NameCensus.

UK surname

Tombs

A surname derived from the word "tomb", likely referring to someone who lived near or worked with burial monuments.

In the 1881 census there were 1,510 people recorded with the Tombs surname, ranking it #2,780 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,468, ranked #4,194, down from #2,780 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, London parishes and Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cotswold and Vale of White Horse.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tombs is 1,882 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.8%.

1881 census count

1,510

Ranked #2,780

Modern count

1,468

2016, ranked #4,194

Peak year

1911

1,882 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tombs had 1,510 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,780 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,468 in 2016, ranked #4,194.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,882 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Tombs surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tombs surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tombs 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 1,134 #2,483
1861 historical 930 #2,985
1881 historical 1,510 #2,780
1891 historical 1,494 #2,950
1901 historical 1,747 #2,972
1911 historical 1,882 #2,625
1997 modern 1,545 #3,813
1998 modern 1,675 #3,679
1999 modern 1,671 #3,716
2000 modern 1,639 #3,766
2001 modern 1,582 #3,815
2002 modern 1,581 #3,895
2003 modern 1,519 #3,956
2004 modern 1,531 #3,934
2005 modern 1,496 #3,972
2006 modern 1,471 #4,032
2007 modern 1,483 #4,042
2008 modern 1,496 #4,043
2009 modern 1,535 #4,033
2010 modern 1,568 #4,031
2011 modern 1,562 #4,003
2012 modern 1,494 #4,106
2013 modern 1,488 #4,175
2014 modern 1,485 #4,202
2015 modern 1,468 #4,214
2016 modern 1,468 #4,194

Geography

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Where Tombs' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, London parishes, Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick and Cheltenham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cotswold, Vale of White Horse, Tewkesbury and Lichfield. 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 Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick Worcestershire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Cheltenham Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rhondda Cynon Taf 001 Rhondda Cynon Taf
2 Cotswold 002 Cotswold
3 Vale of White Horse 016 Vale of White Horse
4 Tewkesbury 001 Tewkesbury
5 Lichfield 010 Lichfield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tombs

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tombs

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Tombs surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Tombs 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Tombs 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

Tombs is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Tombs 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 Tombs 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 Tombs, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Tombs

The surname Tombs originated in England and dates back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "tumb" or "tomb," which referred to a burial mound or grave. This suggests that the name was likely given to someone who lived near a prominent tomb or graveyard.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tombs can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from 1242, which mention a William de Tombes. The 'de' prefix indicates that the name was originally a placename, potentially referring to a location with a notable tomb or gravesite.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Tombes, Tombys, and Tumbys, reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 record a John de Tumbes in Cambridgeshire, while the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379 list a Robert Tombes.

The Tombs surname is also linked to several place names in England, such as Tomb's Green in Hertfordshire and Tomb's Farm in Kent. These locations likely derived their names from early bearers of the Tombs surname who resided or owned land there.

Notable historical figures with the surname Tombs include:

1. Sir John Tombs (c. 1550-1628), an English merchant and member of the East India Company, who played a significant role in establishing trade relations with India and the East Indies.

2. Robert Tombs (1626-1692), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works, including "The Spiritual Guide" and "The Christian Philosopher."

3. Mary Tombs (1736-1819), a British artist known for her intricate botanical illustrations and etchings.

4. Thomas Tombs (1805-1876), a British architect and civil engineer, best known for his work on the Severn Bridge Railway and the design of several churches in Gloucestershire.

5. Henry Tombs (1825-1904), a British explorer and surveyor who participated in several expeditions to Central America and the Arctic regions, contributing valuable geographical and ethnographic information.

