NameCensus.

UK surname

Sinnott

Derived from the Irish Gaelic "Sinéad," meaning "God is gracious," or from the place name Sionnach, meaning "fox."

In the 1881 census there were 317 people recorded with the Sinnott surname, ranking it #9,359 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,510, ranked #4,096, up from #9,359 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Toxteth Park and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Pembrokeshire, Cornwall and Bolton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sinnott is 1,547 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 376.3%.

1881 census count

317

Ranked #9,359

Modern count

1,510

2016, ranked #4,096

Peak year

2014

1,547 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sinnott had 317 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,359 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,510 in 2016, ranked #4,096.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 513 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Sinnott surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sinnott surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sinnott 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 97 #17,484
1861 historical 148 #15,452
1881 historical 317 #9,359
1891 historical 376 #9,319
1901 historical 477 #8,343
1911 historical 513 #7,687
1997 modern 1,362 #4,226
1998 modern 1,410 #4,250
1999 modern 1,422 #4,246
2000 modern 1,410 #4,262
2001 modern 1,398 #4,224
2002 modern 1,447 #4,186
2003 modern 1,422 #4,166
2004 modern 1,427 #4,161
2005 modern 1,421 #4,143
2006 modern 1,423 #4,140
2007 modern 1,436 #4,149
2008 modern 1,459 #4,114
2009 modern 1,473 #4,174
2010 modern 1,529 #4,135
2011 modern 1,495 #4,169
2012 modern 1,498 #4,091
2013 modern 1,544 #4,046
2014 modern 1,547 #4,061
2015 modern 1,526 #4,076
2016 modern 1,510 #4,096

Geography

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Where Sinnotts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Toxteth Park, Liverpool, Walton-on-the-Hill and Prescot. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Pembrokeshire, Cornwall, Bolton, Liverpool and Sefton. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Toxteth Park Lancashire
3 Liverpool Lancashire
4 Walton-on-the-Hill Lancashire
5 Prescot Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Pembrokeshire 002 Pembrokeshire
2 Cornwall 032 Cornwall
3 Bolton 013 Bolton
4 Liverpool 022 Liverpool
5 Sefton 032 Sefton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sinnott

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sinnott

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Sinnott surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Sinnott household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Sinnott is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Sinnott 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

Sinnott falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Sinnott

The surname Sinnott has its origins in Ireland, where it was first recorded in the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "sionnach," meaning "fox," which suggests that the name may have originated as a nickname for someone who was considered cunning or sly.

The earliest recorded instance of the name is found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. The annals mention a Sinnott family from County Wexford, who were prominent landowners in the area.

During the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century, many Sinnott family members were granted lands in counties Wexford, Waterford, and Kilkenny. Historical records show that in 1192, a man named Adam de Synot was granted lands in Wexford by the Earl of Pembroke.

The variant spelling "Synott" is found in several ancient Irish manuscripts, including the Book of Leinster, a 12th-century literary collection. This spelling suggests that the name may have been pronounced differently in earlier times.

One of the earliest notable figures bearing the name was Walter Sinnott, a 14th-century Bishop of Leighlin who played a significant role in the church's administration in Ireland during his time.

In the 16th century, Sinnott families were prominent landowners in County Wexford, with their ancestral seat located at Ballybrennan. One notable member of the family was Sir John Sinnott (1547-1619), who served as a Member of Parliament and was knighted by King James I.

Another notable figure was Edmond Sinnott (1650-1737), an Irish Catholic priest who was appointed as the Vicar Apostolic of the Diocese of Dublin in 1718. He played a crucial role in the preservation of Catholicism in Ireland during the Penal Laws.

During the Irish Rebellion of 1798, several members of the Sinnott family were actively involved in the struggle for Irish independence. One such figure was John Sinnott (1773-1798), who was executed for his role in the rebellion.

