NameCensus.

UK surname

Boulton

A locational surname derived from places in England meaning "town by a hill or boulder."

In the 1881 census there were 5,397 people recorded with the Boulton surname, ranking it #824 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 7,641, ranked #872, down from #824 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Wolstanton and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Staffordshire Moorlands, Tewkesbury and Mansfield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Boulton is 8,015 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 41.6%.

1881 census count

5,397

Ranked #824

Modern count

7,641

2016, ranked #872

Peak year

1999

8,015 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Boulton had 5,397 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #824 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 7,641 in 2016, ranked #872.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7,714 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Boulton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Boulton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Boulton 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 3,512 #810
1861 historical 3,418 #827
1881 historical 5,397 #824
1891 historical 5,666 #831
1901 historical 6,610 #838
1911 historical 7,714 #674
1997 modern 7,087 #915
1998 modern 7,941 #842
1999 modern 8,015 #844
2000 modern 7,912 #846
2001 modern 7,767 #845
2002 modern 8,009 #841
2003 modern 7,750 #843
2004 modern 7,706 #847
2005 modern 7,524 #859
2006 modern 7,573 #856
2007 modern 7,549 #867
2008 modern 7,567 #873
2009 modern 7,740 #871
2010 modern 7,847 #880
2011 modern 7,822 #864
2012 modern 7,649 #864
2013 modern 7,765 #869
2014 modern 7,794 #868
2015 modern 7,688 #871
2016 modern 7,641 #872

Geography

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Where Boultons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Wolstanton, London parishes and Burslem. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Staffordshire Moorlands, Tewkesbury, Mansfield, Bradford and Stoke-on-Trent. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Wolstanton Staffordshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Burslem Staffordshire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Staffordshire Moorlands 004 Staffordshire Moorlands
2 Tewkesbury 002 Tewkesbury
3 Mansfield 008 Mansfield
4 Bradford 004 Bradford
5 Stoke-on-Trent 008 Stoke-on-Trent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Boulton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Boulton

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Boulton is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Boulton 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

Boulton falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Boulton

The surname Boulton originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words 'bol' meaning a dwelling and 'tun' meaning an enclosure or farmstead. The name likely referred to someone who lived near a prominent building or fortification.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is spelled as 'Boleton'. This reference suggests that the name was already established in parts of England prior to the Norman Conquest.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, variations of the name such as 'Boulton', 'Bolleton', and 'Boulton' began appearing in various historical records and charters across different counties in England, including Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Lancashire.

A notable early bearer of the name was Sir Matthew Boulton (1728-1809), a renowned English manufacturer and partner of James Watt in the industrial revolution. He played a pivotal role in the development of the steam engine and established the Soho Manufactory in Birmingham.

Another prominent figure was Samuel Boulton (1681-1737), an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works, including "A Complete Body of Divinity" published in 1720.

In the 16th century, the name Boulton was associated with the village of Boulton in Derbyshire, which was sometimes spelled as 'Bowlton' or 'Boulton'. This place name likely contributed to the further spread and establishment of the surname.

During the 17th century, Richard Boulton (1615-1672) was a notable English clergyman who served as a Canon of Canterbury Cathedral and was known for his religious writings.

In the 18th century, Matthew Boulton (1703-1778), an English manufacturer and entrepreneur, founded the Soho Manufactory in Birmingham, which produced a wide range of products including buttons, buckles, and silverware.

These examples illustrate the long history and prominence of the Boulton surname in England, particularly in the areas of industry, religion, and literature, spanning several centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Boulton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Boulton 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 1,105 Boultons recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.22x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 1,105 6.22x
Gloucestershire 642 6.22x
Lancashire 478 0.77x
Yorkshire 450 0.86x
Middlesex 441 0.84x
Wiltshire 218 4.68x
Cheshire 212 1.82x
Surrey 202 0.79x
Lincolnshire 169 2.01x
Worcestershire 150 2.18x
Warwickshire 143 1.08x
Norfolk 121 1.49x
Shropshire 110 2.42x
Kent 80 0.45x
Leicestershire 76 1.30x
Hampshire 64 0.59x
Monmouthshire 63 1.66x
Derbyshire 57 0.69x
Essex 57 0.55x
Glamorgan 50 0.55x
Nottinghamshire 50 0.70x
Somerset 48 0.57x
Suffolk 47 0.73x
Hertfordshire 42 1.16x
Durham 41 0.26x
Herefordshire 30 1.39x
Oxfordshire 27 0.83x
Berkshire 26 0.66x
Cambridgeshire 25 0.75x
Cumberland 25 0.55x
Sussex 18 0.20x
Northumberland 15 0.19x
Northamptonshire 13 0.26x
Denbighshire 12 0.60x
Midlothian 11 0.16x
Cornwall 10 0.17x
Devon 9 0.08x
Aberdeenshire 7 0.14x
Buckinghamshire 7 0.22x
Royal Navy 7 1.12x
Bedfordshire 6 0.22x
Carmarthenshire 6 0.27x
Lanarkshire 5 0.03x
Rutland 5 1.29x
Dorset 3 0.09x
Isle of Man 3 0.31x
Channel Islands 2 0.13x
Flintshire 2 0.14x
Morayshire 2 0.24x
Brecknockshire 1 0.10x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.05x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.10x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.08x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.06x
Westmorland 1 0.09x

