NameCensus.

UK surname

Anton

A surname derived from the given name Antonius, which originated from the Roman family name Antonius, meaning "priceless one."

In the 1881 census there were 274 people recorded with the Anton surname, ranking it #10,362 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 787, ranked #7,014, up from #10,362 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include New Forest, Peterborough and Rossendale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Anton is 787 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 187.2%.

1881 census count

274

Ranked #10,362

Modern count

787

2016, ranked #7,014

Peak year

2016

787 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Anton had 274 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,362 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 787 in 2016, ranked #7,014.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 704 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Anton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Anton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Anton 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 341 #6,892
1861 historical 321 #7,938
1881 historical 274 #10,362
1891 historical 372 #9,386
1901 historical 704 #6,257
1911 historical 235 #13,484
1997 modern 400 #11,013
1998 modern 408 #11,187
1999 modern 407 #11,305
2000 modern 405 #11,290
2001 modern 408 #11,056
2002 modern 444 #10,553
2003 modern 443 #10,413
2004 modern 465 #10,046
2005 modern 478 #9,754
2006 modern 506 #9,399
2007 modern 515 #9,357
2008 modern 548 #8,993
2009 modern 603 #8,569
2010 modern 641 #8,336
2011 modern 655 #8,104
2012 modern 668 #7,896
2013 modern 699 #7,734
2014 modern 723 #7,585
2015 modern 734 #7,448
2016 modern 787 #7,014

Geography

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Where Antons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Huntly. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to New Forest, Peterborough, Rossendale, Wychavon and North Devon. 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 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Huntly Aberdeen

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 New Forest 001 New Forest
2 Peterborough 006 Peterborough
3 Rossendale 009 Rossendale
4 Wychavon 006 Wychavon
5 North Devon 006 North Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Anton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Anton

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Anton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Anton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Anton is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Anton 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

Anton falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Anton 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Anton

The surname Anton originated in Germany during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Latin name Antonius, which itself comes from the Roman family name Antonius. The name Antonius was likely derived from a Greek word meaning "priceless" or "invaluable."

In its earliest recorded use, the name Anton appeared in various medieval German records and manuscripts from the 13th century onwards. It was often spelled in different ways, such as Antone, Antoon, or Anthon, reflecting regional variations in pronunciation and spelling.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name Anton was Johannes Anton, a German scholar and theologian who lived in the 15th century (c. 1420-1490). Another notable figure was Hans Anton, a German painter and engraver active in the late 16th century (c. 1550-1615).

The name Anton was also found in several place names across Germany, such as Antonshöhe (Anton's Height) and Antonstal (Anton's Valley), suggesting that the name had become associated with certain localities or landowners.

In the 17th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723), a Dutch scientist and pioneer of microscopy. His groundbreaking work in the field of microbiology earned him recognition as one of the most influential figures in the Scientific Revolution.

Another notable bearer of the name was Anton Raphael Mengs (1728-1779), a German painter and art theorist who significantly influenced the Neoclassical movement in European art.

In the 19th century, Anton Bruckner (1824-1896), an Austrian composer and organist, became one of the most celebrated figures associated with the surname Anton. His contributions to the development of the symphonic form and his unique blend of traditional and innovative styles have secured his place as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Anton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Anton 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. Yorkshire leads with 43 Antons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.65x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 43 1.65x
Angus 36 14.81x
Perthshire 31 26.32x
Lancashire 29 0.93x
Aberdeenshire 21 8.64x
Lanarkshire 16 1.89x
Midlothian 12 3.41x
Surrey 12 0.94x
Ayrshire 11 5.60x
Banffshire 9 16.54x
Somerset 7 1.66x
Devon 6 1.10x
Wiltshire 6 2.59x
Middlesex 4 0.15x
Morayshire 4 9.81x
Northamptonshire 4 1.62x
Durham 3 0.38x
Huntingdonshire 3 5.76x
Kent 3 0.34x
Carmarthenshire 2 1.81x
Bedfordshire 1 0.74x
Norfolk 1 0.25x
Northumberland 1 0.26x
Peeblesshire 1 8.10x
Roxburghshire 1 2.10x
Stirlingshire 1 1.03x
Worcestershire 1 0.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liff Benvie in Angus leads with 18 Antons recorded in 1881 and an index of 48.78x.

