NameCensus.

UK surname

Soanes

An English locational surname derived from various places in Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.

In the 1881 census there were 401 people recorded with the Soanes surname, ranking it #7,959 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 891, ranked #6,345, up from #7,959 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Holton, Cuddesden (Cuddesden), Shotover, Forest Hill and Oxford City: St Peter in the East. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waveney and South Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Soanes is 929 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 122.2%.

1881 census count

401

Ranked #7,959

Modern count

891

2016, ranked #6,345

Peak year

2002

929 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Soanes had 401 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,959 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 891 in 2016, ranked #6,345.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 717 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Soanes surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Soanes surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Soanes 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 229 #9,390
1861 historical 150 #15,296
1881 historical 401 #7,959
1891 historical 469 #7,813
1901 historical 585 #7,209
1911 historical 717 #5,963
1997 modern 826 #6,380
1998 modern 890 #6,212
1999 modern 890 #6,257
2000 modern 892 #6,215
2001 modern 902 #6,078
2002 modern 929 #6,041
2003 modern 911 #6,029
2004 modern 886 #6,172
2005 modern 853 #6,300
2006 modern 851 #6,310
2007 modern 873 #6,241
2008 modern 868 #6,310
2009 modern 898 #6,281
2010 modern 923 #6,259
2011 modern 885 #6,403
2012 modern 868 #6,420
2013 modern 896 #6,362
2014 modern 900 #6,372
2015 modern 909 #6,290
2016 modern 891 #6,345

Geography

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Where Soanes' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Holton, Cuddesden (Cuddesden), Shotover, Forest Hill and Oxford City: St Peter in the East. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Waveney and South Norfolk. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Holton, Cuddesden (Cuddesden), Shotover, Forest Hill Oxfordshire
4 Oxford City: St Peter in the East Oxfordshire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Waveney 001 Waveney
2 Waveney 004 Waveney
3 Waveney 003 Waveney
4 South Norfolk 010 South Norfolk
5 Waveney 005 Waveney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Soanes

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Soanes

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Soanes is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Soanes 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

Soanes falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Soanes

The surname SOANES is of English origin and dates back to the late medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the county of Suffolk, particularly in the areas around the village of Soham. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English word "sohm," meaning "marshy place" or "muddy land."

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the SOANES surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a John de Soham is listed as a landowner in Suffolk. This suggests that the name was already established in the region by the 13th century.

During the 14th century, the SOANES name appeared in various legal and ecclesiastical records, including the Court Rolls of Manors in Essex and Suffolk. One notable individual from this period was Walter Soanes, who served as the vicar of the parish church in Soham between 1364 and 1381.

In the 16th century, the SOANES surname began to spread beyond its East Anglian roots. One prominent figure was Sir Thomas Soanes (1512-1590), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Essex. He served as a member of Parliament and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I in 1573.

The 17th century saw the rise of the SOANES family in the legal and academic fields. John Soanes (1592-1658) was a renowned lawyer and judge who served as the Recorder of Nottingham and later became a Justice of the King's Bench. His nephew, John Soanes (1616-1695), was a scholar and fellow of the University of Cambridge.

Another notable figure was Humphrey Soanes (1678-1749), a well-known architect and surveyor who worked on several prestigious projects in London, including the reconstruction of St. Paul's Cathedral after the Great Fire of 1666.

In the 18th century, the SOANES name continued to be associated with various professions and fields. One example is William Soanes (1738-1814), a prominent physician and author who wrote several medical treatises and served as the President of the Medical Society of London.

Moving into the 19th century, the SOANES family produced several notable individuals, including Sir John Soanes (1783-1857), a renowned architect and collector who founded the Soane Museum in London, which houses his remarkable collection of artworks and architectural models.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Soanes families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Soanes 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. Suffolk leads with 113 Soanes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.78x.

County Total Index
Suffolk 113 23.78x
Norfolk 77 12.83x
Oxfordshire 66 27.39x
Middlesex 56 1.44x
Surrey 20 1.05x
Yorkshire 15 0.39x
Sussex 11 1.67x
Berkshire 8 2.73x
Kent 7 0.53x
Durham 5 0.43x
Lancashire 5 0.11x
Glamorgan 4 0.59x
Gloucestershire 4 0.52x
Devon 2 0.25x
Essex 2 0.26x
Northamptonshire 2 0.55x
Cornwall 1 0.23x
Hertfordshire 1 0.37x
Royal Navy 1 2.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Corton in Suffolk leads with 38 Soanes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5066.67x.

