NameCensus.

UK surname

Baty

An English surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from a place name or a nickname for a fisherman.

In the 1881 census there were 727 people recorded with the Baty surname, ranking it #5,022 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 646, ranked #8,212, down from #5,022 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Carlisle St Cuthbert and Carlisle St Mary, Eaglesfield Abbey. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Carlisle, Northumberland and Kirkcudbright.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Baty is 895 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 11.1%.

1881 census count

727

Ranked #5,022

Modern count

646

2016, ranked #8,212

Peak year

1901

895 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Baty had 727 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,022 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 646 in 2016, ranked #8,212.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 895 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Baty surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Baty surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Baty 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 664 #3,909
1861 historical 682 #3,946
1881 historical 727 #5,022
1891 historical 759 #5,250
1901 historical 895 #5,169
1911 historical 893 #4,989
1997 modern 740 #6,956
1998 modern 759 #7,030
1999 modern 767 #7,011
2000 modern 762 #7,023
2001 modern 747 #7,006
2002 modern 724 #7,318
2003 modern 699 #7,393
2004 modern 699 #7,412
2005 modern 670 #7,602
2006 modern 678 #7,557
2007 modern 697 #7,441
2008 modern 707 #7,426
2009 modern 707 #7,585
2010 modern 723 #7,590
2011 modern 715 #7,570
2012 modern 670 #7,877
2013 modern 676 #7,960
2014 modern 669 #8,069
2015 modern 657 #8,121
2016 modern 646 #8,212

Geography

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Where Batys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Carlisle St Cuthbert, Carlisle St Mary, Eaglesfield Abbey, Gateshead and Arthuret. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Carlisle, Northumberland and Kirkcudbright. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Carlisle St Cuthbert Cumberland
3 Carlisle St Mary, Eaglesfield Abbey Cumberland
4 Gateshead Durham
5 Arthuret Cumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Carlisle 004 Carlisle
2 Northumberland 035 Northumberland
3 Kirkcudbright Dumfries and Galloway
4 Carlisle 010 Carlisle
5 Northumberland 036 Northumberland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Baty

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Baty

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Baty surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Baty household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Baty is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Baty is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Baty

The surname BATY is of English origin, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "batt," which referred to a thick, heavy stick or club. This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname, given to individuals whose trade involved the use of such implements, such as woodsmen or foresters.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like record from 1273. Here, it appears as "Batte," likely an earlier spelling variation. During this time, surnames were still in their formative stages, often evolving from descriptive nicknames or occupational monikers.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various historical records, including the Pipe Rolls of Nottinghamshire from 1325, where it is listed as "Baty." This spelling variation may have been influenced by the Old French word "batu," meaning "beaten" or "struck," further reinforcing the name's possible occupational origins.

Over the centuries, the name has been associated with several notable individuals. One of the earliest was Sir Thomas Baty (1380-1457), a English knight and landowner from Lincolnshire. Another prominent figure was William Baty (1622-1675), a renowned Puritan clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Mercurius in Hertfordshire.

In the 18th century, the name gained prominence through John Baty (1703-1787), a successful merchant and member of the East India Company. His son, Robert Baty (1742-1819), followed in his footsteps and became a prominent figure in the company, serving as the Governor of Fort St. George in Madras (now Chennai), India.

Another noteworthy individual was Sir Henry Baty (1815-1892), a British lawyer and politician who served as the Attorney General for England and Wales from 1880 to 1885. He was knighted for his contributions to the legal profession.

The name BATY has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Baty's Close in Derbyshire and Baty's Farm in Nottinghamshire, further solidifying its historical roots in the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Baty families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Baty 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. Northumberland leads with 299 Batys recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.42x.

County Total Index
Northumberland 299 28.42x
Durham 173 8.22x
Cumberland 168 27.59x
Lancashire 19 0.23x
Cheshire 15 0.96x
Dumfriesshire 11 7.04x
Yorkshire 10 0.14x
Midlothian 9 0.95x
Wigtownshire 7 7.45x
Westmorland 4 2.57x
Middlesex 3 0.04x
Fife 2 0.48x
Kent 2 0.08x
Hampshire 1 0.07x
Perthshire 1 0.32x
Surrey 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hexham in Northumberland leads with 44 Batys recorded in 1881 and an index of 270.27x.

