NameCensus.

UK surname

Britton

An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "Briton" or "a Briton's settlement."

In the 1881 census there were 5,302 people recorded with the Britton surname, ranking it #838 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 9,119, ranked #717, up from #838 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Bedminster and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Gloucestershire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Britton is 9,484 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 72.0%.

1881 census count

5,302

Ranked #838

Modern count

9,119

2016, ranked #717

Peak year

1999

9,484 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Britton had 5,302 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #838 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 9,119 in 2016, ranked #717.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 8,090 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Britton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Britton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Britton 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 2,782 #1,050
1861 historical 2,757 #1,062
1881 historical 5,302 #838
1891 historical 5,812 #810
1901 historical 7,275 #751
1911 historical 8,090 #622
1997 modern 9,094 #689
1998 modern 9,365 #701
1999 modern 9,484 #696
2000 modern 9,430 #694
2001 modern 9,206 #696
2002 modern 9,293 #708
2003 modern 9,173 #699
2004 modern 9,149 #702
2005 modern 8,987 #702
2006 modern 8,958 #705
2007 modern 9,028 #707
2008 modern 8,988 #713
2009 modern 9,174 #717
2010 modern 9,387 #718
2011 modern 9,300 #713
2012 modern 9,073 #717
2013 modern 9,247 #715
2014 modern 9,330 #712
2015 modern 9,209 #711
2016 modern 9,119 #717

Geography

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Where Brittons are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to South Gloucestershire. 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 Bedminster Somerset
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Philip and Jacob Gloucestershire
5 St George Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Gloucestershire 029 South Gloucestershire
2 South Gloucestershire 030 South Gloucestershire
3 South Gloucestershire 027 South Gloucestershire
4 South Gloucestershire 028 South Gloucestershire
5 South Gloucestershire 026 South Gloucestershire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Britton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Britton

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

Britton is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Britton

The surname Britton has its roots in medieval England, originating from the Brittonic language spoken by the ancient Britons. It is believed to have derived from the word "Brython," meaning "a Briton" or "a Briton of Wales." The name's earliest recorded usage dates back to the late 11th century, shortly after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

One of the earliest known references to the name Britton can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Breton," reflecting the Old French spelling commonly used by the Norman scribes who compiled the record.

During the 12th and 13th centuries, the surname became more widespread across England, particularly in areas with strong Welsh influences, such as the border regions and the Welsh Marches. Variations in spelling, including Briton, Britoun, and Breton, were common due to the lack of standardized orthography at the time.

Notable historical figures bearing the surname Britton include John Britton (1771-1857), an English writer and antiquary known for his extensive works on the architectural antiquities of England. Another prominent individual was Thomas Britton (1644-1714), a renowned musical instrument maker and promoter of informal concerts known as the "Britton's Concerts" in London.

In the 15th century, the surname Britton appeared in connection with several place names, such as Britton's End in Buckinghamshire and Britton's Farm in Hampshire. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the surname who resided or owned land in those areas.

Other notable individuals with the surname Britton throughout history include:

1. John Britton (1771-1857), an English writer and antiquary. 2. Thomas Britton (1644-1714), a renowned musical instrument maker and concert promoter. 3. Nathaniel Britton (1859-1934), an American botanist and co-founder of the New York Botanical Garden. 4. Sir John Britton (1831-1898), a British civil engineer who worked on various railway projects. 5. Harriet Britton (1856-1939), an American botanist and co-founder of the New York Botanical Garden.

The surname Britton has a rich history deeply rooted in the ancient Brittonic culture and the medieval origins of England. Its evolution through various spellings and its association with notable historical figures and places reflect the diverse and fascinating journey of this surname over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Britton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Britton 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. Gloucestershire leads with 964 Brittons recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.50x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 964 9.50x
Yorkshire 788 1.54x
Middlesex 471 0.91x
Essex 330 3.23x
Lancashire 267 0.43x
Devon 242 2.25x
Surrey 234 0.93x
Durham 156 1.01x
Warwickshire 149 1.14x
Somerset 145 1.74x
Staffordshire 109 0.62x
Derbyshire 107 1.32x
Hampshire 106 1.00x
Norfolk 106 1.33x
Nottinghamshire 98 1.41x
Kent 95 0.54x
Lanarkshire 78 0.47x
Lincolnshire 73 0.88x
Glamorgan 72 0.80x
Monmouthshire 52 1.39x
Northamptonshire 51 1.05x
Cheshire 49 0.43x
Suffolk 46 0.73x
Worcestershire 42 0.62x
Berkshire 41 1.06x
Wiltshire 36 0.79x
Shropshire 32 0.72x
Renfrewshire 30 0.75x
Sussex 28 0.32x
Northumberland 27 0.35x
Cambridgeshire 24 0.73x
Stirlingshire 23 1.21x
Hertfordshire 19 0.53x
Leicestershire 19 0.33x
Cumberland 17 0.38x
West Lothian 15 1.93x
Bedfordshire 14 0.52x
Buckinghamshire 13 0.42x
Channel Islands 13 0.85x
Huntingdonshire 12 1.17x
Carmarthenshire 11 0.50x
Cornwall 11 0.19x
Rutland 11 2.90x
Herefordshire 9 0.42x
Dorset 8 0.24x
Angus 7 0.15x
Dunbartonshire 7 0.50x
Midlothian 7 0.10x
Ayrshire 6 0.15x
Brecknockshire 6 0.58x
Fife 6 0.20x
Oxfordshire 5 0.16x
Pembrokeshire 5 0.30x
Royal Navy 4 0.65x
Aberdeenshire 2 0.04x
Isle of Man 2 0.21x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.09x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 0.13x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.08x
Peeblesshire 1 0.41x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bristol St George in Gloucestershire leads with 318 Brittons recorded in 1881 and an index of 67.76x.

