NameCensus.

UK surname

Bott

An English occupational surname referring to a maker or repairer of boots and shoes.

In the 1881 census there were 2,322 people recorded with the Bott surname, ranking it #1,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,659, ranked #2,512, down from #1,914 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tipton otherwise Tibington, London parishes and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Daventry, Charnwood and Maldon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bott is 3,158 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 14.5%.

1881 census count

2,322

Ranked #1,914

Modern count

2,659

2016, ranked #2,512

Peak year

1911

3,158 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bott had 2,322 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,914 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,659 in 2016, ranked #2,512.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,158 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bott surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bott surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bott 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 1,575 #1,830
1861 historical 1,455 #1,948
1881 historical 2,322 #1,914
1891 historical 2,248 #2,079
1901 historical 2,896 #1,936
1911 historical 3,158 #1,650
1997 modern 2,744 #2,337
1998 modern 2,945 #2,286
1999 modern 2,960 #2,290
2000 modern 2,959 #2,285
2001 modern 2,875 #2,291
2002 modern 2,894 #2,325
2003 modern 2,842 #2,311
2004 modern 2,847 #2,312
2005 modern 2,745 #2,360
2006 modern 2,697 #2,396
2007 modern 2,721 #2,397
2008 modern 2,733 #2,409
2009 modern 2,751 #2,436
2010 modern 2,770 #2,464
2011 modern 2,745 #2,460
2012 modern 2,636 #2,507
2013 modern 2,679 #2,510
2014 modern 2,701 #2,504
2015 modern 2,670 #2,519
2016 modern 2,659 #2,512

Geography

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Where Botts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tipton otherwise Tibington, London parishes, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars 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 Daventry, Charnwood, Maldon and Cannock Chase. 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 Tipton otherwise Tibington Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire
4 London parishes London 2
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Daventry 001 Daventry
2 Charnwood 022 Charnwood
3 Maldon 006 Maldon
4 Daventry 004 Daventry
5 Cannock Chase 009 Cannock Chase

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bott

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bott

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

Bott is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bott falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Bott

The surname BOTT is of English origin and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "bot," which referred to a dwelling or abode. This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive surname, given to someone who lived in a particular type of dwelling or settlement.

The earliest known records of the surname BOTT date back to the 13th century. One of the earliest recorded instances is found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where a person named Richard Bott is mentioned. Additionally, the name appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, suggesting that the name was present in different regions of England during this time period.

In the 14th century, the surname BOTT was also found in various areas of Cheshire, as evidenced by the Cheshire Chamberlain Accounts from 1359-1360, where individuals with the name Bott are listed. This further reinforces the widespread presence of the name in different parts of England during the Middle Ages.

One notable individual with the surname BOTT was Sir Robert Bott, who lived in the 15th century and was a member of the gentry in Staffordshire. He is mentioned in historical records from the late 1400s and is believed to have been a landowner and influential figure in the region.

Another prominent figure was John Bott, born in 1550 in Worcestershire. He was a renowned theologian and scholar who authored several works on religious subjects during the Elizabethan era. His writings and contributions to theological discourse made him a respected figure in his time.

In the 17th century, the name BOTT appears in various parish records across England, such as the Parish Registers of Shropshire from the 1600s, where individuals with this surname are listed as being born, married, or buried in various villages and towns.

Moving into the 18th century, one notable individual was William Bott, born in 1718 in Staffordshire. He was a successful entrepreneur and businessman who established a thriving trade in textiles and fabrics, contributing to the growth of the local economy.

