NameCensus.

UK surname

Bishton

A locational surname referring to someone from Bishton, a village in Worcestershire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 296 people recorded with the Bishton surname, ranking it #9,823 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 579, ranked #8,957, up from #9,823 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Shiffnal and Worfield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bracknell Forest, Amber Valley and Stratford-on-Avon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bishton is 629 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 95.6%.

1881 census count

296

Ranked #9,823

Modern count

579

2016, ranked #8,957

Peak year

2010

629 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bishton had 296 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,823 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 579 in 2016, ranked #8,957.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 453 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bishton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bishton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bishton 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 228 #9,418
1861 historical 216 #11,273
1881 historical 296 #9,823
1891 historical 358 #9,655
1901 historical 424 #9,102
1911 historical 453 #8,460
1997 modern 591 #8,235
1998 modern 603 #8,365
1999 modern 600 #8,438
2000 modern 602 #8,402
2001 modern 581 #8,469
2002 modern 585 #8,589
2003 modern 575 #8,574
2004 modern 592 #8,431
2005 modern 576 #8,512
2006 modern 592 #8,368
2007 modern 608 #8,262
2008 modern 607 #8,330
2009 modern 605 #8,544
2010 modern 629 #8,475
2011 modern 604 #8,647
2012 modern 603 #8,573
2013 modern 601 #8,741
2014 modern 621 #8,566
2015 modern 585 #8,899
2016 modern 579 #8,957

Geography

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Where Bishtons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Shiffnal, Worfield, Wednesbury and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bracknell Forest, Amber Valley, Stratford-on-Avon and Birmingham. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Shiffnal Shropshire
3 Worfield Shropshire
4 Wednesbury Staffordshire
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bracknell Forest 005 Bracknell Forest
2 Amber Valley 004 Amber Valley
3 Stratford-on-Avon 010 Stratford-on-Avon
4 Stratford-on-Avon 014 Stratford-on-Avon
5 Birmingham 126 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bishton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bishton

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Bishton is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bishton is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bishton falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Bishton

The surname Bishton is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated in the county of Shropshire, specifically in the village of Bishton, which lies near the town of Newport.

The name Bishton is derived from the Old English words "biscop" and "tun," meaning "bishop's town" or "bishop's estate." This suggests that the village of Bishton may have been owned or governed by a bishop during the early medieval period.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Bishton can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Biscoptune." This entry provides evidence of the name's existence and its association with the village in Shropshire.

In the 13th century, records show that a man named William de Bishton held lands in Bishton. This is one of the earliest documented instances of an individual bearing the surname Bishton.

During the 14th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as "Byssheton" and "Bysshton," reflecting the evolution of language and spelling conventions over time.

Notable individuals with the surname Bishton include:

1. John Bishton (c. 1570-1640), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Bishton. 2. Sir Edward Bishton (1615-1679), an English lawyer and Member of Parliament for Shropshire. 3. Thomas Bishton (1675-1742), an English painter known for his portraits and landscapes. 4. Mary Bishton (1745-1819), an English poet and writer from Shropshire. 5. William Bishton (1802-1876), an English architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in Shrewsbury.

The surname Bishton has maintained a strong presence in Shropshire and surrounding areas throughout its history, with many families tracing their roots back to the village of Bishton and its surrounding parishes.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bishton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bishton 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. Warwickshire leads with 81 Bishtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.12x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 81 11.12x
Staffordshire 77 7.90x
Shropshire 76 30.47x
Worcestershire 19 5.04x
Derbyshire 12 2.65x
Middlesex 9 0.31x
Yorkshire 6 0.21x
Lancashire 5 0.15x
Essex 4 0.70x
Hampshire 3 0.51x
Kent 2 0.20x
Surrey 2 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. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 53 Bishtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.84x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 53 21.84x
Wolverhampton 37 49.37x
Aston 24 11.97x
Claverley 9 535.71x
Dudley 9 19.63x
Harborne 9 28.82x
Shifnal 9 132.94x
Thorpe 9 5625.00x
Worfield 9 520.23x
Codsall 7 503.60x
Eyton Upon Wild Moors 7 1627.91x
Tettenhall 7 117.45x
Ecclesall Bierlow 6 10.31x
Elmley Lovett 6 1764.71x
Albrighton 5 416.67x
Badger 5 3333.33x
Handsworth 5 20.82x
Barrow In Furness 4 8.58x
Bishops Castle In 4 275.86x
Much Wenlock 4 173.91x
Romford 4 44.40x
St Pancras London 4 1.72x
Astley Abbotts 3 483.87x
Bromley London 3 4.72x
Bushbury 3 171.43x
Eaton Constantine 3 1250.00x
Eckington 3 27.32x
Munslow 3 500.00x
Shrewsbury St Julian 3 48.62x
Stone 3 483.87x
Sutton Coldfield 3 39.22x
Walsall Foreign 3 5.96x
Battersea 2 1.88x
Llanymynech 2 408.16x
Oswestry Town 2 25.03x
Portsea 2 1.72x
Quatt Jervis 2 1000.00x
Buckland In Dover 1 30.67x
Canterbury St Augustine 1 277.78x
Chetton 1 204.08x
Clun 1 56.50x
Habberley 1 714.29x
Ipsley 1 74.63x
Kensington London 1 0.62x
Lapley 1 135.14x
Oldbury 1 400.00x
Padiham 1 12.08x
Portsmouth 1 7.34x
Ribbesford 1 31.85x
Sedgley 1 2.76x
Shareshill Hilton 1 256.41x
Tipton 1 3.35x
Tong 1 200.00x
Upper Arley 1 138.89x
Upper Penn 1 40.98x
Upton Cressett 1 333.33x
Westminster St Margaret 1 7.18x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 12
Ann 11
Mary 11
Elizabeth 10
Jane 10
Emma 8
Eliza 7
Annie 6
Ellen 5
Harriet 5
Hannah 4
Emily 3
Fanny 3
Louisa 3
Lucy 3
Ada 2
Alice 2
Anne 2
Edith 2
Esther 2
Florence 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Rose 2
Agar 1
Amy 1
Clara 1
Elizth. 1
Eva 1
Frances 1
Harriett 1
Ida 1
Jemima 1
L. 1
Leah 1
Lizzie 1
Matilda 1
Nellie 1
Nelly 1
Phebe 1
Priscilla 1
Rachel 1
Rebecca 1
Selina 1
Sophia 1
Susanah 1
Susannah 1
Wilhelmia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 22
John 18
Henry 12
George 10
Frederick 9
James 9
Charles 8
Samuel 7
Arthur 6
Thomas 6
Alfred 5
Harry 4
Edward 3
Walter 3
Daniel 2
Geo. 2
Joseph 2
Richard 2
Albert 1
Alexd. 1
Alexr. 1
B. 1
Benjamin 1
Edwd.Thos. 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.H. 1
Georg 1
H. 1
Herbert 1
Hy. 1
Infant 1
Job 1
Leonard 1
Levi 1
Noah 1
Paule 1
Percival 1
Robert 1
Theophilus 1

FAQ

Bishton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bishton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 296 people were recorded with the Bishton surname. That placed it at #9,823 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bishton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 579 in 2016. That gives Bishton a modern rank of #8,957.

What does the Bishton surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from Bishton, a village in Worcestershire, England.

What does the Bishton map show?

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