NameCensus.

UK surname

Arnot

A locational surname deriving from various places like Arnot in Scotland.

In the 1881 census there were 928 people recorded with the Arnot surname, ranking it #4,142 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 480, ranked #10,292, down from #4,142 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Friockheim, IZ10 and West Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Arnot is 1,220 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 48.3%.

1881 census count

928

Ranked #4,142

Modern count

480

2016, ranked #10,292

Peak year

1851

1,220 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Arnot had 928 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,142 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 480 in 2016, ranked #10,292.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,220 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Student Living and Professional Footholds.

Arnot surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Arnot surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Arnot 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 1,220 #2,337
1861 historical 1,001 #2,787
1881 historical 928 #4,142
1891 historical 810 #4,984
1901 historical 812 #5,565
1911 historical 169 #16,564
1997 modern 477 #9,652
1998 modern 465 #10,155
1999 modern 473 #10,069
2000 modern 454 #10,360
2001 modern 447 #10,294
2002 modern 459 #10,264
2003 modern 440 #10,475
2004 modern 438 #10,532
2005 modern 435 #10,480
2006 modern 429 #10,645
2007 modern 423 #10,888
2008 modern 430 #10,834
2009 modern 425 #11,161
2010 modern 449 #10,931
2011 modern 446 #10,863
2012 modern 447 #10,720
2013 modern 452 #10,795
2014 modern 472 #10,525
2015 modern 476 #10,379
2016 modern 480 #10,292

Geography

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Where Arnots are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Bathgate and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Friockheim, IZ10, West Devon, IZ07 and East 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
4 Bathgate Linlithgow
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Friockheim Angus
2 IZ10 East Lothian
3 West Devon 002 West Devon
4 IZ07 East Lothian
5 East Devon 004 East Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Arnot

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Arnot

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Student Living and Professional Footholds

Nationally, the Arnot surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Student Living and Professional Footholds, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Arnot household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

The Group includes many students, some of whom reside in communal residences. Single-person households are the most prevalent and the modal age band is 25 to 44. There are few families with dependent children. A significant number of White residents were born in EU countries (although UK-born residents are more common than in the rest of the Group), and households reflect a diversity of ethnic groups. Residential turnover is exceptionally high and, communal properties aside, flats are the norm. Some properties, including those in the private rental sector, are over-crowded. Many residents are professionals and technicians educated to degree level, and the Group is particularly common near the campuses of established university towns and cities.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Arnot 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

Arnot is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Arnot falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Arnot 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 Arnot, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Arnot

The surname Arnot originated in Scotland, likely in the late 12th or early 13th century. It is derived from the Old English words "earn" meaning eagle and "hod" meaning hill or promontory, suggesting that the name refers to a person who lived near an eagle's nest or a prominent hill. The earliest recorded spelling of the name was Arnotson in 1296, referring to the son of someone named Arnot.

One of the earliest known references to the Arnot name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which documented those who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England after his invasion of Scotland. The name appears as Johan Arnote, suggesting that the family was well-established in Scotland at that time.

The Arnot family was particularly prevalent in the counties of Fife, Kinross, and Perthshire, where they held lands and were considered a respected clan. In the 16th century, the Arnots were involved in the conflicts between the Protestant Reformers and the Catholic Church, with some members supporting the Reformation while others remained loyal to the Catholic faith.

One notable figure in the Arnot family history was Sir Michael Arnot of Arnot, who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was a staunch supporter of the Reformation and played a significant role in the religious and political struggles of that period.

Another prominent Arnot was John Arnot, born in 1614, who was a Scottish clergyman and author. He wrote several works on theological and religious subjects, including "The Renovated Soul" and "The Book of Psalms in Metre."

In the 18th century, Hugo Arnot (1749-1786) was a Scottish historian and advocate. He is best known for his book "The History of Edinburgh," which provided a comprehensive account of the city's history and development.

Other notable individuals with the Arnot surname include David Arnot (1841-1917), a Scottish politician and member of parliament, and Samuel Arnot (1849-1924), a Scottish missionary who worked in Africa and wrote extensively about his experiences.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Arnot families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Arnot 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. Fife leads with 180 Arnots recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.74x.

