NameCensus.

UK surname

Sisson

A toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "son of Siss" or "son of Sisse" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 787 people recorded with the Sisson surname, ranking it #4,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,331, ranked #4,516, up from #4,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Penrith and Ilkeston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newark and Sherwood, Amber Valley and Broxtowe.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sisson is 1,384 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 69.1%.

1881 census count

787

Ranked #4,721

Modern count

1,331

2016, ranked #4,516

Peak year

1999

1,384 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sisson had 787 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,331 in 2016, ranked #4,516.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,196 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Sisson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sisson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sisson 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 538 #4,683
1861 historical 464 #5,600
1881 historical 787 #4,721
1891 historical 797 #5,051
1901 historical 1,062 #4,539
1911 historical 1,196 #3,928
1997 modern 1,353 #4,251
1998 modern 1,361 #4,379
1999 modern 1,384 #4,347
2000 modern 1,337 #4,457
2001 modern 1,307 #4,463
2002 modern 1,316 #4,527
2003 modern 1,308 #4,461
2004 modern 1,324 #4,418
2005 modern 1,287 #4,471
2006 modern 1,282 #4,497
2007 modern 1,291 #4,517
2008 modern 1,282 #4,565
2009 modern 1,337 #4,499
2010 modern 1,342 #4,566
2011 modern 1,327 #4,550
2012 modern 1,295 #4,589
2013 modern 1,345 #4,509
2014 modern 1,336 #4,561
2015 modern 1,329 #4,546
2016 modern 1,331 #4,516

Geography

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Where Sissons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Penrith, Ilkeston, Preston and Selston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newark and Sherwood, Amber Valley, Broxtowe and Erewash. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 Penrith Cumberland
3 Ilkeston Nottinghamshire
4 Preston Lancashire
5 Selston Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newark and Sherwood 006 Newark and Sherwood
2 Amber Valley 013 Amber Valley
3 Broxtowe 004 Broxtowe
4 Amber Valley 012 Amber Valley
5 Erewash 016 Erewash

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sisson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sisson

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Sisson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Sisson 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Sisson 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

Sisson is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Sisson falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Sisson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Sisson

The surname SISSON is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English words "sisce" or "sicce", meaning a small stream or rivulet. It is believed to have originated as a topographic name, given to someone who lived near a small stream or watercourse.

The earliest known record of the surname SISSON dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was recorded as "Siscun" and "Sissun" in various counties across England. This suggests that the name was already well-established by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.

During the Middle Ages, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Sisson", "Sysson", "Sissun", and "Sysun", reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common at the time. In some instances, the name may have also been derived from the Old Norse word "siða", meaning a small stream or brook.

One notable historical figure with the surname SISSON was Sir John Sisson (c. 1525-1596), an English landowner and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another prominent individual was George Sisson (1608-1668), an English clergyman and author who served as the Dean of Arches, the highest ecclesiastical court in England.

In the 18th century, William Sisson (1735-1815) was a renowned English architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

During the American Revolutionary War, Colonel Charles Sisson (1738-1822) served as a military officer in the Continental Army and played a significant role in several battles against the British forces.

In the 19th century, Frederick William Sisson (1832-1905) was a prominent English lawyer and judge who served as the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales from 1899 to 1905.

While the surname SISSON has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and other English-speaking countries, due to migration and emigration over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sisson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sisson 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. Derbyshire leads with 164 Sissons recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.63x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 164 13.63x
Nottinghamshire 124 11.97x
Cumberland 97 14.66x
Westmorland 84 49.72x
Yorkshire 62 0.81x
Lancashire 59 0.65x
Durham 32 1.40x
Kent 25 0.95x
Lincolnshire 25 2.03x
Middlesex 25 0.33x
Northumberland 18 1.57x
Surrey 15 0.40x
Cambridgeshire 9 1.85x
Denbighshire 9 3.10x
Leicestershire 8 0.94x
Cheshire 6 0.35x
Norfolk 6 0.51x
Flintshire 5 2.42x
Warwickshire 5 0.26x
Gloucestershire 3 0.20x
Suffolk 3 0.32x
Huntingdonshire 2 1.31x
Cornwall 1 0.11x
Royal Navy 1 1.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ilkeston in Derbyshire leads with 133 Sissons recorded in 1881 and an index of 394.19x.

