NameCensus.

UK surname

Sleeman

An English habitational name derived from a place name, likely referring to someone from a sloe-covered area.

In the 1881 census there were 965 people recorded with the Sleeman surname, ranking it #4,025 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 945, ranked #6,073, down from #4,025 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Illogan and East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sleeman is 1,095 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.1%.

1881 census count

965

Ranked #4,025

Modern count

945

2016, ranked #6,073

Peak year

1901

1,095 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sleeman had 965 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,025 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 945 in 2016, ranked #6,073.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,095 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Sleeman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sleeman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sleeman 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 581 #4,390
1861 historical 261 #9,481
1881 historical 965 #4,025
1891 historical 813 #4,969
1901 historical 1,095 #4,407
1911 historical 1,056 #4,370
1997 modern 963 #5,658
1998 modern 1,004 #5,660
1999 modern 1,047 #5,497
2000 modern 1,023 #5,578
2001 modern 1,000 #5,578
2002 modern 1,011 #5,638
2003 modern 994 #5,616
2004 modern 985 #5,665
2005 modern 955 #5,760
2006 modern 946 #5,812
2007 modern 964 #5,780
2008 modern 950 #5,879
2009 modern 960 #5,961
2010 modern 989 #5,924
2011 modern 963 #6,001
2012 modern 922 #6,135
2013 modern 940 #6,143
2014 modern 952 #6,114
2015 modern 938 #6,133
2016 modern 945 #6,073

Geography

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Where Sleemans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Illogan, East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H, Paul and St Austell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Illogan Cornwall
3 East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H Gloucestershire
4 Paul Cornwall
5 St Austell Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 005 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 004 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 015 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 030 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 039 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sleeman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sleeman

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Sleeman, 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 Sleeman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Sleeman 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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Sleeman 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

Sleeman is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Sleeman falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Sleeman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Sleeman

The surname SLEEMAN has its origins in England, dating back to the late 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "slægen" (to strike) and "mann" (man), suggesting it may have been an occupational name for a soldier or warrior. Alternatively, it could be derived from the place name "Slea", which was a village in Buckinghamshire.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1198, where a Roger Sleyeman is mentioned. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also make reference to a William Sleyeman from Oxfordshire. These early spellings, such as "Sleyeman" and "Sleyman", highlight the evolution of the name over time.

The SLEEMAN surname appears to have been most prevalent in the counties of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire during the medieval period. In 1327, a John Sleyman is recorded as being a tenant in the manor of Woodstock, Oxfordshire. A Richard Sleman is listed in the Feet of Fines for Gloucestershire in 1430.

During the Tudor period, the name continued to be found in various records. In 1524, a William Sleman is mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls for Oxfordshire. A few decades later, in 1563, a John Sleeman is recorded as a resident of Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.

Notable individuals with the SLEEMAN surname include Sir William Sleeman (1788-1856), a British civil servant and administrator in British India, known for his efforts to suppress the Thuggee cult. In the 18th century, Thomas Sleeman (1753-1811) was a prominent English engraver and artist.

Other individuals of note include John Sleeman (1750-1834), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars, and Thomas Sleeman (1806-1858), an English architect who designed several churches and buildings in the Gothic Revival style.

Overall, the SLEEMAN surname has a rich history spanning several centuries in England, particularly in the counties of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. Its origins can be traced back to the late 12th century, with various spellings and references found in historical records and documents throughout the medieval and Tudor periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sleeman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sleeman 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. Cornwall leads with 440 Sleemans recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.16x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 440 41.16x
Devon 270 13.74x
Gloucestershire 55 2.97x
Middlesex 52 0.55x
Hampshire 26 1.34x
Durham 19 0.68x
Glamorgan 16 0.97x
Lancashire 16 0.14x
Somerset 15 0.99x
Surrey 14 0.30x
Derbyshire 7 0.47x
Kent 7 0.22x
Cumberland 5 0.62x
Dorset 5 0.81x
Yorkshire 5 0.05x
Lincolnshire 4 0.26x
Royal Navy 3 2.67x
Herefordshire 2 0.52x
Monmouthshire 2 0.29x
Bedfordshire 1 0.20x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.18x
Hertfordshire 1 0.15x
Leicestershire 1 0.10x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.46x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plymouth St Andrew in Devon leads with 35 Sleemans recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.12x.

