NameCensus.

UK surname

Stranger

One whose ancestors came from a foreign land or unknown locale.

In the 1881 census there were 207 people recorded with the Stranger surname, ranking it #12,555 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 110, ranked #29,225, down from #12,555 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to North Molton, Highbray, London parishes and Dittisham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Dorset, South Somerset and Shropshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stranger is 273 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 46.9%.

1881 census count

207

Ranked #12,555

Modern count

110

2016, ranked #29,225

Peak year

1861

273 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Stranger had 207 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,555 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 110 in 2016, ranked #29,225.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 273 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Stranger surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Stranger surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Stranger 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 206 #10,183
1861 historical 273 #9,134
1881 historical 207 #12,555
1891 historical 226 #13,668
1901 historical 218 #14,332
1911 historical 216 #14,240
1997 modern 140 #22,031
1998 modern 141 #22,517
1999 modern 135 #23,279
2000 modern 139 #22,855
2001 modern 109 #26,059
2002 modern 118 #25,358
2003 modern 116 #25,415
2004 modern 126 #24,335
2005 modern 126 #24,287
2006 modern 132 #23,834
2007 modern 133 #24,059
2008 modern 131 #24,583
2009 modern 134 #24,711
2010 modern 139 #24,688
2011 modern 146 #23,736
2012 modern 118 #27,250
2013 modern 117 #27,838
2014 modern 116 #28,253
2015 modern 116 #28,151
2016 modern 110 #29,225

Geography

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Where Strangers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around North Molton, Highbray, London parishes, Dittisham, Holsworthy and Brent, South. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Dorset, South Somerset, Shropshire, York and Forest of Dean. 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 North Molton, Highbray Devon
2 London parishes London 3
3 Dittisham Devon
4 Holsworthy Devon
5 Brent, South Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Dorset 002 North Dorset
2 South Somerset 004 South Somerset
3 Shropshire 010 Shropshire
4 York 015 York
5 Forest of Dean 002 Forest of Dean

Forenames

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First names often paired with Stranger

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Stranger

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Stranger surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Stranger household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Stranger is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Stranger is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Stranger 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 Stranger is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Stranger

The surname STRANGER is of English origin, derived from the Old French word "estrangier," meaning "foreigner" or "stranger." This name likely originated during the Middle Ages, when it was commonly used as a descriptive term for someone who had arrived from another region or country.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the STRANGER surname dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, which mentions a man named "Richard le Estrangier" in Oxfordshire, England. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 11th century.

During the 13th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, such as "Lestranger," "Lestrange," and "Lestraunge." These variations reflect the influence of Norman French on the English language following the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Several notable individuals have borne the STRANGER surname throughout history. One such figure was Sir Roger Lestraunge (c. 1285-1349), a prominent English nobleman and landowner who served as a knight in the Scottish Wars of Independence.

Another historical figure was Thomas Lestraunge (c. 1445-1518), a prominent English judge and politician during the Tudor period. He served as Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer under King Henry VII and later as a member of the Privy Council under King Henry VIII.

In the realm of literature, the English poet and playwright John Stranger (1554-1635) is remembered for his works, including "The Anatomie of the Minde" and "Maister Waveland's Discourse of Husbandrie."

During the 17th century, the surname can be found in various parishes across England, with documented instances in counties such as Norfolk, Suffolk, and Lincolnshire. The name also appears in early colonial records from the British colonies in America, suggesting that some STRANGER families may have emigrated to the New World during this period.

Another noteworthy individual with the STRANGER surname was John Stranger (1618-1654), an English Puritan minister and writer who served as a chaplain during the English Civil War and was known for his religious treatises and sermons.

The STRANGER surname has persisted through the centuries, with various spellings and variations emerging in different regions and historical periods, reflecting the diverse origins and journeys of those who have carried this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Stranger families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stranger 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. Devon leads with 48 Strangers recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.32x.

County Total Index
Devon 48 10.32x
Middlesex 27 1.21x
Channel Islands 22 33.24x
Somerset 17 4.73x
Surrey 15 1.38x
Staffordshire 14 1.86x
Kent 13 1.71x
Cornwall 10 3.95x
Yorkshire 10 0.45x
Lancashire 8 0.30x
Sussex 8 2.12x
Midlothian 7 2.34x
Durham 5 0.75x
Essex 5 1.13x
Renfrewshire 4 2.31x
Derbyshire 3 0.86x
Dorset 2 1.36x
Gloucestershire 2 0.46x
Hertfordshire 2 1.30x
Northumberland 2 0.60x
Berkshire 1 0.60x
Northamptonshire 1 0.48x
Oxfordshire 1 0.73x
Warwickshire 1 0.18x
Worcestershire 1 0.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Sampson in Channel Islands leads with 15 Strangers recorded in 1881 and an index of 503.36x.

