NameCensus.

UK surname

Size

A surname derived from the word 'size', referring to someone of a particular physical stature.

In the 1881 census there were 62 people recorded with the Size surname, ranking it #24,843 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 134, ranked #25,636, down from #24,843 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sefton, Breich Valley and West Calder and Polbeth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Size is 140 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 116.1%.

1881 census count

62

Ranked #24,843

Modern count

134

2016, ranked #25,636

Peak year

2010

140 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Size had 62 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,843 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 134 in 2016, ranked #25,636.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 79 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Size surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Size surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Size 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 36 #26,838
1861 historical 36 #29,463
1881 historical 62 #24,843
1891 historical 70 #28,073
1901 historical 78 #25,500
1911 historical 79 #24,903
1997 modern 134 #22,608
1998 modern 133 #23,308
1999 modern 124 #24,508
2000 modern 124 #24,469
2001 modern 124 #24,114
2002 modern 126 #24,393
2003 modern 116 #25,415
2004 modern 122 #24,812
2005 modern 123 #24,663
2006 modern 130 #24,053
2007 modern 124 #25,086
2008 modern 132 #24,476
2009 modern 139 #24,161
2010 modern 140 #24,569
2011 modern 136 #24,819
2012 modern 127 #25,992
2013 modern 125 #26,695
2014 modern 128 #26,490
2015 modern 131 #25,979
2016 modern 134 #25,636

Geography

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Where Sizes 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 Sefton, Breich Valley and West Calder and Polbeth. 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 Sefton 033 Sefton
2 Sefton 036 Sefton
3 Breich Valley West Lothian
4 West Calder and Polbeth West Lothian
5 Sefton 035 Sefton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Size

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Size

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Size, 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 Size surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Size 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Size 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

Size 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

Size 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 Size 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 Size, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Size

The surname Size originated in England during the medieval period, deriving from the Old English word "sisen," meaning "to weigh" or "to measure." This suggests that the name was likely first borne by someone whose occupation involved weighing or measuring goods, such as a merchant or tradesman.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the late 12th century, where it appears as "Sise." This spelling variation highlights the name's evolution over time, reflecting the shifts in pronunciation and spelling conventions.

One of the earliest documented bearers of the name was William Size, a landowner mentioned in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1285. This legal record provides evidence of the name's presence in the region during the 13th century.

The Size surname also appears in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1327, indicating its spread across various counties in medieval England. This historical document lists individuals liable for taxation, providing a glimpse into the geographical distribution of the name during that period.

John Size, born in 1564 in Gloucestershire, was a notable figure in the English Civil War. He fought for the Parliamentarian forces and was known for his bravery and military prowess. His exploits were documented in contemporary accounts, cementing his place in the history of the conflict.

Another individual of note was Elizabeth Size, a philanthropist born in 1678 in Oxfordshire. She was renowned for her charitable works, establishing a fund to support education and healthcare initiatives in her local community.

In the 18th century, Samuel Size, born in 1725 in Northamptonshire, gained recognition as a skilled architect. He designed several notable buildings, including the town hall in his hometown, which still stands today as a testament to his architectural legacy.

Moving into the 19th century, Mary Size, born in 1812 in Yorkshire, made her mark as a pioneering educator. She established one of the first schools for girls in the region, paving the way for greater educational opportunities for young women.

The Size surname has also been associated with notable literary figures, such as Thomas Size, born in 1845 in Gloucestershire. He was a celebrated poet and playwright, whose works explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition, earning him critical acclaim during the Victorian era.

While the name Size may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, its origins remain rooted in the occupational realm, reflecting the importance of trade and commerce in medieval English society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Size families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Size 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 26 Sizes recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.62x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 26 3.62x
Yorkshire 19 3.17x
Hampshire 6 4.84x
Kent 6 2.91x
Cheshire 3 2.25x
Staffordshire 1 0.49x
Warwickshire 1 0.66x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bowling in Yorkshire leads with 12 Sizes recorded in 1881 and an index of 202.02x.

Place Total Index
Bowling 12 202.02x
Kirkdale 10 82.85x
Liverpool 10 22.95x
Gillingham 6 141.18x
Horton In Bradford 6 64.10x
Portsea 6 24.70x
Openshaw 5 148.81x
Birkenhead 2 18.80x
Aston 1 2.38x
Liscard 1 41.49x
Oldham 1 4.32x
Stainton In 1 1428.57x
Wolverhampton 1 6.37x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ellen 4
Mary 3
Anne 2
Elizabeth 2
Ann 1
Annie 1
Bridget 1
Catherine 1
Clara 1
Eleanor 1
Eliza 1
Harriett 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Lavinia 1
Margret 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 10
William 4
Henry 2
Herbert 2
Mich. 2
Michael 2
Patrick 2
Thomas 2
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Edward 1
Harry 1
James 1
Lewis 1
Richard 1
Shaw 1
Stephen 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 Size households.

FAQ

Size surname: questions and answers

How common was the Size surname in 1881?

In 1881, 62 people were recorded with the Size surname. That placed it at #24,843 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Size surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 134 in 2016. That gives Size a modern rank of #25,636.

What does the Size surname mean?

A surname derived from the word 'size', referring to someone of a particular physical stature.

What does the Size map show?

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