NameCensus.

UK surname

Smallman

A surname denoting someone with a small or diminutive stature.

In the 1881 census there were 979 people recorded with the Smallman surname, ranking it #3,972 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,815, ranked #3,490, up from #3,972 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Sedgley, London parishes and Cannock. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cannock Chase and South Staffordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Smallman is 1,931 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 85.4%.

1881 census count

979

Ranked #3,972

Modern count

1,815

2016, ranked #3,490

Peak year

1999

1,931 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Smallman had 979 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,972 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,815 in 2016, ranked #3,490.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,551 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Smallman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Smallman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Smallman 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 672 #3,863
1861 historical 688 #3,917
1881 historical 979 #3,972
1891 historical 1,168 #3,659
1901 historical 1,402 #3,595
1911 historical 1,551 #3,125
1997 modern 1,792 #3,350
1998 modern 1,927 #3,249
1999 modern 1,931 #3,266
2000 modern 1,903 #3,298
2001 modern 1,869 #3,287
2002 modern 1,906 #3,304
2003 modern 1,887 #3,256
2004 modern 1,849 #3,319
2005 modern 1,816 #3,347
2006 modern 1,830 #3,326
2007 modern 1,833 #3,343
2008 modern 1,848 #3,352
2009 modern 1,888 #3,362
2010 modern 1,920 #3,384
2011 modern 1,899 #3,382
2012 modern 1,839 #3,424
2013 modern 1,852 #3,445
2014 modern 1,860 #3,459
2015 modern 1,824 #3,487
2016 modern 1,815 #3,490

Geography

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Where Smallmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Sedgley, London parishes, Cannock and Leigh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cannock Chase and South Staffordshire. 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 Sedgley Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Cannock Staffordshire
4 Leigh Lancashire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rhondda Cynon Taf 023 Rhondda Cynon Taf
2 Cannock Chase 007 Cannock Chase
3 Rhondda Cynon Taf 024 Rhondda Cynon Taf
4 Cannock Chase 012 Cannock Chase
5 South Staffordshire 005 South Staffordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Smallman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Smallman

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

Smallman is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Smallman falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Smallman

The surname SMALLMAN is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "smæl" meaning small or little, and "man" referring to a person. It likely emerged as a descriptive nickname for someone of small stature during the medieval period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where a Richard Smaleman is mentioned. This demonstrates the surname's existence in 13th century England, though variations in spelling were common during this era.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in various forms such as Smalman and Smalmane in records from Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire. These regional variations highlight the name's widespread use across different parts of the country.

The Smallman name is also recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1379, further solidifying its presence in northern England during the late Middle Ages. Additionally, the surname is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1524, showcasing its endurance over time.

Notable individuals bearing the Smallman surname include John Smallman, a prominent merchant from London who lived from 1540 to 1619. He was involved in trade with the Netherlands and amassed considerable wealth during his lifetime.

Another noteworthy figure is William Smallman, born in 1634 in Oxfordshire, who was a renowned clockmaker and watchmaker. His intricate timepieces were highly sought after by the nobility and gentry of the time.

In the 19th century, Henry Smallman (1815-1892) was a respected architect from Yorkshire, responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in the region.

The name Smallman is also linked to various place names in England, such as Smallman's Green in Hertfordshire and Smallman's Croft in Yorkshire, further reinforcing its historical roots in the country.

Throughout its history, the surname SMALLMAN has maintained a consistent presence in England, with various spellings and iterations reflecting its evolution over the centuries. Its origins as a descriptive nickname and its association with notable individuals and locations have contributed to its enduring legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Smallman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Smallman 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. Staffordshire leads with 309 Smallmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.58x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 309 9.58x
Shropshire 116 14.05x
Middlesex 114 1.19x
Lancashire 112 0.99x
Warwickshire 72 2.99x
Kent 40 1.23x
Herefordshire 38 9.69x
Worcestershire 35 2.80x
Surrey 26 0.56x
Durham 23 0.81x
Lanarkshire 22 0.71x
Yorkshire 15 0.16x
Somerset 8 0.52x
Monmouthshire 7 1.01x
Glamorgan 6 0.36x
Gloucestershire 6 0.32x
Hampshire 5 0.26x
Cheshire 4 0.19x
Cumberland 3 0.36x
Derbyshire 3 0.20x
Northumberland 3 0.21x
Suffolk 3 0.26x
Sussex 3 0.19x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.35x
Northamptonshire 2 0.22x
Devon 1 0.05x
Lincolnshire 1 0.07x
Renfrewshire 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sedgley in Staffordshire leads with 79 Smallmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 65.92x.

