NameCensus.

UK surname

Tann

Possibly derived from the Old Saxon word "tan" meaning a twig or branch.

In the 1881 census there were 455 people recorded with the Tann surname, ranking it #7,268 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 711, ranked #7,621, down from #7,268 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, St Pancras and St John Hackney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, King's Lynn and West Norfolk and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tann is 818 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 56.3%.

1881 census count

455

Ranked #7,268

Modern count

711

2016, ranked #7,621

Peak year

1998

818 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tann had 455 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,268 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 711 in 2016, ranked #7,621.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 648 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Tann surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tann surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tann 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 135 #13,964
1861 historical 177 #13,265
1881 historical 455 #7,268
1891 historical 419 #8,551
1901 historical 553 #7,500
1911 historical 648 #6,460
1997 modern 791 #6,593
1998 modern 818 #6,643
1999 modern 817 #6,684
2000 modern 797 #6,799
2001 modern 784 #6,748
2002 modern 780 #6,920
2003 modern 754 #6,990
2004 modern 728 #7,174
2005 modern 698 #7,369
2006 modern 710 #7,273
2007 modern 715 #7,308
2008 modern 726 #7,279
2009 modern 727 #7,414
2010 modern 748 #7,387
2011 modern 735 #7,431
2012 modern 709 #7,534
2013 modern 726 #7,527
2014 modern 732 #7,524
2015 modern 707 #7,661
2016 modern 711 #7,621

Geography

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Where Tanns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, St Pancras, St John Hackney, Wellingham and St Matthew Bethnal Green. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Rhondda Cynon Taf, North Norfolk and Chesterfield. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 St John Hackney London (North Districts)
4 Wellingham Norfolk
5 St Matthew Bethnal Green London (East Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 042 Cornwall
2 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 007 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
3 Rhondda Cynon Taf 013 Rhondda Cynon Taf
4 North Norfolk 011 North Norfolk
5 Chesterfield 012 Chesterfield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tann

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tann

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Tann surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Tann household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Tann is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Tann 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

Tann falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Tann

The surname TANN is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "tann," which means "tanner" or someone involved in the trade of tanning animal hides.

In the early days, surnames often originated from occupations, and TANN was likely adopted by individuals or families involved in the tanning industry. The tanning process was an essential part of medieval life, as leather was used for a wide range of purposes, from clothing and footwear to armor and bookbinding.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname TANN can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a certain Robert le Tann is mentioned in the county of Oxfordshire. This document, compiled during the reign of King Edward I, served as a survey of landowners and their properties.

Another early reference to the surname TANN appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which lists a William le Tanne as a taxpayer. The presence of the prefix "le" before the surname was a common practice during that time, indicating the individual's occupation or place of origin.

As time passed, the surname TANN evolved and took on various spellings, such as Tanne, Tann, and Tan. These variations can be found in historical records across different regions of England.

One notable individual bearing the surname TANN was Sir Robert Tann (c. 1575-1650), an English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London from 1638 to 1639. During his tenure, he played a significant role in supporting the Parliamentarian cause during the English Civil War.

Another prominent figure was John Tann (1749-1827), an English businessman and philanthropist who made his fortune in the textile industry. He was known for his charitable contributions, including the establishment of the Tann Trust, which provided financial assistance to underprivileged individuals in his hometown of Kidderminster.

In the literary realm, Mary Tann (1796-1856) was an English writer and poet who published several works, including "The Woodland Walk" and "The Child's Monitor." Her poems often explored themes of nature and moral instruction for children.

Moving into the 19th century, Sir Edward Tann (1858-1939) was a British lawyer and judge who served as the Lord Chief Justice of England from 1925 to 1935. He was highly respected for his legal expertise and played a significant role in shaping English jurisprudence during his tenure.

Lastly, William Tann (1920-2004) was a British artist known for his landscape paintings and portraiture. His works were exhibited widely, and he received numerous accolades, including the John Moores Painting Prize in 1967.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who carried the surname TANN, highlighting its rich heritage and diverse backgrounds.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tann families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tann 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. Norfolk leads with 136 Tanns recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.97x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 136 19.97x
Middlesex 82 1.85x
Yorkshire 80 1.82x
Lincolnshire 29 4.10x
Essex 28 3.20x
Surrey 16 0.74x
Durham 15 1.14x
Lancashire 15 0.29x
Hampshire 8 0.88x
Warwickshire 7 0.63x
Kent 6 0.40x
Suffolk 6 1.11x
Bedfordshire 5 2.18x
Brecknockshire 4 4.52x
Devon 3 0.33x
Monmouthshire 3 0.94x
Somerset 3 0.42x
Huntingdonshire 2 2.27x
Leicestershire 2 0.41x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.36x
Glamorgan 1 0.13x
Hertfordshire 1 0.33x
Northamptonshire 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 27 Tanns recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.03x.

