UK surname
A surname likely deriving from the Old English 'sum' meaning "some," referring to those of uncertain origin.
In the 1881 census there were 151 people recorded with the Somes surname, ranking it #15,419 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 56, ranked #34,562, down from #15,419 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Thurston and Margate. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Somes is 151 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 62.9%.
1881 census count
151
Ranked #15,419
Modern count
56
2016, ranked #34,562
Peak year
1881
151 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Somes surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Somes surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 119 | #15,247 |
| 1861 | historical | 103 | #20,650 |
| 1881 | historical | 151 | #15,419 |
| 1891 | historical | 144 | #18,842 |
| 1901 | historical | 104 | #22,310 |
| 1911 | historical | 102 | #22,465 |
| 1997 | modern | 81 | #29,436 |
| 1998 | modern | 75 | #30,471 |
| 1999 | modern | 73 | #30,856 |
| 2000 | modern | 75 | #30,668 |
| 2001 | modern | 73 | #30,699 |
| 2002 | modern | 72 | #31,269 |
| 2003 | modern | 66 | #31,879 |
| 2004 | modern | 67 | #31,976 |
| 2005 | modern | 62 | #32,708 |
| 2006 | modern | 57 | #33,513 |
| 2007 | modern | 58 | #33,731 |
| 2008 | modern | 59 | #33,827 |
| 2009 | modern | 63 | #33,751 |
| 2010 | modern | 65 | #33,863 |
| 2011 | modern | 61 | #34,121 |
| 2012 | modern | 54 | #34,608 |
| 2013 | modern | 57 | #34,538 |
| 2014 | modern | 54 | #34,700 |
| 2015 | modern | 55 | #34,620 |
| 2016 | modern | 56 | #34,562 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Thurston, Margate and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Thurston | Suffolk |
| 4 | Margate | Kent |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Somes surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Somes, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Somes surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Somes household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Somes is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Somes is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Somes, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Somes is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, deriving from the Old English words "sum" or "sumes," which translate to "some" or "a certain one." This name was likely given as a nickname or distinguishing moniker to someone who was considered vague, uncertain, or indecisive in their actions or speech.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Somes surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Summes" in Lincolnshire. This suggests that the name was already established in various parts of England during the 11th century.
The name Somes has also been linked to several place names, such as Somersby in Lincolnshire and Somerford in Cheshire, which may have influenced its development and spread across different regions of the country.
Notable individuals bearing the Somes surname include John Somes (c. 1545-1609), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge. Another prominent figure was Joseph Somes (1787-1845), a British naval officer who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and later became a Member of Parliament for Dartmouth.
In the literary world, Sarah Somes (1592-1673) was an English Puritan writer and poet known for her religious works, such as "The Prospective Glass of Conscience" and "A Contemplation on the Night."
During the 17th century, the Somes family established themselves as prominent landowners and gentry in Somerset and Dorset. One notable member was Sir George Somes (1603-1670), a wealthy merchant and Member of Parliament for Bridgwater.
Another notable figure was William Somes (1795-1873), an English artist and engraver who specialized in portraits and landscapes. His works were exhibited at the Royal Academy and other prestigious institutions during the 19th century.
While the Somes surname has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has left its mark across various fields, from academia and literature to politics and the arts, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and achievements of those who have carried this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Somes surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 57 Somes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.87x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 57 | 3.87x |
| Surrey | 24 | 3.34x |
| Kent | 20 | 3.98x |
| Northamptonshire | 10 | 7.22x |
| Suffolk | 10 | 5.57x |
| Yorkshire | 7 | 0.48x |
| Durham | 5 | 1.14x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 0.60x |
| Bedfordshire | 2 | 2.62x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.11x |
| Merionethshire | 2 | 7.42x |
| Shropshire | 2 | 1.57x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 1.12x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 1.07x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.33x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 0.98x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.21x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 0.44x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.27x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Margate St John Baptist in Kent leads with 15 Somes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 163.04x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Somes surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 18 |
| Elizabeth | 4 |
| Sarah | 4 |
| Agnes | 3 |
| Emma | 3 |
| Ada | 2 |
| Anna | 2 |
| Frances | 2 |
| Georgina | 2 |
| Louisa | 2 |
| Martha | 2 |
| Alice | 1 |
| Amelia | 1 |
| Ann | 1 |
| Betsey | 1 |
| Catherine | 1 |
| Charlotte | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Eleanor | 1 |
| Ellen | 1 |
| Emily | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Geo. | 1 |
| Gertrude | 1 |
| Grace | 1 |
| Harriet | 1 |
| Harriett | 1 |
| Helen | 1 |
| Jane | 1 |
| Janet | 1 |
| Jeanette | 1 |
| Julia | 1 |
| Kate | 1 |
| Laura | 1 |
| Lucy | 1 |
| Margaret | 1 |
| Maria | 1 |
| Matilda | 1 |
| Maud | 1 |
| Minnie | 1 |
| Nora | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Ruth | 1 |
| Salina | 1 |
| Susanna | 1 |
| Thirza | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Somes surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Somes households.
FAQ
In 1881, 151 people were recorded with the Somes surname. That placed it at #15,419 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 56 in 2016. That gives Somes a modern rank of #34,562.
A surname likely deriving from the Old English 'sum' meaning "some," referring to those of uncertain origin.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Somes bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.