NameCensus.

UK surname

Chesson

Derived from a place name meaning "cheese farm" in Old English, likely referring to a cheesemaker or seller.

In the 1881 census there were 187 people recorded with the Chesson surname, ranking it #13,407 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 229, ranked #17,878, down from #13,407 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Witchling, Otterden, Lenham, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swale, Rother and Brighton and Hove.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chesson is 314 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22.5%.

1881 census count

187

Ranked #13,407

Modern count

229

2016, ranked #17,878

Peak year

1911

314 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Chesson had 187 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,407 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 229 in 2016, ranked #17,878.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 314 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Chesson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Chesson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Chesson 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 110 #16,093
1861 historical 92 #22,112
1881 historical 187 #13,407
1891 historical 197 #15,101
1901 historical 271 #12,462
1911 historical 314 #11,077
1997 modern 274 #14,374
1998 modern 280 #14,550
1999 modern 280 #14,630
2000 modern 259 #15,390
2001 modern 264 #14,958
2002 modern 268 #15,081
2003 modern 258 #15,293
2004 modern 263 #15,189
2005 modern 251 #15,590
2006 modern 245 #15,956
2007 modern 245 #16,134
2008 modern 233 #16,885
2009 modern 233 #17,241
2010 modern 243 #17,100
2011 modern 241 #17,057
2012 modern 227 #17,630
2013 modern 229 #17,816
2014 modern 237 #17,528
2015 modern 229 #17,846
2016 modern 229 #17,878

Geography

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Where Chessons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Witchling, Otterden, Lenham, London parishes, Gateshead, King's Lynn St Margaret and Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Swale, Rother, Brighton and Hove and Wealden. 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 Witchling, Otterden, Lenham Kent
2 London parishes London 3
3 Gateshead Durham
4 King's Lynn St Margaret Norfolk
5 Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead Surrey

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Swale 013 Swale
2 Rother 009 Rother
3 Brighton and Hove 019 Brighton and Hove
4 Wealden 009 Wealden
5 Swale 011 Swale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Chesson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Chesson

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Chesson is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Chesson is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Chesson falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Chesson

The surname Chesson originated from the Old English pre-7th century word "cese" meaning cheese. It is believed to have derived from an occupational name for a cheese maker or seller. The earliest known record of this surname dates back to the 13th century in the county of Somerset, England.

In the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, which were records of landowners in England, a Richard le Chesemakere was listed in Somerset. This suggests that the name had already established itself as a surname by this point, and the "le" prefix indicated the person's occupation or location.

The Chesson surname is also found in various manorial records and tax rolls from the 14th and 15th centuries in Somerset and neighboring counties like Dorset and Devon. Variations in spelling during this period included Cheson, Chessun, and Chessone.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John Chesson, who was born around 1450 in Chilthorne Domer, Somerset. He was mentioned in local parish records as a landowner and farmer.

In the 16th century, the Chesson surname spread to other parts of England, with records showing families in counties like Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. A notable figure from this period was William Chesson (c. 1525-1589), a merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol.

During the 17th century, some members of the Chesson family immigrated to the American colonies. One of the earliest recorded arrivals was Thomas Chesson, who settled in Virginia in 1635. Another notable Chesson was John Chesson (1648-1720), a Quaker leader and founder of the Chessen Creek Meeting in Maryland.

In the 18th century, the Chesson surname continued to be prominent in parts of England, particularly in Somerset and the surrounding areas. One notable figure was Francis Chesson (1720-1789), a landowner and justice of the peace in Somersetshire.

As the industrial revolution took hold in the 19th century, many Chessons moved to urban areas and became involved in various trades and professions. One example was John Chesson (1818-1894), a successful businessman and philanthropist in Manchester.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Chesson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Chesson 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. Kent leads with 61 Chessons recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.80x.

County Total Index
Kent 61 9.80x
Middlesex 41 2.25x
Norfolk 35 12.48x
Surrey 14 1.58x
Essex 9 2.50x
Hampshire 9 2.41x
Sussex 7 2.28x
Shropshire 3 1.90x
Yorkshire 3 0.17x
Lancashire 2 0.09x
Caernarfonshire 1 1.36x
Durham 1 0.18x
Somerset 1 0.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hoo in Kent leads with 12 Chessons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1445.78x.

Place Total Index
Hoo 12 1445.78x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 12 142.52x
Wormegay 12 4000.00x
Stoke Newington London 11 77.41x
Greenwich 8 27.55x
Lambeth 8 5.03x
St George Hanover Square 8 24.89x
St Pancras London 8 5.45x
Hawkhurst 7 362.69x
Leyton Low 7 95.63x
Charing 6 714.29x
Lenham 6 483.87x
St Marylebone London 6 6.16x
Northwood 5 93.99x
East Grinstead 4 91.95x
Holdenhurst 4 40.77x
Lewisham 4 12.05x
Shoreditch London 4 5.06x
Sittingbourne 4 81.47x
Tonbridge 4 17.82x
Goudhurst 3 174.42x
Holy Trinity 3 6.90x
Lamberhurst 3 389.61x
Leysdown 3 2500.00x
Maidstone 3 16.18x
Shouldham 3 750.00x
Wrockwardine 3 86.46x
Camberwell 2 1.72x
Chelmsford 2 32.36x
Croydon 2 4.05x
Gaywood 2 400.00x
Kensington London 2 1.97x
Swaffham 2 87.72x
Boughton Malherbe 1 357.14x
Clenchwarton 1 238.10x
Congham 1 476.19x
Downham Market 1 51.81x
Godalming 1 17.86x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 1 4.26x
Llanllechid 1 19.27x
Newington 1 1.48x
Paddington London 1 1.49x
Spitalfields London 1 7.29x
Tottenhill 1 434.78x
West Derby 1 1.58x
Worsley 1 7.50x
Yeovil 1 16.75x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Sarah 7
Jane 5
Alice 4
Ellen 4
Emily 4
Ann 3
Caroline 3
Elizabeth 3
Amelia 2
Amy 2
Charlotte 2
Eliza 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Susannah 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Amey 1
Anna 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Berthia 1
Catharine 1
Clara 1
Constance 1
Diana 1
Edith 1
Elfrida 1
Elizth. 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Helena 1
Lucy 1
Martha 1
Mildred 1
Minnie 1
Rachel 1
Rose 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 18
George 15
John 13
James 9
Thomas 6
Charles 5
Henry 3
Albert 2
Edward 2
Richard 2
A.J. 1
Abraham 1
Alfred 1
Benjamin 1
Chistn 1
Cyril 1
Enock 1
Ernest 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
G.A. 1
Harold 1
Henery 1
Herbert 1
Jabez 1
Kennett 1
Manasah 1
Peter 1
Walter 1
Wilfred 1
Wilm. 1

FAQ

Chesson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Chesson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 187 people were recorded with the Chesson surname. That placed it at #13,407 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Chesson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 229 in 2016. That gives Chesson a modern rank of #17,878.

What does the Chesson surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "cheese farm" in Old English, likely referring to a cheesemaker or seller.

What does the Chesson map show?

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