NameCensus.

UK surname

Callister

A locational surname derived from the Old Norse words kaldr and sitr, meaning "cold dwelling" or "cold place".

In the 1881 census there were 154 people recorded with the Callister surname, ranking it #15,259 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 453, ranked #10,748, up from #15,259 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bebbington, London parishes and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Allerdale, Barrow-in-Furness and Cheshire West and Chester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Callister is 501 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 194.2%.

1881 census count

154

Ranked #15,259

Modern count

453

2016, ranked #10,748

Peak year

2000

501 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Callister had 154 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,259 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 453 in 2016, ranked #10,748.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 207 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Callister surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Callister surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Callister 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 28 #28,274
1861 historical 53 #27,253
1881 historical 154 #15,259
1891 historical 181 #16,065
1901 historical 181 #16,107
1911 historical 207 #14,635
1997 modern 467 #9,788
1998 modern 472 #10,032
1999 modern 489 #9,830
2000 modern 501 #9,619
2001 modern 470 #9,906
2002 modern 477 #9,981
2003 modern 462 #10,045
2004 modern 466 #10,030
2005 modern 477 #9,764
2006 modern 474 #9,855
2007 modern 491 #9,689
2008 modern 496 #9,694
2009 modern 498 #9,894
2010 modern 485 #10,277
2011 modern 465 #10,511
2012 modern 448 #10,702
2013 modern 469 #10,492
2014 modern 468 #10,586
2015 modern 466 #10,552
2016 modern 453 #10,748

Geography

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Where Callisters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bebbington, London parishes, Toxteth Park, Manchester and West Derby. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Allerdale, Barrow-in-Furness, Cheshire West and Chester and Telford and Wrekin. 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 Bebbington Cheshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Toxteth Park Lancashire
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 West Derby Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Allerdale 003 Allerdale
2 Barrow-in-Furness 001 Barrow-in-Furness
3 Cheshire West and Chester 014 Cheshire West and Chester
4 Cheshire West and Chester 005 Cheshire West and Chester
5 Telford and Wrekin 006 Telford and Wrekin

Forenames

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First names often paired with Callister

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Callister

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Callister, 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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Callister surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Callister household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Callister 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

Callister 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

Callister 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 Callister is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Callister, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Callister

The surname Callister originated in the Scottish Lowlands during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Gaelic term "cailleadair," which means "quarreller" or "fighter." The name likely referred to an ancestor who had a combative or quarrelsome nature.

The earliest known record of the Callister name dates back to the late 13th century, when a John de Calathris was mentioned in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of homage rolls recording those who swore fealty to King Edward I of England during his conquest of Scotland. The spelling "Calathris" suggests a connection to the village of Callander in Perthshire, Scotland.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various spellings, including Calythre, Calythir, and Calytre, reflecting the regional dialects and spelling variations of the time. One notable early bearer of the name was Sir William de Calythre, a Scottish knight who fought alongside King Robert the Bruce in the Wars of Scottish Independence in the early 1300s.

By the 16th century, the spelling had evolved to the more modern form of Callister. In 1510, a John Callister was recorded as a landowner in Ayrshire, Scotland. The name also spread to the Isle of Man, where the Callister family became prominent in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Among the notable Callisters throughout history are:

1. Reverend Robert Callister (1718-1789), a prominent Manx scholar and author who published works on Manx language and culture. 2. James Callister (1786-1849), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a Member of Parliament for Maldon. 3. Sir John Callister (1812-1884), an English judge and politician who served as Attorney General for the Isle of Man. 4. Hugh Callister (1879-1955), a Manx composer and organist known for his contributions to Manx traditional music. 5. Thomas Callister (1869-1946), a Canadian politician who served as a member of the House of Commons of Canada from 1925 to 1935.

The Callister surname has endured for centuries, with its origins rooted in the rugged landscapes and tumultuous history of medieval Scotland and the Isle of Man. Despite its combative etymology, the name has been borne by many accomplished individuals across various fields throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Callister families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Callister 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. Isle of Man leads with 446 Callisters recorded in 1881 and an index of 407.64x.

