NameCensus.

UK surname

Summan

A surname indicating a person or family of Finnish ethnicity.

In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Summan surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 250, ranked #16,792, up from #32,581 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Hertfordshire, Sandwell and Wolverhampton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Summan is 262 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 3025.0%.

1881 census count

8

Ranked #32,581

Modern count

250

2016, ranked #16,792

Peak year

2011

262 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Summan had 8 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,581 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 250 in 2016, ranked #16,792.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 50 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Summan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Summan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Summan 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
1861 historical 50 #27,636
1881 historical 8 #32,581
1891 historical 44 #30,838
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1911 historical 5 #33,427
1997 modern 167 #19,722
1998 modern 187 #18,857
1999 modern 197 #18,400
2000 modern 206 #17,880
2001 modern 198 #18,047
2002 modern 208 #17,848
2003 modern 212 #17,454
2004 modern 224 #16,918
2005 modern 238 #16,198
2006 modern 238 #16,288
2007 modern 240 #16,392
2008 modern 255 #15,859
2009 modern 250 #16,421
2010 modern 261 #16,294
2011 modern 262 #16,098
2012 modern 260 #16,090
2013 modern 258 #16,421
2014 modern 261 #16,421
2015 modern 254 #16,608
2016 modern 250 #16,792

Geography

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Where Summans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Hertfordshire, Sandwell and Wolverhampton. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Hertfordshire 006 North Hertfordshire
2 Sandwell 017 Sandwell
3 Wolverhampton 020 Wolverhampton
4 North Hertfordshire 008 North Hertfordshire
5 Wolverhampton 017 Wolverhampton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Summan

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Summan

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Summan, 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 Summan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Summan 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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Summan is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Summan 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

Summan 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 Summan 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
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Summan

The surname Summan has its origins in Sweden, dating back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Old Swedish word "summan," which means "the total" or "the sum." In its earliest form, the name was likely used as a descriptive nickname for someone involved in accounting or bookkeeping.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Summan surname appears in the Swedish parish records of Värmland County in the late 1500s. The name was primarily concentrated in the central and western regions of Sweden during this time period.

Historical records from the 17th century mention a Johan Summan, a merchant from Gothenburg who was involved in trade with the Dutch East Indies Company. Another notable individual was Erik Summan, born in 1692, who served as a magistrate in the town of Falun.

In the 18th century, the Summan name spread to other parts of Scandinavia, including Norway and Denmark. A Danish soldier named Niels Summan fought in the Great Northern War against Sweden in the early 1700s.

The 19th century saw the Summan surname make its way to other parts of Europe and North America through immigration. One such example is August Summan, born in 1812 in Värmland, who later settled in the United States and became a prominent farmer in Minnesota.

Another notable figure was the Swedish writer and poet Ingrid Summan, born in 1867, who gained recognition for her works depicting rural life in her native Värmland region.

In the early 20th century, a Norwegian named Olaf Summan, born in 1905, became a successful businessman in the shipping industry and played a role in the development of the port city of Bergen.

While the Summan surname has its roots in Sweden, it has since spread across the globe, with bearers of the name found in various countries, each with their own unique stories and contributions to their respective communities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Summan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Summan 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. Durham leads with 5 Summans recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.54x.

County Total Index
Durham 5 21.54x
Yorkshire 3 3.88x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hart Thorpe Bulmer in Durham leads with 5 Summans recorded in 1881 and an index of 50000.00x.

Place Total Index
Hart Thorpe Bulmer 5 50000.00x
Leeds 3 68.81x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 1
Annie 1
Dorothy 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Edward 2
Richard 1
William 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 Summan households.

FAQ

Summan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Summan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Summan surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Summan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 250 in 2016. That gives Summan a modern rank of #16,792.

What does the Summan surname mean?

A surname indicating a person or family of Finnish ethnicity.

What does the Summan map show?

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