NameCensus.

UK surname

Butts

An English toponymic surname derived from place names meaning "a strip of land" or "an archery target."

In the 1881 census there were 356 people recorded with the Butts surname, ranking it #8,665 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 461, ranked #10,625, down from #8,665 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Northfleet, London parishes and St Mary Islington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly and Central Bedfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Butts is 511 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 29.5%.

1881 census count

356

Ranked #8,665

Modern count

461

2016, ranked #10,625

Peak year

1998

511 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Butts had 356 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,665 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 461 in 2016, ranked #10,625.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 471 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Butts surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Butts surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Butts 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 275 #8,150
1861 historical 292 #8,626
1881 historical 356 #8,665
1891 historical 359 #9,635
1901 historical 379 #9,841
1911 historical 471 #8,201
1997 modern 490 #9,435
1998 modern 511 #9,431
1999 modern 495 #9,731
2000 modern 496 #9,689
2001 modern 493 #9,574
2002 modern 498 #9,664
2003 modern 488 #9,657
2004 modern 510 #9,374
2005 modern 485 #9,647
2006 modern 499 #9,500
2007 modern 493 #9,662
2008 modern 491 #9,785
2009 modern 492 #9,979
2010 modern 494 #10,144
2011 modern 492 #10,072
2012 modern 456 #10,563
2013 modern 458 #10,694
2014 modern 462 #10,676
2015 modern 464 #10,586
2016 modern 461 #10,625

Geography

Back to top

Where Butts' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Northfleet, London parishes, St Mary Islington and Gravesend, Milton next Gravesend. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly, Central Bedfordshire and Mansfield. 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 Northfleet Kent
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)
4 Gravesend, Milton next Gravesend Kent
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rhondda Cynon Taf 008 Rhondda Cynon Taf
2 Caerphilly 004 Caerphilly
3 Caerphilly 012 Caerphilly
4 Central Bedfordshire 011 Central Bedfordshire
5 Mansfield 003 Mansfield

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Butts

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Butts

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

Butts is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Butts falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Butts

The surname Butts originates from England, with its roots dating back to the 13th century. The name is derived from the Old English word "butt," meaning a ridge of land or a piece of ground that juts out. It is believed that the surname was initially given to people who lived on or near such a geographical feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Butts can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where a person named Richard de la Butte is mentioned. This early spelling variation highlights the connection to the Old English word for a ridge or promontory.

During the 14th century, the name appeared in various records, including the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, which listed a Walter Butte. The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327 also mentioned a John atte Butte, showcasing another variant spelling.

In the 15th century, the surname Butts became more widespread, and several notable individuals bore this name. One of the most prominent figures was Sir William Butts (c. 1490-1545), who served as a royal physician to King Henry VIII. He was highly respected for his medical expertise and played a significant role in the king's court.

Another notable figure was Sir William Butts (1573-1639), an English landowner and Member of Parliament who served as Sheriff of Norfolk in 1628. He was known for his involvement in local politics and his advocacy for the rights of Norfolk residents.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname Butts was also associated with several places in England, such as Butts Close in Gloucestershire and Butts Farm in Somerset. These place names likely derived from the same Old English word and may have influenced the surname's development.

Throughout history, other individuals with the surname Butts have made their mark in various fields. Sir William Butts (1810-1882) was a British army officer who served in the Crimean War and later became a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. John Butts (1728-1785) was an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Bletchingley.

The surname Butts has a rich history rooted in the English landscape and has been borne by many notable individuals over the centuries, spanning various professions and backgrounds.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Butts families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Butts 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. Middlesex leads with 53 Butts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.55x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 53 1.55x
Kent 48 4.11x
Surrey 48 2.88x
Warwickshire 31 3.59x
Staffordshire 30 2.60x
Yorkshire 22 0.65x
Lancashire 16 0.39x
Hampshire 13 1.85x
Somerset 13 2.36x
Lincolnshire 12 2.19x
Worcestershire 12 2.68x
Durham 10 0.98x
Monmouthshire 7 2.83x
Northamptonshire 7 2.17x
Glamorgan 5 0.84x
Nottinghamshire 5 1.08x
Dorset 4 1.78x
Herefordshire 2 1.42x
Hertfordshire 2 0.85x
Sussex 2 0.35x
Berkshire 1 0.39x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.69x
Cheshire 1 0.13x
Essex 1 0.15x
Gloucestershire 1 0.15x
Lanarkshire 1 0.09x
Norfolk 1 0.19x
Oxfordshire 1 0.47x
Shropshire 1 0.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 18 Butts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.57x.

