UK surname
An occupational surname referring to a merchant or tradesman who buys and sells goods.
In the 1881 census there were 117 people recorded with the Chatman surname, ranking it #18,026 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 83, ranked #32,815, down from #18,026 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Cerne Abbas and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chatman is 199 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 29.1%.
1881 census count
117
Ranked #18,026
Modern count
83
2016, ranked #32,815
Peak year
1861
199 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Chatman surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Chatman surname density by area, 1881 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 | 98 | #17,383 |
| 1861 | historical | 199 | #12,062 |
| 1881 | historical | 117 | #18,026 |
| 1891 | historical | 150 | #18,328 |
| 1901 | historical | 115 | #21,050 |
| 1911 | historical | 60 | #26,808 |
| 1997 | modern | 70 | #30,618 |
| 1998 | modern | 58 | #32,138 |
| 1999 | modern | 59 | #32,174 |
| 2000 | modern | 59 | #32,217 |
| 2001 | modern | 50 | #32,957 |
| 2002 | modern | 52 | #33,110 |
| 2003 | modern | 47 | #33,619 |
| 2004 | modern | 50 | #33,566 |
| 2005 | modern | 55 | #33,349 |
| 2006 | modern | 54 | #33,780 |
| 2007 | modern | 55 | #33,965 |
| 2008 | modern | 54 | #34,232 |
| 2009 | modern | 57 | #34,225 |
| 2010 | modern | 64 | #33,946 |
| 2011 | modern | 63 | #33,982 |
| 2012 | modern | 68 | #33,763 |
| 2013 | modern | 76 | #33,329 |
| 2014 | modern | 82 | #32,992 |
| 2015 | modern | 80 | #33,052 |
| 2016 | modern | 83 | #32,815 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Cerne Abbas, Manchester, Hawkhurst, Etchingham and Northbourne. 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 3 |
| 2 | Cerne Abbas | Dorset |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Hawkhurst, Etchingham | Kent |
| 5 | Northbourne | Kent |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Chatman 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 Chatman, 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 Chatman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Chatman 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, Chatman 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 Chatman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Chatman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Chatman has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "cete" and "mann," which translate to "cottage" and "man," respectively. This suggests that the name originally referred to someone who lived in a small, rural dwelling or worked as a cottager.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275, where it is listed as "Chatmanne." This spelling variation indicates the fluidity of surnames during that time period and the influence of regional dialects on their evolution.
Over the centuries, the name has taken on various spellings, including Chatman, Chattman, Chetman, and Cheteman. Some of these variants may have originated from specific locations or regions where the name was prevalent.
In the 16th century, the Chatman name was found in the parish records of Gloucestershire, suggesting a strong presence in that area. This connection to Gloucestershire is further reinforced by the existence of the village of Chatman's Hill, which likely took its name from an early settler or landowner with the surname.
One notable individual bearing the Chatman name was John Chatman, a merchant and ship owner from Bristol, England, who lived in the late 17th century. His trade and maritime ventures contributed to the city's prosperity during that era.
Another historically significant figure was Sir Robert Chatman, a member of Parliament for the borough of Southwark in the mid-18th century. He played a role in shaping political discourse and legislation during his time in office.
In the 19th century, the name appeared in the records of the East India Company, with William Chatman serving as a captain in the company's maritime fleet. His voyages to the Indian subcontinent and other parts of Asia were instrumental in facilitating trade and cultural exchange.
Reverend Thomas Chatman, born in 1820, was a prominent clergyman in the Church of England. He served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Warwickshire for over three decades and was known for his dedication to his parish and community.
Finally, in the early 20th century, the artist and illustrator Edith Chatman gained recognition for her intricate woodcut prints and book illustrations. Her works often depicted scenes from rural English life and celebrated the beauty of the countryside.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Chatman 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. Lancashire leads with 23 Chatmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.71x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 23 | 1.71x |
| Kent | 19 | 4.92x |
| Staffordshire | 18 | 4.71x |
| Yorkshire | 14 | 1.25x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 0.71x |
| Surrey | 6 | 1.09x |
| Shropshire | 5 | 5.12x |
| Devon | 4 | 1.70x |
| Derbyshire | 3 | 1.69x |
| Berkshire | 2 | 2.35x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 0.80x |
| Northamptonshire | 2 | 1.88x |
| Angus | 1 | 0.95x |
| Dorset | 1 | 1.35x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.45x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.51x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.45x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.43x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 0.57x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.59x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.52x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.68x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hawkhurst in Kent leads with 9 Chatmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 750.00x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Chatman surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 6 |
| Emily | 4 |
| Sarah | 4 |
| Elizabeth | 3 |
| Ellen | 3 |
| Emma | 3 |
| Maria | 3 |
| Alice | 2 |
| Ann | 2 |
| Annie | 2 |
| Eliza | 2 |
| Elizebth | 2 |
| Harriet | 2 |
| Hetty | 2 |
| Lucy | 2 |
| Martha | 2 |
| Ada | 1 |
| Catherine | 1 |
| Charlotte | 1 |
| Eliz.Ellen | 1 |
| Emiley | 1 |
| Esther | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Hannah | 1 |
| Harriett | 1 |
| Isabell | 1 |
| Ivey | 1 |
| Jane | 1 |
| Milanda | 1 |
| Rosina | 1 |
| Tabitha | 1 |
| Winnie | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Chatman 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 Chatman households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 21 |
| General Laborer | 3 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Cotton Weaver | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Chimney Sweep | 1 |
| Coachman DS | 1 |
| Coachmans Wife | 1 |
| Coal Agent | 1 |
| Coal Bearer | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Coal Miners Assistant | 1 |
| Condensor Tenter (Woollen Cloth) | 1 |
| Cotton Beamer | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Domestic Servt | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Employed In Carpet Works | 1 |
| Engineers Wife | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Farm Servant | 1 |
| Field Labourer | 1 |
| Furnace Labourer | 1 |
| Gas Fitting Maker | 1 |
| Gen Lab | 1 |
| Gen Servant | 1 |
| General Carpenter | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Labr | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Genl Servt | 1 |
| Greengrocer | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housewife | 1 |
| Iron Foundry Worker | 1 |
| Ironer | 1 |
| Labourer In Cotton Mill | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Machine Wool Comber | 1 |
| Mechanical Telafoan | 1 |
| Mill (C) | 1 |
| Milliners Apprentice | 1 |
| Presser (Art) | 1 |
| Puddler | 1 |
| Puddlers Wife | 1 |
| Worsted Weaver | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 117 people were recorded with the Chatman surname. That placed it at #18,026 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 83 in 2016. That gives Chatman a modern rank of #32,815.
An occupational surname referring to a merchant or tradesman who buys and sells goods.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Chatman 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.