Exclusive surnames are those that exist only in New Zealand and are not found in any other country in the world. They are unique cultural heritage, reflecting the linguistic, geographical or historical isolation of the region. This table shows the 100 most common exclusive surnames.
| # | Surname | Bearers | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackways | 15 | |
| 2 | Fiddymont | 14 | |
| 3 | Le vavasour | 10 | |
| 4 | Kilbirnie | 10 | |
| 5 | Wilberfoss | 3 | |
| 6 | Shortcliffe | 2 | |
| 7 | Miquell | 1 | |
| 8 | Von putten | 1 | |
| 9 | Hawkestone | 1 | |
| 10 | Sextie | 1 | |
| 11 | Corstan | 1 | |
| 12 | Scatchar | 1 | |
| 13 | Roscommon | 1 | |
| 14 | De vos van steenwyk | 1 | |
| 15 | Demelza | 1 | |
| 16 | Apleby | 1 | |
| 17 | La cloche | 1 | |
| 18 | Beefon | 1 | |
| 19 | Gwavas | 1 | |
| 20 | Hadstock | 1 | |
| 21 | Leolim | 1 |
FAQs
What are exclusive surnames in New Zealand?
Exclusive surnames are those that exist only in New Zealand and are not found in any other country in the world according to our official census data. The most common exclusive surname is Jackways, with 15. registered bearers.
Why do exclusive surnames exist in New Zealand?
Exclusive surnames typically arise from linguistic, geographical or historical isolation. They may also derive from local place names, traditional occupations or phonetic adaptations unique to the language and culture of New Zealand.
Where does this data come from?
The data comes from official censuses and civil registries. A surname is considered exclusive when it appears in our records from only one country with verified bearers.
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