Origins and migrations of Sugg families in England

Beginnings
What's in the name?
The Saxons

Early Evidence
Suffolk
Somerset & Dorset
Hampshire
London

After 1837
Suffolk & Hampshire
Western counties
London

People
Families
Emigration
Notable Suggs

Conclusion

Sources
Census returns
Monarchs

Bibliography & Links

More information
Contact details

During the 19th century the more detailed evidence available shows that there were still many Suggs living in Somerset, Dorsetand surrounding counties (referred to now as the ‘western counties’). Information is not available for the whole of the country however until the census of 1881 and an accurate comparative study of population distribution is not possible until then. In 1851 many Suggs in the region were involved in farming and others worked in cottage industries such as glove making and leatherwork. The situation had not altered a great deal by 1881 although some farmers then employed additional workers and the listing of an ‘engine driver’ suggests that some technological progress had taken place. Occupations such as laundress, housekeeper, and dairy maid might indicate the development of social distinctions which had not been evident earlier.

These two maps show clearly the mobility of the Sugg family in England and Wales during the second half of the 19th century. The map on the left shows the number of Sugg births by county 1841-1851. That on the right indicates the births by county 1891-1900 (GRO index). In this short period Sugg families spread throughout the country. There was considerable migration to London. The proportion of Suggs living in Somerset fell from about one in three in 1881 to about one in five in 1901. Two in every five then lived in London.

The 1881 census shows that 50% of all registered Suggs were born in the western counties, principally in Somerset. Only 41% of them however were still living there – the others having presumably migrated during their lifetimes to other parts of the country. The population was becoming increasingly mobile and by 1901 the equivalent figures show that 35% of all living Suggs had been born in this region but only 27% were still living there. (Detailed figures are given in the census returns). It has been assumed that the number of wives who had taken the name Sugg approximately balanced the number of Sugg women who had married and taken a different name. The maps above, derived from GRO statistics, illustrate the same process over a somewhat longer time period.

It is evident that there was a steady movement away from the area and that much of it was to London and to other industrial centres^[i]. Agricultural workers were still experiencing considerable problems – a continuation of the situation which had already been serious at the end of the 18th century. In an effort to increase agricultural productivity the enclosure of common land
	Sherborne, Dorset 1890
continued well into the 19th century. This could be of great financial benefit to the landowners but often had a devastating effect on the small farmer who relied on the use of common land to graze his livestock and sometimes to collect fuel. Many were unable to survive independently and began instead to look for employment on the larger farms. Unfortunately, the larger farmers were introducing more efficient methods requiring fewer not more labourers. There was considerable local unemployment – work had to be sought elsewhere.

The situation was aggravated early in the 19th century by the defeat of Napoleon and the return of large numbers of soldiers, also in need of work. The industrial revolution was providing opportunities for work, but it had a limited impact in this part of the country and people usually needed to move away from the region to find employment. Londoncontinued to be an enormous attraction and many travelled in that direction but others merely moved into neighbouring areas. Young people especially, both male and female, left their homes in search of work and also on marriage.

Figures for the 20th century^[ii] equivalent to those discussed above indicate that the process has continued and perhaps even accelerated. Some Suggs still live in the region but make up a much smaller percentage of the total number in the country as a whole.

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^[i] Some Suggs moved to the coal mining areas of South Walesand others to Lancashire

^[ii] Approximate figures may be derived from the national telephone directory