UK surname
A surname referring to the joining or uniting of two or more things.
In the 1881 census there were 66 people recorded with the Union surname, ranking it #24,256 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 71, ranked #33,633, down from #24,256 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Llandaff (incl. Canton), Leckwith and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Union is 171 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 7.6%.
1881 census count
66
Ranked #24,256
Modern count
71
2016, ranked #33,633
Peak year
1891
171 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Union surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Union surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 56 | #23,235 |
| 1861 | historical | 123 | #17,914 |
| 1881 | historical | 66 | #24,256 |
| 1891 | historical | 171 | #16,733 |
| 1901 | historical | 77 | #25,627 |
| 1911 | historical | 139 | #18,745 |
| 1997 | modern | 51 | #32,545 |
| 1998 | modern | 56 | #32,313 |
| 1999 | modern | 54 | #32,660 |
| 2000 | modern | 52 | #32,916 |
| 2001 | modern | 51 | #32,850 |
| 2002 | modern | 58 | #32,564 |
| 2003 | modern | 53 | #33,076 |
| 2004 | modern | 56 | #33,067 |
| 2005 | modern | 53 | #33,528 |
| 2006 | modern | 51 | #33,992 |
| 2007 | modern | 54 | #34,042 |
| 2008 | modern | 57 | #34,015 |
| 2009 | modern | 58 | #34,144 |
| 2010 | modern | 61 | #34,143 |
| 2011 | modern | 68 | #33,613 |
| 2012 | modern | 63 | #34,095 |
| 2013 | modern | 64 | #34,127 |
| 2014 | modern | 67 | #33,959 |
| 2015 | modern | 67 | #33,911 |
| 2016 | modern | 71 | #33,633 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Llandaff (incl. Canton), Leckwith, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Greenock and Cardiff St John and St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff | Gloucestershire |
| 2 | Llandaff (incl. Canton), Leckwith | Glamorganshire |
| 3 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 4 | Greenock | Renfrew |
| 5 | Cardiff St John and St Mary | Glamorganshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Union surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Union, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Union surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Union household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Union is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Union is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Union, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname UNION is of English origin and is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. It is thought to have derived from the Old French word "union," meaning "unity" or "union," which itself originated from the Latin word "unio."
The name was likely initially used as a descriptive term to refer to individuals who were associated with or involved in various forms of unions or alliances, such as trade guilds, religious orders, or even political alliances. It may have also been given to someone who was known for promoting unity or bringing people together.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the UNION surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like record from 1273, where a person named Robert Union is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 13th century in England.
During the 16th century, the UNION surname appears in various records and documents across England. For example, in 1568, a certain John Union is listed in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Chelmsford, Essex. Another early bearer of the name was William Union, who was born in Gloucestershire in 1587 and later became a successful merchant in London.
One notable historical figure with the UNION surname was Thomas Union, a British naval officer and explorer who lived from 1781 to 1857. He participated in several voyages of exploration in the Pacific Ocean and is credited with discovering several islands in the region.
Another individual of note was Samuel Union (1828-1912), an English artist and illustrator known for his intricate engravings and woodcuts. His works were widely published in various books and magazines during the Victorian era.
In the 19th century, the UNION surname also gained prominence in the United States. One example is John Union (1813-1892), a prominent American businessman and entrepreneur who founded the Union Pacific Railroad Company, which played a crucial role in the development of the transcontinental railroad system in the United States.
While the UNION surname is not among the most common in English-speaking countries, it has a rich history dating back several centuries and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including explorers, artists, and business leaders.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Union surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Glamorgan leads with 13 Unions recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.78x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Glamorgan | 13 | 11.78x |
| Renfrewshire | 11 | 22.39x |
| Nottinghamshire | 7 | 8.19x |
| Gloucestershire | 6 | 4.83x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 0.95x |
| Somerset | 6 | 5.88x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.53x |
| Devon | 3 | 2.27x |
| Cambridgeshire | 2 | 4.98x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.92x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 0.93x |
| Angus | 1 | 1.70x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.32x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.16x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Greenock in Renfrewshire leads with 11 Unions recorded in 1881 and an index of 237.07x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| East Greenock | 11 | 237.07x |
| Llandaff | 7 | 190.74x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 7 | 31.67x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 6 | 98.68x |
| Clifton | 6 | 95.39x |
| Clevedon | 4 | 377.36x |
| St George Hanover | 4 | 48.37x |
| Bridgewater | 2 | 72.20x |
| Clerkenwell London | 2 | 13.37x |
| Liverpool | 2 | 4.38x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 2 | 8.81x |
| Sutton | 2 | 606.06x |
| Tormoham | 2 | 35.84x |
| Birkdale | 1 | 52.63x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 1 | 8.37x |
| Dundee | 1 | 4.56x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 9.91x |
| Kew | 1 | 555.56x |
| Lynsted | 1 | 357.14x |
| Marske In Guisbrough | 1 | 89.29x |
| Sidmouth | 1 | 131.58x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Union surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Union surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Union households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 11 |
| Lace Finisher | 2 |
| No Profession | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Artist | 1 |
| Boatman | 1 |
| Cabinete Bar Fitter H & S Fittings | 1 |
| Carpenter (Journeyman) | 1 |
| Cook Dom Serv | 1 |
| Dock Labourer | 1 |
| Dyers Carman | 1 |
| Gardener Jobbing (M) | 1 |
| Generals Niece | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Lace Maker | 1 |
| Lace Manufacturer | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Nurse Maid Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Public Elementary School Teacher | 1 |
| Retired Shopkeeper | 1 |
| School | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 66 people were recorded with the Union surname. That placed it at #24,256 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 71 in 2016. That gives Union a modern rank of #33,633.
A surname referring to the joining or uniting of two or more things.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Union bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.