NameCensus.

UK surname

Strongman

A descriptive surname referring to someone of great physical strength or power.

In the 1881 census there were 216 people recorded with the Strongman surname, ranking it #12,222 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 119, ranked #27,704, down from #12,222 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Dennis, St Columb Major and Newlyn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hunter's Quay, Wirral and Wakefield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Strongman is 280 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 44.9%.

1881 census count

216

Ranked #12,222

Modern count

119

2016, ranked #27,704

Peak year

1911

280 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Strongman had 216 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,222 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016, ranked #27,704.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 280 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Strongman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Strongman surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Strongman 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 190 #10,852
1861 historical 128 #17,375
1881 historical 216 #12,222
1891 historical 228 #13,582
1901 historical 264 #12,693
1911 historical 280 #11,982
1997 modern 157 #20,513
1998 modern 164 #20,505
1999 modern 170 #20,153
2000 modern 163 #20,657
2001 modern 151 #21,375
2002 modern 158 #21,178
2003 modern 151 #21,574
2004 modern 137 #23,098
2005 modern 129 #23,963
2006 modern 128 #24,267
2007 modern 129 #24,503
2008 modern 126 #25,131
2009 modern 132 #24,929
2010 modern 136 #25,009
2011 modern 125 #26,220
2012 modern 125 #26,298
2013 modern 128 #26,336
2014 modern 123 #27,206
2015 modern 119 #27,684
2016 modern 119 #27,704

Geography

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Where Strongmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Dennis, St Columb Major, Newlyn, St Columb Minor and Falmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hunter's Quay, Wirral, Wakefield, Cornwall and Mid Devon. 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 St Dennis Cornwall
2 St Columb Major Cornwall
3 Newlyn Cornwall
4 St Columb Minor Cornwall
5 Falmouth Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hunter's Quay Argyll and Bute
2 Wirral 013 Wirral
3 Wakefield 029 Wakefield
4 Cornwall 032 Cornwall
5 Mid Devon 008 Mid Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Strongman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Strongman

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Strongman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Strongman household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Strongman is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Strongman is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Strongman falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Strongman 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 Strongman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Strongman

The surname Strongman has its origins in England, emerging in the Middle Ages around the 12th century. It likely derived from the Old English words "strang" and "mann," meaning "strong man" or "powerful man." This moniker was possibly bestowed upon someone who possessed remarkable physical strength or a formidable disposition.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century in the county of Gloucestershire, where a Thomas Strongman was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of 1230. The name also appeared in other medieval records, such as the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which listed a Richard Strongman.

The name's prevalence increased during the 14th and 15th centuries, with several notable individuals bearing the surname. One such person was John Strongman, a prominent landowner and knight who lived in the late 14th century and held estates in Wiltshire.

As the surname spread across England, variations in spelling emerged, including Strangman, Strangeman, and Strongeman. These variations likely stemmed from regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time.

In the 16th century, the Strongman name was associated with various places, such as Strongman's Green in Buckinghamshire and Strongman's Farm in Warwickshire. These place names suggest that branches of the Strongman family held significant landholdings or influence in these areas.

Among the more prominent individuals with the surname was Sir Robert Strongman (1545-1612), a wealthy merchant and alderman in the City of London. He was known for his philanthropic endeavors, including the establishment of a free school in his hometown of Chigwell, Essex.

Another notable figure was William Strongman (1676-1754), a renowned architect who designed several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas, including the St. George's Church in Bloomsbury.

In the 19th century, the Strongman name gained literary recognition through the works of the English novelist and playwright Douglas Strongman (1832-1892). His most celebrated work, "The Heir of Redclyffe," earned him critical acclaim and popularity during the Victorian era.

These are just a few examples of the historical figures who bore the surname Strongman, reflecting its enduring presence throughout the centuries in various parts of England and across different professions and social strata.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Strongman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Strongman 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. Cornwall leads with 143 Strongmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 59.95x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 143 59.95x
Middlesex 13 0.62x
Kent 8 1.11x
Surrey 8 0.78x
Glamorgan 7 1.91x
Hampshire 7 1.62x
Leicestershire 7 3.00x
Yorkshire 7 0.34x
Devon 5 1.14x
Lancashire 5 0.20x
Dorset 3 2.17x
Berkshire 2 1.26x
Wiltshire 1 0.54x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Falmouth in Cornwall leads with 34 Strongmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 402.84x.

Place Total Index
Falmouth 34 402.84x
St Stephen In Brannel 17 779.82x
St Columb Major 12 606.06x
St Columb Minor 12 600.00x
Islington London 8 3.92x
Little Petherick 8 5000.00x
St Ervan 8 2857.14x
Greasbrough 7 253.62x
Great Bowden 7 330.19x
Ladock 7 1029.41x
Mawgan In Pyder 7 1372.55x
Portsea 7 8.27x
Camberwell 6 4.46x
Lewisham 6 15.65x
Newlyn 5 490.20x
Perranzabuloe 5 242.72x
Llantrisant 4 43.24x
Probus 4 408.16x
St Clement 4 160.64x
St Wenn 4 1025.64x
Tregoney St James 4 909.09x
Broadwinsor 3 329.67x
Everton 3 3.77x
St Issey 3 612.24x
St Pancras London 3 1.77x
Ystradyfodwg 3 9.32x
Ashford 2 28.57x
Bow London 2 7.46x
Cubert 2 740.74x
Exeter St David 2 53.33x
New Windsor 2 37.59x
St Enoder 2 246.91x
Toxteth Park 2 2.36x
West Teignmouth 2 59.52x
Beddington 1 25.19x
Corsley 1 136.99x
Creed Grampound 1 344.83x
Gwinear 1 88.50x
Lambeth 1 0.54x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 2.96x
Redruth 1 14.81x
St Agnes 1 29.94x
St Minver 1 136.99x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jane 11
Mary 11
Elizabeth 10
Sarah 7
Annie 5
Ellen 5
Ann 4
Catherine 4
Alice 3
Amy 3
Lucy 3
Maria 3
Susan 3
Caroline 2
Eliza 2
Harriet 2
A. 1
Agnes 1
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Bessie 1
Betsy 1
Clara 1
E.J. 1
Elizh. 1
Elizh.J. 1
Ella 1
Elsie 1
Emma 1
Ethel 1
Flora 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Hamshall 1
Henrietta 1
Jessica 1
Jessie 1
Laura 1
Lois 1
Mabel 1
Maud 1
Miriam 1
Rhoda 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 21
William 15
James 12
Thomas 8
Arthur 4
Joseph 4
Richard 4
Charles 3
Francis 3
George 3
Albert 2
Frederick 2
Henry 2
Paul 2
Reuben 2
Samuel 2
Wm. 2
Alf.James 1
Alfred 1
Benjamin 1
Chas. 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Geo.Richd. 1
Heny 1
Luke 1
Martyn 1
Nicholas 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Phillip 1
Robert 1
Willm. 1
Wm.Geo. 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Strongman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Strongman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 216 people were recorded with the Strongman surname. That placed it at #12,222 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Strongman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016. That gives Strongman a modern rank of #27,704.

What does the Strongman surname mean?

A descriptive surname referring to someone of great physical strength or power.

What does the Strongman map show?

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