somerset and Wiltshire during this period, with the name potentially deriving from the place name "Seamor" or "Semor."
One of the earliest notable figures with the surname was Sir John Seymour (c. 1476-1536), who served as a courtier to King Henry VIII. His son, Edward Seymour (c. 1500-1552), became the 1st Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector during the reign of his nephew, King Edward VI.
Another prominent Seymour was Jane Seymour (c. 1508-1537), the third wife of King Henry VIII and the mother of King Edward VI. Her brothers, Thomas Seymour (c. 1508-1549) and Edward Seymour (c. 1506-1552), also played significant roles in the Tudor court.
In the 17th century, Sir Edward Seymour (1633-1708) was a prominent English politician and served as Speaker of the House of Commons. His son, Edward Seymour (1663-1741), became the 8th Duke of Somerset and held various influential positions.
During the 18th century, Francis Seymour-Conway (1718-1794) was a British statesman and served as Secretary of State for the Northern Department. He was also known for his architectural contributions, including the construction of Ragley Hall in Warwickshire.
While the surname Seymore has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, through migration and colonization.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Seymore 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. Middlesex leads with 41 Seymores recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.31x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 41 | 1.31x |
| Surrey | 31 | 2.03x |
| Sussex | 25 | 4.72x |
| Gloucestershire | 23 | 3.73x |
| Kent | 19 | 1.77x |
| Cambridgeshire | 14 | 7.04x |
| Huntingdonshire | 14 | 22.45x |
| Warwickshire | 14 | 1.77x |
| Nottinghamshire | 13 | 3.07x |
| Worcestershire | 11 | 2.68x |
| Yorkshire | 11 | 0.35x |
| Buckinghamshire | 10 | 5.27x |
| Essex | 10 | 1.61x |
| Lancashire | 10 | 0.27x |
| Somerset | 10 | 1.98x |
| Lincolnshire | 9 | 1.79x |
| Hampshire | 8 | 1.24x |
| Berkshire | 7 | 2.97x |
| Devon | 7 | 1.07x |
| Hertfordshire | 6 | 2.77x |
| Wiltshire | 5 | 1.80x |
| Ayrshire | 4 | 1.70x |
| Oxfordshire | 4 | 2.06x |
| Derbyshire | 3 | 0.61x |
| Glamorgan | 3 | 0.55x |
| Monmouthshire | 2 | 0.88x |
| Norfolk | 2 | 0.41x |
| Northumberland | 2 | 0.43x |
| Royal Navy | 2 | 5.34x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 0.28x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 0.29x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 11 Seymores recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.06x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Seymore surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Sarah | 19 |
| Mary | 17 |
| Elizabeth | 15 |
| Alice | 8 |
| Ada | 6 |
| Eliza | 6 |
| Jane | 6 |
| Ellen | 5 |
| Ann | 4 |
| Annie | 4 |
| Emily | 4 |
| Martha | 4 |
| Clara | 3 |
| Flora | 3 |
| Florence | 3 |
| Harriett | 3 |
| Margaret | 3 |
| Maria | 3 |
| Charlotte | 2 |
| Elisa | 2 |
| Hannah | 2 |
| Harriet | 2 |
| Louisa | 2 |
| Lucy | 2 |
| Minnie | 2 |
| Susan | 2 |
| Amy | 1 |
| Beatrice | 1 |
| Besse | 1 |
| E.C.Rhoda | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Elenor | 1 |
| Emma | 1 |
| Esther | 1 |
| Ethel | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Florrie | 1 |
| Georgiana | 1 |
| Georgina | 1 |
| Gertrude | 1 |
| Hollive | 1 |
| Ida | 1 |
| Jean | 1 |
| Jemima | 1 |
| Jessie | 1 |
| Kitty | 1 |
| Lizzie | 1 |
| Matilda | 1 |
| May | 1 |
| Susannah | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Seymore surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| William | 18 |
| John | 16 |
| James | 12 |
| Charles | 11 |
| George | 10 |
| Henry | 9 |
| Joseph | 7 |
| Thomas | 7 |
| Alfred | 5 |
| Arthur | 4 |
| Francis | 4 |
| Frederick | 3 |
| Herbert | 3 |
| Samuel | 3 |
| Stephen | 3 |
| David | 2 |
| Edward | 2 |
| Edwin | 2 |
| Frank | 2 |
| Harry | 2 |
| Louis | 2 |
| Owen | 2 |
| Richard | 2 |
| Robert | 2 |
| Thos. | 2 |
| Albert | 1 |
| Albt.Thos.R. | 1 |
| Ambrose | 1 |
| Archabald | 1 |
| Christopher | 1 |
| Edgar | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Horace | 1 |
| Jas. | 1 |
| Joe | 1 |
| Jos. | 1 |
| Leonard | 1 |
| Moses | 1 |
| Ralph | 1 |
| Sidney | 1 |
| Wilfred | 1 |
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 Seymore households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 45 |
| Ag Lab | 8 |
| Ag Labr | 5 |
| Dressmaker | 4 |
| Charwoman | 3 |
| Farm Labourer | 3 |
| General Labourer | 3 |
| Labourer | 3 |
| Laundress | 3 |
| Ag Labourer | 2 |
| Ag. Lab. | 2 |
| Bookfolder | 2 |
| Carpenter | 2 |
| Dress Maker | 2 |
| Farrier | 2 |
| Gen Serv | 2 |
| Joiner | 2 |
| Labourer (Agri) | 2 |
| Lady No Profession | 2 |
| Mule Spinner Wollen Mill | 2 |
| Painter And House Operator | 2 |
| Shoe Maker | 2 |
| Ag Lab Pauper | 1 |
| Ag Lab Wife | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Assistant Grocer | 1 |
| Bakers Boy | 1 |
| Barmaid (Inn Serv) | 1 |
| Blue Packer | 1 |
| Boiler Maker | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Butter Dealer | 1 |
| Cabman | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Carver (Wood) | 1 |
| Chair Woman | 1 |
| Coachman | 1 |
| Coachman At The Grange (D) | 1 |
| Coachman Domestic (Dom) | 1 |
| Compositor | 1 |
| Domestic Servant Out Of Employ | 1 |
| Drapers Assistant | 1 |
| Dyer Journeyman | 1 |
| Engine Fitter | 1 |
| Farm Boy | 1 |
| Farm Labr | 1 |
| Farm Serv (Indoor) | 1 |
| Farm Servant Ag Lab | 1 |
| Farmer | 1 |
| Working Jeweller | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 320 people were recorded with the Seymore surname. That placed it at #9,298 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 61 in 2016. That gives Seymore a modern rank of #34,287.
An occupational surname referring to a tailor or one who sews.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Seymore 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.