NameCensus.

UK surname

Surman

An English surname referring to a person from the town of Sour/Sower.

In the 1881 census there were 683 people recorded with the Surman surname, ranking it #5,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 940, ranked #6,094, down from #5,281 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Horsepath and Cheltenham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tewkesbury, South Oxfordshire and Teignbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Surman is 965 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 37.6%.

1881 census count

683

Ranked #5,281

Modern count

940

2016, ranked #6,094

Peak year

2013

965 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Surman had 683 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,281 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 940 in 2016, ranked #6,094.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 922 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Surman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Surman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Surman 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 505 #4,949
1861 historical 363 #7,045
1881 historical 683 #5,281
1891 historical 656 #5,920
1901 historical 822 #5,496
1911 historical 922 #4,858
1997 modern 802 #6,526
1998 modern 945 #5,932
1999 modern 953 #5,930
2000 modern 945 #5,951
2001 modern 914 #6,015
2002 modern 934 #6,017
2003 modern 885 #6,164
2004 modern 883 #6,191
2005 modern 854 #6,293
2006 modern 864 #6,240
2007 modern 849 #6,379
2008 modern 857 #6,381
2009 modern 899 #6,274
2010 modern 919 #6,286
2011 modern 917 #6,239
2012 modern 937 #6,051
2013 modern 965 #5,999
2014 modern 961 #6,073
2015 modern 947 #6,084
2016 modern 940 #6,094

Geography

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Where Surmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Horsepath, Cheltenham and Wokingham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tewkesbury, South Oxfordshire and Teignbridge. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Horsepath Oxfordshire
4 Cheltenham Gloucestershire
5 Wokingham Berkshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tewkesbury 005 Tewkesbury
2 South Oxfordshire 004 South Oxfordshire
3 South Oxfordshire 005 South Oxfordshire
4 Teignbridge 008 Teignbridge
5 South Oxfordshire 002 South Oxfordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Surman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Surman

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Surman, 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 Surman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Surman 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Surman is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Surman is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Surman 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 Surman 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Surman

The surname Surman is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational surname, derived from a place name such as Surman's Farm or Surman's Land. The prefix 'Sur' may have been derived from the Old English word 'sur,' meaning sour or bitter, potentially referring to a particular type of soil or crop.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Surman can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Hampshire from 1230, where a person named William Surman is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in southern England by the 13th century.

Another early reference to the surname appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327, which list a John Surman as a taxpayer. This document provides evidence of the Surman family's presence in the region during the early 14th century.

In the 16th century, the Surman surname is documented in the parish records of St. Martin's Church in Birmingham, West Midlands. A notable entry from 1582 records the baptism of a child named Anne Surman, daughter of John and Elizabeth Surman.

During the 17th century, the Surman surname gained prominence in various parts of England. One notable figure was Sir Robert Surman (1619-1692), an English merchant and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Maldon in Essex from 1661 to 1681.

In the 18th century, the Surman family continued to thrive, with several individuals achieving notable positions. John Surman (1722-1795) was an English clergyman who served as the Rector of Wanstead in Essex from 1766 until his death.

Another prominent figure was Richard Surman (1765-1847), an English engraver and painter known for his intricate topographical engravings and portraits. His works were highly regarded during the Georgian era.

In the 19th century, the Surman surname was well-established across various regions of England. One notable individual was Thomas Surman (1825-1898), a British businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of the city of Bath.

Throughout its history, the Surman surname has been associated with various locations and families across England, reflecting its locational origins and the migration patterns of those who bore the name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Surman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Surman 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. Oxfordshire leads with 185 Surmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 45.57x.

County Total Index
Oxfordshire 185 45.57x
Gloucestershire 104 8.07x
Warwickshire 62 3.74x
Worcestershire 59 6.87x
Middlesex 57 0.87x
Surrey 52 1.62x
Berkshire 30 6.08x
Hampshire 21 1.56x
Kent 15 0.67x
Staffordshire 15 0.68x
Wiltshire 10 1.72x
Devon 9 0.66x
Sussex 8 0.72x
Lancashire 7 0.09x
Yorkshire 7 0.11x
Somerset 6 0.57x
Denbighshire 5 2.01x
Essex 4 0.31x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.72x
Durham 3 0.15x
Bedfordshire 2 0.59x
Leicestershire 2 0.27x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.25x
Derbyshire 1 0.10x
Herefordshire 1 0.37x
Hertfordshire 1 0.22x
Lanarkshire 1 0.05x
Northamptonshire 1 0.16x
Royal Navy 1 1.28x
Shropshire 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Horspath in Oxfordshire leads with 50 Surmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 6849.32x.

