UK surname
An Italian surname derived from the word "ventre" meaning "belly" or "womb."
In the 1881 census there were 79 people recorded with the Ventris surname, ranking it #22,357 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 82, ranked #32,895, down from #22,357 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Shoebury, South, London parishes and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ventris is 111 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 3.8%.
1881 census count
79
Ranked #22,357
Modern count
82
2016, ranked #32,895
Peak year
1911
111 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Ventris surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Ventris 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 | 55 | #23,413 |
| 1861 | historical | 44 | #28,433 |
| 1881 | historical | 79 | #22,357 |
| 1891 | historical | 76 | #27,290 |
| 1901 | historical | 93 | #23,689 |
| 1911 | historical | 111 | #21,392 |
| 1997 | modern | 85 | #28,988 |
| 1998 | modern | 84 | #29,537 |
| 1999 | modern | 80 | #30,152 |
| 2000 | modern | 78 | #30,361 |
| 2001 | modern | 79 | #30,065 |
| 2002 | modern | 81 | #30,294 |
| 2003 | modern | 71 | #31,393 |
| 2004 | modern | 75 | #31,233 |
| 2005 | modern | 80 | #30,842 |
| 2006 | modern | 76 | #31,633 |
| 2007 | modern | 75 | #32,079 |
| 2008 | modern | 83 | #31,483 |
| 2009 | modern | 79 | #32,372 |
| 2010 | modern | 81 | #32,582 |
| 2011 | modern | 81 | #32,558 |
| 2012 | modern | 89 | #31,934 |
| 2013 | modern | 88 | #32,349 |
| 2014 | modern | 83 | #32,910 |
| 2015 | modern | 83 | #32,847 |
| 2016 | modern | 82 | #32,895 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Shoebury, South, London parishes, St Dunstan Stepney and St Giles Camberwell. 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 | Shoebury, South | Essex |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 5 | St Giles Camberwell | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Ventris 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 Ventris, 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 Ventris surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Ventris 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, Ventris 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 Ventris is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Ventris, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Ventris originated in England, primarily in the southern regions, during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "ventre," which translates to "belly" or "abdomen." This connection suggests that the name may have been a descriptive surname given to someone with a prominent or distinguishing physical feature.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Ventris surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Dorset from 1195, where a certain Roger Ventris is mentioned. This historical record provides evidence that the name was already well-established in the region by the late 12th century.
In the 13th century, the Ventris name appears in the Huntingdonshire Hundred Rolls of 1273, further solidifying its presence in various parts of England. Additionally, the name is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296, indicating its spread across different counties.
During the 14th century, the Ventris surname is documented in the Placita de Quo Warranto records of 1330, which were legal proceedings concerning the rights and privileges of landowners. This suggests that some members of the Ventris family held positions of prominence and influence during this time.
Notable individuals bearing the Ventris surname throughout history include:
1. William Ventris (1770-1845), an English architect and surveyor known for his work in the Georgian architectural style. 2. Michael Ventris (1922-1956), a renowned British architect and archaeologist who deciphered the ancient Minoan script known as Linear B. 3. John Ventris (1645-1718), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge. 4. Elizabeth Ventris (1757-1828), a British author and diarist who documented life in Georgian England through her extensive journals. 5. Thomas Ventris (1501-1567), an English lawyer and member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
While the Ventris surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and emigration. However, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period, when it emerged as a descriptive surname reflecting physical characteristics or occupations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ventris 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. Middlesex leads with 19 Ventris' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.47x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 19 | 2.47x |
| Surrey | 19 | 5.06x |
| Essex | 16 | 10.52x |
| Shropshire | 6 | 9.01x |
| Berkshire | 4 | 6.92x |
| Cambridgeshire | 4 | 8.20x |
| Cornwall | 3 | 3.44x |
| Hampshire | 3 | 1.90x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.76x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.44x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 2.10x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 1.47x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Wakering in Essex leads with 9 Ventris' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2647.06x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Great Wakering | 9 | 2647.06x |
| Mile End Old Town | 9 | 74.01x |
| Bermondsey | 7 | 30.53x |
| Edgmond | 6 | 821.92x |
| Camberwell | 5 | 10.16x |
| Reading St Giles | 4 | 70.55x |
| St Andrewthe Less | 4 | 71.81x |
| Lambeth | 3 | 4.47x |
| Portsea | 3 | 9.69x |
| St Columb Major | 3 | 416.67x |
| St Luke London | 3 | 24.27x |
| Barking | 2 | 44.94x |
| Rayleigh | 2 | 571.43x |
| Rochford | 2 | 454.55x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 3.23x |
| Sutton | 2 | 73.53x |
| Whitechapel London | 2 | 26.35x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 2.99x |
| Boughton Monchelsea | 1 | 344.83x |
| Bournmoor | 1 | 277.78x |
| Chippenham | 1 | 69.93x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 8.16x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 2.32x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 8.33x |
| Leyton Low | 1 | 32.36x |
| Newington | 1 | 3.51x |
| Oxford St Giles | 1 | 44.05x |
| Richmond | 1 | 19.01x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Ventris 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 Ventris 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 Ventris households.
FAQ
In 1881, 79 people were recorded with the Ventris surname. That placed it at #22,357 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 82 in 2016. That gives Ventris a modern rank of #32,895.
An Italian surname derived from the word "ventre" meaning "belly" or "womb."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Ventris 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.