NameCensus.

UK surname

Surgenor

A surname of Anglo-Norman origin meaning "chieftain" or "superior".

In the 1881 census there were 16 people recorded with the Surgenor surname, ranking it #31,301 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 208, ranked #19,062, up from #31,301 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Dreghorn, Helensburgh East and Skye North East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Surgenor is 208 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1200.0%.

1881 census count

16

Ranked #31,301

Modern count

208

2016, ranked #19,062

Peak year

2016

208 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Surgenor had 16 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,301 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 208 in 2016, ranked #19,062.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 71 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Surgenor surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Surgenor surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Surgenor 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 9 #32,724
1881 historical 16 #31,301
1891 historical 55 #29,744
1901 historical 71 #26,277
1911 historical 23 #30,923
1997 modern 183 #18,642
1998 modern 191 #18,624
1999 modern 193 #18,642
2000 modern 195 #18,494
2001 modern 188 #18,652
2002 modern 190 #18,889
2003 modern 197 #18,311
2004 modern 197 #18,368
2005 modern 185 #19,051
2006 modern 180 #19,526
2007 modern 185 #19,402
2008 modern 188 #19,387
2009 modern 201 #18,965
2010 modern 196 #19,698
2011 modern 191 #19,871
2012 modern 195 #19,540
2013 modern 193 #19,997
2014 modern 198 #19,841
2015 modern 205 #19,269
2016 modern 208 #19,062

Geography

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Where Surgenors 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 Dreghorn, Helensburgh East, Skye North East, Wrexham and Fenland. 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 Dreghorn North Ayrshire
2 Helensburgh East Argyll and Bute
3 Skye North East Highland
4 Wrexham 004 Wrexham
5 Fenland 005 Fenland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Surgenor

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Surgenor

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

Established but Challenged

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Surgenor 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

Surgenor 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

Surgenor falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Surgenor 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Surgenor

The surname Surgenor has its origins in the Scottish Borders region, where it first appeared in the 13th century. It is derived from the Old French word "surgien," meaning a surgeon or a physician. This occupation-based surname likely referred to an early bearer's profession as a medical practitioner or a barber-surgeon.

One of the earliest records of the name Surgenor can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical document that recorded the names of Scottish nobles and landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name is also mentioned in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from the 14th century, indicating the presence of individuals with this surname in various parts of the country.

The Surgenor surname has had various spellings throughout history, including Surgenour, Surgenore, and Surgener. These variations highlight the fluidity of spelling conventions in earlier times and the influence of regional dialects on the name's evolution.

One notable bearer of the Surgenor name was Robert Surgenor, a Scottish physician and author who lived in the late 16th century. He wrote several medical treatises and was highly regarded for his contributions to the field of medicine during the Renaissance period.

In the 17th century, the Surgenor family had a presence in the town of Paisley, located near Glasgow. John Surgenor, born in 1625, was a prominent merchant and landowner in the area, and his descendants continued to play a significant role in the local community for generations.

During the 18th century, the Surgenor surname gained recognition in the field of education. William Surgenor (1718-1792) was a renowned Scottish scholar and educator who served as the headmaster of the prestigious Ayr Academy for over three decades. His contributions to the education system and the nurturing of young minds earned him widespread respect.

In the 19th century, the Surgenor family had a strong presence in the military. Major General James Surgenor (1822-1901) was a distinguished officer in the British Army who served in various campaigns, including the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny. His bravery and leadership on the battlefield earned him numerous accolades and honors.

Another notable figure was Sir Walter Surgenor (1854-1932), a Scottish politician and businessman. He served as a member of Parliament for several years and played a significant role in the economic development of his region through his entrepreneurial ventures.

Throughout history, the Surgenor surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including physicians, merchants, educators, military personnel, and politicians. While the name's origins can be traced back to the Scottish Borders, it has since spread to other parts of the world, reflecting the migration patterns and cultural diversity of its bearers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Surgenor families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Surgenor 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. Lanarkshire leads with 10 Surgenors recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.82x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 10 19.82x
Renfrewshire 6 49.63x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Maryhill in Lanarkshire leads with 10 Surgenors recorded in 1881 and an index of 1010.10x.

Place Total Index
Maryhill 10 1010.10x
East Greenock 6 526.32x

FAQ

Surgenor surname: questions and answers

How common was the Surgenor surname in 1881?

In 1881, 16 people were recorded with the Surgenor surname. That placed it at #31,301 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Surgenor surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 208 in 2016. That gives Surgenor a modern rank of #19,062.

What does the Surgenor surname mean?

A surname of Anglo-Norman origin meaning "chieftain" or "superior".

What does the Surgenor map show?

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