Place Total Index
Liff Benvie 18 48.78x
Glasgow 16 10.62x
Huntly 12 303.80x
Chorley 11 62.97x
High Low Bishopside 10 432.90x
Inchture 9 1525.42x
Newington 9 9.29x
Kinnaird 8 3478.26x
Dundee 7 7.71x
Everton 7 7.05x
Kinloch 7 3043.48x
Mauchline 7 309.73x
Middleham 7 945.95x
Walcot 7 31.11x
Compton Chamberlayne 6 2222.22x
Monifieth 6 69.85x
Thornton Watlass 6 3750.00x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 5 56.24x
Aberdeen Old Machar 4 7.88x
Foveran 4 217.39x
Lasswade 4 49.75x
Leyburn 4 459.77x
Montrose 4 27.16x
Ormesby 4 57.22x
Peterborough 4 22.38x
Rothiemay 4 325.20x
Uffculme 4 245.40x
Charnock Richard 3 483.87x
Dunning 3 204.08x
Edinburgh St Stephens 3 43.35x
Errol 3 137.61x
Eynesbury 3 247.93x
Filey 3 142.86x
Firby In Bedale 3 3750.00x
Trimdon 3 108.70x
Alvah 2 162.60x
Carmarthen St Ishmael 2 170.94x
Dalkeith 2 28.82x
Deptford St Paul 2 2.90x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 2 1.41x
Forres 2 46.62x
Liverpool 2 1.06x
Mortlach 2 75.19x
Stair 2 238.10x
Allerton 1 133.33x
Ashtead 1 120.48x
Banff 1 21.14x
Barry 1 34.25x
Burnley 1 3.81x
Cantley 1 416.67x
Chelsea London 1 1.26x
Chiswick 1 6.97x
Clist Honiton 1 370.37x
Cople 1 243.90x
Croydon 1 1.41x
Duffus 1 27.86x
Elgin 1 12.61x
Euxton 1 97.09x
Fraserburgh 1 14.62x
Holbeck 1 5.80x
Jedburgh 1 21.46x
Kidderminster Borough 1 4.99x
Kilsyth 1 16.21x
Liberton 1 18.42x
Littleham 1 25.06x
Longbenton 1 6.05x
Manchester 1 0.71x
Moneydie 1 454.55x
Old Cumnock 1 22.88x
Peebles 1 27.40x
Salford 1 1.09x
Sittingbourne 1 14.14x
Sorn 1 25.91x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.16x
St Mary Le Strand London 1 104.17x
Walton On Thames 1 17.04x
Welsh Whittle 1 1000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Elizabeth 8
Annie 5
Hannah 4
Jane 4
Margaret 4
Alice 3
Ann 3
Agnes 2
Clara 2
Eliza 2
Lydia 2
Sarah 2
Sylvia 2
Betsy 1
Elise 1
Elize 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Hilda 1
Isabel 1
Isabella 1
Jessie 1
Louisa 1
Martha 1
Rachael 1
Rebecca 1
Rosalia 1
Seraphina 1
Sophia 1
Sussana 1
Xarifa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 8
John 7
William 7
Henry 4
James 4
Robert 4
Albert 1
Alexander 1
Charles 1
Christopher 1
David 1
Edward 1
Frederick 1
George 1
Hans 1
Jabez 1
Jas. 1
Johann 1
Jonas 1
Mancoza 1
Michael 1
Myers 1
Richard 1
Richardson 1
Tom 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Anton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Anton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 274 people were recorded with the Anton surname. That placed it at #10,362 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Anton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 787 in 2016. That gives Anton a modern rank of #7,014.

What does the Anton surname mean?

A surname derived from the given name Antonius, which originated from the Roman family name Antonius, meaning "priceless one."

What does the Anton map show?

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