NameCensus.

UK surname

Calton

Derived from a place name meaning "the town of Ceola's people" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 375 people recorded with the Calton surname, ranking it #8,345 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 431, ranked #11,170, down from #8,345 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St James, Govan Combination and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Norfolk, Mid Suffolk and Barnsley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Calton is 582 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 14.9%.

1881 census count

375

Ranked #8,345

Modern count

431

2016, ranked #11,170

Peak year

1891

582 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Calton had 375 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,345 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 431 in 2016, ranked #11,170.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 582 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Calton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Calton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Calton 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 346 #6,798
1861 historical 468 #5,549
1881 historical 375 #8,345
1891 historical 582 #6,560
1901 historical 498 #8,081
1911 historical 531 #7,492
1997 modern 463 #9,850
1998 modern 472 #10,032
1999 modern 495 #9,731
2000 modern 485 #9,853
2001 modern 461 #10,049
2002 modern 475 #10,014
2003 modern 462 #10,045
2004 modern 464 #10,060
2005 modern 458 #10,077
2006 modern 446 #10,301
2007 modern 463 #10,130
2008 modern 443 #10,559
2009 modern 448 #10,719
2010 modern 452 #10,880
2011 modern 441 #10,958
2012 modern 445 #10,753
2013 modern 439 #11,052
2014 modern 446 #10,981
2015 modern 432 #11,183
2016 modern 431 #11,170

Geography

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Where Caltons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St James, Govan Combination, London parishes, Wakefield and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Norfolk, Mid Suffolk, Barnsley, Fenland and Breckland. 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 St James Suffolk
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 London parishes London 3
4 Wakefield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Norfolk 014 South Norfolk
2 Mid Suffolk 002 Mid Suffolk
3 Barnsley 023 Barnsley
4 Fenland 003 Fenland
5 Breckland 011 Breckland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Calton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Calton

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Calton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Calton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Calton is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Calton 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

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

Meaning and origin of Calton

The surname Calton is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to be a locational name, derived from the place name "Calton" or "Caulton," which are small villages or hamlets located in various regions across England, such as Yorkshire, Staffordshire, and Norfolk.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Robert de Calton, who was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1292. This record provides evidence of the name's existence in the late 13th century and its connection to the village of Calton in Staffordshire.

The name Calton is believed to have originated from the Old English words "cald" or "cald-tun," which translates to "cold town" or "cold farmstead." This suggests that the original settlements or villages bearing the name Calton were likely situated in areas with a colder climate or exposed to harsh weather conditions.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Caulton, Cauleton, and Caltone, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common during that period. One notable individual from this time was John de Caulton, who was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327.

The Calton surname can also be traced back to Scotland, where it is believed to have been introduced by English settlers or through intermarriage. In the 16th century, the name appeared in Scottish records, such as the Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland, which mentions Robert Caltoun in 1584.

Other historical figures bearing the Calton surname include:

1. Sir Thomas Calton (c. 1570-1640), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire. 2. Richard Calton (c. 1600-1675), an English merchant and colonist who settled in Virginia and was involved in the tobacco trade. 3. James Calton (1723-1796), a Scottish mathematician and philosopher who made significant contributions to the field of human anatomy and physiology. 4. William Calton (1810-1873), an English architect and surveyor known for his work on various churches and public buildings in London. 5. John Calton (1877-1951), a British trade unionist and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Manchester Ardwick from 1918 to 1931.

While the surname Calton has its roots in England and Scotland, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and intermarriage, with bearers of the name found in various countries and cultures.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Calton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Calton 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. Norfolk leads with 76 Caltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.51x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 76 13.51x
Yorkshire 64 1.77x
Kent 37 2.96x
Suffolk 32 7.18x
Middlesex 27 0.74x
Derbyshire 24 4.19x
Lanarkshire 20 1.69x
Surrey 20 1.12x
Lancashire 18 0.41x
Cambridgeshire 13 5.61x
Gloucestershire 12 1.67x
Sussex 7 1.14x
Warwickshire 6 0.65x
Devon 4 0.53x
Hampshire 2 0.27x
Northamptonshire 2 0.58x
Somerset 2 0.34x
Staffordshire 2 0.16x
Wigtownshire 2 4.12x
Berkshire 1 0.36x
Cheshire 1 0.12x
Dorset 1 0.42x
Midlothian 1 0.20x
Renfrewshire 1 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 17 Caltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.81x.

Place Total Index
Govan 17 5.81x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 14 383.56x
Lewisham 13 19.53x
Nether Hallam 13 26.51x
Sheffield 13 11.27x
Findern 12 2352.94x
Brightside Bierlow 11 15.47x
Fersfield 11 3055.56x
Plumstead 11 26.44x
Bermondsey 10 9.18x
Ecclesall Bierlow 10 13.56x
Norwich St Augustine 10 440.53x
Bottisham 9 456.85x
Mile End Old Town London 9 11.56x
Bury St Edmunds St James 8 67.23x
Epsom 8 92.06x
Roydon In Guiltcross 8 1038.96x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 7 83.73x
Gorton 7 17.16x
Tewkesbury 7 109.38x
Wiggenhall St German 7 1060.61x
Bradfield 6 42.95x
Holbrook 6 465.12x
Hoxne 6 476.19x
Tilney Cum Islington 6 1666.67x
Wattisfield 6 1000.00x
Colkirk 5 925.93x
Heigham 5 16.56x
Leeds 5 2.44x
Needham 5 1250.00x
Swanscombe 5 89.13x
Birmingham 4 1.30x
Deptford St Nicholas 4 40.40x
Gloucester Kingsholm St 4 149.25x
Long Melford 4 96.62x
Brighton 3 2.41x
Eastbourne 3 10.57x
Hendon 3 22.80x
Manchester 3 1.54x
Plympton St Mary 3 68.18x
Wakefield 3 10.78x
Whitechapel London 3 8.32x
Widnes 3 9.58x
Aston 2 0.79x
Burton Upon Trent 2 6.92x
Derby St Werburgh 2 6.05x
East Dereham 2 28.13x
Kettering 2 14.37x
Newmarket All Sts 2 116.96x
Portsea 2 1.36x
Rutherglen 2 11.52x
St Katherine Creechurch 2 317.46x
Woolwich 2 4.34x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 1 7.60x
Ardwick 1 2.55x
Bedminster 1 1.81x
Bradford 1 1.14x
Burnaston 1 454.55x
Camberwell 1 0.43x
Chaddesden 1 131.58x
Christ Church Newgate 1 58.82x
Clayton Le Moors 1 11.88x
Didsbury 1 17.36x
Diss 1 20.75x
Fulham London 1 1.89x
Glasgow 1 0.48x
Greenwich 1 1.72x
Hackney London 1 0.49x
Hastings St Mary In The 1 7.60x
Hunslet 1 1.77x
Inch 1 21.10x
Islington London 1 0.28x
Lidford 1 29.24x
Liscard 1 6.87x
Littleport 1 22.57x
Newmarket St Mary 1 29.24x
Paulton 1 37.04x
Repton 1 46.30x
Sandiacre 1 49.02x
St Pancras London 1 0.34x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Calton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Calton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 375 people were recorded with the Calton surname. That placed it at #8,345 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Calton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 431 in 2016. That gives Calton a modern rank of #11,170.

What does the Calton surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "the town of Ceola's people" in Old English.

What does the Calton map show?

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