NameCensus.

UK surname

Symmons

An English surname derived from the Germanic personal name Simon.

In the 1881 census there were 309 people recorded with the Symmons surname, ranking it #9,517 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 418, ranked #11,472, down from #9,517 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Fishguard, London parishes and St John Hackney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Neath Port Talbot, Sunderland and Cherwell.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Symmons is 486 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 35.3%.

1881 census count

309

Ranked #9,517

Modern count

418

2016, ranked #11,472

Peak year

1999

486 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Symmons had 309 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,517 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 418 in 2016, ranked #11,472.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 483 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Multicultural Inner Suburbs.

Symmons surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Symmons surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Symmons 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 275 #8,150
1861 historical 259 #9,561
1881 historical 309 #9,517
1891 historical 274 #11,880
1901 historical 365 #10,113
1911 historical 483 #8,043
1997 modern 452 #10,034
1998 modern 469 #10,079
1999 modern 486 #9,883
2000 modern 461 #10,231
2001 modern 453 #10,182
2002 modern 462 #10,217
2003 modern 442 #10,434
2004 modern 447 #10,369
2005 modern 432 #10,531
2006 modern 430 #10,624
2007 modern 435 #10,613
2008 modern 436 #10,710
2009 modern 445 #10,780
2010 modern 455 #10,802
2011 modern 435 #11,066
2012 modern 422 #11,223
2013 modern 431 #11,231
2014 modern 433 #11,262
2015 modern 427 #11,292
2016 modern 418 #11,472

Geography

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Where Symmons' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Fishguard, London parishes, St John Hackney, Cardiff St John and St Mary and St John Hampstead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Neath Port Talbot, Sunderland, Cherwell, Tandridge and Ceredigion. 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 Fishguard Pembrokeshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St John Hackney London (North Districts)
4 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire
5 St John Hampstead London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Neath Port Talbot 017 Neath Port Talbot
2 Sunderland 035 Sunderland
3 Cherwell 015 Cherwell
4 Tandridge 012 Tandridge
5 Ceredigion 009 Ceredigion

Forenames

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First names often paired with Symmons

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Symmons

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

Baseline UK

Group

Multicultural Inner Suburbs

Nationally, the Symmons surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Multicultural Inner Suburbs, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Symmons household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house many younger and middle-aged adults with children. All ethnic minorities, apart from those identifying as Pakistani or Bangladeshi, appear to be present in above average proportions. Affiliation to Christian religions is uncommon. Long-term disability rates are low, mirrored in limited provision of unpaid care. Privately rented terrace houses and flats are the norm. Managerial, professional and technical occupations are prevalent, and work is rarely part time. Many individuals have degree level qualifications. These areas form the inner suburbs of many of the UK’s towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Symmons 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

Symmons is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Symmons falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Symmons is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Symmons

The surname Symmons is an English name with origins dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "Sigemunde", which means "victory protector". This name was later anglicized to Symonds and Symmons.

The earliest recorded instances of the Symmons surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared in various spellings, such as Sigemunde, Simond, and Simondes, indicating its evolution over time.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Symmons name was William Symonds, who was born in Gloucestershire, England, around 1350. He was a landowner and prominent member of the local community.

In the 15th century, the Symmons family was well-established in Somerset, England. John Symmons, born in 1435, was a respected merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol.

During the Tudor era, the Symmons name gained further prominence. Sir Thomas Symmons (1495-1560) was a prominent courtier and diplomat who served under Henry VIII and Edward VI. He was knighted for his services to the Crown.

Another notable figure was Reverend Jedediah Symmons (1628-1708), an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works. He was born in Wiltshire and served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Ipswich.

In the 18th century, John Symmons (1730-1807) was a renowned mathematician and astronomer. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics.

The Symmons name also has connections to various place names in England, such as Symondsbury in Dorset, which was derived from the Old English "Sigemundes burh", meaning "Sigemund's fortified place".

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Symmons families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Symmons 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. Middlesex leads with 95 Symmons' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.21x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 95 3.21x
Pembrokeshire 51 54.30x
Surrey 23 1.60x
Devon 21 3.41x
Somerset 17 3.57x
Glamorgan 13 2.53x
Essex 12 2.06x
Hampshire 10 1.65x
Sussex 9 1.81x
Durham 8 0.91x
Gloucestershire 7 1.21x
Berkshire 6 2.70x
Kent 6 0.60x
Herefordshire 4 3.30x
Stirlingshire 4 3.67x
Cornwall 3 0.90x
Derbyshire 3 0.65x
Lancashire 3 0.09x
Yorkshire 3 0.10x
Kincardineshire 2 5.56x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.56x
Leicestershire 1 0.31x
Monmouthshire 1 0.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 23 Symmons' recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.88x.