Place Total Index
Hexham 44 270.27x
Stanhope 41 188.77x
Arthuret 30 472.44x
Bishopwearmouth 29 16.06x
Westgate 26 39.90x
St Cuthbert W O 21 70.75x
Chollerton 19 641.89x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 17 27.05x
Elswick 16 19.05x
Newcastle On Tyne St 16 29.34x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 15 16.46x
Whickham 12 61.98x
Canonbie 11 165.66x
Gateshead 11 6.98x
Kirkandrews On Esk 11 533.98x
Tranmere 11 19.17x
Birtley 10 1086.96x
Corbridge 10 259.74x
Rickergate 10 77.64x
St Cuthbert W O Upperby 10 598.80x
Allendale 9 92.21x
Crosby On Eden 9 947.37x
Hallington 9 3750.00x
Nichol Forest 9 588.24x
Wark 9 725.81x
Wetheral 9 111.66x
Benwell 8 69.57x
Haydon 8 139.13x
Holme Low 8 476.19x
Redworth 8 597.01x
Styford 8 3200.00x
Caldewgate 7 20.98x
Corsenside 7 424.24x
Kirkcowan 7 221.52x
Manchester 7 1.85x
Moor House 7 4117.65x
Pelton 7 69.93x
Tanfield 7 27.98x
Wylam 7 301.72x
Bywell St Peter 6 1935.48x
Coanwood 6 1395.35x
Dalston 6 127.39x
Rothwell 6 42.40x
Belsay 5 526.32x
Inveresk 5 19.49x
Lambley 5 287.36x
Muggleswick 5 245.10x
Newton 5 7.73x
Wallbottle 5 224.22x
Heugh 4 526.32x
Iveston 4 41.28x
Mickley 4 120.48x
Nook 4 2105.26x
Oxton 4 45.30x
South Leith 4 3.75x
St Mary Within 4 52.56x
Stainton 4 196.08x
Stanwix 4 81.14x
Wallsend 4 11.99x
West Matfen 4 533.33x
Westoe 4 3.35x
Acomb 3 117.19x
Easington 3 810.81x
Heworth 3 7.24x
Hexham West Quarter 3 555.56x
Kenton 3 198.68x
Lowther 3 263.16x
Newbottle 3 26.11x
Newburn Hall 3 151.52x
Plashetts Tynehead 3 280.37x
Salford 3 1.22x
South Shields 3 16.01x
St Cuthbert Within 3 42.55x
Winlaton 3 14.87x
Darlington 2 2.46x
Hethersgill 2 139.86x
Leeds 2 0.51x
Ryton Woodside 2 76.34x
St Cuthbert W O Brisco 2 289.86x
St Cuthbert W O Carleton 2 119.05x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 63
Elizabeth 43
Jane 31
Margaret 31
Sarah 26
Ann 19
Hannah 17
Isabella 13
Anne 5
Dorothy 5
Frances 5
Catherine 4
Agnes 3
Annie 3
Barbara 3
Ellen 3
Margret 3
Martha 3
Alice 2
Bessie 2
Christinna 2
Eliz. 2
Elizth. 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Fanny 2
Georgina 2
Grace 2
Maggie 2
Margt. 2
Betsey 1
Betsy 1
Betty 1
Bridget 1
Dinah 1
Edith 1
Elisabeth 1
Elizbeth 1
Ellenor 1
Irene 1
Isabell 1
Jenet 1
Kate 1
Leah 1
Letisha 1
Lillian 1
Lillie 1
Louisa 1
M.J.H. 1
Tamer 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 61
William 53
Thomas 40
Joseph 22
Robert 22
Isaac 18
James 18
Edward 15
George 12
David 6
Alexander 5
Charles 4
Hugh 4
Wm. 4
Ralph 3
Richard 3
Samuel 3
Thos. 3
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
Frank 2
Jonathan 2
Matthew 2
Walter 2
Andrew 1
Anthony 1
Antonia 1
Charlton 1
Christopher 1
Cuthbert 1
Edmon 1
Fenwick 1
Francis 1
Geo. 1
Gilbert 1
Henry 1
Infant 1
Irving 1
J. 1
Lewis 1
Mary 1
Mathew 1
Michael 1
Nenian 1
Nichol 1
Pearson 1
Peter 1
Ridley 1
Robt. 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Baty surname: questions and answers

How common was the Baty surname in 1881?

In 1881, 727 people were recorded with the Baty surname. That placed it at #5,022 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Baty surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 646 in 2016. That gives Baty a modern rank of #8,212.

What does the Baty surname mean?

An English surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from a place name or a nickname for a fisherman.

What does the Baty map show?

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