NameCensus.

UK surname

Banton

A surname of English origin, derived from a place name meaning "bean farm."

In the 1881 census there were 450 people recorded with the Banton surname, ranking it #7,321 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,204, ranked #4,939, up from #7,321 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lancaster Borough, Burton-on-Trent and St Werburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Staffordshire, South Derbyshire and Allerdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Banton is 1,230 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 167.6%.

1881 census count

450

Ranked #7,321

Modern count

1,204

2016, ranked #4,939

Peak year

2010

1,230 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Banton had 450 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,321 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,204 in 2016, ranked #4,939.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 744 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Banton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Banton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Banton 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 466 #5,325
1861 historical 659 #4,069
1881 historical 450 #7,321
1891 historical 645 #6,016
1901 historical 648 #6,656
1911 historical 744 #5,769
1997 modern 1,089 #5,110
1998 modern 1,130 #5,134
1999 modern 1,151 #5,107
2000 modern 1,143 #5,096
2001 modern 1,119 #5,097
2002 modern 1,165 #5,032
2003 modern 1,169 #4,913
2004 modern 1,160 #4,961
2005 modern 1,148 #4,954
2006 modern 1,146 #4,947
2007 modern 1,133 #5,055
2008 modern 1,142 #5,052
2009 modern 1,189 #4,971
2010 modern 1,230 #4,941
2011 modern 1,189 #5,022
2012 modern 1,153 #5,077
2013 modern 1,194 #5,007
2014 modern 1,213 #4,967
2015 modern 1,211 #4,936
2016 modern 1,204 #4,939

Geography

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Where Bantons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lancaster Borough, Burton-on-Trent, St Werburgh, Church Gresley and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Staffordshire, South Derbyshire, Allerdale and Newark and Sherwood. 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 Lancaster Borough Lancashire
2 Burton-on-Trent Staffordshire
3 St Werburgh Derbyshire
4 Church Gresley Staffordshire
5 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Staffordshire 004 East Staffordshire
2 South Derbyshire 011 South Derbyshire
3 Allerdale 005 Allerdale
4 South Derbyshire 009 South Derbyshire
5 Newark and Sherwood 001 Newark and Sherwood

Forenames

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First names often paired with Banton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Banton

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Banton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Banton 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Banton 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

Banton 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

Banton falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Banton

The surname Banton is of English origin, and it is believed to have originated in the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "bantan," which means "to beat" or "to strike." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a descriptive nickname to someone who worked as a beater or striker, possibly in a trade such as blacksmithing or carpentry.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Banton can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275, where a person named William Banton is mentioned. This indicates that the name was already established in England by the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the name Banton appeared in various records, including the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279, which mentions a Richard Banton, and the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire from 1349, where a Roger Banton is listed.

The name Banton is also closely associated with the village of Banton in West Yorkshire, England. It is believed that the surname may have originated from this place name, which itself is derived from the Old English words "ban" meaning "bone" and "tun" meaning "farm" or "settlement." This suggests that the village may have been named after a bone-related activity or industry that took place there.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the surname Banton:

1. John Banton (c. 1555-1618), an English clergyman and writer who served as the Bishop of Gloucester. 2. Henry Banton (1692-1758), a British military officer who served in the War of the Austrian Succession. 3. Charles Banton (1766-1832), a British naval officer who participated in the Battle of Trafalgar. 4. William Banton (1801-1876), an English architect known for designing several churches and public buildings in London. 5. George Banton (1832-1901), a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who founded the Banton Trust for the education of children in Glasgow.

The surname Banton has undergone various spelling variations over the centuries, including Baunton, Bauntun, and Baunten, reflecting the regional dialects and pronunciation differences across England. Despite these variations, the name has maintained its distinctive identity and continues to be used in various parts of the world today.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Banton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Banton 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. Derbyshire leads with 103 Bantons recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.99x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 103 14.99x
Staffordshire 73 4.93x
Lancashire 61 1.17x
Middlesex 51 1.16x
Leicestershire 29 5.96x
Cheshire 27 2.79x
Warwickshire 15 1.35x
Cumberland 14 3.70x
Yorkshire 14 0.32x
Surrey 12 0.56x
Worcestershire 11 1.92x
Nottinghamshire 10 1.69x
Herefordshire 9 5.00x
Lincolnshire 5 0.71x
Dumfriesshire 4 4.13x
Hampshire 3 0.33x
Caernarfonshire 2 1.13x
Kent 2 0.13x
Monmouthshire 2 0.63x
Glamorgan 1 0.13x
Northamptonshire 1 0.24x
Sussex 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Church Gresley in Derbyshire leads with 36 Bantons recorded in 1881 and an index of 329.37x.