County Total Index
Isle of Man 446 407.64x
Lancashire 82 1.17x
Cheshire 29 2.23x
Cumberland 22 4.34x
Surrey 11 0.38x
Channel Islands 4 2.29x
Lanarkshire 4 0.21x
Middlesex 4 0.07x
Devon 1 0.08x
Herefordshire 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. Patrick in Isle of Man leads with 66 Callisters recorded in 1881 and an index of 1238.27x.

Place Total Index
Patrick 66 1238.27x
German Peel 55 873.02x
Onchan 50 158.63x
German 41 686.77x
Rushen 34 459.46x
Ballaugh 30 1538.46x
Jurby 29 2196.97x
Michael 27 1216.22x
Braddan 23 384.62x
Birkenhead 20 19.29x
Malew 17 177.82x
Lezayre 15 305.50x
Maughold 14 165.88x
Andreas 11 370.37x
Cleator 11 52.11x
Everton 11 4.94x
Toxteth Park 11 4.65x
Arbory 9 378.15x
Hulme 9 6.17x
Lambeth 9 1.75x
Marown 9 450.00x
Tranmere 9 18.83x
West Derby 9 4.40x
Dalton In Furness 8 29.64x
Lonan 8 120.66x
Eccleston In Prescot 7 19.94x
Tottington Lower End 7 21.07x
Barton Upon Irwell 5 9.50x
Liverpool 5 1.18x
Douglas 4 253.16x
Glasgow 4 1.18x
St Peter Port 4 12.38x
Barrow In Furness 3 3.15x
Bride 3 201.34x
Whitehaven 3 11.09x
Arlecdon 2 14.83x
Bethnal Green London 2 0.78x
Distington 2 76.63x
Egremont 2 16.54x
Farnworth 2 4.77x
Greysouthen 2 142.86x
Bootle Cum Linacre 1 1.80x
Camberwell 1 0.27x
Cheetham 1 1.92x
Devonport 1 7.10x
Islington London 1 0.18x
Linton In Newent 1 53.48x
Moss Side 1 2.72x
Ramsey 1 1250.00x
St Andrew Holborn 1 5.01x
Streatham 1 2.29x
Walton On Hill 1 2.64x
Wigan 1 1.02x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 30
Elizabeth 24
Ann 23
Margaret 23
Catherine 16
Jane 14
Annie 10
Emily 9
Esther 9
Sarah 9
Eleanor 8
Eliza 8
Ellen 6
Emma 6
Martha 6
Rebecca 6
Alice 5
Elenor 5
Isabella 5
Elizth. 4
Louisa 4
Cathrine 3
Clara 3
Edith 3
Ada 2
Charlotte 2
Christian 2
Katie 2
Lizzie 2
Margret 2
Margt. 2
Millicent 2
Sophia 2
Amanda 1
Amelia 1
Barbara 1
Beatrice 1
Cate 1
Cath. 1
Christiana 1
Edie 1
Eliz. 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Isabel 1
Janet 1
Kate 1
Lillian 1
Mabel 1
Susana 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 59
John 51
Thomas 33
Robert 16
James 13
Edward 11
George 11
Henry 10
Wm. 10
Joseph 8
Charles 7
Daniel 6
Philip 6
Walter 5
Alfred 4
Richard 4
Thos. 4
Arthur 3
Caesar 3
Ceasor 3
Albert 2
Evan 2
Frederick 2
Jno. 2
Jos. 2
Moses 2
Paul 2
Samuel 2
A.M. 1
Ceasar 1
Clarance 1
Dan. 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
Gill 1
Harry 1
Henrey 1
Hugh 1
Humphrey 1
Margart 1
Matthew 1
Robet 1
Robt. 1
Stanley 1
Wilfred 1
Wm.Thos. 1

FAQ

Callister surname: questions and answers

How common was the Callister surname in 1881?

In 1881, 154 people were recorded with the Callister surname. That placed it at #15,259 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Callister surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 453 in 2016. That gives Callister a modern rank of #10,748.

What does the Callister surname mean?

A locational surname derived from the Old Norse words kaldr and sitr, meaning "cold dwelling" or "cold place".

What does the Callister map show?

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