NameCensus.

UK surname

Bolter

A surname derived from the occupation of a maker or shooter of bolts or arrows.

In the 1881 census there were 365 people recorded with the Bolter surname, ranking it #8,506 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 412, ranked #11,627, down from #8,506 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Acton, Cheverell, Little and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Caerphilly, Cotswold and Vale of White Horse.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bolter is 422 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12.9%.

1881 census count

365

Ranked #8,506

Modern count

412

2016, ranked #11,627

Peak year

1999

422 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bolter had 365 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,506 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 412 in 2016, ranked #11,627.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 392 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bolter surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bolter surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Bolter 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 378 #6,315
1861 historical 283 #8,866
1881 historical 365 #8,506
1891 historical 307 #10,914
1901 historical 392 #9,623
1911 historical 392 #9,421
1997 modern 384 #11,336
1998 modern 412 #11,108
1999 modern 422 #10,999
2000 modern 405 #11,290
2001 modern 399 #11,252
2002 modern 395 #11,542
2003 modern 384 #11,589
2004 modern 382 #11,672
2005 modern 394 #11,308
2006 modern 395 #11,364
2007 modern 400 #11,374
2008 modern 387 #11,767
2009 modern 389 #11,980
2010 modern 403 #11,925
2011 modern 414 #11,533
2012 modern 401 #11,699
2013 modern 421 #11,462
2014 modern 415 #11,688
2015 modern 418 #11,516
2016 modern 412 #11,627

Geography

Back to top

Where Bolters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Acton, Cheverell, Little, London parishes and St Pancras. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Caerphilly, Cotswold, Vale of White Horse, Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent. 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 Acton Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 Cheverell, Little Wiltshire
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Pancras London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Caerphilly 012 Caerphilly
2 Cotswold 002 Cotswold
3 Vale of White Horse 009 Vale of White Horse
4 Torfaen 002 Torfaen
5 Blaenau Gwent 002 Blaenau Gwent

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Bolter

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Bolter

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Bolter is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bolter 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

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

Meaning and origin of Bolter

The surname Bolter is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "bolt," which referred to a type of arrow or crossbow bolt. The name likely referred to an occupation or trade involving the manufacture or use of bolts for archery or warfare.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Bolter can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where a Robert le Bolter is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in England by the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, such as Boultere and Boltere, reflecting the linguistic variations of the time. For example, the Calendarium Inquisitionum post Mortem from 1350 mentions a John le Boltere from Worcestershire.

The Bolter surname may also have been influenced by place names or locations associated with the manufacture or use of bolts. For instance, some records suggest a connection to the village of Bolter in Nottinghamshire, which could have contributed to the name's origins.

Notable individuals with the surname Bolter throughout history include:

1. John Bolter (c. 1460-1524), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. 2. Edmund Bolter (c. 1550-1620), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works. 3. William Bolter (1663-1743), a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Callington in Cornwall. 4. James Bolter (1792-1869), an English architect known for designing several churches in London and the surrounding areas. 5. Mary Bolter (1873-1945), an American social reformer and activist who advocated for women's rights and labor laws.

While the Bolter surname has its roots in medieval England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and emigration. Nevertheless, its origins can be traced back to the occupation or trade involving bolts, reflecting the rich history and etymology of English surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Bolter families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bolter 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. Wiltshire leads with 92 Bolters recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.22x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 92 29.22x
Middlesex 60 1.69x
Gloucestershire 34 4.87x
Surrey 23 1.33x
Berkshire 22 8.23x
Hertfordshire 22 8.96x
Oxfordshire 19 8.64x
Warwickshire 17 1.89x
Hampshire 15 2.06x
Worcestershire 9 1.94x
Brecknockshire 7 9.83x
Leicestershire 7 1.77x
Cambridgeshire 4 1.77x
Durham 4 0.38x
Monmouthshire 4 1.55x
Norfolk 4 0.73x
Glamorgan 3 0.48x
Kent 3 0.25x
Lancashire 3 0.07x
Suffolk 3 0.69x
Sussex 3 0.50x
Renfrewshire 2 0.72x
Shropshire 2 0.65x
Northumberland 1 0.19x
Somerset 1 0.17x
Staffordshire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Little Cheverell in Wiltshire leads with 33 Bolters recorded in 1881 and an index of 12222.22x.