Place Total Index
Ilkeston 133 394.19x
Penrith 49 200.41x
Greasley 43 183.92x
Selston 20 172.86x
Kendal 19 61.45x
Preston 16 6.56x
Basford 15 31.41x
Temple Sowerby 15 1351.35x
Deptford St Nicholas 14 67.28x
Gateshead 13 7.59x
Nottingham St Mary 13 4.85x
Silkstone 13 344.83x
Heversham With Milnthorpe 12 294.84x
Higher Booths 12 72.99x
Orton 12 237.62x
Radford 12 22.80x
Lamplugh 11 331.33x
Bulwell 10 44.39x
Spalding 9 36.90x
Westminster St James 9 11.39x
Wrexham Regis 9 41.74x
Bothal Demesne 8 146.25x
Camberwell 8 1.63x
Holy Trinity 8 4.37x
Plumpton Wall 8 879.12x
Sedgwick 8 1230.77x
Stanton By Dale 8 487.80x
Dronfield 7 45.40x
Low Holme 7 187.67x
Lutton 7 344.83x
Manea 7 228.01x
Codnor Loscoe 6 62.96x
Kirby Sigston 6 2222.22x
Nether Hallam 6 5.82x
St Peter Le Poer 6 1538.46x
Stockton On Tees 6 5.44x
Torpenhow Whitrigg 6 821.92x
Atherstone 5 50.51x
Barforth 5 1388.89x
Blindcrake Isel Redmain 5 581.40x
Everton 5 1.72x
Haydon 5 80.00x
Slaley 5 446.43x
St Asaph 5 121.95x
Stranton 5 6.49x
Undermilbeck 5 89.77x
Chislehurst 4 28.45x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 2.76x
Congleton 4 13.64x
Croydon 4 1.92x
Elton 4 1333.33x
Goole 4 31.35x
Lee 4 10.50x
Litchurch 4 8.26x
Marske In Guisbrough 4 29.56x
Sutton St Mary 4 34.42x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 2.11x
Cliburn 3 410.96x
Dufton 3 275.23x
Edingthorpe 3 600.00x
Great Bolton 3 2.48x
Holbeach 3 21.91x
Hucknall Torkard 3 11.42x
Kirkley 3 38.31x
Layton With Warbreck 3 8.96x
Ledsham 3 422.54x
Newchurch 3 4.02x
Ormskirk 3 17.19x
Wath On Dearne 3 19.74x
Clerkenwell London 2 1.10x
Dean 2 92.17x
Ecclesfield 2 3.58x
Gedney 2 39.84x
Gosforth 2 61.92x
Long Marton 2 105.82x
Melton Mowbray 2 13.05x
Sheffield 2 0.82x
St Marylebone London 2 0.49x
Stapleford 2 23.78x
Thringstone 2 61.35x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 68
William 48
Thomas 32
James 23
Robert 19
Joseph 15
George 14
Albert 10
Walter 10
Charles 8
Edward 8
Henry 8
Samuel 8
Frank 6
Aaron 5
Arthur 5
Francis 4
Herbert 4
Moses 4
Enoch 3
Ephraim 3
Matthew 3
Michael 3
Richard 3
Tom 3
Benjamin 2
Daniel 2
Ezekiel 2
Harry 2
Levi 2
Owen 2
Peter 2
Reuben 2
Robt. 2
Stephen 2
Ambrose 1
Amos 1
B. 1
Benjamine 1
Cuthbert 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Ezra 1
Felix 1
Frederick 1
Isaiah 1
J. 1
Joshua 1
L. 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Sisson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sisson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 787 people were recorded with the Sisson surname. That placed it at #4,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sisson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,331 in 2016. That gives Sisson a modern rank of #4,516.

What does the Sisson surname mean?

A toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "son of Siss" or "son of Sisse" in Old English.

What does the Sisson map show?

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