Place Total Index
Bethnal Green London 27 14.03x
West Ham 17 8.81x
Watlington 15 1595.74x
Pulham St Mary Virgin 14 1120.00x
Wellingham 14 7000.00x
Sutton St Mary 13 194.03x
Cowpe Lench Newhall Hey 12 213.90x
Hackney London 11 4.43x
Hooten Levitt 10 7142.86x
Birtley 9 167.29x
Gedney 9 311.42x
Lambeth 9 2.33x
Shepley 9 371.90x
Skelton In Guisbrough 9 75.82x
Sutton 9 180.00x
Ormesby 8 67.85x
Aston 7 2.28x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 7 46.64x
Twickenham 7 36.86x
Briston 6 465.12x
Forncett St Peter 6 638.30x
Fritton 6 1714.29x
Hook 6 62.18x
Norwich St Augustine 6 218.18x
Paddington London 6 3.68x
Sheffield 6 4.29x
Stoke 6 58.94x
Tonbridge 6 11.01x
Westoe 6 8.03x
Aldershot 5 16.44x
Luton 5 12.59x
Metheringham 5 176.68x
Pulham St Mary Magdalen 5 292.40x
St Marylebone London 5 2.11x
St Pancras London 5 1.40x
West Lynn 5 574.71x
Bramley In Bramley 4 23.81x
Hornsey 4 7.14x
Leyton Low 4 22.51x
Llanelly 4 37.74x
Maldon St Peter 4 89.89x
Mattishall 4 294.12x
Norwich St Clement 4 50.70x
Norwich St Michael At 4 101.27x
Shoreditch London 4 2.08x
St George Hanover 4 6.92x
Aldeburgh 3 94.04x
Bawburgh 3 468.75x
Bedwellty 3 5.31x
Cromer 3 123.97x
Ecclesall Bierlow 3 3.36x
North Elmham 3 181.82x
St George In East 3 9.96x
Tacolnestone 3 447.76x
Beverley St Mary 2 31.20x
Brampton 2 444.44x
Downhead 2 740.74x
Exeter St Sidwell 2 9.47x
Foxley 2 606.06x
Great Yarmouth 2 3.55x
Heigham 2 5.47x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 2 9.78x
Leicester St Margaret 2 1.67x
Middlesbrough 2 3.50x
Norwich St Gregory 2 168.07x
Norwich St Martin At Oak 2 48.31x
Ormskirk 2 19.90x
Ramsey 2 28.41x
St Clement Danes 2 27.89x
Tasburgh 2 294.12x
Walthanstow 2 137.93x
Whissonsett 2 217.39x
Wood Dalling 2 273.97x
Bathwick 1 12.67x
Battersea 1 0.61x
Downham Market 1 21.37x
Kirkleatham 1 16.86x
Norwich St George Colegate 1 40.32x
Pentney 1 123.46x
Warham All Sts 1 270.27x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 32
James 26
William 22
George 15
Charles 12
Thomas 12
Robert 11
Henry 7
Edward 6
Arthur 4
Herbert 4
Walter 4
Alfred 3
Benjamin 3
Frederick 3
Harry 3
Isaac 3
Frank 2
Geo. 2
Joseph 2
Martin 2
Samuel 2
Benjaman 1
Christopher 1
Earnest 1
Edgar 1
Edmund 1
Eli 1
Elijah 1
Ephraim 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Fredrick 1
Georg 1
Jack 1
Jesse 1
Jon 1
Jonathan 1
Keithley 1
Matthew 1
Miles 1
Nicholas 1
Ransome 1
Robt. 1
Seth 1
Thos.Ed. 1
Tom 1
Wallace 1
Watts 1
Windham 1

FAQ

Tann surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tann surname in 1881?

In 1881, 455 people were recorded with the Tann surname. That placed it at #7,268 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tann surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 711 in 2016. That gives Tann a modern rank of #7,621.

What does the Tann surname mean?

Possibly derived from the Old Saxon word "tan" meaning a twig or branch.

What does the Tann map show?

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