County Total Index
Fife 180 33.74x
Midlothian 152 12.59x
Lanarkshire 112 3.84x
Stirlingshire 68 20.46x
Angus 59 7.07x
Ayrshire 42 6.23x
Northumberland 33 2.46x
Middlesex 30 0.33x
Renfrewshire 27 3.87x
West Lothian 27 19.89x
Selkirkshire 23 28.21x
East Lothian 20 16.75x
Lancashire 18 0.17x
Aberdeenshire 17 2.04x
Perthshire 12 2.97x
Kent 11 0.36x
Durham 10 0.37x
Derbyshire 9 0.64x
Kinross-shire 9 39.51x
Yorkshire 9 0.10x
Clackmannanshire 8 10.75x
Roxburghshire 7 4.29x
Dunbartonshire 5 2.06x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.41x
Buckinghamshire 4 0.73x
Glamorgan 4 0.25x
Warwickshire 4 0.18x
Hampshire 3 0.16x
Surrey 3 0.07x
Berwickshire 2 1.83x
Cumberland 2 0.26x
Banffshire 1 0.53x
Bedfordshire 1 0.21x
Berkshire 1 0.15x
Buteshire 1 1.83x
Cheshire 1 0.05x
Devon 1 0.05x
Essex 1 0.06x
Royal Navy 1 0.93x
Wiltshire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 88 Arnots recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.11x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 88 18.11x
Govan 33 4.58x
Barony 30 4.07x
Dunfermline 26 31.69x
Falkirk 26 33.41x
Glasgow 25 4.83x
Dysart 20 55.66x
Dundee 19 6.10x
Liff Benvie 17 13.41x
Alva 14 88.27x
Abbotshall 13 65.20x
Cambusnethan 13 20.08x
Falkland 13 154.95x
Inverkeithing 13 161.69x
Scoonie 13 112.55x
Kilwinning 12 55.10x
Muiravonside 12 142.18x
North Leith 12 21.47x
Selkirk 12 52.24x
Boness 11 58.79x
Edinburgh St Stephens 11 46.28x
Galashiels 11 36.48x
Gargunnock 11 509.26x
Markinch 11 60.74x
Bathgate 10 33.93x
Kinghorn 10 88.26x
Lowick 10 214.13x
South Leith 10 7.36x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 9 5.76x
Berwick Upon Tweed 9 31.67x
Burntisland 8 53.62x
Derby St Werburgh 8 9.82x
St Andrews 8 32.95x
St Pancras London 8 1.10x
Ardrossan 7 29.98x
Dalserf 7 24.06x
East Greenock 7 10.61x
Edinburgh Old Church 7 72.24x
Forgan 7 68.49x
Hawick 7 19.16x
Kilbarchan 7 32.99x
Tonbridge 7 6.31x
Byker 6 9.05x
Chiswick 6 12.18x
Dalmellington 6 30.24x
Everton 6 1.76x
Glamis 6 119.05x
Innerwick 6 250.00x
Kinross 6 76.82x
Kirkcaldy 6 22.68x
Liverpool 6 0.92x
Aberdeen Old Machar 5 2.87x
Collessie 5 81.43x
Currie 5 67.66x
Forfar 5 11.06x
Gateshead 5 2.49x
Kilmarnock 5 6.23x
Kirriemuir 5 24.27x
Prestonpans 5 62.42x
Salton 5 280.90x
Abbey 4 3.75x
Aberdour 4 74.49x
Alloa 4 11.08x
Amble 4 65.57x
Auchterderran 4 29.83x
Birmingham 4 0.53x
Bulwell 4 15.15x
Cupar 4 17.24x
Dunlop 4 95.01x
Ferry Port On Craig 4 45.56x
Hackney London 4 0.79x
Hawridge 4 533.33x
Paisley High Church 4 7.19x
Ratho 4 71.05x
Riccarton Hurlford 4 33.81x
Tillicoultry 4 24.15x
Topcliffe 4 211.64x
West Greenock 4 3.19x
York St Maurice 4 23.78x
Abernethy 3 56.71x

Top female names

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

Name Count
James 12
George 9
William 9
John 8
Thomas 7
Robert 5
Henry 3
Edward 2
Joseph 2
Adam 1
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
Bruis 1
Carl 1
Charles 1
Christopher 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Ernest 1
Frederick 1
Mathew 1
Paul 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1
Wolfgang 1

FAQ

Arnot surname: questions and answers

How common was the Arnot surname in 1881?

In 1881, 928 people were recorded with the Arnot surname. That placed it at #4,142 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Arnot surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 480 in 2016. That gives Arnot a modern rank of #10,292.

What does the Arnot surname mean?

A locational surname deriving from various places like Arnot in Scotland.

What does the Arnot map show?

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