NameCensus.

UK surname

Tonna

A topographic surname indicating someone living near a valley or ravine.

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Tonna surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 131, ranked #26,004, up from #33,498 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wycombe, Harlow and Reading.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tonna is 138 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 4266.7%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

131

2016, ranked #26,004

Peak year

2010

138 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tonna had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016, ranked #26,004.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Suburban Professionals.

Tonna surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tonna surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tonna 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 2 #34,135
1881 historical 3 #33,498
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1997 modern 96 #27,490
1998 modern 104 #26,981
1999 modern 107 #26,754
2000 modern 107 #26,700
2001 modern 106 #26,468
2002 modern 118 #25,358
2003 modern 117 #25,282
2004 modern 120 #25,078
2005 modern 126 #24,287
2006 modern 117 #25,695
2007 modern 124 #25,086
2008 modern 119 #26,067
2009 modern 132 #24,929
2010 modern 138 #24,801
2011 modern 134 #25,050
2012 modern 124 #26,432
2013 modern 129 #26,211
2014 modern 133 #25,851
2015 modern 132 #25,859
2016 modern 131 #26,004

Geography

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Where Tonnas 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 Wycombe, Harlow, Reading and Havering. 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 Wycombe 012 Wycombe
2 Harlow 003 Harlow
3 Reading 006 Reading
4 Reading 015 Reading
5 Havering 023 Havering

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tonna

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tonna

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Suburban Professionals

Nationally, the Tonna surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Suburban Professionals, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Tonna household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Employment in this Group is typically in managerial and professional occupations, and education to degree level is common. Residents are typically of working age, many of whom identify with an Indian ethnicity. Households are unlikely to be of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities, and English is not the main language used in some households. This Group is found on the outskirts of most conurbations as well as in the suburbs of some free-standing towns.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Tonna 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

Tonna 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

Tonna falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Tonna 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Tonna

The surname "TONNA" is of Italian origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval period in the region of Tuscany. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "tonna," which translates to "barrel" or "cask." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals involved in the production or transportation of barrels or casks, possibly wine merchants or coopers.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name "TONNA" can be found in the archives of the city of Siena, dating back to the 13th century. These records mention a family by the name of Tonna, who were prominent merchants in the thriving textile trade of the region.

In the 14th century, a notable figure named Giovanni Tonna made his mark in the city of Florence. He was a skilled architect and engineer who contributed to the construction of several iconic buildings, including the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Palazzo Vecchio.

During the Renaissance period, the Tonna family gained further recognition through the achievements of Benedetto Tonna, a renowned painter and fresco artist. His works adorned the walls of numerous churches and palaces in cities like Florence, Siena, and Pisa, cementing the family's artistic legacy.

In the 18th century, a member of the Tonna family, Giuseppe Tonna, made significant contributions to the field of mathematics. He was a professor at the University of Pisa and authored several influential treatises on calculus and geometry.

Another notable figure with the surname "TONNA" was Carlo Tonna, a 19th-century composer and musician from Naples. His operas and compositions were widely acclaimed and performed across Italy during his lifetime.

Throughout history, the surname "TONNA" has also been associated with various place names and localities within Italy. For instance, the town of Tonna in the Marche region is believed to have derived its name from the surname, although the exact origins remain unclear.

While the surname "TONNA" is predominantly Italian, it has also been found in other parts of Europe, likely due to migration and cultural exchange. However, the core of its historical significance lies within the regions of Tuscany and central Italy, where it has left an indelible mark on various aspects of art, architecture, academia, and commerce over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tonna families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tonna 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. Lancashire leads with 2 Tonnas recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.34x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 2 4.34x
Middlesex 1 2.57x
Royal Navy 1 217.39x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 2 Tonnas recorded in 1881 and an index of 71.43x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 2 71.43x
Hampstead London 1 163.93x
Royal Navy 1 250.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
Carlo 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 Tonna households.

FAQ

Tonna surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tonna surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Tonna surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tonna surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016. That gives Tonna a modern rank of #26,004.

What does the Tonna surname mean?

A topographic surname indicating someone living near a valley or ravine.

What does the Tonna map show?

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