Place Total Index
Sedgley 79 65.92x
Cannock 28 49.72x
West Bromwich 27 14.62x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 23 70.44x
Birmingham 22 2.74x
Stafford St Mary 22 48.16x
Tottenham 21 13.79x
Warrington 21 15.62x
Wolverhampton 17 6.85x
Broseley 16 108.99x
Leamington Priors 16 26.97x
Lindridge 15 474.68x
Walsall Foreign 15 9.00x
Stoke Upon Trent 14 4.09x
Wednesfield 14 29.48x
Lambeth 13 1.56x
St Marylebone London 13 2.55x
Wednesbury 13 16.12x
Aston 12 1.81x
Clerkenwell London 12 5.32x
Bilston 11 17.59x
Garston 11 32.86x
Islington London 11 1.19x
Old Monkland 11 8.97x
Rushall 11 57.93x
Broughton In Salford 10 9.64x
Burford 10 709.22x
Poplar London 10 5.54x
Strood 10 53.73x
Thornley 10 97.18x
West Derby 10 3.01x
Boraston 9 1216.22x
Ditton Priors 9 459.18x
Barony 8 1.02x
Normanton 8 28.10x
St George Hanover 8 6.41x
Battersea 7 1.99x
Bridgnorth St Leonard 7 74.71x
Enville 7 276.68x
Essington 7 164.71x
Kingswinford 7 5.97x
N Lydbury 7 218.07x
Nuneaton 7 25.06x
Upton Bishop 7 304.35x
Westoe 7 4.34x
Worcester St John 7 46.95x
Bishops Frome 6 252.10x
Chelsea London 6 2.08x
Foy 6 560.75x
Heston 6 18.90x
Leamington 6 37.55x
Linton In Newent 6 198.02x
Ludlow St Lawrence 6 36.52x
Wellington 6 12.93x
Willenhall 6 9.93x
Wolstanton 6 6.12x
Bexley 5 17.34x
Bishops Itchington 5 215.52x
Bridgnorth St Mary 5 62.03x
Burton Upon Trent 5 6.62x
Halling 5 117.10x
Hampstead London 5 3.36x
Hulme 5 2.11x
Kings Norton 5 4.47x
Lancaster 5 7.41x
Leybourne 5 549.45x
Madeley 5 16.51x
Neath 5 14.76x
Cheetham 4 4.73x
Eccleston In Prescot 4 7.02x
Great Wyrley 4 114.29x
Limehouse London 4 3.81x
Little Hereford 4 289.86x
Nailsea 4 65.79x
Newport 4 40.12x
Northfleet 4 13.92x
Raglan 4 169.49x
Shifnal 4 17.84x
St Pancras London 4 0.52x
Wombridge 4 39.22x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 53
John 51
Thomas 29
Joseph 27
George 26
James 23
Richard 18
Henry 17
Edward 16
Charles 14
Arthur 12
Frederick 12
Samuel 11
Benjamin 10
Alfred 8
Edwin 7
Robert 7
Job 6
Wm. 6
Ernest 5
Isaac 5
Martin 5
Albert 4
Frank 4
Harry 4
Saml. 3
Walter 3
Charls 2
Daniel 2
Emanuel 2
Francis 2
Fredk. 2
Gideon 2
Mark 2
Reuben 2
Ruben 2
Simeon 2
Sydney 2
Aushr 1
Bratton 1
Briton 1
Charlie 1
Edgar 1
Elihu 1
Emily 1
Enoch 1
Infant 1
Jas. 1
Jno. 1
Joab 1

FAQ

Smallman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Smallman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 979 people were recorded with the Smallman surname. That placed it at #3,972 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Smallman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,815 in 2016. That gives Smallman a modern rank of #3,490.

What does the Smallman surname mean?

A surname denoting someone with a small or diminutive stature.

What does the Smallman map show?

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