NameCensus.

UK surname

Swinburn

A locational surname referring to someone from a place with a burned swine.

In the 1881 census there were 562 people recorded with the Swinburn surname, ranking it #6,164 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 682, ranked #7,860, down from #6,164 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Blyth, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sheffield, Sunderland and Doncaster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Swinburn is 760 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 21.4%.

1881 census count

562

Ranked #6,164

Modern count

682

2016, ranked #7,860

Peak year

1911

760 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Swinburn had 562 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,164 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 682 in 2016, ranked #7,860.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 760 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Swinburn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Swinburn surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Swinburn 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 532 #4,724
1861 historical 498 #5,253
1881 historical 562 #6,164
1891 historical 603 #6,360
1901 historical 680 #6,417
1911 historical 760 #5,687
1997 modern 694 #7,298
1998 modern 713 #7,369
1999 modern 712 #7,422
2000 modern 730 #7,259
2001 modern 701 #7,358
2002 modern 720 #7,346
2003 modern 669 #7,666
2004 modern 673 #7,643
2005 modern 667 #7,633
2006 modern 666 #7,659
2007 modern 694 #7,478
2008 modern 691 #7,563
2009 modern 698 #7,654
2010 modern 714 #7,661
2011 modern 719 #7,537
2012 modern 705 #7,562
2013 modern 702 #7,705
2014 modern 693 #7,837
2015 modern 687 #7,839
2016 modern 682 #7,860

Geography

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Where Swinburns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Blyth, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead, Long Benton and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sheffield, Sunderland, Doncaster and County Durham. 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 Blyth Nottinghamshire
2 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Long Benton Northumberland
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sheffield 004 Sheffield
2 Sunderland 007 Sunderland
3 Doncaster 017 Doncaster
4 County Durham 027 County Durham
5 County Durham 004 County Durham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Swinburn

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Swinburn

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Swinburn 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

Swinburn 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

Swinburn falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Swinburn

The surname Swinburn originated in England during the medieval era, deriving from the Old English words "swinn" meaning a herdsman and "burna" meaning a stream or brook. It was an occupational surname given to those who tended to livestock near a stream or brook.

The earliest recorded mention of the surname Swinburn dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Swinburne" in Yorkshire. This suggests the name originated in the northern regions of England, likely around Yorkshire or Northumberland.

In the 13th century, the surname was recorded as "Swynburn" and "Swynburne" in various historical records, reflecting the evolving spelling over time. The name was also associated with various place names, such as Swinburn in Northumberland and Swinburne in Yorkshire.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname was Sir Adam de Swinburn, a knight who lived in the 13th century and was recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Northumberland in 1273.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in the form "Swynbourne" in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1327. During this time, the Swinburn family established themselves as landowners in Northumberland and the surrounding areas.

Notable individuals with the surname Swinburn throughout history include:

1. Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909), a renowned English poet and critic of the Victorian era, known for his works such as "Atalanta in Calydon" and "Poems and Ballads."

2. Sir John Swinburn (1556-1616), an English judge and Member of Parliament during the reign of King James I.

3. Henry Swinburne (1551-1624), an English traveler and author who wrote about his travels to Spain and the Holy Land.

4. Tobias Swinburne (1726-1809), an English clergyman and author who wrote on theological subjects.

5. Capel Swinburn (c.1662-1719), an English landowner and Member of Parliament who represented Northumberland in the House of Commons.

While the surname Swinburn has its roots in northern England, particularly in Northumberland and Yorkshire, it has since spread to other parts of the country and beyond, carried by various branches of the family over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Swinburn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Swinburn 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 142 Swinburns recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.68x.

County Total Index
Durham 142 8.68x
Cumberland 98 20.69x
Yorkshire 71 1.30x
Lancashire 66 1.01x
Northumberland 58 7.09x
Nottinghamshire 29 3.91x
Middlesex 21 0.38x
Warwickshire 21 1.51x
Lincolnshire 16 1.82x
Cheshire 9 0.74x
Hertfordshire 7 1.85x
Lanarkshire 6 0.34x
Worcestershire 5 0.70x
Surrey 4 0.15x
Dumfriesshire 3 2.47x
Leicestershire 3 0.49x
Cornwall 1 0.16x
Dorset 1 0.28x
Hampshire 1 0.09x
Isle of Man 1 0.98x
Norfolk 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tanfield in Durham leads with 18 Swinburns recorded in 1881 and an index of 92.50x.