During the 19th century, the name BOTT continued to be present in various parts of England, with individuals bearing this surname making their mark in various professions and walks of life. One such individual was James Bott, born in 1842 in Lancashire, who became a prominent engineer and inventor, holding several patents for his innovative designs and contributions to the field of engineering.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bott families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bott 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. Staffordshire leads with 534 Botts recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.88x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 534 6.88x
Leicestershire 348 13.66x
Warwickshire 234 4.04x
Middlesex 194 0.84x
Worcestershire 122 4.07x
Yorkshire 117 0.51x
Lancashire 107 0.39x
Surrey 101 0.90x
Derbyshire 94 2.61x
Shropshire 68 3.42x
Northamptonshire 65 3.01x
Channel Islands 41 6.02x
Cheshire 35 0.69x
Nottinghamshire 31 1.00x
Caernarfonshire 24 2.58x
Hampshire 22 0.47x
Gloucestershire 21 0.47x
Essex 19 0.42x
Lincolnshire 19 0.52x
Kent 17 0.22x
Durham 16 0.23x
Aberdeenshire 14 0.66x
Devon 13 0.27x
Hertfordshire 10 0.63x
Rutland 9 5.33x
Sussex 9 0.23x
Buckinghamshire 8 0.58x
Lanarkshire 8 0.11x
Northumberland 8 0.23x
Wiltshire 8 0.39x
Cambridgeshire 5 0.34x
Denbighshire 5 0.58x
Herefordshire 5 0.53x
Glamorgan 4 0.10x
Kirkcudbrightshire 4 1.20x
Berkshire 3 0.17x
Royal Navy 3 1.10x
Midlothian 2 0.07x
Oxfordshire 2 0.14x
Somerset 2 0.05x
Cumberland 1 0.05x
Dorset 1 0.07x
Monmouthshire 1 0.06x
Radnorshire 1 0.54x
Stirlingshire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Upon Trent in Staffordshire leads with 89 Botts recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.82x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Upon Trent 89 10.82x
Aston 82 5.14x
Leicester St Margaret 80 12.87x
Birmingham 51 2.64x
Tipton 45 18.94x
Lilleshall 38 125.21x
Redditch 32 52.59x
Markfield 29 229.61x
West Bromwich 26 5.85x
Ashby De La Zouch 24 40.63x
Bethnal Green London 24 2.40x
Lambeth 23 1.15x
Yardley 23 29.95x
Bromsgrove 22 21.78x
Coventry St Michael 22 11.82x
Naseby 22 458.33x
St Anne 22 180.92x
Stone 22 22.17x
Camberwell 21 1.43x
Leicester St Mary 21 10.20x
Trentham 21 31.83x
Llanaelhaiarn 20 174.67x
Shenstone 20 101.42x
Belgrave 19 33.04x
Newington 19 2.24x
Burntwood Edial 18 36.33x
Litchurch 17 11.74x
Rawmarsh 17 21.13x
Bermondsey 16 2.34x
St George In East London 16 7.40x
Southampton St Mary 15 5.06x
Sheffield 14 1.93x
Wednesbury 14 7.22x
Battersea 13 1.54x
Cannock 13 9.60x
Everton 13 1.50x
Great Bowden 13 56.08x
Hugglescote 13 34.68x
Monks Coppenhall 13 6.79x
Paddington London 13 1.54x
Tanworth 13 84.86x
Tettenhall 13 27.41x
Tottenham 13 3.55x
Barwell 12 89.02x
Darlaston 12 11.19x
Liverpool 12 0.72x
Sheepshed 12 34.36x
St Peter Port 12 9.53x
Aylestone 11 54.75x
Bilston 11 7.32x
Bristol St Thomas 11 214.43x
Hatfield Peverel 11 112.36x
Islington London 11 0.49x
Nuneaton 11 16.38x
Rugeley 11 19.76x
Wall 11 1208.79x
Whitechapel London 11 4.86x
Burton Upon Trent 10 5.51x
Clerkenwell London 10 1.84x
Haigh 10 105.26x
Horninglow 10 27.37x
Ogley Hay 10 62.11x
Caverswall 9 22.32x
Ecclesall Bierlow 9 1.94x
Edgmond 9 41.19x
Hillmorton 9 87.04x
Kingsbury 9 72.58x
Mile End Old Town London 9 1.84x
Ratcliffe London 9 7.09x
Rushall 9 19.72x
Shirland 9 33.44x
Stoke Damerel 9 2.69x
Swannington 9 95.64x
Thornaby 9 10.58x
Walsall Foreign 9 2.25x
Leek Lowe 8 7.75x
Leicester All Sts 8 15.99x
Leicester St Leonard 8 33.17x
Whitwick 8 24.69x
Wombwell 8 12.05x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 162
John 139
George 105
Thomas 93
James 73
Charles 59
Joseph 57
Henry 33
Arthur 30
Samuel 26
Walter 23
Alfred 19
Richard 16
Albert 15
Frederick 15
Edward 13
Francis 13
Herbert 12
Benjamin 11
Edwin 11
Ernest 11
Harry 11
Thos. 10
Frank 9
Peter 8
David 6
Robert 6
Daniel 5
Fred 5
Fredk. 5
Wm. 5
Fredrick 4
Isaac 4
Sidney 4
Alexander 3
Geo. 3
Harold 3
Jacob 3
Philip 3
Archibald 2
C.H. 2
Enoch 2
Josiah 2
Moses 2
Nicholas 2
Percy 2
Ralph 2
Solomon 2
Stephen 2
Wm.Walton 2

FAQ

Bott surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bott surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,322 people were recorded with the Bott surname. That placed it at #1,914 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bott surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,659 in 2016. That gives Bott a modern rank of #2,512.

What does the Bott surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a maker or repairer of boots and shoes.

What does the Bott map show?

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