UK surname
A topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a charcoal burning field.
In the 1881 census there were 48 people recorded with the Charton surname, ranking it #26,869 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 22, ranked #36,533, down from #26,869 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Winwick and Kings Langley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Charton is 298 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 54.2%.
1881 census count
48
Ranked #26,869
Modern count
22
2016, ranked #36,533
Peak year
1861
298 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Charton surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Charton 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 | 60 | #22,584 |
| 1861 | historical | 298 | #8,485 |
| 1881 | historical | 48 | #26,869 |
| 1891 | historical | 93 | #24,965 |
| 1901 | historical | 45 | #29,156 |
| 1911 | historical | 74 | #25,423 |
| 1997 | modern | 29 | #34,795 |
| 1998 | modern | 26 | #35,254 |
| 1999 | modern | 30 | #34,939 |
| 2000 | modern | 22 | #35,684 |
| 2001 | modern | 18 | #35,961 |
| 2002 | modern | 19 | #35,991 |
| 2003 | modern | 20 | #35,915 |
| 2004 | modern | 19 | #36,147 |
| 2005 | modern | 19 | #36,247 |
| 2006 | modern | 16 | #36,601 |
| 2007 | modern | 14 | #36,886 |
| 2008 | modern | 15 | #36,843 |
| 2009 | modern | 14 | #37,041 |
| 2010 | modern | 18 | #36,774 |
| 2011 | modern | 20 | #36,587 |
| 2012 | modern | 21 | #36,490 |
| 2013 | modern | 22 | #36,477 |
| 2014 | modern | 21 | #36,577 |
| 2015 | modern | 21 | #36,574 |
| 2016 | modern | 22 | #36,533 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Winwick, Kings Langley, Gillingham All Saints and St Mary and St Marylebone. 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 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | Winwick | Lancashire |
| 3 | Kings Langley | Hertfordshire |
| 4 | Gillingham All Saints and St Mary | Norfolk |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Charton 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 Charton, 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 Charton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Charton 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, Charton 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 Charton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Charton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname CHARTON originated in France, with its roots dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "charte," meaning a charter or official document. This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals involved in the preparation or handling of such documents.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the CHARTON name can be found in the 13th-century cartulary of the Abbey of Saint-Remi in Reims, where a person named Gervaise Charton is mentioned. This cartulary, a medieval manuscript containing transcripts of charters and other legal documents, provides valuable insights into the historical usage of the name.
During the Middle Ages, the CHARTON name was particularly prevalent in the regions of Normandy and Burgundy, where it was often associated with individuals involved in administrative or legal professions. Some notable examples include Jean Charton, a 14th-century notary from Rouen, and Pierre Charton, a 15th-century lawyer from Dijon.
In the 16th century, the CHARTON name gained prominence with the birth of Gabriel Charton (1525-1590), a French theologian and professor at the University of Paris. He was known for his contributions to the field of biblical studies and his writings on the Gospels.
Another notable figure bearing the CHARTON name was François Charton (1675-1739), a French painter who specialized in portraiture and religious subjects. His works can be found in various churches and museums across France, including the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rouen.
In the 18th century, the CHARTON name was associated with Jacques Charton (1710-1786), a French architect who was involved in the construction of several notable buildings in Paris, including the Hôtel de la Monnaie (Mint) and the Église Saint-Roch.
As the name spread across Europe, it also gained recognition in other countries. One prominent example is John Charton (1806-1890), an English publisher and journalist who founded and edited several popular magazines, including The Magazine of Art and The Illustrated London News.
Throughout history, the CHARTON surname has been associated with individuals from various professions, including academics, artists, architects, and legal professionals. While its origins can be traced back to medieval France, the name has left an indelible mark on the cultural and intellectual landscape of multiple countries over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Charton 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. Durham leads with 11 Chartons recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.90x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 11 | 7.90x |
| Surrey | 8 | 3.51x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.28x |
| Staffordshire | 6 | 3.80x |
| Northumberland | 5 | 7.18x |
| Sussex | 4 | 5.07x |
| Kent | 3 | 1.88x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.43x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.04x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 1.75x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.64x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bishopwearmouth in Durham leads with 6 Chartons recorded in 1881 and an index of 50.21x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bishopwearmouth | 6 | 50.21x |
| Burslem | 6 | 132.45x |
| Usworth | 5 | 675.68x |
| Wandsworth | 5 | 110.86x |
| Brighton | 3 | 18.84x |
| Islington London | 3 | 6.61x |
| Lambeth | 3 | 7.35x |
| Elswick | 2 | 35.97x |
| Gravesend | 2 | 148.15x |
| Prudhoe | 2 | 416.67x |
| Bromley London | 1 | 9.71x |
| Clayton | 1 | 333.33x |
| Cottingham | 1 | 100.00x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 8.12x |
| Portsmouth | 1 | 45.25x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 12.12x |
| Stonham Aspall | 1 | 833.33x |
| Tockwith | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Tottenham | 1 | 13.42x |
| Tynemouth | 1 | 26.81x |
| Worcester St Martin | 1 | 121.95x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Charton 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 Charton 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 Charton households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 12 |
| Annuitant | 2 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Boy 1 Class | 1 |
| Builders Labourer | 1 |
| Cabinet Maker | 1 |
| Commercial Clerk | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Draysman | 1 |
| Farm Servant (Indoor) | 1 |
| Foreman Pill Factory | 1 |
| Gardener (7/3) | 1 |
| Housekeeper Dom Serv | 1 |
| Income Derived From House Ppty | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer In Shipyard | 1 |
| Paintress (P) | 1 |
| Potter | 1 |
| Servant (Baker) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 48 people were recorded with the Charton surname. That placed it at #26,869 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 22 in 2016. That gives Charton a modern rank of #36,533.
A topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a charcoal burning field.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Charton 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.