UK surname
A surname derived from the word "attorney" and traditionally associated with lawyers or legal professionals.
In the 1881 census there were 58 people recorded with the Atty surname, ranking it #25,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 42, ranked #35,336, down from #25,428 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rugby, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and Greenwich. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Atty is 126 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 27.6%.
1881 census count
58
Ranked #25,428
Modern count
42
2016, ranked #35,336
Peak year
1861
126 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Atty surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Atty 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 | 68 | #21,302 |
| 1861 | historical | 126 | #17,569 |
| 1881 | historical | 58 | #25,428 |
| 1891 | historical | 72 | #27,804 |
| 1901 | historical | 62 | #27,252 |
| 1911 | historical | 66 | #26,249 |
| 1997 | modern | 36 | #34,071 |
| 1998 | modern | 39 | #33,967 |
| 1999 | modern | 38 | #34,142 |
| 2000 | modern | 39 | #34,066 |
| 2001 | modern | 42 | #33,658 |
| 2002 | modern | 44 | #33,790 |
| 2003 | modern | 41 | #34,113 |
| 2004 | modern | 34 | #34,868 |
| 2005 | modern | 33 | #35,119 |
| 2006 | modern | 38 | #35,003 |
| 2007 | modern | 43 | #34,845 |
| 2008 | modern | 41 | #35,067 |
| 2009 | modern | 40 | #35,274 |
| 2010 | modern | 43 | #35,233 |
| 2011 | modern | 38 | #35,501 |
| 2012 | modern | 42 | #35,269 |
| 2013 | modern | 41 | #35,384 |
| 2014 | modern | 41 | #35,396 |
| 2015 | modern | 43 | #35,269 |
| 2016 | modern | 42 | #35,336 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rugby, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Greenwich, Winwick and Wigan. 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 | Rugby | Warwickshire |
| 2 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 3 | Greenwich | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Winwick | Lancashire |
| 5 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Atty 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 Atty, 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 Atty surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Atty 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, Atty 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 Atty is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Atty, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "ATTY" is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "atte," meaning "at the," which was often used as a prefix in place names.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Atte." This suggests that the name was already in use during the time of the Norman Conquest.
Over time, the name evolved into various spellings, such as "Atte," "Atty," and "Atty." These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the inconsistent nature of record-keeping in those times.
Some notable individuals with the surname "ATTY" throughout history include:
1. John Atty (c. 1530-1596), an English politician and Member of Parliament who represented Gloucester in the House of Commons. 2. Thomas Atty (c. 1545-1609), an English clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Lewes from 1598 until his death. 3. Richard Atty (c. 1580-1642), an English landowner and prominent figure in the Lincolnshire area during the 17th century. 4. William Atty (c. 1620-1689), an English merchant and trader who was involved in the East India Company's operations in Asia. 5. Elizabeth Atty (c. 1670-1736), a renowned author and playwright from London, known for her satirical works that criticized the social norms of her time.
The name "ATTY" is also associated with several place names in England, such as Attyborough and Attywell, which further suggests the surname's historical ties to the region.
While the exact origin of the name is difficult to pinpoint with certainty, its long-standing presence in English records and its evolution through various spellings provide a glimpse into the rich history and heritage of this surname.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Atty 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. Durham leads with 12 Attys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.26x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 12 | 7.26x |
| Lancashire | 9 | 1.36x |
| Somerset | 7 | 7.82x |
| Yorkshire | 7 | 1.27x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 0.72x |
| Northamptonshire | 4 | 7.65x |
| Shropshire | 3 | 6.25x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 2.14x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 1.76x |
| Lincolnshire | 2 | 2.25x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 2.98x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.53x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 2.49x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.21x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Weston Super Mare in Somerset leads with 7 Attys recorded in 1881 and an index of 309.73x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Weston Super Mare | 7 | 309.73x |
| Birtley | 5 | 746.27x |
| Crick | 4 | 2222.22x |
| Litherland | 4 | 289.86x |
| Middleham | 4 | 2500.00x |
| Newton In Makerfield | 4 | 198.02x |
| Hackney London | 3 | 9.62x |
| Rugby | 3 | 157.89x |
| Whitchurch | 3 | 322.58x |
| Billinghay | 2 | 740.74x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 2 | 14.08x |
| Keighley | 2 | 34.07x |
| Thornley | 2 | 333.33x |
| Witton Gilbert | 2 | 307.69x |
| Aldershot | 1 | 26.18x |
| Chester Le Street | 1 | 78.74x |
| Crondall | 1 | 163.93x |
| East Denton | 1 | 526.32x |
| Gristhorpe Newbiggin | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Hughenden | 1 | 294.12x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 3.24x |
| St Woollos | 1 | 22.27x |
| Tonbridge | 1 | 14.62x |
| West Derby | 1 | 5.18x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Atty 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 Atty 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 Atty households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 15 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Teacher Of Elementary School | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Barrister Not Practising | 1 |
| Cab Driver | 1 |
| Corporation Labourer | 1 |
| Drapers Assist | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Gas Engineer (Fitter) | 1 |
| Gen Labourer | 1 |
| Gen Serv | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| Independent | 1 |
| Late Coal Miner | 1 |
| Late Lieut 47Th Regt | 1 |
| Letter Carrier C S | 1 |
| Lodging Housekeeper | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Printer Compositor | 1 |
| Pte A H Corps | 1 |
| School Teacher | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Shopman Ironmonger | 1 |
| Student | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 58 people were recorded with the Atty surname. That placed it at #25,428 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 42 in 2016. That gives Atty a modern rank of #35,336.
A surname derived from the word "attorney" and traditionally associated with lawyers or legal professionals.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Atty 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.