NameCensus.

UK surname

Arter

An English occupational surname for someone who made or used carts or wagons.

In the 1881 census there were 342 people recorded with the Arter surname, ranking it #8,902 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 359, ranked #12,898, down from #8,902 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford and Havant. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shepway, King's Lynn and West Norfolk and East Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Arter is 562 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 5.0%.

1881 census count

342

Ranked #8,902

Modern count

359

2016, ranked #12,898

Peak year

1911

562 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Arter had 342 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,902 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 359 in 2016, ranked #12,898.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 562 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Arter surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Arter surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Arter 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 321 #7,237
1861 historical 266 #9,318
1881 historical 342 #8,902
1891 historical 465 #7,874
1901 historical 544 #7,583
1911 historical 562 #7,170
1997 modern 449 #10,094
1998 modern 445 #10,491
1999 modern 446 #10,513
2000 modern 446 #10,516
2001 modern 439 #10,447
2002 modern 422 #11,002
2003 modern 422 #10,825
2004 modern 417 #10,943
2005 modern 394 #11,308
2006 modern 395 #11,364
2007 modern 404 #11,290
2008 modern 389 #11,723
2009 modern 389 #11,980
2010 modern 399 #12,018
2011 modern 397 #11,921
2012 modern 362 #12,615
2013 modern 377 #12,449
2014 modern 376 #12,553
2015 modern 362 #12,825
2016 modern 359 #12,898

Geography

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Where Arters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford and Havant. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Shepway, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, East Devon and Canterbury. 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 St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford London (South Districts)
4 Havant Hampshire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Shepway 013 Shepway
2 Shepway 012 Shepway
3 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 012 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
4 East Devon 001 East Devon
5 Canterbury 018 Canterbury

Forenames

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First names often paired with Arter

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Arter

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Arter, 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 Arter surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Arter 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Arter is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Arter is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Arter falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Arter

The surname Arter has its origins in England and dates back to the medieval period, around the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "artor," which means a ploughman or a farmer. This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name were likely involved in agricultural activities or lived in areas with a significant farming community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Arter surname can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it appears as "Artour." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time, influenced by local dialects and pronunciation.

During the 14th century, the name appeared in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where it was spelled as "Artur." This indicates that the surname had spread to different regions of England by that time.

In the 15th century, the surname Arter was documented in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk from 1459, where it was recorded as "Artyr." This variation suggests the influence of regional accents and dialects on the spelling of the name.

One notable individual with the surname Arter was William Arter, a prominent merchant and landowner who lived in the late 16th century. He was born in 1551 and played a significant role in the development of trade and commerce in his local community.

Another historical figure bearing the Arter surname was John Arter, a skilled craftsman and wood carver who lived in the 17th century. He was born in 1623 and is renowned for his intricate woodwork, which can still be admired in various churches and buildings across England.

In the 18th century, the Arter surname continued to be found in various records, including the parish registers of Gloucestershire. One notable individual from this period was Thomas Arter, a respected scholar and teacher who lived from 1712 to 1795.

The 19th century saw the rise of Charles Arter, a prominent industrialist born in 1821. He played a pivotal role in the development of the textile industry in his region and was known for his innovative manufacturing techniques.

Lastly, a notable figure in the 20th century was Elizabeth Arter, a pioneering educator born in 1902. She dedicated her life to improving educational opportunities for underprivileged children and made significant contributions to the field of education.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Arter families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Arter 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. Kent leads with 65 Arters recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.78x.

County Total Index
Kent 65 5.78x
Norfolk 47 9.27x
Middlesex 45 1.36x
Hampshire 27 4.00x
Staffordshire 26 2.34x
Surrey 26 1.62x
Wiltshire 18 6.17x
Cardiganshire 17 21.14x
Gloucestershire 14 2.17x
Worcestershire 12 2.79x
Lancashire 7 0.18x
Cambridgeshire 6 2.87x
Essex 6 0.92x
Shropshire 4 1.40x
Somerset 3 0.57x
Berkshire 2 0.81x
Derbyshire 2 0.39x
Devon 2 0.29x
Northamptonshire 2 0.64x
Warwickshire 2 0.24x
Brecknockshire 1 1.52x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.75x
Flintshire 1 1.13x
Hertfordshire 1 0.44x
Sussex 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cyfoethy Brenin in Cardiganshire leads with 17 Arters recorded in 1881 and an index of 1287.88x.

