UK surname
A surname derived from a physical characteristic, referring to a square or stocky individual.
In the 1881 census there were 151 people recorded with the Square surname, ranking it #15,419 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 34, ranked #35,768, down from #15,419 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Isleworth, Govan Combination and Thurlestone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Square is 330 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 77.5%.
1881 census count
151
Ranked #15,419
Modern count
34
2016, ranked #35,768
Peak year
1861
330 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Square surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Square 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 | 181 | #11,256 |
| 1861 | historical | 330 | #7,721 |
| 1881 | historical | 151 | #15,419 |
| 1891 | historical | 219 | #13,974 |
| 1901 | historical | 127 | #19,893 |
| 1911 | historical | 132 | #19,313 |
| 1997 | modern | 39 | #33,759 |
| 1998 | modern | 40 | #33,856 |
| 1999 | modern | 40 | #33,967 |
| 2000 | modern | 41 | #33,889 |
| 2001 | modern | 37 | #34,082 |
| 2002 | modern | 37 | #34,390 |
| 2003 | modern | 39 | #34,296 |
| 2004 | modern | 36 | #34,717 |
| 2005 | modern | 31 | #35,260 |
| 2006 | modern | 27 | #35,746 |
| 2007 | modern | 29 | #35,725 |
| 2008 | modern | 31 | #35,670 |
| 2009 | modern | 32 | #35,730 |
| 2010 | modern | 33 | #35,794 |
| 2011 | modern | 34 | #35,705 |
| 2012 | modern | 30 | #35,929 |
| 2013 | modern | 32 | #35,862 |
| 2014 | modern | 30 | #36,005 |
| 2015 | modern | 32 | #35,876 |
| 2016 | modern | 34 | #35,768 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Isleworth, Govan Combination, Thurlestone, St. Ninians and Kingsbridge. 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 | Isleworth | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Thurlestone | Devon |
| 4 | St. Ninians | Stirling |
| 5 | Kingsbridge | Devon |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Square 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 Square, 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 Square surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Square 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, Square 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 Square is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Square, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "SQUARE" originates from England, with the earliest known records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "squarer," which referred to a person who worked with squares or was a maker of square-shaped objects.
During the medieval period, the name was often associated with skilled craftsmen and tradesmen, such as carpenters, stonemasons, or builders. The surname may have originated as a descriptive nickname for someone whose occupation involved working with squares or making square-shaped structures.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like document from 1273, which mentions a "Roger le Squarer." This suggests that the name was already in use as a surname by the late 13th century.
In the 14th century, the surname appears in various forms, such as "le Squarer," "Squarer," and "Squyre." These variations reflect the evolving spelling and pronunciation of the name over time.
Notable individuals bearing the surname "SQUARE" throughout history include:
1. John Square (c. 1590 - 1654), an English clergyman and writer who served as Archdeacon of Derby. 2. Samuel Square (1670 - 1733), an English mathematician and surveyor, known for his work on logarithms and navigation. 3. Thomas Square (1738 - 1795), a British naval officer and explorer who contributed to the exploration of the Pacific Northwest region of North America. 4. Henry Square (1819 - 1887), an English architect and surveyor, known for his work on public buildings and churches in London. 5. Walter Square (1861 - 1925), a British politician and member of parliament who represented the constituency of Shoreditch from 1900 to 1906.
The surname "SQUARE" has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Square's Green in Cambridgeshire and Square's Farm in Hertfordshire, further reinforcing its historical roots in the country.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Square 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. Devon leads with 56 Squares recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.46x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 56 | 17.46x |
| Middlesex | 24 | 1.56x |
| Lanarkshire | 20 | 4.01x |
| Stirlingshire | 10 | 17.59x |
| Midlothian | 9 | 4.36x |
| Channel Islands | 7 | 15.33x |
| Renfrewshire | 6 | 5.02x |
| Hampshire | 5 | 1.58x |
| Clackmannanshire | 4 | 31.42x |
| Cornwall | 4 | 2.29x |
| Essex | 2 | 0.66x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 0.66x |
| Inverness-shire | 2 | 4.35x |
| Perthshire | 2 | 2.89x |
| Somerset | 2 | 0.81x |
| Ayrshire | 1 | 0.87x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 1.02x |
| Nairnshire | 1 | 21.28x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Thurlestone in Devon leads with 18 Squares recorded in 1881 and an index of 9473.68x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Thurlestone | 18 | 9473.68x |
| Plymouth Charles The | 17 | 120.31x |
| Isleworth | 10 | 145.99x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 9 | 10.84x |
| Govan | 7 | 5.68x |
| Abbey | 6 | 32.93x |
| Old Monkland | 6 | 30.33x |
| Blackawton | 5 | 892.86x |
| Compton Gifford | 5 | 495.05x |
| Kingsbridge | 5 | 617.28x |
| Shettleston | 5 | 112.11x |
| St Ninians | 5 | 88.81x |
| St Saviour | 5 | 198.41x |
| Alloa | 4 | 64.83x |
| Hackney London | 4 | 4.63x |
| Islington London | 4 | 2.68x |
| Bethnal Green London | 3 | 4.48x |
| Southampton St Mary | 3 | 15.11x |
| Southill | 3 | 1111.11x |
| Stirling | 3 | 41.84x |
| Stokenham | 3 | 333.33x |
| Brading | 2 | 47.62x |
| Bristol St Philip Jacob | 2 | 7.03x |
| Dunipace | 2 | 202.02x |
| Glasgow | 2 | 2.26x |
| Inverness | 2 | 17.27x |
| Kilmadock | 2 | 125.79x |
| St Helier | 2 | 13.45x |
| Stansted Mountfitchet | 2 | 259.74x |
| Ardclach | 1 | 169.49x |
| Atherington | 1 | 370.37x |
| Chew Magna | 1 | 114.94x |
| Exeter St David | 1 | 36.50x |
| Falmouth | 1 | 16.18x |
| Frome | 1 | 16.86x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 1.17x |
| Kilmarnock | 1 | 7.28x |
| Pennycross | 1 | 370.37x |
| St Bartholomew Less | 1 | 126.58x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 1.22x |
| St Peter Cambridge | 1 | 303.03x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Square 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 Square 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 Square households.
FAQ
In 1881, 151 people were recorded with the Square surname. That placed it at #15,419 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 34 in 2016. That gives Square a modern rank of #35,768.
A surname derived from a physical characteristic, referring to a square or stocky individual.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Square 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.