NameCensus.

UK surname

Soon

A surname indicating swiftness or promptness.

In the 1881 census there were 4 people recorded with the Soon surname, ranking it #33,288 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 103, ranked #30,515, up from #33,288 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Camden, Knowsley and City Centre East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Soon is 103 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2475.0%.

1881 census count

4

Ranked #33,288

Modern count

103

2016, ranked #30,515

Peak year

2016

103 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Soon had 4 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,288 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016, ranked #30,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 82 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Soon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Soon surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Soon 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 13 #30,970
1861 historical 82 #23,321
1881 historical 4 #33,288
1891 historical 61 #29,103
1901 historical 27 #31,057
1911 historical 28 #30,296
1997 modern 48 #32,878
1998 modern 52 #32,732
1999 modern 54 #32,660
2000 modern 52 #32,916
2001 modern 51 #32,850
2002 modern 67 #31,723
2003 modern 62 #32,258
2004 modern 60 #32,684
2005 modern 70 #31,912
2006 modern 74 #31,850
2007 modern 75 #32,079
2008 modern 77 #32,181
2009 modern 82 #32,048
2010 modern 91 #31,497
2011 modern 92 #31,301
2012 modern 94 #31,258
2013 modern 96 #31,381
2014 modern 96 #31,667
2015 modern 100 #31,005
2016 modern 103 #30,515

Geography

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Where Soons 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 Camden, Knowsley, City Centre East, Barnet and Birmingham. 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 Camden 025 Camden
2 Knowsley 004 Knowsley
3 City Centre East Glasgow City
4 Barnet 007 Barnet
5 Birmingham 074 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Soon

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Soon

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Soon, 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 Soon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Soon 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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Soon is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Soon 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

Soon 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 Soon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

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

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Soon

The surname Soon originated in England during the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "sunu," which means son. The name likely arose as a descriptive nickname or patronymic, referring to someone who was a son or descendant.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in medieval records and documents from various counties in England, such as Somerset, Oxfordshire, and Wiltshire. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Richard le Sone, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1195.

In the 13th century, the name appeared with various spellings, including Sone, Soone, and Sunne, reflecting the evolving nature of surnames during that period. The Hundred Rolls of 1273, a census-like record of landowners in England, includes entries for individuals with the name, such as Robert le Sone and Walter le Sone.

Over time, the name evolved into its modern spelling of Soon. In the 14th century, the name was found in records from various regions of England, including Lincolnshire, Warwickshire, and Yorkshire. One notable bearer of the name was Thomas Soon, who was mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in 1348.

The surname Soon has also been associated with certain place names in England, such as Sunnington in Kent and Sunningwell in Berkshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname in some cases.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the surname Soon. One example is Richard Soon, an English clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Berkshire in the 16th century (born around 1520, died in 1592). Another is William Soon, a British explorer and botanist who accompanied Captain James Cook on his voyages to the Pacific in the late 18th century (born in 1748, died in 1823).

In the 19th century, John Soon (1790-1869) was a prominent English architect known for his work on various churches and public buildings in London. Additionally, Edward Soon (1837-1919) was a British naval officer who served in the Crimean War and later became a rear admiral in the Royal Navy.

More recently, James Soon (1904-1988) was a British actor and singer who appeared in several films and stage productions throughout his career. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the 1960s television series "The Avengers" and "The Saint."

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Soon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Soon 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. Denbighshire leads with 1 Soons recorded in 1881 and an index of 68.03x.

County Total Index
Denbighshire 1 68.03x
Essex 1 13.04x
Leicestershire 1 23.20x
Sussex 1 15.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Asfordby in Leicestershire leads with 1 Soons recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Asfordby 1 10000.00x
Cliffe 1 5000.00x
Esclusham Below 1 10000.00x
Leyton Low 1 625.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Anne 1
Charlotte 1
Elizabeth 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Robinson 1

Top occupations

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 Soon households.

FAQ

Soon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Soon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4 people were recorded with the Soon surname. That placed it at #33,288 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Soon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016. That gives Soon a modern rank of #30,515.

What does the Soon surname mean?

A surname indicating swiftness or promptness.

What does the Soon map show?

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