NameCensus.

UK surname

Summerson

An English surname derived from "summer" and "-son", meaning "son of the summer harvester".

In the 1881 census there were 264 people recorded with the Summerson surname, ranking it #10,655 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 423, ranked #11,344, down from #10,655 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Cockfield and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham and Scarborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Summerson is 436 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 60.2%.

1881 census count

264

Ranked #10,655

Modern count

423

2016, ranked #11,344

Peak year

1999

436 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Summerson had 264 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,655 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 423 in 2016, ranked #11,344.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 364 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Summerson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Summerson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Summerson 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 144 #13,277
1861 historical 168 #13,895
1881 historical 264 #10,655
1891 historical 324 #10,453
1901 historical 328 #10,943
1911 historical 364 #9,985
1997 modern 421 #10,589
1998 modern 435 #10,678
1999 modern 436 #10,738
2000 modern 433 #10,750
2001 modern 429 #10,634
2002 modern 423 #10,975
2003 modern 417 #10,924
2004 modern 431 #10,680
2005 modern 415 #10,878
2006 modern 400 #11,257
2007 modern 399 #11,396
2008 modern 403 #11,398
2009 modern 410 #11,503
2010 modern 418 #11,582
2011 modern 424 #11,314
2012 modern 420 #11,278
2013 modern 420 #11,489
2014 modern 422 #11,516
2015 modern 419 #11,483
2016 modern 423 #11,344

Geography

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Where Summersons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Cockfield, Gateshead, Auckland St Andrew and Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham and Scarborough. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Cockfield Durham
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Auckland St Andrew Durham
5 Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) Northumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 052 County Durham
2 County Durham 049 County Durham
3 County Durham 056 County Durham
4 Scarborough 002 Scarborough
5 County Durham 051 County Durham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Summerson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Summerson

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Summerson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Summerson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Challenged Inner London Communities

Within London, Summerson is most associated with areas classed as Challenged Inner London Communities, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Resident in some of Inner London’s most over-crowded communities, many families have children and marriage/civil partnership rates are above the Supergroup average. Other adults such as students live in communal establishments. Few residents have Level 4 educational qualifications, levels of unemployment are above the Supergroup average, and employment is concentrated in service occupations such as distribution, hotels and restaurants. Relative to the Supergroup average, fewer residents identify as being of mixed/multiple ethnicities, Black or Other Asian.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Summerson 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

Summerson 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 Summerson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Summerson

The surname Summerson has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "sumor" meaning summer and "tun" meaning a farm or settlement. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived or worked at a summer farm or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name can be found in the 13th century Huntingdonshire Hundred Rolls, where it appears as "Sumertone". This early spelling variation highlights the connection to the Old English roots and the potential link to a specific place name.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where it is spelled "Somerton". This variation further reinforces the association with a place name, potentially referring to the town of Somerton in Somerset.

During the 15th century, the spelling "Summerson" began to emerge more consistently. One notable individual bearing this surname was John Summerson, a prominent English architect and architectural historian who lived from 1904 to 1992. He is best known for his influential works on English architecture, including "The Architecture of the Eighteenth Century" and "The Life and Work of John Nash, Architect".

Another individual of historical significance was Sir William Summerson, born in 1675, who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1741. He was a respected merchant and philanthropist, known for his contributions to the city's development and charitable endeavors.

In the 17th century, the name appeared in the records of the Gloucestershire Visitation of 1623, where it was documented as "Summerson of Newland". This suggests that the family may have had connections to the town of Newland in Gloucestershire during that period.

The 18th century saw the birth of William Summerson, a British naval officer who participated in several notable battles during the American Revolutionary War. Born in 1741, he was commended for his bravery and service to the Royal Navy.

Moving into the 19th century, one notable bearer of the Summerson surname was John Summerson, born in 1840. He was a prominent educator and author, best known for his works on the history of education and educational reform in England.