Place Total Index
Corton 38 5066.67x
Lowestoft 25 111.36x
Forest Hill 23 9200.00x
Aldeby 18 2093.02x
Oxford St Giles 18 156.52x
Toft Monks 18 3396.23x
Belton 12 1445.78x
Beccles 10 130.72x
Great Yarmouth 10 20.12x
Felixstow 9 775.86x
Mile End Old Town 9 14.61x
Oxford St Mary Magdalen 9 314.69x
Poplar London 9 12.22x
Stockton 9 6000.00x
Bethnal Green London 8 4.72x
Buxted 8 310.08x
Middleton On Wolds 8 941.18x
St George Martyr 7 106.38x
Bermondsey 6 5.17x
Cookham 6 65.72x
Gorleston 6 49.71x
Oxford St Clement 6 98.68x
St George In East 6 22.61x
Broom 5 520.83x
Everton 5 3.39x
Kessingland 5 304.88x
Lewisham 5 7.04x
Rushall 5 1785.71x
Wimbledon 5 23.42x
Cheltenham 4 6.78x
Cowbridge 4 243.90x
Headington 4 106.95x
Kensington London 4 1.84x
Lambeth 4 1.18x
Middlesbrough 4 7.94x
Newington 4 2.78x
North Pickenham 4 1212.12x
Woodbridge 4 65.79x
Frant 3 64.38x
Norton Subcourse 3 625.00x
Tottenham 3 4.83x
Barnby 2 571.43x
Bow London 2 4.03x
Heigham 2 6.21x
Redenhall 2 85.84x
Seaton 2 63.90x
St George Bloomsbury 2 8.93x
St Giles In Fields 2 14.86x
Stow Wood 2 10000.00x
Thurlton 2 357.14x
Warkworth 2 60.61x
West Ham 2 1.18x
Battersea 1 0.70x
Beckenham 1 5.75x
Bray 1 11.61x
Clerkenwell London 1 1.09x
Cowley 1 13.30x
Cuddesdon 1 151.52x
Edmonton 1 3.18x
Ellerby In Whitby 1 909.09x
Grange Gillingham 1 169.49x
Gunton 1 833.33x
Hammersmith London 1 1.04x
Holywell 1 88.50x
Hurley 1 65.79x
Hutton Cranswick 1 61.35x
Islington London 1 0.26x
Madron Penzance 1 6.23x
Mulbarton 1 144.93x
Mundham 1 256.41x
Norwich St Giles 1 52.08x
Pulham St Mary Magdalen 1 66.23x
Royal Navy 1 2.52x
Sculcoates 1 1.63x
Sibton 1 153.85x
Watford 1 4.80x
Wheatley 1 73.53x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Alice 10
Elizabeth 10
Emily 10
Emma 8
Edith 7
Eliza 7
Ellen 7
Florence 6
Maria 6
Susan 6
Fanny 5
Jane 5
Martha 5
Clara 4
Harriet 4
Sarah 4
Caroline 3
Eva 3
Frances 3
Lydia 3
Ann 2
Anne 2
Annie 2
Catherine 2
Charlotte 2
Esther 2
Ethel 2
Hannah 2
Jemima 2
Kate 2
Margaret 2
Rose 2
Annethea.B. 1
Christiana 1
Constance 1
Flora 1
Flordine 1
George 1
Isabella 1
Jesse 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Laura 1
Lavinia 1
Lilian 1
Lillie 1
Lilly 1
Louisa 1
Thurza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 25
George 22
William 22
James 18
Robert 11
Thomas 9
Alfred 8
Charles 8
Frederick 6
Richard 6
Walter 6
Albert 5
Samuel 5
Aaron 4
Benjamin 4
Edward 4
Ernest 4
Henry 4
Arthur 3
Herbert 3
Joseph 3
Michael 3
Benjamine 2
David 2
Harry 2
Stephen 2
A.J.W. 1
Arnold 1
Bengamon 1
Bertrum 1
Clarence 1
Daniel 1
Elijah 1
Frank 1
Moses 1
Nelson 1
Reginald 1
Robinson 1
Sydney 1
Temple 1
Thomas. 1

FAQ

Soanes surname: questions and answers

How common was the Soanes surname in 1881?

In 1881, 401 people were recorded with the Soanes surname. That placed it at #7,959 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Soanes surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 891 in 2016. That gives Soanes a modern rank of #6,345.

What does the Soanes surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from various places in Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.

What does the Soanes map show?

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