UK surname
A habitational name derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Alston in Cumbria, England.
In the 1881 census there were 47 people recorded with the Alson surname, ranking it #27,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 24, ranked #36,392, down from #27,019 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bebbington, Wolstanton and St Leonard Shoreditch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Alson is 135 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 48.9%.
1881 census count
47
Ranked #27,019
Modern count
24
2016, ranked #36,392
Peak year
1861
135 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Alson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Alson surname density by area, 1861 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 | 30 | #27,891 |
| 1861 | historical | 135 | #16,651 |
| 1881 | historical | 47 | #27,019 |
| 1891 | historical | 98 | #24,313 |
| 1901 | historical | 36 | #30,099 |
| 1911 | historical | 55 | #27,313 |
| 1997 | modern | 23 | #35,484 |
| 1998 | modern | 21 | #35,788 |
| 1999 | modern | 18 | #36,151 |
| 2000 | modern | 16 | #36,316 |
| 2001 | modern | 13 | #36,483 |
| 2002 | modern | 14 | #36,484 |
| 2003 | modern | 14 | #36,512 |
| 2004 | modern | 12 | #36,835 |
| 2005 | modern | 12 | #36,936 |
| 2006 | modern | 13 | #36,902 |
| 2007 | modern | 13 | #36,990 |
| 2008 | modern | 13 | #37,056 |
| 2009 | modern | 16 | #36,850 |
| 2010 | modern | 15 | #37,038 |
| 2011 | modern | 16 | #36,932 |
| 2012 | modern | 13 | #37,169 |
| 2013 | modern | 18 | #36,787 |
| 2014 | modern | 20 | #36,654 |
| 2015 | modern | 24 | #36,364 |
| 2016 | modern | 24 | #36,392 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bebbington, Wolstanton, St Leonard Shoreditch, Wimbledon and Battersea. 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 | Bebbington | Cheshire |
| 2 | Wolstanton | Staffordshire |
| 3 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Wimbledon | Surrey |
| 5 | Battersea | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Alson 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 Alson, 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 Alson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Alson 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, Alson 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 Alson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Alson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Alson has its origins in England, tracing back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English words "ælf" and "sunu," meaning "elf's son" or "son of the elf." This name was likely given to someone perceived as having an elfin or otherworldly appearance or demeanor.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Alson can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, where it appears as "Alfson." This spelling variation is indicative of the name's evolution over time, influenced by regional dialects and scribal interpretations.
In the 13th century, the Alson surname appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, a survey of landowners and their holdings. This suggests that the name had gained some prominence and was associated with landholding families during this period.
One notable figure bearing the Alson name was John Alson, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 15th century. Records show that he was involved in trade with the Hanseatic League and held significant influence in the city's affairs.
Another individual of note was William Alson, born in 1587 in Stratford-upon-Avon, who was a contemporary of William Shakespeare. Although not directly associated with the playwright, Alson was a respected member of the local community and served as a church warden.
In the 17th century, the Alson surname can be found in parish records across various counties in England, such as Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Warwickshire. This indicates the name's continued presence and dispersal throughout the region.
One intriguing historical reference is the mention of an Alson family in the Domesday Book of 1086, although the exact spelling and context are unclear. This early record suggests that the name may have even older roots than the 12th century.
Other notable individuals bearing the Alson surname include Robert Alson, a member of the English Parliament in the late 16th century, and Edward Alson, a prominent landowner in Gloucestershire during the 17th century.
While the Alson name has its origins in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora, taking on various spellings and forms in different cultures and languages.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Alson 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. Surrey leads with 13 Alsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.22x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 13 | 6.22x |
| Cheshire | 7 | 7.39x |
| Staffordshire | 7 | 4.83x |
| Gloucestershire | 6 | 7.13x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 0.93x |
| Lincolnshire | 2 | 2.91x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 3.68x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.34x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.20x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.92x |
| West Lothian | 1 | 15.48x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Battersea in Surrey leads with 10 Alsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 63.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Battersea | 10 | 63.33x |
| Tranmere | 7 | 201.15x |
| Wolstanton | 7 | 159.09x |
| Newland | 5 | 704.23x |
| Gainsborough | 2 | 123.46x |
| Lambeth | 2 | 5.34x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 2.77x |
| Boness | 1 | 112.36x |
| Bristol St James St Paul | 1 | 35.59x |
| Bromley London | 1 | 10.59x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 6.34x |
| Penarth | 1 | 136.99x |
| Shoreditch London | 1 | 5.38x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 5.80x |
| Westminster St James | 1 | 22.68x |
| Whittlesey St Mary St | 1 | 105.26x |
| Wimbledon | 1 | 42.55x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Alson 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 Alson 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 Alson households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 16 |
| General Labourer | 2 |
| A B Seaman | 1 |
| Artist | 1 |
| Bootmaker | 1 |
| Child | 1 |
| Commercial Traveller | 1 |
| Domestic General | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Fustian Cutter | 1 |
| Governess (Teacher) | 1 |
| Iron Sheet Roller | 1 |
| Iron Worker | 1 |
| Magistrate Gloucestershire | 1 |
| Manager To Master Merchant (Stone) | 1 |
| Seaman | 1 |
| Sign Writer | 1 |
| Stillroom Maid (Dom) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 47 people were recorded with the Alson surname. That placed it at #27,019 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 24 in 2016. That gives Alson a modern rank of #36,392.
A habitational name derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Alston in Cumbria, England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Alson 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.