NameCensus.

UK surname

Capron

A surname derived from the Latin "capro" meaning "goat", possibly denoting a goatherd or one who kept goats.

In the 1881 census there were 136 people recorded with the Capron surname, ranking it #16,433 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 159, ranked #22,798, down from #16,433 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and Apethorpe, Yarwell, Nassington, Wood Newton, Southwick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northumberland, Stockton-on-Tees and Sunderland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Capron is 204 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16.9%.

1881 census count

136

Ranked #16,433

Modern count

159

2016, ranked #22,798

Peak year

1911

204 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Capron had 136 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,433 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 159 in 2016, ranked #22,798.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 204 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Capron surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Capron surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Capron 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 96 #17,594
1861 historical 101 #20,955
1881 historical 136 #16,433
1891 historical 157 #17,778
1901 historical 169 #16,824
1911 historical 204 #14,784
1997 modern 160 #20,259
1998 modern 162 #20,673
1999 modern 162 #20,781
2000 modern 162 #20,735
2001 modern 155 #21,047
2002 modern 165 #20,619
2003 modern 166 #20,320
2004 modern 164 #20,609
2005 modern 153 #21,490
2006 modern 155 #21,477
2007 modern 148 #22,406
2008 modern 154 #22,034
2009 modern 160 #21,978
2010 modern 162 #22,292
2011 modern 161 #22,187
2012 modern 157 #22,551
2013 modern 169 #21,826
2014 modern 170 #21,914
2015 modern 161 #22,599
2016 modern 159 #22,798

Geography

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Where Caprons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, Apethorpe, Yarwell, Nassington, Wood Newton, Southwick, Auckland St Andrew and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Northumberland, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland, Brighton and Hove and West Berkshire. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Apethorpe, Yarwell, Nassington, Wood Newton, Southwick Northamptonshire
4 Auckland St Andrew Durham
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northumberland 006 Northumberland
2 Stockton-on-Tees 010 Stockton-on-Tees
3 Sunderland 032 Sunderland
4 Brighton and Hove 019 Brighton and Hove
5 West Berkshire 001 West Berkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Capron

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Capron

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Capron surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Capron household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Capron 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

Capron is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Capron falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Capron

The surname Capron originates from Normandy, France, and traces its roots back to the 11th century. It is derived from the Old French word "caperon," meaning a small cape or a hooded cloak worn by peasants and monks alike. This name likely referred to an occupation or someone who made or sold such garments.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, a record of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are entries for individuals bearing the name Caperon or similar spellings like Caprun. This suggests that the name had already spread to England by the late 11th century through the Norman conquest.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was Robert Capron, a noble from Normandy who accompanied William the Conqueror in the invasion of England in 1066. He was granted lands in Suffolk and is mentioned in the Domesday Book as a tenant-in-chief.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Ranulph Capron served as a bailiff and constable of the Tower of London under King Henry III. He is mentioned in records from 1235 to 1241.

During the 14th century, the surname Capron appeared in various spellings, such as Capron, Caperoun, and Caperoun, in records from counties like Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk in England. Placenames like Caperoun Street in Norwich and Caperoun's Manor in Essex are believed to be derived from this surname.

A prominent individual named John Capron (1478-1541) was a merchant and Member of Parliament for Colchester in 1529 and 1536. He was also a member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London.

In the 16th century, Raulin Capron (1508-1560) was a French Protestant pastor and theologian from Normandy. He is known for his controversial teachings and his role in the Reformation in France.

The surname Capron continued to be found in various records and documents throughout the centuries, with individuals bearing this name scattered across England, France, and other parts of Europe.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Capron families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Capron 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. Devon leads with 40 Caprons recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.48x.

County Total Index
Devon 40 14.48x
Surrey 30 4.64x
Middlesex 23 1.73x
Northamptonshire 8 6.41x
Essex 6 2.29x
Glamorgan 5 2.16x
Gloucestershire 3 1.15x
Hampshire 3 1.10x
Somerset 3 1.40x
Warwickshire 3 0.90x
Derbyshire 2 0.96x
Dorset 2 2.30x
Kent 2 0.44x
Sussex 2 0.89x
Berkshire 1 1.00x
Cambridgeshire 1 1.19x
Herefordshire 1 1.84x
Staffordshire 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Exeter Heavitree in Devon leads with 12 Caprons recorded in 1881 and an index of 582.52x.

Place Total Index
Exeter Heavitree 12 582.52x
Penge 11 129.87x
Southwick 7 5833.33x
Lambeth 6 5.19x
Talaton 6 2857.14x
Ottery St Mary 5 276.24x
Mile End Old Town London 4 14.17x
Newington 4 8.16x
Romford 4 96.62x
Southwark Christchurch 4 64.31x
St Pancras London 4 3.75x
Tiverton 4 84.03x
All Hallows Staining 3 3750.00x
Basingstoke 3 95.85x
Cardiff St Mary 3 23.58x
Hornsey 3 17.88x
Minehead 3 370.37x
Sidbury 3 508.47x
St George Hanover Square 3 12.84x
Bampton 2 235.29x
Dunchurch 2 434.78x
Exeter St Sidwell 2 31.65x
Holcombe Rogus 2 606.06x
Kensington London 2 2.71x
Litchurch 2 23.92x
Tonbridge 2 12.25x
Tormoham 2 17.12x
Westbury On Trym 2 22.70x
Aylesbeare 1 250.00x
Battersea 1 2.05x
Blandford Forum 1 58.14x
Broadwater 1 19.49x
Camberwell 1 1.18x
Clerkenwell London 1 3.19x
Clifton 1 7.60x
Croydon 1 2.79x
Cwmdu 1 35.59x
Glinton 1 555.56x
Hereford All Sts 1 40.16x
Islington London 1 0.78x
Kingswinford 1 6.15x
Midhurst 1 136.99x
Richmond 1 11.04x
Roath 1 9.53x
Rugby 1 22.08x
Sandhurst 1 51.81x
Shere 1 128.21x
South Weald 1 44.64x
St Marylebone London 1 1.41x
St Michael Cambridge 1 400.00x
Wanstead 1 21.79x
Weymouth 1 60.61x
Whimple 1 333.33x
Willesden 1 7.99x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Elizabeth 7
Ellen 5
Ann 4
Annie 4
Sarah 4
Caroline 3
Jane 3
Alice 2
Helen 2
Louisa 2
Ada 1
Adeli 1
Alicia 1
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
Catherine 1
Edith 1
Emily 1
Ethel 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Grace 1
Jessie 1
Lidia 1
Lissie 1
Maria 1
Marriane 1
Matilda 1
Rebecca 1
Robert 1
Rose 1
Thirza 1
Victoire 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 11
Charles 5
Thomas 5
William 5
Frederick 4
George 3
Thos. 3
Albert 2
Edward 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
James 2
Richard 2
Arthur 1
Clifford 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Fredrick 1
G. 1
G.H. 1
Geo.H. 1
Henri 1
L. 1
Mark 1
Phillip 1
Robert 1
Septimus 1
Theodore 1
Thos.C. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Capron surname: questions and answers

How common was the Capron surname in 1881?

In 1881, 136 people were recorded with the Capron surname. That placed it at #16,433 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Capron surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 159 in 2016. That gives Capron a modern rank of #22,798.

What does the Capron surname mean?

A surname derived from the Latin "capro" meaning "goat", possibly denoting a goatherd or one who kept goats.

What does the Capron map show?

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