Place Total Index
Cyfoethy Brenin 17 1287.88x
Old Romney 12 7058.82x
Sturry 11 827.07x
West Bromwich 11 17.27x
Deptford St Paul 10 11.52x
Kings Norton 10 25.90x
Docking 9 566.04x
Hammersmith London 9 11.08x
Lower Hardres 9 2812.50x
Romsey Extra 9 223.88x
Devizes St John 8 365.30x
East Winch 8 1739.13x
Harborne 8 22.43x
West Bilney 8 3200.00x
Burnham Overy 7 1000.00x
Kensington London 7 3.82x
Lambeth 7 2.43x
Southampton All Sts 7 60.34x
St George In East London 7 22.57x
Battersea 6 4.95x
Havant 6 175.44x
Shadwell London 6 65.01x
Shoreditch London 6 4.20x
Thorney 6 258.62x
Womenswould 6 2307.69x
Barton Upon Irwell 5 16.98x
Chelmsford 5 44.76x
Cheltenham 5 10.02x
Devizes St James 5 129.20x
Merton 5 177.94x
Stanton 5 1666.67x
Barham 4 350.88x
Burnham Westgate 4 366.97x
Greenwich 4 7.62x
Handsworth 4 14.58x
Melksham 4 79.05x
Woodnesborough 4 388.35x
Dunton Cum Doughton 3 1578.95x
Islington London 3 0.94x
Little Massingham 3 1764.71x
Stanway 3 857.14x
Walsall Foreign 3 5.22x
Barnstaple 2 18.57x
Broadway 2 108.11x
Deal 2 20.83x
Ludlow St Lawrence 2 35.27x
Northampton Priory St 2 10.75x
Pensford St Thomas 2 666.67x
Ripley 2 31.35x
Rotherhithe 2 4.91x
South Creake 2 173.91x
St Marylebone London 2 1.14x
Stoke St Milborough 2 338.98x
Wingham 2 153.85x
Abinger 1 75.19x
Aston 1 0.44x
Bermondsey 1 1.02x
Bristol St Augustine 1 9.58x
Chelsea London 1 1.01x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 1.61x
Clapham 1 2.43x
Colchester St James 1 37.88x
Croydon 1 1.12x
Epsom 1 12.77x
Flitcham Cum Appleton 1 188.68x
Hanmer 1 147.06x
Hay 1 40.82x
Holdenhurst 1 5.64x
Isleworth 1 6.82x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 1 6.57x
Mottisfont 1 169.49x
New Romney 1 86.21x
Newbury 1 12.61x
Romsey Infra 1 43.67x
South Lynn 1 17.48x
St Albans St Stephen 1 50.25x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.72x
St Giles In Fields London 1 6.18x
Sunninghill 1 29.15x
Westminster St Margaret 1 6.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 22
Sarah 19
Emily 11
Ann 7
Alice 6
Caroline 6
Elizabeth 6
Hannah 6
Jane 6
Louisa 4
Lydia 4
Ada 3
Agnes 3
Anne 3
Edith 3
Eliza 3
Isabel 3
Margaret 3
Maria 3
Sophia 3
Annie 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Ellen 2
Emma 2
Florence 2
Julia 2
Blanche 1
Elizh. 1
Esther 1
Fanny 1
Georgianna 1
Georgina 1
Harriett 1
Isabelle 1
J.E. 1
Johanna 1
Joseppa 1
Juliet 1
Kate 1
Lousia 1
Lucy 1
M.K. 1
M.K.E. 1
Margaretta 1
Margrett 1
Martha 1
Maryann 1
May 1
Walter 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 25
John 16
Thomas 12
James 11
George 10
Henry 10
Alfred 8
Charles 6
Edward 6
Arthur 5
Albert 4
Frederick 4
Horace 4
Robert 4
Herbert 3
Walter 3
Benjamin 2
Daniel 2
Edwin 2
Evan 2
Frank 2
Julius 2
Richard 2
Andrew 1
Augustus 1
C.K. 1
Cecil 1
Charlie 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fredk.Vernon 1
Hermann 1
Ivo 1
J.W. 1
Jessy 1
Joseph 1
Milward 1
Noah 1
Omer 1
Owen 1
Percy 1
Sidney 1
Stephen 1
Troward 1
Wallace 1

FAQ

Arter surname: questions and answers

How common was the Arter surname in 1881?

In 1881, 342 people were recorded with the Arter surname. That placed it at #8,902 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Arter surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 359 in 2016. That gives Arter a modern rank of #12,898.

What does the Arter surname mean?

An English occupational surname for someone who made or used carts or wagons.

What does the Arter map show?

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