NameCensus.

UK surname

Vann

A toponymic surname derived from places in England meaning "at the fen" or "from the marsh."

In the 1881 census there were 673 people recorded with the Vann surname, ranking it #5,361 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,104, ranked #5,323, up from #5,361 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wigston, Magna, Blaby and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Oadby and Wigston, Leicester and Charnwood.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vann is 1,244 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 64.0%.

1881 census count

673

Ranked #5,361

Modern count

1,104

2016, ranked #5,323

Peak year

1999

1,244 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vann had 673 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,361 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,104 in 2016, ranked #5,323.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,007 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Suburban Professionals.

Vann surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vann surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vann 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 366 #6,483
1861 historical 368 #6,935
1881 historical 673 #5,361
1891 historical 709 #5,541
1901 historical 910 #5,099
1911 historical 1,007 #4,520
1997 modern 1,178 #4,788
1998 modern 1,242 #4,740
1999 modern 1,244 #4,767
2000 modern 1,244 #4,758
2001 modern 1,223 #4,728
2002 modern 1,229 #4,802
2003 modern 1,165 #4,928
2004 modern 1,167 #4,931
2005 modern 1,131 #5,015
2006 modern 1,121 #5,059
2007 modern 1,122 #5,096
2008 modern 1,123 #5,131
2009 modern 1,164 #5,075
2010 modern 1,179 #5,116
2011 modern 1,170 #5,092
2012 modern 1,143 #5,110
2013 modern 1,140 #5,215
2014 modern 1,143 #5,226
2015 modern 1,137 #5,205
2016 modern 1,104 #5,323

Geography

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Where Vanns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wigston, Magna, Blaby, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars, London parishes and Birmingham Town: Aston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Oadby and Wigston, Leicester, Charnwood and Raploch. 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 Wigston, Magna Leicestershire
2 Blaby Leicestershire
3 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire
4 London parishes London 2
5 Birmingham Town: Aston Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Oadby and Wigston 005 Oadby and Wigston
2 Leicester 003 Leicester
3 Oadby and Wigston 006 Oadby and Wigston
4 Charnwood 006 Charnwood
5 Raploch Stirling

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vann

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Vann

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Vann, 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 Vann surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Suburban Professionals, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Vann 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Vann is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Vann 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

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

Meaning and origin of Vann

The surname Vann has its origins in England and Wales, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "fenn," which means "fen" or "marsh." This suggests that the name was likely borne by individuals who lived near or worked in marshy areas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Vann can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror. The book mentions individuals with the surname Vann, or similar spellings such as "de la Vanne" or "atte Vanne," residing in various counties across England.

The name Vann has also been associated with place names, such as Vann in Somerset, which was recorded as "Fenna" in the Domesday Book. This connection to specific locations further reinforces the theory that the name originated from geographical features.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the surname Vann. One example is William Vann (1676-1711), an English clergyman and author who served as a chaplain in the Royal Navy. Another is John Vann (1772-1836), an American pioneer and soldier who played a role in the early settlement of Texas.

In the literary realm, David Vann (born 1966) is a notable American author and professor, known for his critically acclaimed works such as "Legend of a Suicide" and "Caribou Island."

The name Vann has also been prominent in the world of sports. Trevon Vann (born 1998) is an American football defensive back who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National Football League (NFL). Additionally, William Vann (born 1957) is a former American football linebacker who played for the Baltimore Colts in the NFL during the 1980s.

Another historical figure of note is John Vann (1924-1972), a highly decorated United States Army officer who served in the Vietnam War and was known for his criticism of the military strategy employed by the American forces.

While the surname Vann has its roots in England and Wales, it has spread to various parts of the world through migration and diaspora. The name has maintained its presence across generations, carrying with it a rich history and connections to geographical locations and notable individuals.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vann families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vann 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. Leicestershire leads with 256 Vanns recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.43x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 256 35.43x
Warwickshire 113 6.88x
Middlesex 46 0.71x
Staffordshire 32 1.45x
Surrey 32 1.01x
Norfolk 24 2.40x
Northamptonshire 23 3.75x
Lancashire 19 0.25x
Gloucestershire 18 1.41x
Nottinghamshire 18 2.05x
Lincolnshire 13 1.25x
Kent 12 0.54x
Worcestershire 12 1.41x
Somerset 8 0.76x
Hampshire 7 0.52x
Yorkshire 7 0.11x
Cumberland 6 1.07x
Dorset 5 1.17x
Essex 5 0.39x
Durham 4 0.21x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.51x
Channel Islands 2 1.04x
Sussex 2 0.18x
Cheshire 1 0.07x
Derbyshire 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wigston Magna in Leicestershire leads with 77 Vanns recorded in 1881 and an index of 803.76x.

