UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name, possibly originating from a town or region.
In the 1881 census there were 52 people recorded with the Carston surname, ranking it #26,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 15, ranked #37,092, down from #26,281 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Norham and Newcastle All Saints. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Carston is 169 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 71.2%.
1881 census count
52
Ranked #26,281
Modern count
15
2016, ranked #37,092
Peak year
1861
169 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Carston surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Carston surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 31 | #27,734 |
| 1861 | historical | 169 | #13,823 |
| 1881 | historical | 52 | #26,281 |
| 1891 | historical | 65 | #28,660 |
| 1901 | historical | 48 | #28,808 |
| 1911 | historical | 61 | #26,724 |
| 1997 | modern | 19 | #35,928 |
| 1998 | modern | 18 | #36,135 |
| 1999 | modern | 16 | #36,371 |
| 2000 | modern | 15 | #36,425 |
| 2001 | modern | 15 | #36,265 |
| 2002 | modern | 15 | #36,381 |
| 2003 | modern | 14 | #36,512 |
| 2004 | modern | 13 | #36,742 |
| 2005 | modern | 12 | #36,936 |
| 2006 | modern | 11 | #37,118 |
| 2007 | modern | 11 | #37,217 |
| 2008 | modern | 12 | #37,143 |
| 2009 | modern | 13 | #37,140 |
| 2010 | modern | 13 | #37,215 |
| 2011 | modern | 12 | #37,287 |
| 2012 | modern | 13 | #37,169 |
| 2013 | modern | 14 | #37,127 |
| 2014 | modern | 13 | #37,256 |
| 2015 | modern | 14 | #37,157 |
| 2016 | modern | 15 | #37,092 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Norham, Newcastle All Saints, Wingfield, North and Gateshead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | Norham | Northumberland |
| 3 | Newcastle All Saints | Northumberland |
| 4 | Wingfield, North | Derbyshire |
| 5 | Gateshead | Durham |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Carston surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Carston, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Carston surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Carston household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Carston is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Carston is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Carston, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Carston is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "cær" meaning "rock" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement," suggesting that the name likely referred to someone who lived near a rocky settlement or enclosure.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Carston can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in the form "Carstuna," referring to a small village or hamlet located in the county of Wiltshire.
During the 13th century, the name Carston began to appear more frequently in various historical records and documents. In 1274, a John de Carston was mentioned in the Hundred Rolls, which were administrative records compiled for the English government at the time.
In the 14th century, the name Carston was associated with several notable individuals. One such figure was Sir Robert Carston, a renowned knight who fought in the Battle of Crécy during the Hundred Years' War in 1346. Another was William Carston (c. 1320 - 1389), a wealthy landowner and member of the gentry in the county of Suffolk.
The 16th century saw the emergence of several prominent Carstons, including Thomas Carston (1505 - 1568), who was a successful merchant and alderman in the city of London. Another notable figure was Elizabeth Carston (1538 - 1611), a renowned herbalist and healer who was widely respected for her knowledge of medicinal plants and natural remedies.
In the 17th century, the name Carston was associated with several influential figures in the English Civil War. One such individual was Colonel John Carston (1612 - 1668), a staunch Royalist who fought alongside King Charles I's forces. Another was Reverend Robert Carston (1625 - 1697), a Puritan minister and author who wrote extensively on religious and theological matters.
Throughout its history, the surname Carston has also been linked to various place names and locations in England. For example, the village of Carston in Warwickshire is thought to have derived its name from the surname, as it was likely founded or established by someone bearing the name Carston.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Carston surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Northumberland leads with 18 Carstons recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.85x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northumberland | 18 | 23.85x |
| Glamorgan | 12 | 13.59x |
| Norfolk | 8 | 10.26x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 0.99x |
| Lincolnshire | 3 | 3.70x |
| Berwickshire | 1 | 16.29x |
| Brecknockshire | 1 | 9.86x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.66x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.46x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.40x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.20x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Alnwick in Northumberland leads with 12 Carstons recorded in 1881 and an index of 923.08x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Alnwick | 12 | 923.08x |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 6 | 70.67x |
| St Brides Minor | 6 | 3750.00x |
| Westgate | 6 | 128.48x |
| Terrington St Clement | 5 | 1428.57x |
| Ropsley | 3 | 2727.27x |
| St George Hanover Square | 3 | 33.56x |
| Thorpe Next Norwich | 2 | 240.96x |
| Willesden | 2 | 41.84x |
| Battersea | 1 | 5.36x |
| Eccles | 1 | 370.37x |
| Maescar | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 15.29x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 1 | 5.66x |
| Stockton On Tees | 1 | 13.76x |
| Walpole St Peter | 1 | 500.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Carston surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Carston surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Carston households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Laundress | 2 |
| Apprentice Butcher | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Clergymans Dau | 1 |
| Clergymans Wife | 1 |
| Coalminer | 1 |
| Cook (Domestic) | 1 |
| Curate In Sole Charge | 1 |
| Domestic Servant Unemployed | 1 |
| Draughtsman (Art) | 1 |
| Engine Driver | 1 |
| Farmer 25 Ac Emp 1 Boy | 1 |
| Fish Dealer | 1 |
| Fitter Eng | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Independent | 1 |
| Labourer Wife | 1 |
| Letter Carrier Civ Ser Mess | 1 |
| Nurse Maid (Domestic) | 1 |
| Parlour Maid (Domestic) | 1 |
| Seaman | 1 |
| Servant (D S) | 1 |
| Telegraph Labour | 1 |
| Woodman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 52 people were recorded with the Carston surname. That placed it at #26,281 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 15 in 2016. That gives Carston a modern rank of #37,092.
A locational surname derived from a place name, possibly originating from a town or region.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Carston bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.