NameCensus.

UK surname

Agate

A metonymic occupational surname for a person who gathered, sold, or worked with agates, a type of quartz.

In the 1881 census there were 496 people recorded with the Agate surname, ranking it #6,816 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 474, ranked #10,385, down from #6,816 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Lambeth and Keymer, North & South. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sevenoaks, Mid Sussex and Arun.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Agate is 611 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 4.4%.

1881 census count

496

Ranked #6,816

Modern count

474

2016, ranked #10,385

Peak year

1901

611 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Agate had 496 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,816 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 474 in 2016, ranked #10,385.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 611 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Agate surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Agate surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Agate 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 379 #6,300
1861 historical 316 #8,054
1881 historical 496 #6,816
1891 historical 538 #6,998
1901 historical 611 #6,972
1911 historical 603 #6,813
1997 modern 465 #9,817
1998 modern 478 #9,940
1999 modern 498 #9,687
2000 modern 495 #9,707
2001 modern 487 #9,656
2002 modern 479 #9,954
2003 modern 451 #10,274
2004 modern 460 #10,120
2005 modern 440 #10,382
2006 modern 435 #10,525
2007 modern 439 #10,553
2008 modern 446 #10,501
2009 modern 459 #10,502
2010 modern 466 #10,595
2011 modern 468 #10,460
2012 modern 452 #10,619
2013 modern 463 #10,602
2014 modern 480 #10,405
2015 modern 471 #10,467
2016 modern 474 #10,385

Geography

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Where Agates are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Lambeth, Keymer, North & South, Horsham, Sullington and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sevenoaks, Mid Sussex, Arun and East Hampshire. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Lambeth London (South Districts)
3 Keymer, North & South Sussex
4 Horsham, Sullington Sussex
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sevenoaks 015 Sevenoaks
2 Mid Sussex 014 Mid Sussex
3 Mid Sussex 001 Mid Sussex
4 Arun 004 Arun
5 East Hampshire 007 East Hampshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Agate

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Agate

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Agate surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Agate 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Agate 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

Agate is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Agate falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Agate 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Agate

The surname Agate is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "gat," which referred to a passage or opening, particularly in reference to a gate or passageway.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Gayte" and "Gatte." These variations suggest that the name was initially associated with someone who lived near a gate or resided in a place with a significant gate or passageway.

During the Middle Ages, the surname Agate was particularly prevalent in the counties of Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Nottinghamshire. It is believed that the name may have originated from place names such as Gatehouse, Gate Burton, or Gate Fulbeck, all of which were located in these regions.

One notable bearer of the name was John Agate, a prominent English merchant and politician who lived in the 14th century. He served as the Mayor of Norwich in 1370 and played a significant role in the city's affairs during his lifetime.

Another individual with the surname Agate was William Agate, a 16th-century English clergyman and scholar. He was born in Lincolnshire in 1508 and later became the Rector of Fringford in Oxfordshire, where he served until his death in 1578.

In the 17th century, the name Agate was associated with the family of Sir Samuel Agate, a wealthy landowner and member of the English gentry. Sir Samuel was born in 1628 and owned several estates in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.

During the 18th century, the surname Agate gained recognition through the works of John Agate, a well-known English engraver and artist. He was born in London in 1727 and is best remembered for his intricate engravings of architectural subjects and landscapes.

Another notable figure with the surname Agate was William Agate, a renowned English architect who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings, including the Shire Hall in Stafford, which was completed in 1798.

As the surname Agate spread across England and later to other parts of the world, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Agatt, Agat, and Agathe. However, the core meaning and origin of the name remained rooted in its connection to gates, passageways, and specific locations associated with these features.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Agate families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Agate 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. Sussex leads with 180 Agates recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.98x.

County Total Index
Sussex 180 21.98x
Surrey 147 6.21x
Kent 66 3.98x
Middlesex 63 1.30x
Hampshire 15 1.51x
Gloucestershire 10 1.05x
Lancashire 5 0.09x
Channel Islands 3 2.08x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.31x
Yorkshire 2 0.04x
Berkshire 1 0.27x
Essex 1 0.10x
Fife 1 0.35x
Glamorgan 1 0.12x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.65x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Croydon in Surrey leads with 31 Agates recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.59x.