Place Total Index
Wigston Magna 77 803.76x
Leicester St Margaret 69 39.16x
Aston 66 14.59x
Blaby 19 652.92x
Wolverhampton 18 10.64x
Newington 17 7.06x
Leicester St Mary 15 25.70x
Birmingham 14 2.56x
St Pancras London 14 2.67x
Hucknall Torkard 12 53.88x
Loddon 12 465.12x
Whetstone 12 452.83x
Chelsea London 11 5.60x
Whitwick 11 119.70x
Belgrave 9 55.21x
Kirkby Mallory 9 2142.86x
Leicester St Leonard 9 131.58x
Long Lawford 9 588.24x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 9 61.43x
Bedminster 7 7.10x
Bergh Apton 7 666.67x
Gloucester St Michael 7 238.91x
Northampton St Giles 7 29.98x
Bethnal Green London 6 2.12x
Cockermouth 6 50.80x
Humberstone 6 101.01x
Nottingham St Mary 6 2.64x
Over Wallop 6 495.87x
Rugby 6 26.99x
Salford 6 2.64x
Walsall Foreign 6 5.28x
Yardley 6 27.56x
Bridport 5 56.82x
Glen Parva 5 294.12x
Staplehurst 5 136.99x
Wellingborough 5 16.22x
Brooke 4 254.78x
Clapham 4 4.91x
Clifton On Dunsmore 4 300.75x
Dallington 4 111.11x
Great Wakering 4 138.89x
Harrow On The Hill 4 30.72x
Holy Trinity 4 2.58x
Leamington 4 36.73x
Norton By Kempsey 4 215.05x
Oadby 4 103.36x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 3.05x
Bromley 3 8.85x
Camberwell 3 0.72x
Gloucester St Nicholas 3 50.68x
Layton With Warbreck 3 10.57x
Leicester St Martin 3 61.86x
Pendleton In Salford 3 3.26x
St Giles 3 24.79x
Stoke Upon Trent 3 1.29x
Stow On The Wold 3 105.63x
Bilton 2 52.77x
Burton Hastings 2 540.54x
Countesthorpe 2 81.30x
Coventry Holy Trinity 2 4.08x
Coventry St Michael 2 3.79x
East Malling 2 37.66x
Enderby 2 53.48x
Hampstead London 2 1.97x
Horsley 2 35.34x
Kilsby 2 149.25x
Leicester All Sts 2 14.09x
Liverpool 2 0.43x
Northampton St Sepulchre 2 6.41x
Oldbury 2 4.78x
St Andrew Holborn 2 9.05x
St Helier 2 3.18x
Wednesbury 2 3.64x
Worsley 2 4.20x
Alfreton 1 3.23x
Bilston 1 2.35x
Hackney London 1 0.27x
Owlpen 1 400.00x
Send Ripley 1 24.15x
West Ham 1 0.35x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 48
John 41
Thomas 30
Joseph 19
George 17
Henry 16
James 13
Arthur 10
Charles 10
Alfred 9
Albert 8
Frederick 7
Richard 7
Walter 7
Benjamin 4
Edward 4
Harry 4
Samuel 4
Ernest 3
Isaac 3
Oliver 3
Robert 3
David 2
Edgar 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
King 2
Philip 2
Thos. 2
Absalom 1
Alonzo 1
Augustus 1
Cecil 1
Chas. 1
Collingwood 1
Edmond 1
Ezra 1
Fletcher 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Jabez 1
Job 1
Jullian 1
Louis 1
Maurice 1
Prince 1
Saml.S. 1
Zadock 1

FAQ

Vann surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vann surname in 1881?

In 1881, 673 people were recorded with the Vann surname. That placed it at #5,361 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vann surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,104 in 2016. That gives Vann a modern rank of #5,323.

What does the Vann surname mean?

A toponymic surname derived from places in England meaning "at the fen" or "from the marsh."

What does the Vann map show?

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