Place Total Index
Tanfield 18 92.50x
Cockermouth 17 170.51x
Longbenton 16 46.15x
Keswick 15 247.93x
Everton 13 6.25x
Ryton 13 226.09x
Bishopwearmouth 12 8.54x
Broughton In Salford 12 20.10x
Sutton Coldfield 12 82.30x
Watermillock 12 1379.31x
Whitehaven 12 47.52x
Caldewgate 11 42.39x
Heeley 11 66.39x
Birkenhead 9 9.30x
Blyth 9 775.86x
Gateshead 9 7.34x
Great Grimsby 9 16.12x
Hexham 9 71.03x
Preston Quarter 9 67.82x
Ecclesall Bierlow 8 7.21x
Yarm 8 285.71x
Bow London 7 9.99x
Brampton Bierlow 7 100.29x
Chester Le Street 7 55.69x
Clarborough 7 126.13x
Hitchin 7 40.89x
Prudhoe Castle 7 440.25x
Salford 7 3.65x
Worsbrough 7 43.83x
Auckland St Andrew 6 138.89x
Birmingham 6 1.30x
Blantyre 6 32.40x
Brandon Byshottles 6 29.27x
Dawdon 6 29.81x
Gringley On Hill 6 382.17x
Hedley 6 1666.67x
Kyo 6 77.92x
Sunderland 6 20.75x
Westoe 6 6.47x
Wombwell 6 37.74x
Arlecdon 5 39.68x
Boldon 5 85.76x
Cheetham 5 10.27x
Iveston 5 66.31x
Mile End Old Town 5 5.76x
Spittlegate 5 41.08x
Yardley 5 27.20x
Alnwick 4 28.43x
Ardwick 4 6.79x
Castle Sowerby 4 380.95x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 3.86x
Edmondbyers 4 606.06x
Embsay Cum Eastby 4 181.82x
Finchley 4 18.97x
Mount Healey 4 5714.29x
Scarborough 4 8.07x
Sculcoates 4 4.63x
Waldridge 4 145.99x
Wavertree 4 19.14x
Whickham 4 26.56x
Workington 4 14.75x
Worksop 4 18.19x
Annan 3 28.74x
Bedlington 3 10.98x
Benfieldside 3 27.88x
Blackburn 3 1.73x
Chilton 3 58.71x
Darlington 3 4.75x
Graystoke 3 357.14x
Hunslet 3 3.53x
Lenton 3 17.17x
Melton Mowbray 3 27.35x
Pelton 3 38.51x
Rotherhithe 3 4.41x
Sheffield 3 1.73x
Shotley Low Quarter 3 288.46x
Solihull 3 30.09x
St Bees 3 136.99x
Usworth 3 34.52x
York St Mary 3 13.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 42
Elizabeth 25
Margaret 21
Jane 19
Sarah 15
Hannah 10
Ann 9
Isabella 9
Emma 8
Annie 7
Alice 6
Charlotte 5
Emily 5
Eleanor 4
Frances 4
Grace 4
Anne 3
Jessie 3
Louisa 3
Rose 3
Ada 2
Cath. 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Elizth. 2
Ellen 2
Maria 2
Maud 2
Susan 2
Anna 1
Barbara 1
Bertha 1
Catharine 1
Eliz. 1
Elizh. 1
Ester 1
Florence 1
Harriett 1
Henrietta 1
Isabell 1
Janet 1
Julia 1
Katie 1
Lavania 1
Lucy 1
Maggie 1
Magt. 1
Tom 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 54
William 39
Thomas 36
Joseph 20
George 19
Robert 13
Henry 10
James 9
Charles 7
Harry 4
Matthew 4
Thos. 4
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Frank 3
Frederick 3
Michael 3
Miles 3
Ralph 3
Walter 3
Wm. 3
Anthony 2
Arthur 2
Edward 2
Lewis 2
Richard 2
Samuel 2
Septimus 2
W. 2
Athol 1
Charlesn 1
E. 1
Edd. 1
Elias 1
Ernest 1
F. 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fredk 1
Geo. 1
Geo.A. 1
Geo.B. 1
Harland 1
Herbert 1
Jno. 1
Jonnie 1
Jos. 1
Martin 1
Oscar 1
Stanley 1

FAQ

Swinburn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Swinburn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 562 people were recorded with the Swinburn surname. That placed it at #6,164 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Swinburn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 682 in 2016. That gives Swinburn a modern rank of #7,860.

What does the Swinburn surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from a place with a burned swine.

What does the Swinburn map show?

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