NameCensus.

UK surname

Canterbury

A locational surname referring to a person from Canterbury, a city in Kent, England.

In the 1881 census there were 115 people recorded with the Canterbury surname, ranking it #18,230 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 147, ranked #24,071, down from #18,230 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Topsham, Stoke Abbas and Ross Foreign and Ross Borough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rhondda Cynon Taf, Ryedale and Coventry.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Canterbury is 186 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.8%.

1881 census count

115

Ranked #18,230

Modern count

147

2016, ranked #24,071

Peak year

1911

186 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Canterbury had 115 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,230 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 147 in 2016, ranked #24,071.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 186 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Canterbury surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Canterbury surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Canterbury 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 58 #22,928
1861 historical 73 #24,492
1881 historical 115 #18,230
1891 historical 141 #19,108
1901 historical 152 #17,916
1911 historical 186 #15,643
1997 modern 144 #21,660
1998 modern 149 #21,755
1999 modern 149 #21,924
2000 modern 155 #21,341
2001 modern 152 #21,294
2002 modern 151 #21,809
2003 modern 142 #22,460
2004 modern 134 #23,425
2005 modern 129 #23,963
2006 modern 130 #24,053
2007 modern 127 #24,748
2008 modern 129 #24,790
2009 modern 131 #25,056
2010 modern 133 #25,379
2011 modern 136 #24,819
2012 modern 136 #24,830
2013 modern 138 #25,020
2014 modern 143 #24,621
2015 modern 147 #24,036
2016 modern 147 #24,071

Geography

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Where Canterburys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Topsham, Stoke Abbas, Ross Foreign and Ross Borough, Melcombe Regis and Cardiff St John and St Mary. 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, Ryedale, Coventry, Suffolk Coastal and Bury. 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 Topsham Devon
2 Stoke Abbas Dorset
3 Ross Foreign and Ross Borough Herefordshire
4 Melcombe Regis Dorset
5 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rhondda Cynon Taf 021 Rhondda Cynon Taf
2 Ryedale 004 Ryedale
3 Coventry 027 Coventry
4 Suffolk Coastal 007 Suffolk Coastal
5 Bury 007 Bury

Forenames

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First names often paired with Canterbury

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Canterbury

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

Canterbury is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Canterbury 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 Canterbury is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Canterbury

The surname Canterbury originated in England in the 10th century, deriving from the Old English words "Cant" meaning "lip" or "edge," and "ware" meaning "dwelling place." It referred to people living near the edge or boundary of the city of Canterbury in Kent.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Canteware" and "Cantewara." The name was initially locational, given to those residing in or near the city of Canterbury.

In the 12th century, a notable figure bearing the name was Walter of Canterbury, a 12th-century Anglo-Norman poet and writer. He is known for his works on the lives of saints and religious poetry.

Another historical reference to the name can be found in the 13th century, with the mention of William of Canterbury, a 13th-century English philosopher and theologian. He was a prominent figure in the intellectual circles of his time.

During the 14th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as "Cantebury," "Cantrebury," and "Canterberie." One notable individual from this period was Simon of Canterbury, a 14th-century English scholar and clergyman who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1348 to 1349.

In the 16th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of William Canterbury (1537-1608), an English Protestant clergyman and scholar who served as the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral.

Another notable figure was Thomas Canterbury (1592-1654), an English clergyman and author who served as the Archdeacon of Canterbury and wrote several religious works.

The surname Canterbury has been carried by many other individuals throughout history, including artists, authors, and academics. While its origins trace back to the city of Canterbury, the name has since spread to various parts of the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Canterbury families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Canterbury 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. Dorset leads with 45 Canterburys recorded in 1881 and an index of 60.60x.

County Total Index
Dorset 45 60.60x
Hampshire 19 8.19x
Somerset 9 4.94x
Nottinghamshire 8 5.25x
Devon 7 2.97x
Middlesex 7 0.62x
Surrey 6 1.09x
Gloucestershire 5 2.25x
Glamorgan 4 2.03x
Herefordshire 4 8.62x
Berkshire 1 1.18x
Kent 1 0.26x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 19 Canterburys recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.80x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 19 41.80x
Allington 18 2727.27x
Stoke Abbott 12 5714.29x
Worksop 8 176.99x
Melcombe Regis 6 194.81x
Weston 6 428.57x
Horfield 5 224.22x
St Luke London 5 27.55x
Topsham 5 450.45x
Llandaff 4 61.07x
Ross 4 216.22x
Bridport 3 196.08x
Egham 3 88.76x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 13.18x
Winscombe 3 612.24x
Netherbury 2 327.87x
Beaminster 1 120.48x
Exeter St Thomas The 1 41.67x
Hendon 1 24.57x
Kensington London 1 1.59x
Lee 1 17.83x
Radipole 1 196.08x
Sunninghill 1 84.75x
Weymouth 1 70.92x
Whitchurch Canonicorum 1 243.90x
Withycombe Rawleigh 1 81.30x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 6
Sarah 4
Eliza 3
Maria 3
Mary 3
Susan 3
Alice 2
Ann 2
Anne 2
Annie 2
Emma 2
Faith 2
Frances 2
Lucy 2
Allice 1
Amelia 1
Edith 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Florence 1
Georgina 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Hester 1
Jane 1
Maud 1
Mercy 1
Rose 1
Ruth 1
Victoria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 9
Charles 5
George 5
James 5
John 5
Richard 4
Robert 4
Frederick 3
Albert 2
Edwin 2
Fred 2
Henry 2
Job 2
Alfred 1
Edward 1
Harry 1
Mary 1
Robt. 1
Samuel 1
Sarah 1
Sydney 1
Thomas 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Canterbury surname: questions and answers

How common was the Canterbury surname in 1881?

In 1881, 115 people were recorded with the Canterbury surname. That placed it at #18,230 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Canterbury surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 147 in 2016. That gives Canterbury a modern rank of #24,071.

What does the Canterbury surname mean?

A locational surname referring to a person from Canterbury, a city in Kent, England.

What does the Canterbury map show?

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