UK surname
A surname derived from a maker or seller of leather belts.
In the 1881 census there were 31 people recorded with the Belts surname, ranking it #29,218 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6, ranked #38,110, down from #29,218 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Clifton and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Belts is 192 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 80.6%.
1881 census count
31
Ranked #29,218
Modern count
6
2016, ranked #38,110
Peak year
1911
192 bearers
Map years
2
1891 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Belts surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Belts surname density by area, 1911 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 | 52 | #23,915 |
| 1861 | historical | 13 | #32,208 |
| 1881 | historical | 31 | #29,218 |
| 1891 | historical | 118 | #21,540 |
| 1901 | historical | 72 | #26,162 |
| 1911 | historical | 192 | #15,342 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 2 | #38,551 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 4 | #37,921 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 3 | #38,312 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 4 | #38,371 |
| 2011 | modern | 6 | #38,016 |
| 2012 | modern | 6 | #38,008 |
| 2013 | modern | 4 | #38,359 |
| 2014 | modern | 5 | #38,228 |
| 2015 | modern | 5 | #38,221 |
| 2016 | modern | 6 | #38,110 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Clifton, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Gainsborough, Paddocks. 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 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | Clifton | Gloucestershire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 5 | Gainsborough, Paddocks | Lincolnshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Belts 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 Belts, 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 Belts surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Belts 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, Belts 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 Belts is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Belts, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Belts is believed to have originated in Northern Europe, particularly within the regions that now make up modern-day Germany and Denmark. Its etymology can be traced back to the Old High German word "belz," which means a pelt or a skin, and was likely used to describe someone who worked with animal hides, such as a tanner or a furrier.
Historical records dating back to the Medieval period indicate various instances of the surname. An early example is found in the German region during the 13th century, with Otto Belz appearing in a 1269 document related to land grants in Saxony. Over the centuries, the phonetic evolution of the surname saw it spelled in different forms, including Beltz, Belts, and Belzt, depending on regional dialects and pronunciation.
In Denmark, the surname Belts is noted in church records from the late 15th century. A notable individual, Hans Beltz, born in 1474 and recorded in the town of Aarhus, worked as a master tanner. His craftsmanship earned him recognition, and several guild records from the period mention his contributions to the trade.
The surname Belts also appears in English records. One of the earliest instances is in the 16th century with John Belts, recorded in the parish registers of Yorkshire in 1582. This variant likely arrived in England through trade and migration, as artisans and craftsmen moved across Europe for work and settlement.
In the 17th century, the Belts surname continued to spread. Nicholas Belts, born in 1601, emigrated to the American colonies and established one of the early settler communities in Maryland. His descendants played significant roles in colonial development, taking on various leadership and entrepreneurial positions.
An intriguing figure is Felix Beltz, a Swiss-born clockmaker, who lived from 1730 to 1802. He was renowned for his intricate craftsmanship and clocks, some of which can still be found in museum collections today. His works symbolized the height of mechanical ingenuity of the period.
In the 19th century, the surname Belts appeared in records in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Klara Belts, born in 1825 in Vienna, was a known socialite and philanthropist. She used her wealth to support various charitable endeavors and played a significant role in the cultural and social life of the city.
Throughout history, the surname Belts has been associated with individuals involved in crafts, trade, and community leadership. From medieval tanners in Germany to influential American colonists, the name carries a legacy of industrious and noteworthy individuals across various regions and centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Belts 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. Gloucestershire leads with 7 Belts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.80x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Gloucestershire | 7 | 11.80x |
| Norfolk | 7 | 15.06x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.98x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.56x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.68x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.90x |
| Huntingdonshire | 1 | 16.67x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 2.07x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.98x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 2.72x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.68x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.96x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.33x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clifton in Gloucestershire leads with 7 Belts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 233.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Clifton | 7 | 233.33x |
| Hornsey | 5 | 130.89x |
| Thetford St Peter | 5 | 4166.67x |
| Aberavon | 1 | 208.33x |
| Barrow In Furness | 1 | 20.49x |
| Blakeney | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 5.18x |
| Goxhill | 1 | 833.33x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 5.90x |
| Lancaster | 1 | 46.95x |
| Melton Parva | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Sawtry St Judith | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Scarborough | 1 | 36.76x |
| Slaugham | 1 | 625.00x |
| Stowmarket | 1 | 232.56x |
| West Ham | 1 | 7.59x |
| Yoxall | 1 | 769.23x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Belts 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 Belts 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 Belts households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Assistant To Mother In Shop | 2 |
| Domestic Servant | 2 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Library Assistant | 2 |
| Boot Manufacturer | 1 |
| Clerk In Religeous Institute | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Dom(Genl) | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| First Hand Dressmaker | 1 |
| Genl Labr | 1 |
| House Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Labourer At Manure Works | 1 |
| Porter | 1 |
| Upholsterer | 1 |
| Wagon Builder | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 31 people were recorded with the Belts surname. That placed it at #29,218 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 6 in 2016. That gives Belts a modern rank of #38,110.
A surname derived from a maker or seller of leather belts.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Belts 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.