Place Total Index
Hackney London 23 13.88x
Fishguard 16 784.31x
Steynton 13 427.63x
Catcott 12 2142.86x
St Marylebone London 12 7.60x
Islington London 11 3.84x
Edmonton 10 42.00x
Hampstead London 9 19.55x
West Ham 9 6.99x
Littlehampton 8 201.01x
Dartmouth St Savior 7 958.90x
Lambeth 7 2.72x
Mathry 7 864.20x
Swansea Town 7 16.59x
Tudhoe 7 91.03x
Bromley 6 39.04x
Cookham 6 86.71x
Kensington London 6 3.65x
Streatham 6 27.36x
Ventnor 6 104.17x
Bethnal Green London 5 3.89x
Bisley 5 95.24x
Portishead 5 141.24x
St Andrew Holborn 5 49.90x
St Pancras London 5 2.10x
Bermondsey 4 4.55x
Falkirk 4 15.67x
Ledbury 4 96.15x
Tavistock 4 57.06x
Holdenhurst 3 18.88x
Letterston 3 731.71x
Llanwonno 3 16.23x
Roath 3 12.84x
St Nicholas 3 1250.00x
Topsham 3 103.45x
Belper 2 22.30x
Dinas 2 250.00x
Horton In Bradford 2 4.37x
Lewannick 2 307.69x
Limehouse London 2 6.16x
Llanrian 2 240.96x
Nigg 2 67.11x
St George Hanover 2 5.18x
Tormoham 2 7.68x
Ashby De La Zouch 1 13.16x
Braunton 1 47.85x
Bristol St James St Paul 1 5.17x
Calstock 1 15.24x
Charlton Kings 1 24.94x
Clapham 1 2.71x
Colchester St Botolph 1 20.16x
Croydon 1 1.25x
Derby St Peter 1 6.78x
Exeter St David 1 19.01x
Featherstone 1 30.40x
Godalming 1 11.03x
Hartlepool 1 8.00x
Haverfordwest St Mary 1 74.07x
Ide 1 149.25x
Ilfracombe 1 15.80x
Levenshulme 1 27.70x
Lewes St Ann 1 58.82x
Liverpool 1 0.47x
Llanvihangel Llantarnam 1 24.57x
Llanwnda 1 98.04x
Mile End Old Town 1 2.14x
Milford Haven 1 131.58x
Newington 1 0.92x
Paddington London 1 0.92x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 2.11x
Portsea 1 0.84x
Richmond 1 4.96x
Salford 1 0.97x
St Davids 1 46.95x
Stanway 1 98.04x
Stoke Newington London 1 4.34x
Stone 1 71.94x
Waltham Holy Cross 1 18.35x
Walton East 1 500.00x
Weybridge 1 32.36x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 16
Sarah 9
Elizabeth 8
Eliza 7
Ellen 6
Jane 6
Martha 6
Ann 5
Annie 5
Hannah 4
Margaret 4
Rachel 4
Alice 3
Amy 3
Charlotte 3
Harriet 3
Harriett 3
Ada 2
Edith 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Louisa 2
Mabel 2
Minnie 2
Phebe 2
Rose 2
Sophia 2
Anna 1
Bertha 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Dinah 1
Elizh. 1
Eva 1
Fany 1
Felicity 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
J. 1
Johanna 1
Letitia 1
Lilly 1
Margeory 1
Margret 1
Maria 1
Marian 1
Matilda 1
Treesa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 18
John 16
George 12
Thomas 9
Henry 8
Charles 7
Frederick 7
Alfred 5
James 5
Albert 4
Edwin 4
David 3
Edward 3
Frank 3
Walter 3
Arthur 2
Ernest 2
Joseph 2
Mark 2
Richard 2
Robert 2
Aeriham 1
Alexander 1
Cha. 1
Daniel 1
Dd. 1
Eliakin 1
G. 1
Gilbert 1
Harry 1
Ivo 1
Lionel 1
Oliver 1
Percy 1
Samuel 1
Simeon 1
T.W. 1
Thos.H. 1
W. 1
Willie 1
Wm. 1
Wm.P. 1

FAQ

Symmons surname: questions and answers

How common was the Symmons surname in 1881?

In 1881, 309 people were recorded with the Symmons surname. That placed it at #9,517 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Symmons surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 418 in 2016. That gives Symmons a modern rank of #11,472.

What does the Symmons surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Germanic personal name Simon.

What does the Symmons map show?

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