NameCensus.

UK surname

Stan

An English surname derived from the Old English word "stān" meaning "stone" or "rock".

In the 1881 census there were 40 people recorded with the Stan surname, ranking it #28,011 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 653, ranked #8,152, up from #28,011 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochester, Berwick and Leigh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Tyneside, Brent and Barking and Dagenham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stan is 653 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1532.5%.

1881 census count

40

Ranked #28,011

Modern count

653

2016, ranked #8,152

Peak year

2016

653 bearers

Map years

2

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Stan had 40 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,011 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 653 in 2016, ranked #8,152.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 154 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Stan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Stan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Stan 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 78 #19,840
1861 historical 154 #14,963
1881 historical 40 #28,011
1891 historical 82 #26,494
1901 historical 7 #33,435
1911 historical 44 #28,454
1997 modern 11 #36,912
1998 modern 11 #36,908
1999 modern 11 #36,917
2000 modern 13 #36,635
2001 modern 13 #36,483
2002 modern 17 #36,164
2003 modern 16 #36,304
2004 modern 19 #36,147
2005 modern 31 #35,260
2006 modern 37 #35,074
2007 modern 68 #32,760
2008 modern 91 #30,431
2009 modern 126 #25,686
2010 modern 184 #20,521
2011 modern 242 #17,001
2012 modern 375 #12,292
2013 modern 426 #11,350
2014 modern 503 #10,038
2015 modern 548 #9,338
2016 modern 653 #8,152

Geography

Back to top

Where Stans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochester, Berwick, Leigh, Enfield and Romford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Tyneside, Brent, Barking and Dagenham and Manchester. 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 Rochester Kent
2 Berwick Sussex
3 Leigh Lancashire
4 Enfield Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
5 Romford Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Tyneside 029 North Tyneside
2 Brent 008 Brent
3 Barking and Dagenham 023 Barking and Dagenham
4 Brent 007 Brent
5 Manchester 027 Manchester

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Stan

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Stan

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Stan, 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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Stan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Stan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Stan 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

Stan 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

Stan falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Stan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Stan

The surname STAN is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "stan," meaning "stone." It is believed to have emerged as a surname during the late 11th century, shortly after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname STAN can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry "William Stan" appears in the records for Oxfordshire, indicating that the name was already in use during that time.

The surname STAN is often associated with people who lived near or worked with stone, such as stonemasons or quarrymen. It may have originally been an occupational surname or a topographic surname, referring to someone who lived near a prominent stone or rocky area.

In the 13th century, the surname STAN appeared in various forms, including "de la Stan," "atte Stan," and "atte Stone," reflecting the evolution of English surnames and the influence of Norman French.

One notable historical figure with the surname STAN was Sir William Stan (c. 1508-1558), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Mary I. He played a role in the religious and political turmoil of the Tudor period.

Another prominent individual was John Stan (1590-1654), an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works and served as the rector of Terrington St. Clement in Norfolk.

In the 18th century, the surname STAN was found in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, where the village of Stanbury likely derived its name from the Old English word "stan" and the word "burh," meaning a fortified place or town.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname STAN in North America dates back to the 17th century, when John Stan (1635-1704) immigrated from England to Massachusetts Bay Colony and settled in Taunton.

In the 19th century, the surname STAN gained prominence with individuals such as Henry Thomas Stan (1819-1887), a British diplomat and writer who served as the British Consul-General in Tripoli and wrote several books about his travels in North Africa.

Throughout history, the surname STAN has been associated with various professions, including stonemasons, quarrymen, clergymen, politicians, and writers, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Stan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stan 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. Middlesex leads with 4 Stans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.42x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 4 3.42x
Lincolnshire 2 10.71x
Norfolk 2 11.13x
Glamorgan 1 4.91x
Hampshire 1 4.18x
Somerset 1 5.32x
Surrey 1 1.76x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 2 Stans recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.65x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 2 17.65x
Stanford 2 20000.00x
Cardiff St John 1 151.52x
Chelsea London 1 28.41x
Glanford Brigg 1 1428.57x
Hemington 1 5000.00x
Long Ditton 1 1111.11x
Portsea 1 21.32x
St Luke London 1 53.48x
St Mary Magdalen Lincoln 1 3333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Martha 2
Emmeline 1
Frances 1
Jane 1
Lydia 1
Maria 1
Mary 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Frank 1
Richd.Benjmn. 1
Robert 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 Stan households.

FAQ

Stan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Stan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 40 people were recorded with the Stan surname. That placed it at #28,011 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Stan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 653 in 2016. That gives Stan a modern rank of #8,152.

What does the Stan surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old English word "stān" meaning "stone" or "rock".

What does the Stan map show?

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