UK surname
A German occupational surname derived from "spinner," referring to a spinner of yarn or thread.
In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Spenner surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 30, ranked #35,997, down from #32,581 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Halifax, Wirksworth (Callow, Hopton, Ible, Middleton), Griff Grange and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Spenner is 130 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 275.0%.
1881 census count
8
Ranked #32,581
Modern count
30
2016, ranked #35,997
Peak year
1861
130 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Spenner surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Spenner surname density by area, 1861 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 | 30 | #27,891 |
| 1861 | historical | 130 | #17,164 |
| 1881 | historical | 8 | #32,581 |
| 1891 | historical | 36 | #31,465 |
| 1901 | historical | 12 | #32,772 |
| 1911 | historical | 34 | #29,600 |
| 1997 | modern | 26 | #35,135 |
| 1998 | modern | 28 | #35,053 |
| 1999 | modern | 29 | #35,031 |
| 2000 | modern | 36 | #34,317 |
| 2001 | modern | 34 | #34,356 |
| 2002 | modern | 27 | #35,243 |
| 2003 | modern | 27 | #35,279 |
| 2004 | modern | 25 | #35,610 |
| 2005 | modern | 28 | #35,510 |
| 2006 | modern | 26 | #35,822 |
| 2007 | modern | 24 | #36,072 |
| 2008 | modern | 23 | #36,211 |
| 2009 | modern | 23 | #36,313 |
| 2010 | modern | 21 | #36,530 |
| 2011 | modern | 23 | #36,369 |
| 2012 | modern | 29 | #35,991 |
| 2013 | modern | 27 | #36,150 |
| 2014 | modern | 30 | #36,005 |
| 2015 | modern | 29 | #36,040 |
| 2016 | modern | 30 | #35,997 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Halifax, Wirksworth (Callow, Hopton, Ible, Middleton), Griff Grange, Toxteth Park, St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace and All Saints Poplar. 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 | Halifax | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 2 | Wirksworth (Callow, Hopton, Ible, Middleton), Griff Grange | Derbyshire |
| 3 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 4 | St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace | London (West Districts) |
| 5 | All Saints Poplar | London (East Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Spenner 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 Spenner, 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 Spenner surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Spenner 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, Spenner 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 Spenner is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Spenner, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Spenner originates from Germany, with records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the German word "spinner," which refers to a person who spins thread or yarn. In medieval times, this profession was integral to the textile industry.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Spenner can be found in the town records of Bamberg, Bavaria, where a Johann Spenner was listed as a master weaver in 1586. The name also appears in the church records of Nürnberg, with the birth of Hans Spenner in 1612.
In the 17th century, the Spenner family had established itself in various parts of Germany, including Saxony and Württemberg. Notable individuals from this period include Christoph Spenner (1625-1691), a Lutheran theologian and author from Nürnberg, and Johann Jacob Spenner (1663-1719), a jurist and historian from Frankfurt.
As the textile industry expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Spenner name became more widespread. Johann Georg Spenner (1786-1855) was a renowned textile manufacturer in Augsburg, while August Spenner (1809-1881) was a successful entrepreneur and industrialist in Saxony.
The name also found its way to other parts of Europe, with records showing Spenners in Switzerland and Austria. One notable individual was Johann Spenner (1738-1804), a Swiss painter and engraver from Schaffhausen.
In the 20th century, several Spenners made their mark in various fields. Oswald Spenner (1880-1937) was a German architect and urban planner, while Erich Spenner (1905-1997) was a German writer and journalist. Otto Spenner (1878-1960) was a German entrepreneur and industrialist who played a significant role in the development of the automotive industry.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Spenner 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 5 Spenners recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.41x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 5 | 6.41x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 9.57x |
| Surrey | 1 | 2.63x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 5.08x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St George Hanover in Middlesex leads with 4 Spenners recorded in 1881 and an index of 392.16x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St George Hanover | 4 | 392.16x |
| Croydon | 1 | 47.39x |
| Leith North | 1 | 5000.00x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 15.92x |
| Warwick St Mary | 1 | 588.24x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Spenner surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Spenner 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 Spenner households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Dom Serv Gen | 2 |
| Agent | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Lodging House Keeper | 1 |
| Stove Fitter (Builder) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Spenner surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 30 in 2016. That gives Spenner a modern rank of #35,997.
A German occupational surname derived from "spinner," referring to a spinner of yarn or thread.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Spenner 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.