NameCensus.

UK surname

Snyman

Afrikaans surname meaning "small person" or derived from the Dutch surname Snayman.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Arun, Wandsworth and Wycombe.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Snyman is 136 in 2012. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

120

2016, ranked #27,563

Peak year

2012

136 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 120 in 2016, ranked #27,563.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Snyman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Snyman surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Snyman 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1891 historical 6 #33,800
1997 modern 17 #36,181
1998 modern 23 #35,603
1999 modern 37 #34,248
2000 modern 49 #33,187
2001 modern 51 #32,850
2002 modern 57 #32,661
2003 modern 66 #31,879
2004 modern 77 #31,024
2005 modern 101 #27,854
2006 modern 121 #25,133
2007 modern 134 #23,931
2008 modern 135 #24,123
2009 modern 129 #25,314
2010 modern 133 #25,379
2011 modern 123 #26,512
2012 modern 136 #24,830
2013 modern 134 #25,525
2014 modern 129 #26,352
2015 modern 124 #26,944
2016 modern 120 #27,563

Geography

Back to top

Where Snymans 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 Arun, Wandsworth, Wycombe, Harrow and Southwark. 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 Arun 005 Arun
2 Wandsworth 031 Wandsworth
3 Wycombe 002 Wycombe
4 Harrow 029 Harrow
5 Southwark 001 Southwark

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Snyman

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Snyman

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Snyman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Snyman 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Snyman 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

Snyman 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

Snyman 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 Snyman 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Snyman

The surname "Snyman" is of Dutch origin, originating in the Netherlands during the 17th century. It is derived from the Dutch word "snijman," which translates to "cutter" or "carver," likely referring to an occupation or trade. The name was first recorded in the Dutch province of Friesland, where many early instances of the surname can be found in historical records.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the 1674 baptismal records of the Grote Kerk in Leeuwarden, where a child named Pieter Snyman was baptized. Another notable early instance is the marriage record of Dirk Snyman and Marijke Jansdr in 1687, also in Leeuwarden.

As the Dutch established colonies in various parts of the world, including South Africa, the surname "Snyman" was brought to new regions. In South Africa, the name became particularly prominent among the Afrikaner population, with many Snymans settling in the Cape Colony in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded Snymans in South Africa was Gerrit Snyman, who arrived in the Cape Colony in 1688 and settled in the Stellenbosch region. Another notable figure was Joachim Snyman, a soldier and military leader who played a significant role in the frontier wars against the Xhosa people in the late 18th century.

Throughout history, several individuals with the surname "Snyman" have achieved notable accomplishments. One such person was Erasmus Smit Snyman (1864-1935), a South African politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Cape Parliament and later as a Senator in the Union of South Africa.

Another prominent figure was Roza Snyman (1886-1963), a South African writer and poet who played a significant role in the development of Afrikaans literature. Her works, including the novel "Suiderkruis" and the poetry collection "Uit Eie Tuin," received critical acclaim and helped establish her as a prominent figure in the Afrikaans literary scene.

In the field of sports, Jannie Snyman (1915-1997) was a notable South African rugby union player who represented South Africa in several international matches during the 1930s and 1940s. He was part of the Springbok team that toured New Zealand in 1937 and played a crucial role in the team's success.

Another notable Snyman was Danie Snyman (1932-2001), a South African cricketer who played Test cricket for South Africa in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was a skilled right-arm fast bowler and played a significant role in several Test matches against England and Australia.

While the surname "Snyman" has its roots in the Netherlands, it has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly South Africa, where it has become a prominent Afrikaner name with a rich history and notable individuals who have contributed to various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Snyman surname: questions and answers

How common is the Snyman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 120 in 2016. That gives Snyman a modern rank of #27,563.

What does the Snyman surname mean?

Afrikaans surname meaning "small person" or derived from the Dutch surname Snayman.

What does the Snyman map show?

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