In the 19th century, James Sinnott (1816-1900) was a prominent Irish politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Wexford Borough from 1865 to 1900. He was a strong advocate for Irish Home Rule and played a significant role in Irish politics during his time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sinnott families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sinnott 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. Lancashire leads with 211 Sinnotts recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.75x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 211 5.75x
Surrey 19 1.26x
Yorkshire 14 0.46x
Cheshire 12 1.76x
Middlesex 11 0.36x
Gloucestershire 10 1.65x
Hampshire 10 1.58x
Devon 6 0.93x
Staffordshire 6 0.57x
Flintshire 5 6.02x
Inverness-shire 5 5.41x
Somerset 4 0.80x
Lanarkshire 2 0.20x
Worcestershire 2 0.50x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 68 Sinnotts recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.51x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 68 30.51x
Everton 22 18.81x
Salford 22 20.39x
Kirkdale 20 32.40x
Toxteth Park 15 12.07x
Widnes 12 45.33x
Camberwell 9 4.56x
Kensington London 8 4.65x
Manchester 8 4.85x
Southampton St Mary 8 20.07x
West Derby 8 7.45x
Blackburn 7 7.17x
Runcorn 7 44.47x
East Stonehouse 6 47.32x
Walsall Borough 6 74.07x
Ardersier 5 226.24x
Bradford 5 6.74x
Flint 5 105.93x
Little Bolton 5 10.60x
Newington 5 4.38x
Wavertree 5 42.55x
Almondbury 4 26.99x
Westbury On Trym 4 19.46x
Bristol St James In 3 33.63x
Great Crosby 3 30.00x
Lambeth 3 1.11x
Moss Side 3 15.54x
Oldham 3 2.53x
Aighton Bailey 2 112.99x
Barony 2 0.79x
Bedminster 2 4.28x
Birkenhead 2 3.68x
Cheetham 2 7.31x
Frimley 2 46.62x
Leeds 2 1.16x
Lower Bebington 2 49.26x
Ribbesford 2 59.52x
Tottington Higher End 2 47.85x
Aldershot 1 4.71x
Bootle Cum Linacre 1 3.43x
Bowling 1 3.29x
Brislington 1 107.53x
Bristol St Michael 1 19.23x
Bristol Temple 1 25.06x
Chester St Oswald 1 8.09x
Clevedon 1 19.31x
Clifton 1 3.26x
Hunslet 1 2.09x
Lymington 1 21.46x
Manningham 1 2.65x
Paddington London 1 0.88x
Poplar London 1 1.71x
Preston 1 1.02x
St Marylebone London 1 0.61x
Walton On Hill 1 5.03x
Westhoughton 1 10.21x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 34
Elizabeth 14
Margaret 12
Sarah 10
Ellen 8
Catherine 7
Annie 4
Kate 4
Margt. 4
Agnes 3
Alice 3
Ann 3
Helena 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Bridget 2
Lavinia 2
Louisa 2
Margreat 2
Susan 2
Barbara 1
Betsy 1
Blanche 1
Catharine 1
Catherin 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Elizh. 1
Elizlh. 1
Elizth. 1
Emily 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Henrietta 1
J..E 1
Jane 1
Julia 1
Lydia 1
Margeret 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
Peter 1
Rachel 1
Rose 1
Slaha 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 28
James 17
Thomas 12
William 10
Henry 9
George 6
Michael 6
Peter 6
Patrick 5
Edward 4
Francis 4
Richard 4
Robert 4
Andrew 3
Arthur 3
Alfred 2
Edwd. 2
Joseph 2
Martin 2
Maurice 2
Nicholas 2
Richd. 2
Abraham 1
Albert 1
Ambrose 1
Bernard 1
Charles 1
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Geo. 1
Gregory 1
H. 1
Herbert 1
Mathew 1
Perce 1
Philip 1
Stephen 1
Valentine 1
Walter 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Sinnott surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sinnott surname in 1881?

In 1881, 317 people were recorded with the Sinnott surname. That placed it at #9,359 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sinnott surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,510 in 2016. That gives Sinnott a modern rank of #4,096.

What does the Sinnott surname mean?

Derived from the Irish Gaelic "Sinéad," meaning "God is gracious," or from the place name Sionnach, meaning "fox."

What does the Sinnott map show?

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