Place Total Index
Horspath 50 6849.32x
Cheltenham 34 34.18x
Aston 27 5.91x
Wokingham 23 204.26x
Birmingham 22 3.98x
Aston Rowant 17 1164.38x
Lambeth 16 2.79x
Garsington 15 1094.89x
Harborne 14 19.69x
Gt Haseley 13 844.16x
Enstone 12 483.87x
Hampton London 12 111.01x
Iffley 12 349.85x
Alvechurch 11 301.37x
Coggs 11 705.13x
Croydon 11 6.19x
Southampton St Mary 10 11.80x
Bristol St Paul In 9 26.20x
Hasfield 9 1636.36x
Paddington London 9 3.72x
Witney 9 132.55x
Bishops Cleeve 8 244.65x
Edgbaston 8 15.56x
Hastings St Leonards 8 49.11x
Kings Norton 8 10.39x
Clapham 7 8.52x
Holywell 7 368.42x
Oxford St Ebbe 7 58.58x
Oxford St Thomas 7 36.94x
Bradford 6 3.80x
Deptford St Paul 6 3.47x
Holdenhurst 6 16.97x
Islington London 6 0.94x
Kidderminster Borough 6 11.94x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 4.54x
Stoke Orchard 6 1538.46x
Wichenford 6 697.67x
Allington 5 270.27x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 5 4.12x
Gt Milton 5 364.96x
Manchester 5 1.43x
Neithrop 5 36.66x
Plymouth Charles The 5 8.29x
St Pancras London 5 0.94x
Ashleworth 4 350.88x
Camberwell 4 0.95x
Church Icomb 4 1176.47x
Great Malvern 4 22.33x
Heddington 4 500.00x
Kensington London 4 1.09x
Leckhampton 4 50.38x
Milton In Gravesend 4 11.89x
Salisbury St Thomas 4 86.77x
St Marylebone London 4 1.14x
Tirley 4 370.37x
Wheatley 4 173.91x
Bethnal Green London 3 1.05x
Bishopwearmouth 3 1.79x
Chelsea London 3 1.51x
Claines 3 12.73x
Clewer 3 14.84x
Cowley 3 23.68x
Gt Tew 3 277.78x
Littleworth 3 240.00x
Lye 3 20.99x
Richmond 3 6.68x
Sawston 3 74.63x
Stoke Damerel 3 3.13x
Tewkesbury 3 26.06x
Walton Cardiff 3 2142.86x
Welford 3 192.31x
Westminster St James 3 4.44x
Woolwich 3 3.62x
Worcester Blockhouse 3 63.69x
Hartpury 2 110.50x
Hugglescote 2 18.66x
Northfield 2 12.28x
Portsmouth 2 6.45x
Wanstead 2 8.80x
Warley Wigorn 2 72.99x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 43
Elizabeth 25
Sarah 22
Jane 17
Ann 15
Eliza 15
Ellen 15
Louisa 10
Ada 9
Emma 9
Alice 8
Emily 8
Annie 7
Martha 7
Caroline 5
Harriet 5
Kate 5
Lucy 5
Anne 4
Charlotte 4
Edith 4
Matilda 4
Rose 4
Agnes 3
Eleanor 3
Fanny 3
Florence 3
Frances 3
Minnie 3
Amelia 2
Clara 2
Esther 2
Harriett 2
Isabella 2
Janet 2
Julia 2
Lilian 2
Maria 2
Millicent 2
Polly 2
Rhoda 2
Selina 2
Sophia 2
Bessey 1
Bessie 1
Betsy 1
E. 1
Elin 1
Isabel 1
Zilpah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 46
John 27
Thomas 24
George 21
James 21
Henry 18
Joseph 16
Robert 13
Arthur 12
Charles 11
Alfred 8
Albert 5
Francis 5
Frank 5
Herbert 5
Samuel 5
Walter 5
Edward 4
Richard 4
Ernest 3
Frederic 3
Frederick 3
Harry 3
Stephen 3
Ambrose 2
Benjamin 2
Christopher 2
David 2
Edwd. 2
Enoch 2
Isaac 2
Mark 2
Tom 2
W. 2
Wm. 2
Alfd.T. 1
Anthony 1
Cuthbert 1
Early 1
Earnest 1
Fredrick 1
Geoge 1
Gerald 1
Giles 1
Jesse 1
Job 1
Jonathan 1
Levi 1
Luke 1
Michael 1

FAQ

Surman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Surman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 683 people were recorded with the Surman surname. That placed it at #5,281 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Surman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 940 in 2016. That gives Surman a modern rank of #6,094.

What does the Surman surname mean?

An English surname referring to a person from the town of Sour/Sower.

What does the Surman map show?

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