NameCensus.

UK surname

Theron

A French surname derived from the Greek word for "hunter".

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Theron surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 186, ranked #20,575, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Merton, Milton Keynes and Central Bedfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Theron is 205 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18500.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

186

2016, ranked #20,575

Peak year

2010

205 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Theron had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 186 in 2016, ranked #20,575.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 32 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Theron surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Theron surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Theron 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
1861 historical 32 #29,944
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1911 historical 13 #32,172
1997 modern 40 #33,666
1998 modern 46 #33,286
1999 modern 64 #31,692
2000 modern 58 #32,317
2001 modern 57 #32,275
2002 modern 93 #28,920
2003 modern 90 #29,260
2004 modern 110 #26,451
2005 modern 123 #24,663
2006 modern 136 #23,378
2007 modern 145 #22,693
2008 modern 166 #20,966
2009 modern 179 #20,418
2010 modern 205 #19,140
2011 modern 193 #19,729
2012 modern 186 #20,141
2013 modern 191 #20,124
2014 modern 193 #20,159
2015 modern 188 #20,417
2016 modern 186 #20,575

Geography

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Where Therons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Merton, Milton Keynes, Central Bedfordshire, Redbridge and Charnwood. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Merton 006 Merton
2 Milton Keynes 017 Milton Keynes
3 Central Bedfordshire 007 Central Bedfordshire
4 Redbridge 007 Redbridge
5 Charnwood 009 Charnwood

Forenames

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First names often paired with Theron

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Theron

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Theron surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Theron 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Theron is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Theron is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Theron falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Theron is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Theron

The surname Theron has its origins in France, and it can be traced back to the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Old French word "thieren," which means "a wild beast." This suggests that the original bearers of the name may have been hunters or lived in areas known for their wildlife.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Theron can be found in the medieval charters of Normandy, dated around the 12th century. These charters mention individuals with variations of the name, such as Theroun and Therouin.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in the records of the French region of Picardy, where a village named Thérouanne existed. It is possible that some bearers of the Theron surname originated from this area or were associated with it in some way.

During the 16th century, a notable figure named Jacques Theron (c. 1510-1570) was a French Protestant minister and theologian. He played a significant role in the French Reformation and was known for his efforts to promote the Protestant faith in France.

Another prominent individual with the surname Theron was Étienne Theron (1635-1711), a French priest and philosopher who served as the rector of the University of Paris. He was known for his writings on theology and philosophy.

In the 18th century, Jean-François Theron (1733-1811) was a French military officer and engineer. He served in the French army and was involved in various military campaigns during the French Revolutionary Wars.

The name Theron also found its way to other parts of Europe, such as Switzerland. In the 19th century, Jean-Louis Theron (1810-1888) was a Swiss architect and engineer who made significant contributions to the field of civil engineering and the construction of bridges and tunnels.

Another notable figure with the surname Theron was Gustave Theron (1855-1916), a French painter and illustrator. He was known for his works depicting scenes from rural life and landscapes in France.

While the surname Theron is not as common as some other French surnames, it has a rich history and has been borne by individuals who have made notable contributions in various fields throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Theron families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Theron 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. Surrey leads with 1 Therons recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.28x.

County Total Index
Surrey 1 21.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bermondsey in Surrey leads with 1 Therons recorded in 1881 and an index of 344.83x.

Place Total Index
Bermondsey 1 344.83x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 1

Top occupations

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 Theron households.

Occupation Count
Mat Finisher 1

FAQ

Theron surname: questions and answers

How common was the Theron surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Theron surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Theron surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 186 in 2016. That gives Theron a modern rank of #20,575.

What does the Theron surname mean?

A French surname derived from the Greek word for "hunter".

What does the Theron map show?

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