NameCensus.

UK surname

Batson

An English occupational surname for a boatman or boat builder derived from the Old English "bat," meaning boat.

In the 1881 census there were 838 people recorded with the Batson surname, ranking it #4,497 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 995, ranked #5,822, down from #4,497 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stoke Mandeville, Great and Little Hampden, Hartwell, Stone, London parishes and Amersham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Aylesbury Vale and Chichester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Batson is 1,051 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18.7%.

1881 census count

838

Ranked #4,497

Modern count

995

2016, ranked #5,822

Peak year

2000

1,051 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Batson had 838 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,497 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 995 in 2016, ranked #5,822.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,037 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Batson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Batson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Batson 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 619 #4,179
1861 historical 653 #4,109
1881 historical 838 #4,497
1891 historical 896 #4,594
1901 historical 1,005 #4,741
1911 historical 1,037 #4,428
1997 modern 1,009 #5,464
1998 modern 1,048 #5,450
1999 modern 1,016 #5,644
2000 modern 1,051 #5,466
2001 modern 1,013 #5,526
2002 modern 1,030 #5,565
2003 modern 1,008 #5,558
2004 modern 985 #5,665
2005 modern 967 #5,685
2006 modern 969 #5,697
2007 modern 983 #5,686
2008 modern 968 #5,791
2009 modern 976 #5,878
2010 modern 1,002 #5,876
2011 modern 982 #5,904
2012 modern 964 #5,906
2013 modern 998 #5,835
2014 modern 1,010 #5,813
2015 modern 994 #5,839
2016 modern 995 #5,822

Geography

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Where Batsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stoke Mandeville, Great and Little Hampden, Hartwell, Stone, London parishes, Amersham and St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Aylesbury Vale, Chichester, Cornwall and Norwich. 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 Stoke Mandeville, Great and Little Hampden, Hartwell, Stone Buckinghamshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Amersham Buckinghamshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 045 County Durham
2 Aylesbury Vale 022 Aylesbury Vale
3 Chichester 013 Chichester
4 Cornwall 016 Cornwall
5 Norwich 004 Norwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Batson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Batson

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Batson 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

Batson 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

Batson 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 Batson 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 Batson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Batson

The surname Batson is of English origin and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "bat," which referred to a bat or club used as a weapon, combined with the suffix "-son," indicating "son of." This suggests that the name may have originally belonged to the son of someone who made or used bats or clubs.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Batson appears in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1194, where a Robert Bateson is mentioned. These rolls were financial records kept by the English Exchequer during the reign of King Richard I.

The Batson name is also found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which were administrative records compiled for taxation purposes. In this record, a Johannes Bateson is listed as a landowner in the village of Woodstock.

During the 14th century, the surname Batson began to appear with various spellings, such as Bateson, Batyson, and Batysson. These variations likely emerged due to regional dialects and the inconsistencies in spelling before the standardization of modern English.

One notable figure bearing the Batson surname was Sir William Batson (1553-1620), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire in the early 17th century. He was also a wealthy landowner and held the position of High Sheriff of Northamptonshire in 1610.

Another noteworthy individual was James Batson (1704-1775), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of Bunwell in Norfolk. He published several works, including a commentary on the Book of Common Prayer.

In the 19th century, John Batson (1809-1886) was a prominent English architect who designed numerous churches and public buildings across the country, particularly in the Gothic Revival style. Some of his notable works include the Church of St. Mary in Nottingham and the Church of St. John the Baptist in Cardiff.

A famous literary figure with the Batson surname was Mary Batson (1768-1858), an English writer and novelist. She is best known for her novel "Constance de Beverley," published in 1798, which explored themes of female education and social expectations.

Finally, William Henry Batson (1833-1910) was a British explorer and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of flora and fauna in Australia. He is credited with discovering several new species of plants and animals during his expeditions in the late 19th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Batson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Batson 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. Middlesex leads with 170 Batsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.09x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 170 2.09x
Buckinghamshire 90 18.28x
Surrey 65 1.64x
Norfolk 63 5.03x
Somerset 60 4.58x
Northumberland 35 2.89x
Worcestershire 35 3.29x
Yorkshire 31 0.38x
Bedfordshire 30 7.11x
Lancashire 26 0.27x
Warwickshire 26 1.27x
Staffordshire 25 0.91x
Hampshire 24 1.44x
Durham 23 0.95x
Kent 22 0.79x
Leicestershire 16 1.77x
Lincolnshire 13 1.00x
Oxfordshire 10 1.99x
Devon 9 0.53x
Dorset 9 1.68x
Gloucestershire 8 0.50x
Suffolk 6 0.60x
Wiltshire 6 0.83x
Essex 5 0.31x
Hertfordshire 4 0.71x
Sussex 4 0.29x
Berkshire 3 0.49x
Westmorland 3 1.68x
Cornwall 2 0.22x
Northamptonshire 2 0.26x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.18x
Pembrokeshire 2 0.77x
Angus 1 0.13x
Channel Islands 1 0.41x
Glamorgan 1 0.07x
Lanarkshire 1 0.04x
Monmouthshire 1 0.17x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.54x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Amersham in Buckinghamshire leads with 38 Batsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 544.41x.