Place Total Index
Church Gresley 36 329.37x
Ticknall 24 1702.13x
Burton Upon Trent 23 66.34x
Lancaster 14 45.18x
Tranmere 13 36.51x
Birkenhead 11 14.24x
Kings Norton 11 21.40x
Derby St Werburgh 10 25.20x
Flimby 9 282.13x
Lichfield St Mary 9 210.77x
Mickleover 9 424.53x
Bagworth 8 879.12x
Birmingham 8 2.17x
Limehouse London 8 16.60x
Little Bolton 8 11.95x
St George Hanover Square 8 10.34x
Clayton Le Moors 7 69.24x
Kensington London 7 2.87x
Leicester St Margaret 7 5.90x
Newton In Makerfield 7 43.89x
Brampton Bierlow 6 107.72x
Islington London 6 1.41x
Kingswinford 6 11.15x
Newark Upon Trent 6 28.21x
Skerton 6 140.19x
Thornton In Fylde 6 52.63x
Breedon 5 462.96x
Edgbaston 5 14.57x
Gorton 5 10.21x
Horninglow 5 71.63x
Salford 5 3.26x
Stoke Upon Trent 5 3.18x
Walsall Foreign 5 6.53x
Whittington 5 165.02x
Barrow Upon Trent 4 754.72x
Bradford 4 3.80x
Diseworth 4 634.92x
Lambeth 4 1.05x
Leicester St Mary 4 10.17x
Mansfield Woodhouse 4 101.52x
Moffat 4 90.29x
Shardlow 4 307.69x
Trysull 4 465.12x
Wetheral 4 79.84x
Castle Church 3 33.67x
Dukinfield 3 6.70x
Fownhope 3 191.08x
Garway 3 375.00x
Great Grimsby 3 6.73x
Hackney London 3 1.22x
Lichfield St Chad 3 90.09x
Melbourne 3 63.83x
Richmond 3 10.01x
Romsey Infra 3 98.36x
St Marylebone London 3 1.28x
Stanton By Bridge 3 1250.00x
Ashton Under Lyne 2 1.76x
Battersea 2 1.24x
Bourn 2 35.27x
Calke 2 2857.14x
Clerkenwell London 2 1.93x
Hammersmith London 2 1.85x
Llandudno 2 31.60x
Llangarren 2 123.46x
Maidstone 2 4.48x
Mile End Old Town London 2 2.14x
Ormesby 2 17.11x
Swynnerton 2 170.94x
Winshill 2 45.66x
Barnsley 1 2.23x
Chelsea London 1 0.76x
Great Bolton 1 1.45x
Idridgehay Alton 1 270.27x
Llantillio Pertholey 1 54.05x
Myton On Swale 1 357.14x
St Andrew Undershaft 1 204.08x
St Devereux 1 333.33x
Stanton Newhall 1 45.45x
Stoke Newington London 1 2.92x
Whitechapel London 1 2.31x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 37
John 33
George 23
Thomas 16
Joseph 15
James 11
Samuel 9
Edward 5
Henry 5
Albert 4
Alfred 4
Robert 4
Arthur 3
Charles 3
Frederick 3
Harry 3
Israel 3
Ernest 2
Herbert 2
Jabez 2
Percy 2
Walter 2
Bertram 1
Cyril 1
Daniel 1
Earnest 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Francis 1
Fred. 1
G. 1
Henery 1
Hurbert 1
Jno.Henry 1
Joshua 1
Leonard 1
Lewis 1
Mary 1
Meham 1
Miles 1
Richard 1
Ruben 1
Stephen 1
Timothy 1
Tom 1
Valentine 1
W.H.H. 1
Willie 1
Willy 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Banton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Banton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 450 people were recorded with the Banton surname. That placed it at #7,321 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Banton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,204 in 2016. That gives Banton a modern rank of #4,939.

What does the Banton surname mean?

A surname of English origin, derived from a place name meaning "bean farm."

What does the Banton map show?

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