Place Total Index
Aston 18 7.57x
Islington London 18 5.42x
Gravesend 17 171.89x
Bermondsey 16 15.70x
Birmingham 12 4.17x
Camberwell 12 5.49x
Deptford St Nicholas 10 107.87x
Castle Eden 9 873.79x
Yeovil 9 80.36x
Aldridge 8 360.36x
Bradford 8 9.74x
Harborne 8 21.60x
Lambeth 8 2.68x
Bedwellty 7 16.02x
Great Grimsby 7 20.14x
Hackney London 7 3.65x
North Ferriby 7 1250.00x
Beswick 6 57.75x
Chatham 6 18.67x
St Pancras London 6 2.18x
Tottenham 6 11.00x
Wolverhampton 6 6.75x
Hallow 5 228.31x
Hornsey 5 11.55x
Brockenhurst 4 330.58x
Bromley London 4 5.31x
Canterbury Holy Cross 4 353.98x
Clee With Weelsby 4 33.39x
Havant 4 112.68x
Salford 4 3.35x
Wednesfield 4 23.52x
Wellingborough 4 24.71x
Ystradyfodwg 4 7.65x
Bedminster 3 5.79x
Clapham 3 7.01x
Great Doddington 3 428.57x
Kings Norton 3 7.48x
Parkstone 3 114.50x
Pudsey 3 16.54x
Sutton Bonnington 3 254.24x
Bromley 2 11.23x
Deptford St Paul 2 2.22x
East Molesey 2 51.68x
Habergham Eaves 2 5.39x
Handsworth 2 7.02x
Kensington London 2 1.05x
Kirkby In Ashfield 2 40.49x
Liverpool 2 0.81x
Maidstone 2 5.75x
Milton In Gravesend 2 11.42x
Newington 2 1.58x
Portsea 2 1.45x
Betley 1 104.17x
Birkenhead 1 1.66x
Bury 1 2.15x
Carmarthen St Peter 1 8.11x
Charlton Next Woolwich 1 8.21x
Chetton 1 172.41x
Croydon 1 1.08x
Dalziel 1 8.40x
Grantham 1 14.01x
Hammersmith London 1 1.19x
Hastings Holy Trinity 1 23.53x
Hove 1 3.95x
Kew 1 103.09x
Leysters 1 357.14x
Marcham 1 108.70x
Northfleet 1 9.72x
Nursling 1 89.29x
Oxford St Giles 1 9.91x
St Albans St Michael 1 37.88x
St Albans St Peter 1 12.56x
St Andrew Undershaft 1 263.16x
St Martin In Fields 1 4.88x
St Marylebone London 1 0.55x
Swansea St Thomas 1 16.69x
Tenbury 1 40.82x
Tidenham 1 96.15x
Westoe 1 1.73x
Wimbledon 1 5.34x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 21
Mary 16
Sarah 11
Eliza 10
Emma 10
Ellen 8
Emily 7
Ann 6
Louisa 6
Alice 5
Annie 5
Clara 4
Maria 4
Charlotte 3
Hannah 3
Harriet 3
Martha 3
Ada 2
Ella 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Jane 2
Margaret 2
Matilda 2
Susan 2
Caroline 1
Cathl.N.M.D. 1
Dora 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Emelyn 1
Evelyn 1
F. 1
Flora 1
Hariett 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Kate 1
Lillie 1
Louise 1
Lucy 1
Marian 1
Marion 1
Martyn 1
Maryan 1
Maryann 1
Maud 1
Nancy 1
Nellie 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 22
George 18
James 18
John 12
Thomas 12
Charles 7
Henry 7
Robert 7
Alfred 6
Edward 6
Harry 6
Frederick 4
Arthur 3
Edwin 3
Frank 3
Fred 3
Isaac 3
Walter 3
Ernest 2
Jno. 2
Joseph 2
Richard 2
Samuel 2
Stephen 2
Wm. 2
A. 1
Cecil 1
Cyril 1
David 1
Edgar 1
Francis 1
Fredk.Jno. 1
Geo. 1
H. 1
Herbert 1
Lishel 1
Ralph 1
Solomon 1
Watson 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Butts surname: questions and answers

How common was the Butts surname in 1881?

In 1881, 356 people were recorded with the Butts surname. That placed it at #8,665 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Butts surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 461 in 2016. That gives Butts a modern rank of #10,625.

What does the Butts surname mean?

An English toponymic surname derived from place names meaning "a strip of land" or "an archery target."

What does the Butts map show?

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