The Tombs surname has a rich history, reflecting its ancient roots and connection to various places and notable individuals throughout the centuries. While its origins can be traced back to the 13th century, the name has persisted and evolved, leaving its mark across various fields and regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tombs families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tombs 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. Gloucestershire leads with 267 Tombs' recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.27x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 267 9.27x
Worcestershire 215 11.21x
Middlesex 206 1.40x
Oxfordshire 160 17.65x
Berkshire 125 11.34x
Surrey 73 1.02x
Warwickshire 70 1.89x
Buckinghamshire 66 7.44x
Wiltshire 49 3.77x
Staffordshire 48 0.97x
Herefordshire 39 6.48x
Essex 23 0.79x
Somerset 17 0.72x
Kent 13 0.26x
Lancashire 13 0.07x
Nottinghamshire 13 0.66x
Pembrokeshire 12 2.57x
Glamorgan 11 0.43x
Yorkshire 10 0.07x
Northamptonshire 9 0.65x
Devon 8 0.26x
Hampshire 8 0.27x
Monmouthshire 8 0.75x
Durham 7 0.16x
Cumberland 6 0.47x
Midlothian 6 0.31x
Hertfordshire 5 0.49x
Cornwall 3 0.18x
Lincolnshire 3 0.13x
Sussex 3 0.12x
Westmorland 3 0.93x
Brecknockshire 2 0.68x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.22x
Cheshire 1 0.03x
Wigtownshire 1 0.51x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 40 Tombs' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.24x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 40 3.24x
Wheatley 28 545.81x
Fairford 25 325.10x
Cheltenham 24 10.80x
Chelsea London 23 5.20x
Kensington London 23 2.82x
Lambeth 23 1.80x
Oxford St Thomas 22 52.00x
Tottenham 21 8.98x
Reading St Mary 20 22.66x
Fulham London 19 8.92x
Hampstead London 19 8.31x
Walsall Foreign 19 7.42x
Dudley 17 7.29x
Islington London 17 1.19x
Oxford St Clement 17 74.30x
Hackney London 15 1.82x
Westcote 15 1612.90x
Highworth 14 84.34x
Clapham 13 7.08x
Kencot 13 1274.51x
East West Hanney 12 277.14x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 12 22.77x
Shoreditch London 12 1.89x
West Ham 12 1.88x
Bourton On The Hill 11 478.26x
Preston Bisset 11 635.84x
Stourbridge 11 22.30x
Burton 10 213.22x
Chearsley 10 847.46x
Deerhurst 10 238.66x
Edvin Ralph 10 1219.51x
Fyfield 10 591.72x
Leigh 10 42.97x
Paddington London 10 1.85x
Reading St Giles 10 9.25x
Waltham St Lawrence 10 232.02x
Claines 9 17.10x
Dymock 9 131.20x
Evesham All Sts 9 100.67x
Henley On Thames 9 48.47x
Tredington 9 171.76x
Worcester St Martin 9 34.79x
Abingdon St Helen 8 24.83x
Astley 8 199.50x
Bengeworth 8 121.21x
Chelmsford 8 16.09x
Enstone 8 144.14x
Fulmer 8 372.09x
Gloucester Pool Meadow 8 860.22x
Langford 8 414.51x
Passenham 8 141.09x
Southwark St George Martyr 8 2.71x
Stoke Prior 8 67.68x
Streatham 8 7.34x
Twigworth 8 879.12x
Buckingham 7 38.78x
Churchdown 7 122.16x
Clifton 7 4.81x
Crudwell 7 185.19x
Leckhampton 7 39.46x
Little Coxwell 7 555.56x
Liverpool 7 0.66x
Llandaff 7 8.23x
Longdon 7 262.17x
Luddington 7 1346.15x
Sevenhampton 7 275.59x
Stranton 7 4.76x
Teddington London 7 21.05x
Winkfield 7 38.27x
York St Saviour 7 50.40x
Boddington 6 289.86x
Castlemorton 6 160.00x
Caversham 6 33.08x
East Hendred 6 146.34x
Great Barrington 6 263.16x
Maugersbury 6 217.39x
Powick 6 45.18x
St Marylebone London 6 0.77x
St Peter Colebrook 6 141.84x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 91
John 70
George 57
Henry 53
Charles 42
James 41
Thomas 41
Joseph 30
Edward 25
Frederick 19
Arthur 16
Robert 16
Alfred 15
Ernest 15
Albert 13
Richard 13
Walter 12
Edwin 11
Harry 9
Samuel 9
Mark 6
Herbert 5
Josiah 5
Chas. 4
Francis 4
Frank 4
Reuben 4
Richd. 4
Benjamin 3
Daniel 3
David 3
Fredrick 3
Jessie 3
Lewis 3
Percy 3
Christopher 2
Earnest 2
Edmund 2
Esau 2
Eustace 2
Fredk. 2
Henery 2
Job 2
Leonard 2
Neighbour 2
Philip 2
Saml. 2
Sidney 2
Silas 2
Willm. 2

FAQ

Tombs surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tombs surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,510 people were recorded with the Tombs surname. That placed it at #2,780 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tombs surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,468 in 2016. That gives Tombs a modern rank of #4,194.

What does the Tombs surname mean?

A surname derived from the word "tomb", likely referring to someone who lived near or worked with burial monuments.

What does the Tombs map show?

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