UK surname
The surname Berton likely derives from a place name or a personal name with Germanic roots.
In the 1881 census there were 76 people recorded with the Berton surname, ranking it #22,745 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 47, ranked #35,069, down from #22,745 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Downhead, Lambeth and St Marylebone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Berton is 447 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 38.2%.
1881 census count
76
Ranked #22,745
Modern count
47
2016, ranked #35,069
Peak year
1861
447 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Berton surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Berton surname density by area, 1891 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 | 101 | #17,036 |
| 1861 | historical | 447 | #5,786 |
| 1881 | historical | 76 | #22,745 |
| 1891 | historical | 200 | #14,913 |
| 1901 | historical | 82 | #25,019 |
| 1911 | historical | 53 | #27,508 |
| 1997 | modern | 41 | #33,552 |
| 1998 | modern | 34 | #34,433 |
| 1999 | modern | 39 | #34,058 |
| 2000 | modern | 44 | #33,602 |
| 2001 | modern | 37 | #34,082 |
| 2002 | modern | 36 | #34,480 |
| 2003 | modern | 34 | #34,681 |
| 2004 | modern | 35 | #34,783 |
| 2005 | modern | 34 | #35,056 |
| 2006 | modern | 40 | #34,854 |
| 2007 | modern | 46 | #34,634 |
| 2008 | modern | 45 | #34,818 |
| 2009 | modern | 44 | #35,028 |
| 2010 | modern | 45 | #35,130 |
| 2011 | modern | 36 | #35,613 |
| 2012 | modern | 47 | #34,992 |
| 2013 | modern | 48 | #35,012 |
| 2014 | modern | 46 | #35,155 |
| 2015 | modern | 43 | #35,269 |
| 2016 | modern | 47 | #35,069 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Downhead, Lambeth, St Marylebone, St Giles Camberwell and Gotham. 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 | Downhead | Somerset |
| 2 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 3 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | St Giles Camberwell | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Gotham | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Berton 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 Berton, 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 Berton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Berton 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, Berton 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 Berton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Berton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Berton originated in France and is believed to have derived from the Old French word "berton," meaning a small hill or hillock. This name was likely given as a descriptive name to someone who lived near or on a small hill.
The earliest known record of the Berton surname dates back to the 12th century in the region of Normandy, France. The name can be found in various medieval records from this period, such as the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded landowners and their holdings in England after the Norman Conquest.
During the Middle Ages, the Berton family was well-established in the northern regions of France, particularly in Normandy and Picardy. Some notable individuals bearing this surname include Guillaume Berton, a Norman knight who fought in the Crusades during the 12th century, and Jean Berton, a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Rouen in the 14th century.
As the Berton family spread throughout France and Europe, the name evolved into various spellings, such as Bertone, Bertoni, and Bertrand. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of local record-keepers.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Berton surname in England can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which listed landowners and their holdings. In this record, a Roger Berton is mentioned as holding lands in the county of Lincolnshire.
During the Renaissance period, the Berton family produced several notable figures, including the French poet and playwright François Berton (1625-1688), whose works were highly regarded in his time. Another notable Berton was Pierre Berton (1520-1598), a French lawyer and jurist who served as a judge in the Parlement of Paris.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Berton surname continued to be prominent in various fields. One notable example is Étienne Berton (1767-1844), a French general who served under Napoleon Bonaparte and was awarded the title of Baron for his military service.
As the Berton family spread across Europe and eventually to other parts of the world, the name has been carried by many individuals of note, including the Canadian author and historian Pierre Berton (1920-2004), who was one of the most acclaimed writers in Canada and authored numerous books on Canadian history and culture.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Berton 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. Leicestershire leads with 13 Bertons recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.82x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Leicestershire | 13 | 15.82x |
| Middlesex | 13 | 1.75x |
| Nottinghamshire | 11 | 11.01x |
| Lancashire | 8 | 0.91x |
| Staffordshire | 7 | 2.80x |
| Somerset | 6 | 5.03x |
| Essex | 5 | 3.42x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 1.22x |
| Devon | 2 | 1.30x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.79x |
| Shropshire | 2 | 3.12x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.66x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 1.87x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.91x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.28x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.54x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Gotham in Nottinghamshire leads with 11 Bertons recorded in 1881 and an index of 4230.77x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Gotham | 11 | 4230.77x |
| Keyham | 7 | 10000.00x |
| Aughton | 6 | 689.66x |
| Rolleston | 6 | 3157.89x |
| Midsomer Norton | 5 | 446.43x |
| Thurmaston North | 5 | 4545.45x |
| West Ham | 5 | 15.48x |
| St Marylebone London | 4 | 10.11x |
| Chelsea London | 3 | 13.43x |
| St Pancras London | 3 | 5.03x |
| Bridgnorth St Leonard | 2 | 273.97x |
| Clerkenwell London | 2 | 11.44x |
| Hampton Bickley | 2 | 1052.63x |
| Plymouth Charles The | 2 | 29.41x |
| Albury | 1 | 303.03x |
| Aston | 1 | 1.94x |
| Bedminster | 1 | 8.92x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 1 | 14.33x |
| Deal | 1 | 46.30x |
| Melton Mowbray | 1 | 67.57x |
| Milford | 1 | 227.27x |
| Saltwood | 1 | 555.56x |
| Usk | 1 | 227.27x |
| West Derby | 1 | 3.89x |
| Westgate | 1 | 14.64x |
| Westminster St Margaret | 1 | 27.93x |
| Wolverhampton | 1 | 5.20x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Berton 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 Berton 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 Berton households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 13 |
| Governess | 3 |
| Gypsum Miner | 3 |
| Dock Labourer | 2 |
| HM Seamer (Hose) | 2 |
| Housemaid | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Ag Lab No Employment | 1 |
| Ag. Lab. | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Builder | 1 |
| Builder Wife | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Coachman (D) | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Cook (Domestic) | 1 |
| Cotton Broker | 1 |
| Formerly Housekeeper | 1 |
| Helper (Stable) | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Literary Man | 1 |
| Masons Lab | 1 |
| Monitress (S Mast ?) | 1 |
| Navl Lieut R N Retired | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Nurse Girl | 1 |
| Painter (House) | 1 |
| Pupil Teacher | 1 |
| Railway Engine Driver | 1 |
| Seaman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 76 people were recorded with the Berton surname. That placed it at #22,745 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 47 in 2016. That gives Berton a modern rank of #35,069.
The surname Berton likely derives from a place name or a personal name with Germanic roots.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Berton 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.