NameCensus.

UK surname

Visser

An occupational surname referring to a fisherman, from the Dutch word for fisherman.

In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Visser surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 330, ranked #13,765, up from #32,926 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waverley, South Lakeland and East Hampshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Visser is 342 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5400.0%.

1881 census count

6

Ranked #32,926

Modern count

330

2016, ranked #13,765

Peak year

2010

342 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Visser had 6 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,926 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 330 in 2016, ranked #13,765.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 47 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Visser surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Visser surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Visser 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 6 #32,278
1881 historical 6 #32,926
1891 historical 30 #31,889
1901 historical 21 #31,686
1911 historical 47 #28,110
1997 modern 179 #18,889
1998 modern 198 #18,224
1999 modern 222 #17,080
2000 modern 228 #16,743
2001 modern 226 #16,620
2002 modern 262 #15,327
2003 modern 274 #14,680
2004 modern 280 #14,530
2005 modern 294 #14,006
2006 modern 318 #13,348
2007 modern 329 #13,168
2008 modern 325 #13,406
2009 modern 330 #13,513
2010 modern 342 #13,440
2011 modern 320 #13,976
2012 modern 319 #13,898
2013 modern 325 #13,924
2014 modern 329 #13,918
2015 modern 322 #14,023
2016 modern 330 #13,765

Geography

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Where Vissers 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 Waverley, South Lakeland, East Hampshire, North Norfolk and Hounslow. 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 Waverley 002 Waverley
2 South Lakeland 002 South Lakeland
3 East Hampshire 013 East Hampshire
4 North Norfolk 011 North Norfolk
5 Hounslow 001 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Visser

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Visser

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Visser surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Visser 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Visser is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Visser 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

Visser falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Visser is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Visser

The surname Visser is of Dutch origin, derived from the Dutch word "visser," meaning "fisherman." It dates back to the Middle Ages in the Netherlands, particularly in coastal regions where fishing was a major industry and way of life.

The earliest recorded examples of the name can be found in Dutch municipal records from the 14th century, such as the Utrecht archdiocese records and the Leiden municipal archives. These early records often spelled the name as "Vischer" or "Visscher," reflecting the Dutch spelling at the time.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname was Jan Vischer, a renowned Dutch painter and engraver born in 1585 in Amsterdam. His works, including etchings and engravings, are highly regarded in the art world and can be found in various museums and collections.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Visser surname was particularly prevalent in the coastal towns of Holland, such as Scheveningen and Katwijk aan Zee. These fishing communities likely gave rise to many families adopting the occupational surname.

Another notable individual with the surname was Nicolaes Visscher, a Dutch cartographer and engraver born in 1618 in Amsterdam. He produced numerous maps and atlases, including his famous "Visscher's Atlas," which was highly influential in its time.

During the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, the Visser surname gained prominence in the Dutch Republic. One example is Cornelis de Visscher, a renowned Dutch Golden Age painter born in 1629 in Haarlem, known for his genre scenes and portraits.

In the literary world, the Dutch poet and playwright Cornelis Visscher, born in 1628 in Amsterdam, was a prominent figure in the 17th century, known for his satirical works and contributions to Dutch literature.

As the Dutch expanded their maritime and colonial pursuits, the Visser surname spread to other parts of the world, including South Africa, Indonesia, and the Caribbean islands, where Dutch settlers established communities.

Overall, the surname Visser has a rich history rooted in the Netherlands, particularly in coastal regions where fishing was a way of life. It has been carried by notable individuals in various fields, from art and cartography to literature and exploration, reflecting the diverse contributions of those bearing this surname throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Visser families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Visser 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. Durham leads with 4 Vissers recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.75x.

County Total Index
Durham 4 19.75x
Perthshire 1 32.68x
Renfrewshire 1 18.94x
Shropshire 1 17.01x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Monkwearmouth Shore in Durham leads with 3 Vissers recorded in 1881 and an index of 750.00x.

Place Total Index
Monkwearmouth Shore 3 750.00x
Albrighton 1 3333.33x
Greenock Oldor West 1 10000.00x
Perth 1 0.00x
South Shields 1 555.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2
Annie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Gys 1
Tys 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 Visser households.

Occupation Count
Scholar 2
A B 1

FAQ

Visser surname: questions and answers

How common was the Visser surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Visser surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Visser surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 330 in 2016. That gives Visser a modern rank of #13,765.

What does the Visser surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a fisherman, from the Dutch word for fisherman.

What does the Visser map show?

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