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 296 Boultons recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.70x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Upon Trent 296 15.70x
Burslem 127 24.94x
Wolstanton 100 18.52x
Islington London 85 1.67x
Cheltenham 55 6.90x
Shoreditch London 55 2.41x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 54 5.55x
Great Yarmouth 54 8.05x
Aston 52 1.42x
Lambeth 52 1.13x
Birmingham 49 1.11x
Audley 45 25.59x
Stone 45 19.79x
Pucklechurch 44 188.92x
Camberwell 42 1.25x
Portsea 42 1.99x
Barrow In Furness 40 4.71x
Ashton Under Lyne 39 2.86x
Ashton Keynes 37 213.63x
Madeley 35 79.01x
Greasbrough 34 49.34x
Caverswall 31 33.55x
Fairford 31 112.40x
Hulme 31 2.38x
Leeds 31 1.05x
Trentham 31 20.51x
Bedwellty 30 4.46x
Manchester 30 1.07x
Smallthorne 29 43.96x
Battersea 28 1.45x
Cirencester 28 20.03x
Westport St Mary 28 82.99x
Horncastle 27 31.07x
St Marylebone London 27 0.96x
Feckenham 26 33.04x
Nottingham St Mary 26 1.42x
St Pancras London 26 0.61x
Bristol St George 25 5.23x
Holy Trinity 25 1.99x
Norton In Moors 24 25.51x
Toxteth Park 23 1.09x
Norton Canes 22 33.96x
Burton Upon Trent 21 5.05x
Finchley 21 10.40x
Stroud 21 10.45x
Ulverston 21 11.54x
Dalton In Furness 19 7.88x
Oaksey 19 246.43x
West Bromwich 19 1.87x
Wolstanton Chesterton 19 20.92x
Bramfield 18 159.01x
Everton 18 0.90x
Monks Coppenhall 18 4.10x
Somerford Keynes 18 309.28x
Walthamstow 18 4.81x
Wisbech St Peter 18 10.76x
Wolstanton Knutton 18 16.59x
Church Coppenhall 17 32.71x
Newington 17 0.87x
Audley Talk O Th Hill 16 49.98x
Chester Holy Trinity 16 29.36x
Chester St Oswald 16 7.60x
Chorlton On Medlock 16 1.61x
Gorton 16 2.72x
Highworth 16 26.87x
Wem 16 23.65x
Wolverhampton 16 1.17x
Aberystruth 15 4.47x
Anstey 15 65.02x
Bedminster 15 1.88x
Chester St John Baptist 15 7.18x
Droitwich St Peter 15 96.96x
Kensington London 15 0.51x
Liverpool 15 0.40x
Macclesfield 15 2.90x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 15 6.19x
Stockport 15 2.51x
Bradford 14 1.11x
Lydney 14 26.26x
Rotherham 14 4.76x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 368
Elizabeth 195
Sarah 173
Ann 126
Eliza 106
Annie 98
Alice 92
Emma 88
Jane 76
Ellen 74
Hannah 62
Emily 59
Martha 53
Harriet 50
Margaret 45
Florence 42
Charlotte 35
Maria 34
Ada 33
Anne 32
Fanny 31
Clara 29
Edith 29
Louisa 29
Caroline 28
Lucy 26
Kate 25
Catherine 23
Frances 23
Agnes 18
Esther 16
Amelia 15
Amy 15
Ruth 13
Gertrude 12
Jessie 11
Julia 11
Maud 11
Minnie 11
Harriett 10
Lydia 10
Laura 9
Rose 9
Sophia 9
Eleanor 8
Ethel 8
Henrietta 7
Isabella 7
Lizzie 7
Matilda 7

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 337
John 280
Thomas 200
George 190
Henry 148
James 146
Joseph 113
Charles 103
Robert 70
Arthur 69
Alfred 60
Frederick 60
Edward 57
Richard 53
Samuel 45
Albert 33
Ernest 32
Harry 26
Daniel 24
Edwin 24
Walter 22
David 20
Herbert 20
Frank 19
Wm. 18
Thos. 16
Elijah 14
Francis 13
Isaac 12
Fredk. 11
Fred 10
Fredrick 10
Matthew 10
Benjamin 9
Geo. 9
Edmund 8
Percy 8
Stephen 8
Tom 8
Harold 6
Josiah 6
Sidney 6
Abraham 5
Enoch 5
Horace 5
J. 5
Jesse 5
Chas. 4
Jno. 4
Moses 4

FAQ

Boulton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Boulton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 5,397 people were recorded with the Boulton surname. That placed it at #824 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Boulton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 7,641 in 2016. That gives Boulton a modern rank of #872.

What does the Boulton surname mean?

A locational surname derived from places in England meaning "town by a hill or boulder."

What does the Boulton map show?

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