NameCensus.

UK surname

Sumsion

An English surname derived from the first name "Son of Simon".

In the 1881 census there were 151 people recorded with the Sumsion surname, ranking it #15,419 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 173, ranked #21,561, down from #15,419 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Monkton Farleigh, Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, and Berkeley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bath and North East Somerset, Enfield and Epping Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sumsion is 224 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 14.6%.

1881 census count

151

Ranked #15,419

Modern count

173

2016, ranked #21,561

Peak year

1911

224 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sumsion had 151 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,419 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 173 in 2016, ranked #21,561.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 224 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Sumsion surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sumsion surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sumsion 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 88 #18,569
1861 historical 92 #22,112
1881 historical 151 #15,419
1891 historical 218 #14,023
1901 historical 222 #14,169
1911 historical 224 #13,914
1997 modern 198 #17,729
1998 modern 206 #17,796
1999 modern 204 #18,021
2000 modern 200 #18,209
2001 modern 194 #18,287
2002 modern 203 #18,115
2003 modern 197 #18,311
2004 modern 189 #18,855
2005 modern 172 #19,908
2006 modern 169 #20,294
2007 modern 166 #20,811
2008 modern 163 #21,238
2009 modern 167 #21,383
2010 modern 171 #21,481
2011 modern 166 #21,745
2012 modern 163 #21,989
2013 modern 177 #21,170
2014 modern 183 #20,880
2015 modern 176 #21,291
2016 modern 173 #21,561

Geography

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Where Sumsions are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Monkton Farleigh, Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, Berkeley, Lyncombe and Widcombe and Walcott, Charlcome. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bath and North East Somerset, Enfield, Epping Forest and Cowal North. 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 Monkton Farleigh Wiltshire
2 Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, Gloucestershire
3 Berkeley Gloucestershire
4 Lyncombe and Widcombe Somerset
5 Walcott, Charlcome Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bath and North East Somerset 022 Bath and North East Somerset
2 Enfield 002 Enfield
3 Bath and North East Somerset 017 Bath and North East Somerset
4 Epping Forest 001 Epping Forest
5 Cowal North Argyll and Bute

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sumsion

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sumsion

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Sumsion, 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 Sumsion surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Sumsion 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Sumsion is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Sumsion is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Sumsion falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Sumsion

The surname SUMSION has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "sumor," meaning summer, and the suffix "-sion," indicating a place or location. This suggests that the name was likely associated with a place or settlement related to summer activities or a particular summer location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SUMSION can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from the year 1273, where a person named William Sumersune is listed. This spelling variation, "Sumersune," provides insight into the name's evolution over time.

In the 14th century, the SUMSION name appeared in various historical records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where a Robert Somersone was recorded. This spelling variation, "Somersone," further highlights the name's transformations.

The SUMSION surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was John Sumsion, a 16th-century English composer and organist who lived from approximately 1550 to 1610. He served as the organist at Winchester Cathedral and composed various sacred works.

Another individual of note was Robert Sumsion, a 17th-century English clergyman and author who lived from 1618 to 1692. He was a Royalist during the English Civil War and wrote several religious works, including "The Doctrine of Regeneration" and "The Doctrine of Humiliation."

In the 18th century, Richard Sumsion, born in 1675 and died in 1749, was a prominent English clockmaker and inventor. He is credited with developing several innovations in clock-making, including the use of a pendulum suspension spring.

The SUMSION name has also been associated with several locations and place names throughout history. For instance, the village of Somersham in Huntingdonshire, England, was once known as "Sumersham" or "Sumersham" in ancient records, potentially sharing a connection with the SUMSION surname.

Another notable figure was Henry Sumsion, a 19th-century English architect who lived from 1828 to 1898. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings, including the Birmingham Town Hall and the Masonic Hall in Birmingham.

While the SUMSION surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, through immigration and migration patterns. However, the earliest recorded instances and historical references remain rooted in England, reflecting the name's rich heritage and evolution over centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sumsion families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sumsion 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. Somerset leads with 68 Sumsions recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.87x.

County Total Index
Somerset 68 28.87x
Wiltshire 35 27.05x
Gloucestershire 30 10.46x
Cheshire 5 1.55x
Middlesex 5 0.34x
Essex 4 1.39x
Kent 1 0.20x
Lancashire 1 0.06x
Surrey 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Monkton Farleigh in Wiltshire leads with 17 Sumsions recorded in 1881 and an index of 8095.24x.

Place Total Index
Monkton Farleigh 17 8095.24x
Lyncombe Widcombe 16 259.32x
Berkeley 13 812.50x
Colerne 12 2264.15x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 11 209.52x
Monckton Combe 11 1466.67x
Walcot 9 71.77x
Wellow 9 1304.35x
Yeovil 7 146.14x
Bath St Michael 5 420.17x
Birkenhead 5 19.43x
Bath St Peter St Paul 4 384.62x
East Ham 4 74.63x
Islington London 4 2.82x
Semington 4 1904.76x
Bathwick 3 114.94x
Bristol St Peter 3 291.26x
Bath St James 2 81.30x
Bradford On Avon 2 48.31x
Bristol St Paul In 1 13.09x
Cheltenham 1 4.52x
Gloucester Kingsholm St 1 93.46x
Hammersmith London 1 2.77x
Horton Kirby 1 129.87x
North Meols 1 5.89x
Paulton 1 92.59x
Streatham 1 9.22x
Swainswick 1 312.50x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 13
Sarah 5
Ellen 4
Eliza 3
Elizabeth 3
Florence 3
Ann 2
Anne 2
Clara 2
Emma 2
Jane 2
Julia 2
Lavinia 2
Louisa 2
Martha 2
A.C. 1
Alice 1
Amelia 1
Annie 1
Bessie 1
Blanche 1
Catharine 1
Catherine 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elenor 1
Elizth. 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Fraulien 1
Hannah 1
Harriett 1
Henneretta 1
Henrietta 1
Jemima 1
Kate 1
L.J. 1
Lily 1
Lucy 1
M.G. 1
M.J. 1
Maria 1
Marion 1
Minnie 1
Rebecca 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 7
William 7
John 6
Henry 4
Albert 3
Edward 3
Francis 3
George 3
Arthur 2
Isaac 2
James 2
Walter 2
Alfred 1
Ambrose 1
Barney 1
C.E. 1
C.H. 1
Edwin 1
Elijah 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Horatio 1
Hugh 1
Joseph 1
Mary 1
Michael 1
Ralph 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Sidney 1
Sydney 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Sumsion surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sumsion surname in 1881?

In 1881, 151 people were recorded with the Sumsion surname. That placed it at #15,419 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sumsion surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 173 in 2016. That gives Sumsion a modern rank of #21,561.

What does the Sumsion surname mean?

An English surname derived from the first name "Son of Simon".

What does the Sumsion map show?

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