NameCensus.

UK surname

Sumbler

An English habitational surname referring to someone from a place called Sumbler.

In the 1881 census there were 51 people recorded with the Sumbler surname, ranking it #26,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 122, ranked #27,255, down from #26,428 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Melksham, Ainderby Steeple and Stratton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, Swindon and Chichester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sumbler is 137 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 139.2%.

1881 census count

51

Ranked #26,428

Modern count

122

2016, ranked #27,255

Peak year

2009

137 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sumbler had 51 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,428 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016, ranked #27,255.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 107 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Sumbler surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sumbler surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sumbler 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 29 #28,082
1861 historical 57 #26,718
1881 historical 51 #26,428
1891 historical 77 #27,169
1901 historical 54 #28,178
1911 historical 107 #21,842
1997 modern 132 #22,821
1998 modern 136 #23,013
1999 modern 136 #23,186
2000 modern 118 #25,197
2001 modern 126 #23,883
2002 modern 131 #23,793
2003 modern 125 #24,265
2004 modern 135 #23,326
2005 modern 128 #24,076
2006 modern 125 #24,611
2007 modern 124 #25,086
2008 modern 125 #25,249
2009 modern 137 #24,371
2010 modern 134 #25,263
2011 modern 132 #25,303
2012 modern 127 #25,992
2013 modern 131 #25,932
2014 modern 130 #26,216
2015 modern 129 #26,226
2016 modern 122 #27,255

Geography

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Where Sumblers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Melksham, Ainderby Steeple, Stratton, Calne, Bowood, Blackland, Calstone Withington and Woodford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, Swindon, Chichester and Wirral. 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 Melksham Wiltshire
2 Ainderby Steeple Yorkshire, North Riding
3 Stratton Wiltshire
4 Calne, Bowood, Blackland, Calstone Withington Wiltshire
5 Woodford Northamptonshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 012 Wiltshire
2 Swindon 004 Swindon
3 Chichester 014 Chichester
4 Wirral 012 Wirral
5 Swindon 025 Swindon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sumbler

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sumbler

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Sumbler is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Sumbler is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Sumbler falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Sumbler is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Sumbler

The surname SUMBLER is of English origin, emerging in the late medieval period around the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "sumor," meaning summer, suggesting an occupational name for someone who worked during the summer months, perhaps as a seasonal agricultural laborer or tradesman.

The earliest recorded instances of the SUMBLER surname can be traced back to various counties in England, such as Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire. It is likely that the name originated in these southwestern regions of the country and later spread to other areas through migration and population movements.

One notable early record of the SUMBLER name is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which mentions a John Somerler. This variation in spelling, "Somerler," was common during that era, as standardized spellings were not yet established.

In the 15th century, the SUMBLER surname appears in the historical records of the County of Dorset. The Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1436 list a Thomas Sumbeler, and the Musters of 1539 mention a John Sumblar, both residing in the county.

Among the earliest known individuals bearing the SUMBLER surname was Richard Sumbler, born in 1542 in Chippenham, Wiltshire. He was a prosperous landowner and prominent figure in the local community.

Another notable figure was William Sumbler, born in 1607 in Bristol, who served as a Captain in the English Civil War and played a role in the Battle of Naseby in 1645.

During the 17th century, the SUMBLER name gained further recognition with the birth of John Sumbler in 1652 in Gloucestershire. He was a renowned clockmaker and horologist, renowned for his intricate and accurate timepieces.

In the 18th century, a branch of the SUMBLER family settled in Yorkshire, where Robert Sumbler, born in 1723, became a respected merchant and alderman in the city of Leeds.

Moving into the 19th century, one of the most prominent individuals with the SUMBLER surname was Edward Sumbler, born in 1832 in Somerset. He was a pioneering engineer who made significant contributions to the development of early steam engines and railway technology.

While the SUMBLER surname may have evolved from humble beginnings as an occupational name for seasonal workers, it has since been borne by numerous notable individuals throughout English history, spanning various professions and walks of life.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sumbler families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sumbler 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. Wiltshire leads with 31 Sumblers recorded in 1881 and an index of 70.50x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 31 70.50x
Northamptonshire 6 12.83x
Yorkshire 6 1.22x
Gloucestershire 2 2.05x
Hampshire 2 1.96x
Somerset 2 2.50x
Kent 1 0.59x
Middlesex 1 0.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Melksham in Wiltshire leads with 7 Sumblers recorded in 1881 and an index of 921.05x.

Place Total Index
Melksham 7 921.05x
Calne 6 659.34x
Thornton Le Moor 6 10000.00x
Woodford 6 2307.69x
Swindon 5 146.63x
Heddington 4 6666.67x
Bradford On Avon 2 141.84x
Bromham 2 1000.00x
Seend 2 2222.22x
Westbury On Trym 2 60.61x
Acton 1 34.36x
Box 1 270.27x
Corsham 1 156.25x
Hawley 1 526.32x
Lyncombe Widcombe 1 47.62x
Mottisfont 1 1111.11x
Shepton Mallet 1 111.11x
Walmer 1 135.14x
Winterbourne Monkton 1 2500.00x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 4
John 3
Charles 2
George 2
Henry 2
Alfred 1
David 1
Fred 1
Isaac 1
James 1
Job 1
Lot 1
Nathan 1
Samuel 1
Thomas 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 Sumbler households.

FAQ

Sumbler surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sumbler surname in 1881?

In 1881, 51 people were recorded with the Sumbler surname. That placed it at #26,428 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sumbler surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016. That gives Sumbler a modern rank of #27,255.

What does the Sumbler surname mean?

An English habitational surname referring to someone from a place called Sumbler.

What does the Sumbler map show?

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