UK surname
A topographic surname describing someone who lived by a marsh or swampy area.
In the 1881 census there were 15 people recorded with the Symer surname, ranking it #31,451 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,061, down from #31,451 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Winwick, Canford Magna and St George the Martyr, St Andrew Holborn above the Bars, Furnival's Inn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Symer is 104 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 93.3%.
1881 census count
15
Ranked #31,451
Modern count
1
2016, ranked #39,061
Peak year
1891
104 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Symer surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Symer surname density by area, 1891 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 | 47 | #24,810 |
| 1861 | historical | 99 | #21,294 |
| 1881 | historical | 15 | #31,451 |
| 1891 | historical | 104 | #23,388 |
| 1901 | historical | 7 | #33,435 |
| 1911 | historical | 44 | #28,454 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2010 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2015 | modern | 1 | #39,021 |
| 2016 | modern | 1 | #39,061 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Winwick, Canford Magna, St George the Martyr, St Andrew Holborn above the Bars, Furnival's Inn, Winterbourne, Westerleigh, Pucklechurch, Frampton Cotterel and Abbotsbury. 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 | Winwick | Lancashire |
| 2 | Canford Magna | Dorset |
| 3 | St George the Martyr, St Andrew Holborn above the Bars, Furnival's Inn | London (Central Districts) |
| 4 | Winterbourne, Westerleigh, Pucklechurch, Frampton Cotterel | Gloucestershire |
| 5 | Abbotsbury | Dorset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Symer 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 Symer, 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 Symer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Symer 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, Symer 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 Symer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Symer, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Symer is believed to have originated in England, with its roots traced back to medieval times. This surname is thought to have first emerged during the Middle Ages, specifically around the 12th and 13th centuries. It is primarily associated with areas in England such as Yorkshire and Lancashire.
The name Symer is derived from the Old English word "sumor," which means summer. This suggests that the original bearers of the surname may have been connected in some way to summer activities or perhaps even places named after this warm season. Another possible derivation comes from the Middle English word "somer," which was also used to denote a person of a cheerful or sunny disposition, aligning with the season symbolically associated with warmth and growth.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Symer appears in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219, where a Geoffrey Symer is mentioned. This is a significant early reference and places the name firmly in historical records from that period. Such records serve as an important marker of the surname's longstanding presence in England.
Further evidence of the surname's historical footprint can be found in the Poll Tax records of Yorkshire from 1379, which list a John Symer and an Alicia Symer. These records provide valuable insight into the distribution and commonality of the surname during the late 14th century.
Notable individuals bearing the Symer surname include Thomas Symer (born circa 1475), a landed proprietor in Lancashire whose family played a prominent role in local governance during the 15th century. Another distinguished figure is Robert Symer (circa 1520-1589), a well-known merchant who contributed significantly to the trade and economic activities of his town.
In more recent centuries, the name appeared in various historical contexts. For example, Jane Symer (1671-1734) was recorded in parish registry entries in Sussex, indicating the continuation of the surname through subsequent generations and its dispersion across different regions of England.
A noteworthy 19th-century individual is Walter Symer (1812-1879), a British industrialist whose family was influential during the Industrial Revolution, contributing to the country's rapid technological advancements.
Eliza Symer (1850-1915) appears in Victorian-era historical records as a notable social activist and philanthropist, with significant contributions to social reform and charitable efforts in London.
Throughout history, the surname Symer has been associated with a broad array of professions and social standings, from landed gentry to merchants and philanthropists. Its etymological roots in ancient English and evidence from various historical documents affirm its deep-seated origins and continued presence through the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Symer 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. Staffordshire leads with 11 Symers recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.31x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Staffordshire | 11 | 22.31x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 1.15x |
| Dunbartonshire | 1 | 25.45x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.69x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wolverhampton in Staffordshire leads with 6 Symers recorded in 1881 and an index of 158.31x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton | 6 | 158.31x |
| Audley | 5 | 1020.41x |
| Openshaw | 2 | 246.91x |
| Normanby In | 1 | 256.41x |
| Row | 1 | 196.08x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Symer 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 Symer 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 Symer households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Insurance Agent | 1 |
| Loco Engine Driver | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 15 people were recorded with the Symer surname. That placed it at #31,451 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2016. That gives Symer a modern rank of #39,061.
A topographic surname describing someone who lived by a marsh or swampy area.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Symer 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.