Place Total Index
Amersham 38 544.41x
Norwich St James 19 193.29x
Trent 19 1461.54x
West Pennard 19 900.47x
Bethnal Green London 18 5.09x
Islington London 18 2.28x
Norwich St Paul 18 240.00x
Shoreditch London 17 4.81x
St Pancras London 17 2.59x
Heugh 16 1818.18x
St Marylebone London 16 3.68x
Kingston On Thames 15 15.73x
Redditch 15 69.54x
Lambeth 14 1.97x
Battersea 13 4.34x
Luton 13 17.81x
Byker 12 20.03x
Barton St Mary 11 168.45x
Portsea 11 3.36x
Stone 11 287.96x
Feckenham 10 82.17x
Hornsey 10 9.71x
Birmingham 9 1.31x
Hammersmith London 9 4.49x
St Anne Soho London 9 19.35x
Woolwich 9 8.77x
Camberwell 8 1.54x
Chelsea London 8 3.26x
Muker 8 343.35x
Paddington London 8 2.67x
Sherborne 8 50.83x
Wendover 8 150.66x
Aston 7 1.24x
Chester Le Street 7 37.61x
Great Little Marsden 7 15.81x
Handsworth 7 10.33x
Newington 7 2.33x
Oversley 7 736.84x
Whitchurch 7 346.53x
Breedon 6 300.00x
Churchill 6 287.08x
Everton 6 1.95x
Fulham London 6 5.08x
Hartwell 6 1463.41x
Norwich St Clement 6 41.32x
Preston 6 2.32x
Ramsbury 6 92.02x
South Stoneham 6 16.57x
Tanfield 6 20.82x
Willenhall 6 11.65x
Wolverhampton 6 2.84x
Worcester St Peter 6 29.81x
Bow London 5 4.82x
Brightwell Baldwin 5 819.67x
Gorleston 5 19.84x
Norwich St Helen 5 320.51x
Whitechapel London 5 6.23x
Withernwick 5 400.00x
Alverstoke 4 6.62x
Bedford St Mary 4 36.83x
Bedford St Paul 4 13.83x
Breedon On The Hill 4 147.06x
Bristol St Paul In 4 9.40x
Deptford St Paul 4 1.87x
Frant 4 41.11x
Gateshead 4 2.20x
Mile End New Town London 4 24.86x
Skipton 4 15.75x
Watlington 4 77.67x
Wycombe 4 10.90x
Yeovil 4 15.02x
Crediton 3 18.67x
East Barnet 3 26.93x
Ellesborough 3 176.47x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 3 2.86x
Lakenham 3 16.86x
Lewisham 3 2.02x
Ovington 3 201.34x
Southampton All Sts 3 10.47x
Wednesbury 3 4.37x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 56
John 41
George 30
Thomas 21
Henry 20
James 20
Charles 18
Joseph 14
Robert 13
Alfred 10
Richard 10
Arthur 9
Edward 8
Albert 7
Samuel 7
David 6
Herbert 6
Benjamin 5
Frederick 5
Francis 4
Harry 4
Willm. 4
Augustus 3
Edmund 3
Ernest 3
Peter 3
Daniel 2
Edwin 2
Frank 2
Jesse 2
Jonathan 2
Sidney 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Ambrose 1
Amos 1
Auther 1
Bernard 1
Caleb 1
Christopher 1
Ebenezer 1
Elias 1
Euphemia 1
F.T.W. 1
Foster 1
Hugh 1
Isaac 1
Joe 1
L. 1

FAQ

Batson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Batson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 838 people were recorded with the Batson surname. That placed it at #4,497 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Batson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 995 in 2016. That gives Batson a modern rank of #5,822.

What does the Batson surname mean?

An English occupational surname for a boatman or boat builder derived from the Old English "bat," meaning boat.

What does the Batson map show?

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