Place Total Index
Plymouth St Andrew 35 23.12x
Westbury On Severn East 27 64.49x
Stoke Damerel 26 18.90x
Calstock 25 119.27x
Redruth 24 79.37x
Altarnun 23 618.28x
St Austell 22 60.21x
Tavistock 22 98.26x
St Ive 18 262.39x
St Columb Minor 17 189.31x
Padstow 16 225.35x
St Minver 15 460.12x
Bodmin 14 79.14x
Illogan 13 45.92x
Paul 13 66.94x
Islington London 12 1.31x
North Petherwyn 12 431.65x
St Mary Magdalene 12 152.67x
Whitchurch 12 346.82x
Boyton 11 887.10x
Gulval 11 159.88x
Holsworthy 11 198.20x
St Mabyn 11 666.67x
Pyworthy 10 613.50x
Ashwater 9 322.58x
Bideford 9 42.74x
St Breock 9 155.71x
Bethnal Green London 8 1.95x
Clifton 8 8.54x
Combmartin 8 187.35x
Crantock 8 720.72x
Falmouth 8 21.14x
Kea 8 100.38x
Ladock 8 264.03x
Portsea 8 2.11x
Ruardean 8 190.93x
Lifton 7 147.99x
Okehampton 7 94.47x
South Petherwin 7 262.17x
Southampton All Sts 7 21.08x
St Kew 7 196.63x
Staveley 7 26.68x
Swansea Town 7 5.19x
West Derby 7 2.14x
West Teignmouth 7 46.54x
Wincanton 7 89.51x
Compton 6 458.02x
Cornelly 6 2000.00x
Germansweek 6 697.67x
Paddington London 6 1.73x
Petrockstow 6 363.64x
Roche 6 110.50x
St Budeaux 6 98.04x
St Cleer 6 64.72x
St Gluvias Penryn 6 70.01x
St Neot 6 142.52x
St Peter Tavy 6 600.00x
St Tudy 6 357.14x
Stratton 6 103.45x
Westbury On Trym 6 9.56x
Witton Gilbert 6 54.10x
Advent 5 694.44x
Alverstoke 5 7.14x
Egremont 5 25.80x
Hammersmith London 5 2.15x
Kenwyn 5 17.88x
Lanteglos 5 101.21x
Lower Booths 5 24.90x
Moorsley 5 165.56x
Phillack 5 36.23x
Portland 5 15.00x
Probus 5 114.16x
St Marylebone London 5 0.99x
St Teath 5 77.64x
Stonehouse East 5 50.15x
Thornley 5 49.16x
Ealing 4 4.74x
Fowey 4 81.63x
South Stoneham 4 9.53x
Warbstowe 4 701.75x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 80
John 73
Thomas 35
James 25
Samuel 24
George 23
Richard 21
Henry 17
Charles 15
Francis 9
Albert 8
Joseph 8
Frank 6
Alfred 5
Arthur 5
Frederick 5
Robert 5
Edwin 4
Ernest 4
Harry 4
Philip 4
Wm. 4
Daniel 3
Fred 3
Fredrick 3
Herbert 3
Oliver 3
Thos. 3
David 2
Edmund 2
Edward 2
Elijah 2
Marwood 2
Saml. 2
Sidney 2
Tom 2
Willm. 2
Edgar 1
El. 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.W. 1
Geo. 1
Hannah 1
Harold 1
Js. 1
Lienerd 1
Michael 1
Michal 1
Nathaniel 1
Nicholas 1

FAQ

Sleeman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sleeman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 965 people were recorded with the Sleeman surname. That placed it at #4,025 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sleeman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 945 in 2016. That gives Sleeman a modern rank of #6,073.

What does the Sleeman surname mean?

An English habitational name derived from a place name, likely referring to someone from a sloe-covered area.

What does the Sleeman map show?

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