Throughout its history, the surname Summerson has maintained a strong presence in various regions of England, particularly in counties such as Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire, where it has deep roots. While the name may have originated from a specific place name or settlement, it has since spread and become an established surname across the country and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Summerson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Summerson 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 132 Summersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.23x.

County Total Index
Durham 132 17.23x
Yorkshire 65 2.55x
Northumberland 38 9.92x
Middlesex 11 0.43x
Norfolk 7 1.77x
Surrey 5 0.40x
Derbyshire 3 0.74x
Cumberland 1 0.45x
Essex 1 0.20x
Lincolnshire 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bishopwearmouth in Durham leads with 17 Summersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.85x.

Place Total Index
Bishopwearmouth 17 25.85x
Longbenton 16 98.58x
Cockfield 14 1308.41x
Bedlington 12 93.82x
Evenwood Barony 12 461.54x
Danby 11 1067.96x
Haughton Le Skerne 10 1587.30x
Shadforth 10 671.14x
Middlesbrough 9 27.08x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 8 24.11x
Middlestone 8 519.48x
Mirfield 8 57.10x
Benfieldside 7 138.89x
East Thickley 7 451.61x
Norwich St Benedict 7 397.73x
Pocklington 7 290.46x
St Marylebone London 7 5.09x
East Murton 6 419.58x
Hutton Cranswick 6 560.75x
Norton In Malton 6 194.17x
Whitley 6 483.87x
Wingate 6 114.29x
Ruswarp 5 176.06x
Skircoat 5 49.70x
West Auckland 5 178.57x
Bethnal Green London 4 3.58x
Dawdon 4 42.46x
Chilton 3 125.52x
Edmondsley 3 365.85x
Sunderland 3 22.17x
Walton On Thames 3 52.08x
Battersea 2 2.11x
Derby St Peter 2 15.58x
Elswick 2 6.54x
Heworth 2 13.25x
Houghton Le Spring 2 37.74x
Newcastle On Tyne St 2 10.07x
Wakefield 2 10.21x
Alford 1 39.22x
Bishop Auckland 1 9.73x
Brightlingsea 1 34.48x
Denby 1 81.30x
Gateshead 1 1.74x
Great Driffield 1 19.08x
Hetton Le Hole 1 10.30x
Kirkleatham 1 28.99x
Lund 1 243.90x
Otley 1 16.13x
Sculcoates 1 2.47x
Streatlam Stainton 1 333.33x
Windlestone 1 454.55x
Workington 1 7.88x
York Minster Yard W 1 169.49x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 23
Jane 12
Ann 10
Elizabeth 9
Margaret 7
Eliza 6
Margret 6
Alice 5
Annie 5
Sarah 5
Barbara 4
Isabella 4
Catherine 3
Deborah 2
Edith 2
Ellen 2
Emily 2
Harriet 2
Louisa 2
Ada 1
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Anne 1
Barbary 1
Barbra 1
Brabra 1
Delia 1
Diana 1
Dinah 1
Dorathea 1
Eleanor 1
Emma 1
Emmeline 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Ida 1
Isabelle 1
Jemima 1
Kate 1
Katharine 1
Laura 1
Lily 1
Louise 1
Maggie 1
Maria 1
Marion 1
Martha 1
Minnie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Robert 24
Thomas 16
George 13
John 11
William 8
James 6
Samuel 5
Francis 4
Alfred 3
David 3
Arthur 2
Charles 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Joseph 2
B.R. 1
Christopher 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Henry 1
Hereward 1
Mark 1
Mary 1
Matthew 1
Michael 1
Peter 1
Richard 1
Robson 1
Robt. 1
Septimus 1
T.W. 1
Tawson 1
Wilfred 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Summerson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Summerson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 264 people were recorded with the Summerson surname. That placed it at #10,655 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Summerson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 423 in 2016. That gives Summerson a modern rank of #11,344.

What does the Summerson surname mean?

An English surname derived from "summer" and "-son", meaning "son of the summer harvester".

What does the Summerson map show?

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