Place Total Index
Little Cheverell 33 12222.22x
Bledington 16 3555.56x
West Lavington 15 993.38x
Chipping Norton 12 236.22x
Bennington 10 1428.57x
Chitterne St Mary 10 4166.67x
Radley 10 1492.54x
Islington London 8 2.32x
Puttenham 7 1320.75x
St Marylebone London 7 3.68x
Stratford On Avon 7 140.56x
Charlton 6 1935.48x
Leicester St Margaret 6 6.23x
Letchworth 6 4615.38x
Llangattock 6 103.45x
Market Lavington 6 352.94x
Sandridge 6 582.52x
South Stoneham 6 37.90x
Tilshead 6 1034.48x
Hampstead London 5 9.02x
Hillmarton 5 641.03x
Salford 5 1086.96x
Sutton Coldfield 5 52.97x
Bethnal Green London 4 2.59x
Camberwell 4 1.76x
Christchurch 4 50.25x
Clifton 4 11.33x
Crondall 4 102.04x
Ealing 4 12.57x
Godalming 4 36.63x
Haddenham 4 188.68x
Kidderminster Borough 4 14.70x
Lambeth 4 1.29x
Poplar London 4 5.95x
Potterne Worton 4 975.61x
Sunderland 4 21.38x
Trowbridge 4 28.74x
Trunch 4 727.27x
Twining 4 380.95x
Wantage 4 93.90x
Birmingham 3 1.00x
Bromley London 3 3.83x
Cardiff St Mary 3 8.78x
Hammersmith London 3 3.42x
Imber 3 625.00x
Mile End Old Town London 3 3.96x
Paddington London 3 2.29x
Ashton Under Lyne 2 2.17x
Burghclere 2 215.05x
Cheltenham 2 3.71x
Chiswick 2 10.28x
Devizes St Mary 2 62.89x
Horfield 2 28.45x
Inverkip 2 30.77x
Kensington London 2 1.01x
Newington 2 1.52x
Shrewsbury St Mary 2 16.47x
St Pancras London 2 0.70x
St Stephen Coleman Street 2 160.00x
Stow On The Wold 2 129.03x
Tunstall 2 266.67x
Westbourne 2 66.89x
Whitechapel London 2 5.70x
Wyre Piddle 2 625.00x
Boldre 1 38.31x
Bungay St Mary 1 46.51x
Church Oakley 1 277.78x
Edington 1 87.72x
Faversham 1 8.64x
Hartlebury 1 36.10x
Hornsey 1 2.22x
Hougham 1 13.85x
Idbury 1 434.78x
Kings Norton 1 2.40x
Lancaster 1 3.98x
Portsmouth 1 5.95x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 1.40x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.59x
St George In East London 1 2.99x
Walcot 1 3.28x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 22
Mary 21
Elizabeth 12
Eliza 8
Alice 6
Annie 6
Ann 5
Harriet 5
Susan 5
Hannah 4
Jane 4
Martha 4
Anne 3
Ellen 3
Emily 3
Emma 3
Lydia 3
Rose 3
Ada 2
Catherine 2
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Fanny 2
Julia 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Margaret 2
Minnie 2
Rosetta 2
Ruth 2
Selina 2
Amy 1
Bridget 1
Dinah 1
Eleanor 1
Emmily 1
Ester 1
Florence 1
Georgiana 1
Helenor 1
Jessie 1
Lavina 1
Lavinia 1
Leah 1
Liddia 1
Lousia 1
Maria 1
Marria 1
Maud 1
Mercy 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 21
George 19
William 19
Henry 14
Charles 10
James 9
Frank 7
Richard 7
Thomas 7
Edward 6
Frederick 6
Arthur 4
Alfred 3
Francis 3
Robert 3
Abraham 2
Albert 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Isaac 2
Joseph 2
Walter 2
Amos 1
Benjamin 1
Charley 1
Danl. 1
David 1
E.J.M. 1
Ernest 1
Ezekiel 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrk. 1
Gunian 1
Harold 1
Jesse 1
Jonah 1
Lewis 1
Lot 1
Louie 1
Mark 1
Qentin 1
Reuben 1
Richd. 1
Samuel 1
Seymore 1
Seymour 1
Stephen 1
Steven 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Bolter surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bolter surname in 1881?

In 1881, 365 people were recorded with the Bolter surname. That placed it at #8,506 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bolter surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 412 in 2016. That gives Bolter a modern rank of #11,627.

What does the Bolter surname mean?

A surname derived from the occupation of a maker or shooter of bolts or arrows.

What does the Bolter map show?

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