NameCensus.

UK surname

Alty

A place name referring to a high dwelling or dwelling on a slope.

In the 1881 census there were 550 people recorded with the Alty surname, ranking it #6,274 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 714, ranked #7,599, down from #6,274 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Croston, North Meols and Cockerham (Ellel), Lancaster (Preesall with Hackersall) , Garstang (Pilling). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Chorley, South Ribble and Sefton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Alty is 823 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 29.8%.

1881 census count

550

Ranked #6,274

Modern count

714

2016, ranked #7,599

Peak year

1911

823 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Alty had 550 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,274 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 714 in 2016, ranked #7,599.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 823 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Alty surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Alty surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Alty 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 178 #11,397
1861 historical 194 #12,310
1881 historical 550 #6,274
1891 historical 553 #6,848
1901 historical 780 #5,756
1911 historical 823 #5,355
1997 modern 681 #7,404
1998 modern 706 #7,425
1999 modern 706 #7,470
2000 modern 710 #7,412
2001 modern 679 #7,532
2002 modern 703 #7,483
2003 modern 688 #7,485
2004 modern 704 #7,357
2005 modern 686 #7,472
2006 modern 669 #7,626
2007 modern 678 #7,633
2008 modern 684 #7,615
2009 modern 702 #7,626
2010 modern 722 #7,599
2011 modern 718 #7,549
2012 modern 691 #7,676
2013 modern 713 #7,623
2014 modern 726 #7,563
2015 modern 717 #7,580
2016 modern 714 #7,599

Geography

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Where Altys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Croston, North Meols, Cockerham (Ellel), Lancaster (Preesall with Hackersall) , Garstang (Pilling), Leigh and Ormskirk. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Chorley, South Ribble and Sefton. 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 Croston Lancashire
2 North Meols Lancashire
3 Cockerham (Ellel), Lancaster (Preesall with Hackersall) , Garstang (Pilling) Lancashire
4 Leigh Lancashire
5 Ormskirk Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Chorley 007 Chorley
2 South Ribble 009 South Ribble
3 Chorley 011 Chorley
4 Sefton 032 Sefton
5 Sefton 034 Sefton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Alty

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Alty

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Alty surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Alty household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Alty is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Alty is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Alty falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Alty is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Alty

The surname Alty has its origins in England, where it can be traced back to the 13th century. The name is derived from the Old English word "alor," which means "alder tree." It is likely that the name was originally given to someone who lived near a prominent alder tree or in an area where alder trees were abundant.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Alty can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where a person named Roger de Alty is mentioned. This document was a survey of landowners and their holdings, providing valuable insight into the distribution and prevalence of surnames during that time.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various forms, such as Alty, Altye, and Aultye, reflecting the variations in spelling that were common before standardization. For example, the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1334 list a William Alty from Staffordshire.

The Alty surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such person was Sir Thomas Alty, a prominent merchant and philanthropist from Lancashire who lived in the late 16th century (c. 1550-1620). He was known for his charitable works, including founding a free school in the town of Bury.

Another individual of note was John Alty (1678-1748), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of Wigan Parish Church. He wrote several theological works and was known for his sermons and religious writings.

In the 18th century, the name appears in various places across England, indicating its spread from its original region. One example is Samuel Alty (1720-1798), a botanist and naturalist from Staffordshire who contributed to the study of British flora.

The 19th century saw the Alty name spread further, with individuals emigrating to other parts of the world. One notable figure was James Alty (1811-1891), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in Manchester and Liverpool.

Another individual of significance was Sir Henry Alty (1842-1926), a British judge and legal scholar who served as a Lord Justice of Appeal. He was known for his contributions to the development of English law and his expertise in commercial and maritime law.

While the surname Alty is not among the most common in England, it has a rich history that spans several centuries. The name's origins in the Old English word "alor" and its association with notable individuals in various fields have contributed to its enduring legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Alty families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Alty 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. Lancashire leads with 504 Altys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.93x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 504 7.93x
Middlesex 27 0.50x
Devon 9 0.81x
Kent 3 0.16x
Cheshire 2 0.17x
Cumberland 2 0.43x
Surrey 1 0.04x
Yorkshire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Meols in Lancashire leads with 45 Altys recorded in 1881 and an index of 72.35x.