Place Total Index
St Sampson 15 503.36x
St James Taunton 12 7058.82x
Marldon 11 2820.51x
Leek Lowe 10 99.70x
Deptford St Paul 9 15.31x
Dittisham 9 1956.52x
Wolborough 9 153.06x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 7 5.81x
Islington London 7 3.23x
Ermington 6 355.03x
Bedminster 5 14.80x
Brighton 5 6.58x
Enfield 5 34.11x
West Derby 5 6.45x
Bodmin 4 95.69x
East Greenock 4 24.46x
Holsworthy 4 305.34x
Lanchester 4 327.87x
Southwark Christchurch 4 38.20x
St Michaelinthe Vale 4 169.49x
Talland 4 666.67x
Bethnal Green London 3 3.09x
Hornsey 3 10.62x
Lambeth 3 1.54x
Newington 3 3.64x
York St Cuthbert 3 147.78x
Brompton In 2 202.02x
Chingford 2 188.68x
East Looe 2 194.17x
Hackney London 2 1.60x
Harborne 2 8.28x
Kingston On Thames 2 7.65x
Leeds 2 1.60x
Loddiswell 2 327.87x
Newnham 2 176.99x
Pilkington 2 19.86x
Rattery 2 666.67x
Rotherhithe 2 7.25x
South Brent 2 200.00x
St George Hanover 2 6.86x
St Maryde Castro 2 122.70x
Wallsend 2 18.98x
Wingfield South 2 212.77x
Alfreton 1 9.42x
Bewerley 1 109.89x
Birmingham 1 0.53x
Burslem 1 4.63x
Chelsea London 1 1.49x
Churchstow 1 357.14x
Cranham 1 312.50x
East Ham 1 12.22x
Exeter St David 1 25.19x
Farnworth 1 6.30x
Holy Trinity 1 1.88x
Horsted Keynes 1 113.64x
Hove 1 6.05x
Lewisham 1 2.46x
Limehouse London 1 4.08x
Maidstone 1 4.41x
Melcombe Regis 1 16.45x
Oxford St Thomas 1 15.53x
Paddington London 1 1.22x
Pevensey 1 357.14x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 2.79x
Ribbesford 1 41.15x
Sherborne 1 23.15x
Shildon 1 18.73x
St Helier 1 4.64x
St Pancras London 1 0.56x
Tilehurst 1 29.50x
Twickenham 1 10.44x
Upper Hardres 1 454.55x
Walsall Foreign 1 2.57x
Ware 1 22.68x
Watford 1 8.38x
Wellingborough 1 9.47x
West Ham 1 1.03x
Woking 1 15.24x
Woolwich 1 3.55x
York St Saviour 1 47.39x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Elizabeth 10
Ellen 6
Eliza 5
Jane 5
Alice 4
Emma 4
Sarah 4
Annie 3
Emily 3
Susan 3
Florence 2
Rachel 2
Anna 1
Bertha 1
Betsey 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Clara 1
Ethel 1
Eva 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Helena 1
Hilda 1
Ida 1
Infant 1
Isabel 1
Isabell 1
Jessie 1
Joan 1
Julia 1
Lavinia 1
Lilly 1
Littice 1
Lottie 1
Lucilla 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
M. 1
Margraet 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
Olivia 1
Phill 1
Phoebe 1
Priscilla 1
Susana 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 19
John 14
James 9
Thomas 9
Richard 7
Charles 5
Edward 4
George 4
Henry 3
Samuel 3
A. 2
Ernest 2
Frederick 2
Philip 2
Alfred 1
Caleb 1
Edgar 1
Geo.H. 1
Habias 1
Harry 1
Infant 1
Jack 1
Jno. 1
Joseph 1
Mary 1
Nathaniel 1
Paul 1
Percival 1
Peter 1
Poynton 1
Robert 1
Saml. 1
Sidney 1
T. 1
Vincent 1
Watford 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Stranger surname: questions and answers

How common was the Stranger surname in 1881?

In 1881, 207 people were recorded with the Stranger surname. That placed it at #12,555 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Stranger surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 110 in 2016. That gives Stranger a modern rank of #29,225.

What does the Stranger surname mean?

One whose ancestors came from a foreign land or unknown locale.

What does the Stranger map show?

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