Place Total Index
Croydon 31 23.59x
Horsham 29 182.28x
Brighton 25 15.13x
Lambeth 17 4.01x
Warnham 17 960.45x
Camberwell 15 4.83x
Thakeham 15 1666.67x
Tonbridge 13 21.75x
Bletchingley 12 388.35x
Islington London 12 2.55x
Plumstead 12 21.72x
Battersea 11 6.15x
Lower Beeding 11 504.59x
Ditchling 9 403.59x
Keymer 9 155.71x
Penge 9 29.00x
Deptford St Paul 8 6.26x
Godstone 8 188.68x
Shoreditch London 8 3.80x
Warblington 8 202.53x
East Grinstead 7 60.40x
Mortlake 7 66.35x
Woolwich 7 11.43x
Cuckfield 6 72.55x
Lingfield 6 130.15x
West Grinstead 6 242.92x
Bristol St James St Paul 5 15.74x
Dartford 5 29.50x
Edmonton 5 12.77x
Pendleton In Salford 5 7.28x
Preston 5 34.97x
Bristol St Nicholas 4 233.92x
Clerkenwell London 4 3.49x
Dover St Mary Virgin 4 24.94x
Stoke Newington London 4 10.57x
Streatham 4 11.10x
Beckenham 3 13.84x
Broadwater 3 15.97x
Burstow 3 149.25x
Friern Barnet 3 28.04x
Godalming 3 20.13x
Hackney London 3 1.10x
Hove 3 8.35x
Hurstpierpoint 3 65.79x
Luddesdown 3 666.67x
Newington 3 1.67x
Nuthurst 3 220.59x
Reigate Foreign 3 11.71x
Shipley 3 161.29x
South Hayling 3 169.49x
St Luke London 3 3.85x
St Pancras London 3 0.77x
Steyning 3 107.91x
Westminster St Margaret 3 12.80x
Willesden 3 6.55x
Ashington 2 476.19x
Ashtead 2 129.87x
Bexley 2 13.65x
Chatham 2 4.39x
Greenwich 2 2.59x
Hammersmith London 2 1.67x
Harrow On The Hill 2 20.62x
Havant 2 39.68x
Hythe St Leonard 2 34.13x
Mile End New Town London 2 20.83x
Mitcham 2 13.37x
Portsea 2 1.02x
Portslade 2 39.92x
St Helier 2 4.27x
Tillington 2 136.05x
Washington 2 142.86x
Worksop 2 10.30x
Worth 2 33.61x
Charlwood 1 44.05x
Eastbourne 1 2.65x
Newhaven 1 15.04x
Nutfield 1 55.87x
South Bersted 1 14.35x
St Michaelinthe Vale 1 19.46x
West Ham 1 0.47x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 28
John 26
Henry 22
George 20
Alfred 14
James 12
Charles 11
Thomas 11
Harry 8
Walter 8
Albert 7
Ernest 6
Edward 5
Frank 5
Edwin 4
Joseph 4
Richard 4
Arthur 3
David 3
Frederick 3
Robert 3
Ambrose 2
Francis 2
Jas. 2
Leonard 2
Martin 2
Percy 2
Peter 2
Philip 2
Samuel 2
Stephen 2
Algernon 1
Benjamin 1
Clement 1
Dandy 1
Earnest 1
Herbert 1
Herbt. 1
Honey 1
Humphrey 1
Jno. 1
Laurence 1
Michael 1
Moses 1
Orton 1
Sam 1
Selina 1
Sydney 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Agate surname: questions and answers

How common was the Agate surname in 1881?

In 1881, 496 people were recorded with the Agate surname. That placed it at #6,816 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Agate surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 474 in 2016. That gives Agate a modern rank of #10,385.

What does the Agate surname mean?

A metonymic occupational surname for a person who gathered, sold, or worked with agates, a type of quartz.

What does the Agate map show?

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