UK surname
A surname derived from the demonym referring to people from Switzerland.
In the 1881 census there were 49 people recorded with the Swiss surname, ranking it #26,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 27, ranked #36,189, down from #26,735 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bedminster, Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Swiss is 239 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 44.9%.
1881 census count
49
Ranked #26,735
Modern count
27
2016, ranked #36,189
Peak year
1861
239 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Swiss surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Swiss surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 64 | #21,914 |
| 1861 | historical | 239 | #10,273 |
| 1881 | historical | 49 | #26,735 |
| 1891 | historical | 88 | #25,677 |
| 1901 | historical | 55 | #28,064 |
| 1911 | historical | 158 | #17,277 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 24 | #35,488 |
| 1999 | modern | 25 | #35,413 |
| 2000 | modern | 26 | #35,295 |
| 2001 | modern | 23 | #35,451 |
| 2002 | modern | 26 | #35,338 |
| 2003 | modern | 21 | #35,825 |
| 2004 | modern | 19 | #36,147 |
| 2005 | modern | 18 | #36,332 |
| 2006 | modern | 18 | #36,412 |
| 2007 | modern | 18 | #36,537 |
| 2008 | modern | 15 | #36,843 |
| 2009 | modern | 14 | #37,041 |
| 2010 | modern | 18 | #36,774 |
| 2011 | modern | 21 | #36,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 19 | #36,641 |
| 2013 | modern | 21 | #36,561 |
| 2014 | modern | 22 | #36,496 |
| 2015 | modern | 23 | #36,424 |
| 2016 | modern | 27 | #36,189 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bedminster, Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841), London parishes, Manchester and Walton-on-the-Hill. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bedminster | Somerset |
| 2 | Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) | Devon |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Walton-on-the-Hill | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Swiss surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Swiss, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Swiss surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Swiss household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Swiss is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Swiss is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Swiss, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "SWISS" is derived from the Old French word "suisse," which means "Swiss" or "from Switzerland." This surname originated in Switzerland during the Middle Ages and was initially used to identify individuals who were Swiss nationals or had migrated from Switzerland.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname "SWISS" can be traced back to the 13th century in various Swiss cantons and neighboring regions. It is believed that the name was initially adopted by people who had moved from Switzerland to other parts of Europe, particularly Germany and France, where they were known as "the Swiss" or "les Suisses."
In the 14th century, the surname "SWISS" appears in several historical records, including the Codex Diplomaticus, which contains a collection of official documents from the Holy Roman Empire. One notable mention is that of Hans Swiss, a merchant from Zurich who lived in the late 14th century and was involved in trade with neighboring regions.
During the Renaissance period, the surname "SWISS" gained prominence as Swiss mercenaries and soldiers became renowned for their military prowess throughout Europe. One famous figure was Kaspar Swiss (1476-1552), a Swiss mercenary captain who served in the armies of various European monarchs, including the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.
In the 17th century, the surname "SWISS" is found in several historical records, such as the parish registers of St. Gallen, Switzerland, where families with this surname were recorded. One notable individual was Johann Rudolf Swiss (1628-1708), a Swiss theologian and professor at the University of Zurich.
Another prominent figure bearing the surname "SWISS" was Johann Baptist Swiss (1793-1866), a Swiss painter and printmaker who was known for his landscapes and religious works. His artworks can be found in various museums and collections throughout Switzerland and Europe.
As the surname "SWISS" spread beyond Switzerland's borders, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Schweiss, Schweizer, and Switzer, reflecting the local pronunciations and adaptations in different regions. However, the original spelling "SWISS" remained prevalent in many parts of Europe and eventually became established in other parts of the world through migration and immigration.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Swiss surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Devon leads with 12 Swiss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.06x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 12 | 12.06x |
| Yorkshire | 8 | 1.69x |
| Cheshire | 7 | 6.64x |
| Warwickshire | 7 | 5.81x |
| Hampshire | 6 | 6.12x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 1.24x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 1.07x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.61x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.18x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.21x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 1.56x |
| Somerset | 1 | 1.30x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.43x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Damerel in Devon leads with 12 Swiss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 172.41x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Stoke Damerel | 12 | 172.41x |
| Brampton Bierlow | 8 | 1311.48x |
| Aston | 6 | 18.08x |
| Sherfield Upon Loddon | 6 | 5454.55x |
| Church Coppenhall | 5 | 1063.83x |
| Birkenhead | 2 | 23.78x |
| Handsworth | 2 | 50.25x |
| Barrow In Furness | 1 | 12.97x |
| Bedminster | 1 | 13.83x |
| Cheltenham | 1 | 13.83x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 3.88x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 2.40x |
| Leamington Priors | 1 | 33.67x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 5.69x |
| Woolwich | 1 | 16.61x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Swiss surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Swiss surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Swiss households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 14 |
| Book Keeper | 1 |
| Bricklayers Lab | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Elementary School Teacher | 1 |
| Fustin Cutter | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Painters Lab | 1 |
| Police Constable | 1 |
| Printer & Stationer | 1 |
| Printer Stationer & Book Binder Master | 1 |
| Printers Apprentice | 1 |
| Property Owner | 1 |
| Publican | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Sewing Mistress | 1 |
| Shomaker | 1 |
| Shop Assistant | 1 |
| Spinster | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 49 people were recorded with the Swiss surname. That placed it at #26,735 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 27 in 2016. That gives Swiss a modern rank of #36,189.
A surname derived from the demonym referring to people from Switzerland.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Swiss bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.