Place Total Index
North Meols 45 72.35x
Mawdesley 37 2163.74x
Pilling 31 1040.27x
Blackburn 25 14.79x
Kensington London 23 7.73x
Lathom 23 299.87x
Bretherton 19 1461.54x
Clitheroe 18 96.26x
Scarisbrick 18 243.90x
Tarleton 16 458.45x
Everton 15 7.41x
Lydiate 15 757.58x
Rufford 15 903.61x
Great Crosby 14 80.83x
Preston 10 5.88x
Bootle Cum Linacre 9 17.84x
Haslingden 9 34.21x
Plymouth Charles The 9 18.33x
Birkdale 8 49.75x
Downholland 8 909.09x
Tottington Higher End 8 110.65x
Upholland 8 98.28x
Wigan 8 9.01x
Chorlton On Medlock 7 6.93x
Ormskirk 7 57.57x
Skelmersdale 7 66.10x
Orell Ford 6 512.82x
Charnock Richard 5 396.83x
Chorley 5 14.02x
Hoghton 5 312.50x
Hulme 5 3.77x
Longton 5 187.27x
Manchester 5 1.75x
Oswaldtwistle 5 22.27x
West Derby 5 2.69x
Ardwick 4 6.98x
Bury 4 5.51x
Elton 4 18.21x
Little Crosby 4 392.16x
Moss Side 4 11.96x
Ulnes Walton 4 563.38x
Withnell 4 102.56x
Witton 4 50.06x
Bedford 3 22.57x
Cliffe 3 72.82x
Croston 3 91.46x
Dalton In Wigan 3 329.67x
Litherland 3 22.57x
Little Hoole 3 370.37x
Lower Darwen 3 35.97x
Toxteth Park 3 1.39x
Walmersley Cum 3 29.56x
Disley Stanley 2 32.84x
Eccleston In Chorley 2 121.21x
Flimby 2 51.28x
Hampstead London 2 2.40x
Islington London 2 0.39x
Kirkham 2 23.81x
Layton With Warbreck 2 8.58x
Parbold 2 202.02x
Tottington Lower End 2 6.62x
Accrington 1 1.73x
Bispham 1 192.31x
Cockerham 1 61.73x
Crumpsall 1 6.68x
Farnworth 1 2.63x
Halliwell 1 4.32x
Heaton Norris 1 2.76x
Heckmondwike 1 5.86x
Kirkdale 1 0.94x
Lancaster 1 2.64x
Lower Upper Holker 1 114.94x
Newchurch 1 1.92x
Weeton With Preece 1 128.21x
Wimbledon 1 3.41x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 34
Mary 31
Ellen 28
Margaret 19
Ann 18
Jane 17
Alice 16
Sarah 10
Hannah 6
Anne 5
Catherine 5
Martha 5
Annie 4
Emma 4
Isabella 4
Edith 3
Eliza 3
Agnes 2
Elizth. 2
Janet 2
Maria 2
Susanna 2
Winifred 2
Bertha 1
Betsey 1
Betsy 1
Betty 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Clementina 1
Dora 1
Elisa 1
Elisa. 1
Elizah. 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Harriet 1
Henrieks 1
Isobel 1
Jennett 1
Jenny 1
Jessie 1
Kitty 1
Lavina 1
Louisa 1
Margery 1
Margret 1
Margt. 1
Marion 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 37
Thomas 37
Henry 34
Robert 27
James 24
Richard 21
William 16
Joseph 8
Daniel 7
George 6
Peter 6
Alfred 5
Edward 4
Charles 3
Hugh 3
Arthur 2
David 2
Frederick 2
Herbert 2
Nicholas 2
Richd. 2
Thos. 2
Wm. 2
Edmund 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Ephraim 1
Francis 1
Geo. 1
Geo.C. 1
Harold 1
Humphrey 1
Jane 1
Jas. 1
Jno 1
Joshua 1
Lambert 1
Laurence 1
Lawson 1
Mathew 1
Nathan 1
Ormerod 1
Patrick 1
Ralph 1
Richd.Oaks 1
Robt. 1
Samuel 1
Thos.M. 1
Valentine 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Alty surname: questions and answers

How common was the Alty surname in 1881?

In 1881, 550 people were recorded with the Alty surname. That placed it at #6,274 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Alty surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 714 in 2016. That gives Alty a modern rank of #7,599.

What does the Alty surname mean?

A place name referring to a high dwelling or dwelling on a slope.

What does the Alty map show?

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