NameCensus.

UK surname

Simonson

A patronymic surname meaning "son of Simon," derived from the personal name Simon, of Hebrew origin meaning "he has heard."

In the 1881 census there were 51 people recorded with the Simonson surname, ranking it #26,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 115, ranked #28,348, down from #26,428 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cardiff, Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Simonson is 121 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 125.5%.

1881 census count

51

Ranked #26,428

Modern count

115

2016, ranked #28,348

Peak year

2015

121 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Simonson had 51 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,428 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016, ranked #28,348.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 69 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Simonson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Simonson surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Simonson 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 35 #27,037
1861 historical 64 #25,747
1881 historical 51 #26,428
1891 historical 65 #28,660
1901 historical 69 #26,499
1911 historical 68 #26,050
1997 modern 97 #27,342
1998 modern 101 #27,479
1999 modern 106 #26,885
2000 modern 109 #26,381
2001 modern 104 #26,765
2002 modern 96 #28,534
2003 modern 87 #29,615
2004 modern 103 #27,503
2005 modern 105 #27,203
2006 modern 100 #28,283
2007 modern 97 #29,156
2008 modern 102 #28,664
2009 modern 108 #28,311
2010 modern 111 #28,509
2011 modern 113 #27,967
2012 modern 114 #27,868
2013 modern 110 #29,028
2014 modern 115 #28,439
2015 modern 121 #27,405
2016 modern 115 #28,348

Geography

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Where Simonsons 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 Cardiff, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Waltham Forest. 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 Cardiff 023 Cardiff
2 Neath Port Talbot 018 Neath Port Talbot
3 Cardiff 036 Cardiff
4 Pembrokeshire 001 Pembrokeshire
5 Waltham Forest 014 Waltham Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Simonson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Simonson

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Simonson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Simonson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Simonson is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Simonson 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

Simonson falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Simonson 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 Simonson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Simonson

The surname Simonson has its origins in Scandinavia, primarily in Sweden and Norway. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name Sǿmundr, which is a compound name formed from the elements sǿ, meaning "lake" or "sea," and mundr, meaning "protection" or "protector." The name was likely given to individuals who lived near or were associated with a body of water, reflecting their occupation or location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Simonson can be traced back to the 13th century, appearing in the Diplomatarium Norvegicum, a collection of Norwegian historical documents and records. In these documents, the name is sometimes spelled as Symonsson or Symundsson, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common during that time.

The Simonson surname has a rich history in Sweden and Norway, where it was borne by notable individuals throughout the centuries. One such individual was Jöns Simonsson, a Swedish clergyman and reformer who lived in the 16th century (c. 1510-1588). He played a significant role in the Swedish Reformation and was a supporter of the Lutheran faith.

Another notable bearer of the Simonson name was Peder Simonsson, a Norwegian clergyman and author who lived in the 17th century (c. 1630-1703). He wrote several books on theology and was known for his contributions to the Lutheran Church in Norway.

In the 18th century, Hans Simonson (1732-1807) was a Swedish merchant and shipowner who played a prominent role in the Swedish East India Company. His business ventures and trade activities contributed to the economic growth of Sweden during that period.

As the Simonson surname spread across Scandinavia and beyond, it has been associated with various place names and localities. For example, in Denmark, the name Simonsen is sometimes used as a variant form of Simonson, reflecting the local pronunciation and spelling conventions.

It is worth noting that the Simonson surname has also been found in other parts of Europe, such as Germany and the Netherlands, where it may have originated from different roots or been adopted by individuals migrating from Scandinavia. However, the primary origin of the name can be traced back to its Old Norse roots in Sweden and Norway.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Simonson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Simonson 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. Yorkshire leads with 16 Simonsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.31x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 16 3.31x
Durham 7 4.83x
Middlesex 7 1.44x
Kent 5 3.01x
Lancashire 4 0.69x
Midlothian 4 6.12x
Shetland 2 40.16x
Surrey 2 0.84x
Hampshire 1 1.00x
Lanarkshire 1 0.63x
Norfolk 1 1.33x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Richmond in Yorkshire leads with 7 Simonsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 933.33x.

Place Total Index
Richmond 7 933.33x
Darlington 6 107.14x
Lewisham 5 56.37x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 4 15.22x
Salford 4 23.50x
St Anne Soho London 4 143.88x
Yarm 4 1600.00x
Sheffield 3 19.51x
Northmavine 2 526.32x
Barony 1 2.51x
Clapham 1 16.39x
Croydon 1 7.58x
Fangfoss 1 3333.33x
Holy Trinity 1 8.61x
Paddington London 1 5.58x
Poplar London 1 10.87x
Portsea 1 5.10x
St Marylebone London 1 3.84x
Stockton On Tees 1 14.31x
Worstead 1 769.23x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 4
Ann 2
Ellen 2
Alice 1
Bertha 1
Carrie 1
Clara 1
Elizabeth 1
Esther 1
Etty 1
Hannah 1
Isabella 1
Jane 1
Lillie 1
Lucy 1
Margret 1
O. 1
Rosa 1
Sarah 1
Simonina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 5
John 3
William 2
Alfred 1
Horace 1
Maurice 1
Michael 1
Nicolai 1
Phineas 1
Robert 1
Thos. 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 Simonson households.

FAQ

Simonson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Simonson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 51 people were recorded with the Simonson surname. That placed it at #26,428 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Simonson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016. That gives Simonson a modern rank of #28,348.

What does the Simonson surname mean?

A patronymic surname meaning "son of Simon," derived from the personal name Simon, of Hebrew origin meaning "he has heard."

What does the Simonson map show?

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