Place Total Index
Bristol St George 318 67.76x
Bitton Oldland 232 223.66x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 156 16.33x
Leeds 84 2.90x
Bedminster 71 9.07x
Birmingham 66 1.52x
Aston 60 1.67x
Mangotsfield 58 57.34x
Lambeth 55 1.22x
Hunslet 51 6.38x
Islington London 49 0.98x
St Pancras London 40 0.96x
Roath 35 8.55x
Stockton On Tees 35 4.72x
Henbury 34 68.66x
Newington 34 1.78x
Bitton 33 37.36x
Nottingham St Mary 33 1.83x
Paddington London 32 1.68x
Great Waltham 27 64.90x
Holy Trinity 27 2.19x
St Marylebone London 26 0.94x
Salford 25 1.38x
Shouldham Thorpe 25 508.13x
Harwich St Nicholas 24 30.43x
Oulton Cum Woodlesford 24 57.69x
Stapleton 24 12.47x
Broseley 23 28.96x
Derby St Werburgh 23 4.92x
Great Oakley 23 140.67x
Hartland 23 68.60x
Bethnal Green London 22 0.98x
Hackney London 22 0.76x
Ilfracombe 21 18.94x
Holbeck 20 5.89x
Kensington London 20 0.70x
Ramsgate 20 6.94x
Bramley In Bramley 19 9.68x
Bucklebury 19 93.92x
Campsie 19 18.14x
Deptford St Paul 19 1.40x
Glasgow 19 0.64x
Barony 18 0.43x
Manchester 18 0.65x
Wolverhampton 18 1.34x
Bermondsey 17 1.10x
Darlington 17 2.86x
Eccleshill 17 13.63x
Eggington 17 235.13x
Ryther Cum Ossendyke 17 328.82x
Bratton Fleming 16 172.41x
Bristol St James St Paul 16 4.73x
Burn 16 264.90x
Hornsey 16 2.45x
Sible Hedingham 16 46.88x
Tiverton 16 8.62x
Weeley 16 149.53x
Barnsley 15 2.84x
Battersea 15 0.79x
Camberwell 15 0.45x
Forcett With Carkin 15 149.85x
Hyde 15 4.45x
Kings Cliffe 15 66.11x
Middlesbrough 15 2.25x
St George Hanover Square 15 1.65x
Walcot 15 3.38x
Wandsworth 15 3.01x
Great Little Marsden 14 4.98x
Hammersmith London 14 1.10x
Hampstead London 14 1.74x
Plymouth St Andrew 14 1.69x
Sedgley 14 2.16x
Shoreditch London 14 0.62x
Swansea Town 14 1.90x
Whitburn 14 12.44x
Bridgewater 13 5.75x
Cruwys Morchard 13 120.48x
Eastwood 13 5.26x
Framwellgate 13 14.26x
Snenton 13 4.74x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 343
Elizabeth 196
Sarah 190
Ann 100
Emma 100
Alice 87
Eliza 86
Jane 86
Annie 73
Emily 73
Ellen 68
Florence 58
Martha 53
Hannah 47
Harriet 41
Ada 39
Maria 37
Edith 32
Louisa 31
Charlotte 30
Margaret 30
Fanny 29
Clara 28
Kate 26
Lucy 25
Susan 23
Frances 20
Harriett 19
Agnes 18
Amelia 18
Catherine 16
Anne 15
Elizth. 15
Esther 15
Susannah 15
Caroline 13
Hester 13
Rose 13
Isabella 12
Lizzie 12
Helen 11
Laura 11
Lydia 11
Rosina 11
Sophia 11
Rebecca 10
Minnie 9
Ethel 8
Lilly 8
Matilda 7

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 327
John 263
George 223
Thomas 131
Henry 119
James 118
Charles 103
Samuel 85
Joseph 81
Alfred 66
Arthur 63
Robert 63
Edward 51
Walter 48
Albert 44
Frederick 44
Richard 32
Harry 30
Isaac 26
Frank 25
Ernest 18
Edwin 17
Benjamin 15
Daniel 14
Mark 12
Fred 11
Tom 11
Fredrick 10
Sidney 10
Thos. 10
Alexander 9
Herbert 9
Jno. 8
Maurice 8
Amos 7
David 7
Fredk. 7
Geo. 7
Wm. 7
Anthony 6
Chas. 6
Christopher 6
Peter 6
Philip 6
Willie 6
Aaron 5
Andrew 5
Francis 5
Louis 5
Saml. 4

Top occupations

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 Britton households.

FAQ

Britton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Britton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 5,302 people were recorded with the Britton surname. That placed it at #838 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Britton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 9,119 in 2016. That gives Britton a modern rank of #717.

What does the Britton surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "Briton" or "a Briton's settlement."

What does the Britton map show?

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