UK surname
Derived from a Middle English nickname meaning "little abbot," likely referring to someone who worked for or resembled an abbot.
In the 1881 census there were 89 people recorded with the Abott surname, ranking it #21,091 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 16, ranked #36,998, down from #21,091 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Auckland St Andrew, St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace and Enfield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Abott is 147 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 82.0%.
1881 census count
89
Ranked #21,091
Modern count
16
2016, ranked #36,998
Peak year
1891
147 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Abott surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Abott surname density by area, 1891 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 | 72 | #20,720 |
| 1861 | historical | 50 | #27,636 |
| 1881 | historical | 89 | #21,091 |
| 1891 | historical | 147 | #18,592 |
| 1901 | historical | 53 | #28,271 |
| 1911 | historical | 92 | #23,580 |
| 1997 | modern | 29 | #34,795 |
| 1998 | modern | 23 | #35,603 |
| 1999 | modern | 13 | #36,693 |
| 2000 | modern | 12 | #36,749 |
| 2001 | modern | 11 | #36,727 |
| 2002 | modern | 9 | #37,051 |
| 2003 | modern | 5 | #37,750 |
| 2004 | modern | 6 | #37,655 |
| 2005 | modern | 9 | #37,302 |
| 2006 | modern | 11 | #37,118 |
| 2007 | modern | 16 | #36,714 |
| 2008 | modern | 15 | #36,843 |
| 2009 | modern | 17 | #36,753 |
| 2010 | modern | 18 | #36,774 |
| 2011 | modern | 17 | #36,839 |
| 2012 | modern | 11 | #37,394 |
| 2013 | modern | 12 | #37,342 |
| 2014 | modern | 14 | #37,161 |
| 2015 | modern | 17 | #36,887 |
| 2016 | modern | 16 | #36,998 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Auckland St Andrew, St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace, Enfield, Brantham and Pentrich. 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 | Auckland St Andrew | Durham |
| 2 | St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace | London (West Districts) |
| 3 | Enfield | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 4 | Brantham | Suffolk |
| 5 | Pentrich | Derbyshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Abott 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 Abott, 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 Abott surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Abott 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, Abott 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 Abott is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Abott, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Abott originated in England during the medieval period. It is a variant spelling of the occupational surname Abbott, derived from the Old French word "abbot," meaning the head of an abbey or monastery. The name likely referred to someone who served as an abbot or worked in close association with an abbey.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname Abott can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable example is the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which record a William Abbot residing in Norfolk. Another early reference is in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327, where a John Abbot is mentioned.
During the Middle Ages, the name Abott was closely associated with religious institutions and ecclesiastical authorities. In some cases, it may have been adopted as a hereditary surname by individuals who initially held positions within abbeys or monasteries.
One prominent figure bearing the surname Abott was George Abott (1562-1633), an English writer, theologian, and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1611 until his death. He played a significant role in the English Reformation and was a influential figure in the Church of England during his tenure.
Another notable individual with the surname Abott was Maurice Abott (1565-1642), an English merchant and politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1638-1639. He was actively involved in the governance of the City of London and held various positions of authority.
In the realm of literature, Jacob Abott (1803-1879) was an American writer and educator who authored numerous works, including the famous "Rollo Books" series for children. His books were widely popular and contributed to the education of many young readers in the 19th century.
The surname Abott has also been associated with several place names in England, such as Abott's Bromley in Staffordshire, which may have been derived from an individual bearing the name. Additionally, variations in spelling, such as Abbot, Abbett, and Abbitt, have been observed throughout historical records.
Overall, the surname Abott has a rich history rooted in the religious and ecclesiastical traditions of medieval England, with various notable individuals bearing the name across different fields and time periods. Its evolution and usage have been influenced by occupational origins, place names, and the changing spellings common in historical documents.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Abott 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. Lancashire leads with 22 Abotts recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.11x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 22 | 2.11x |
| Middlesex | 15 | 1.71x |
| Hertfordshire | 6 | 9.92x |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 0.69x |
| Cumberland | 5 | 6.62x |
| Staffordshire | 5 | 1.69x |
| Lincolnshire | 4 | 2.85x |
| Sussex | 4 | 2.70x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 1.55x |
| Kent | 3 | 1.00x |
| Leicestershire | 3 | 3.08x |
| Surrey | 3 | 0.70x |
| Bedfordshire | 2 | 4.40x |
| Devon | 2 | 1.09x |
| Northamptonshire | 2 | 2.42x |
| Channel Islands | 1 | 3.84x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 1.01x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.73x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.85x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 1.58x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bovingdon in Hertfordshire leads with 6 Abotts recorded in 1881 and an index of 1875.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bovingdon | 6 | 1875.00x |
| Ashton In Makerfield | 5 | 168.35x |
| Oswaldtwistle | 5 | 135.87x |
| Wigan | 5 | 34.34x |
| Bow London | 4 | 35.78x |
| Cawood | 4 | 1212.12x |
| Fairlight | 4 | 2857.14x |
| Penrith | 4 | 143.37x |
| Donington | 3 | 600.00x |
| Mucklestone | 3 | 1071.43x |
| Stoney Stanton | 3 | 1000.00x |
| Wandsworth | 3 | 35.50x |
| Westminster St John | 3 | 28.06x |
| Bethnal Green London | 2 | 5.24x |
| Bexley | 2 | 75.47x |
| Broughton In Salford | 2 | 21.01x |
| Crowton | 2 | 1428.57x |
| Islington London | 2 | 2.35x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 4.10x |
| Salford | 2 | 6.53x |
| Stevington | 2 | 1052.63x |
| Thrapston | 2 | 487.80x |
| Titteworth | 2 | 444.44x |
| Aspull | 1 | 40.82x |
| Broadwoodwidger | 1 | 476.19x |
| Burnley | 1 | 11.40x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 2.11x |
| Folkestone | 1 | 17.21x |
| Heath | 1 | 909.09x |
| Heaton Norris | 1 | 16.86x |
| Holton Beckering | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Keighley | 1 | 10.79x |
| Meaux | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 1 | 5.35x |
| Mynyddyslwyn | 1 | 40.00x |
| Runcorn | 1 | 22.37x |
| St Helier | 1 | 11.81x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.42x |
| St Stephens By Saltash | 1 | 232.56x |
| Stainburn | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Tormoham | 1 | 12.94x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Abott 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 Abott 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 Abott households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Agr Lab | 2 |
| Farm Labourer | 2 |
| Tailoress | 2 |
| (Beer Retailers Wife) | 1 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Barmaid (Inn) | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Collier | 1 |
| Collier Wife | 1 |
| Companion Ladies | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Cotton Winder | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Dyer (Undef) | 1 |
| Engine Driver | 1 |
| Farm Manager | 1 |
| Farm Servant (Indoor) | 1 |
| Farmer | 1 |
| General Lab | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Servant (Dom) | 1 |
| Genl Serv | 1 |
| House Keeper | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Independant | 1 |
| Labourers Builder | 1 |
| Lacemaker | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Licensed Victualler | 1 |
| Lieutenant Volunteer Lancashire Rifles | 1 |
| Monthly Nurse | 1 |
| Mule Spinner | 1 |
| Piano Maker | 1 |
| Printer Compositor | 1 |
| Sailor H M Navy | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Shop Woman | 1 |
| Silk Winder | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
| Tailor Draper & C | 1 |
| Under Nurse | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 89 people were recorded with the Abott surname. That placed it at #21,091 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 16 in 2016. That gives Abott a modern rank of #36,998.
Derived from a Middle English nickname meaning "little abbot," likely referring to someone who worked for or resembled an abbot.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Abott 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.