NameCensus.

UK surname

Chorlton

A habitational name from a place in Greater Manchester, England, derived from Old English words meaning "churlish" or "peasant settlement".

In the 1881 census there were 972 people recorded with the Chorlton surname, ranking it #4,001 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 806, ranked #6,867, down from #4,001 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stockport, Manchester and Ashton-under-Lyne. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Doncaster, Stockport and Shropshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chorlton is 1,168 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 17.1%.

1881 census count

972

Ranked #4,001

Modern count

806

2016, ranked #6,867

Peak year

1911

1,168 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Chorlton had 972 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,001 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 806 in 2016, ranked #6,867.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,168 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Chorlton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Chorlton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Chorlton 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 596 #4,307
1861 historical 570 #4,616
1881 historical 972 #4,001
1891 historical 968 #4,270
1901 historical 1,052 #4,564
1911 historical 1,168 #3,999
1997 modern 827 #6,372
1998 modern 884 #6,253
1999 modern 895 #6,227
2000 modern 894 #6,206
2001 modern 887 #6,137
2002 modern 898 #6,207
2003 modern 870 #6,234
2004 modern 854 #6,328
2005 modern 831 #6,416
2006 modern 824 #6,469
2007 modern 827 #6,511
2008 modern 820 #6,602
2009 modern 852 #6,556
2010 modern 834 #6,795
2011 modern 847 #6,639
2012 modern 836 #6,613
2013 modern 828 #6,761
2014 modern 834 #6,757
2015 modern 821 #6,788
2016 modern 806 #6,867

Geography

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Where Chorltons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stockport, Manchester, Ashton-under-Lyne and Stoke-on-Trent, Bucknell-cum-Bagnall, Caverswall. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Doncaster, Stockport, Shropshire and Gwynedd. 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 Stockport Cheshire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Ashton-under-Lyne Lancashire
4 Stoke-on-Trent, Bucknell-cum-Bagnall, Caverswall Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Doncaster 006 Doncaster
2 Doncaster 004 Doncaster
3 Stockport 005 Stockport
4 Shropshire 003 Shropshire
5 Gwynedd 014 Gwynedd

Forenames

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First names often paired with Chorlton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Chorlton

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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, Chorlton 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

Chorlton is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Chorlton falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Chorlton

The surname Chorlton is of English origin, with its roots deeply embedded in the history of England. The name is toponymic, deriving from a place name in Cheshire, specifically Chorlton-cum-Hardy, a district of modern-day Manchester. The name means "the farmstead of Ceorla" from Old English, where "Ceorla" is a personal name and "tun" means settlement or farmstead. This form of the surname is typical of Anglo-Saxon names, where the name of the farm or village would often derive from a notable person who owned or founded it.

The earliest references to the name can be found in medieval records. One of the earliest mentions is in the Domesday Book of 1086, where the name is recorded in Cheshire. This Norman manuscript, which provides a great deal of information about land ownership, includes several variants of place names that would eventually evolve into the surname Chorlton.

Notable historical records include a 1225 entry of one Richard de Chorlton in the "Subsidy Rolls" for Cheshire. This indicates that by this time, the name was already being used as a hereditary surname. Another early example is John de Chorlton, born around 1300, who is recorded as a landholder in the vicinity of modern-day Chorlton-cum-Hardy.

Thomas Chorlton (1803-1881) made significant contributions as an educational reformer in Manchester, England. He established several schools aimed at improving literacy and education among the working class, reflecting the social changes during the Industrial Revolution. His efforts were widely recognized and contributed to his surname becoming well-known in the Manchester area.

Another notable individual is William Chorlton (1813-1887), a horticulturist who was one of the leading figures in the study and commercial growing of American fruit trees in England. His work, especially on the culture of strawberries and grapes, earned him a considerable reputation among agricultural communities.

Sir James Chorlton (1860-1925) was a prominent figure in British colonial administration. He served in various capacities within the British Empire, notably in India, where he implemented several significant infrastructural developments and policies. His legacy in terms of governance and development is well-documented in historical records.

Lastly, Anne Chorlton (b. 1877) was a celebrated author and poet of the late Victorian era. Her literary works, which include a collection of poems and several novels, often depict the social landscapes and transformations of the time. Her writings contributed to the cultural fabric of 19th-century England, garnering her a dedicated following.

These historical figures illustrate the enduring legacy of the Chorlton surname, which is deeply intertwined with the cultural and social history of England. The surname's continued presence in historical records highlights its significance and the notable contributions of individuals who bore the name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Chorlton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Chorlton 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. Lancashire leads with 630 Chorltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.59x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 630 5.59x
Cheshire 236 11.26x
Staffordshire 35 1.09x
Yorkshire 22 0.23x
Northumberland 11 0.78x
Nottinghamshire 8 0.63x
Rutland 6 8.61x
Gloucestershire 5 0.27x
Buckinghamshire 4 0.70x
Middlesex 3 0.03x
Warwickshire 3 0.13x
Derbyshire 2 0.13x
Durham 2 0.07x
Leicestershire 2 0.19x
Anglesey 1 0.59x
Cumberland 1 0.12x
Isle of Man 1 0.57x
Surrey 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Withington in Lancashire leads with 78 Chorltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 214.99x.

Place Total Index
Withington 78 214.99x
Manchester 69 13.62x
Heaton Norris 39 60.83x
Chorlton On Medlock 38 21.24x
Salford 37 11.17x
Openshaw 36 68.25x
Hulme 34 14.46x
Ashton Under Lyne 31 12.59x
Stoke Upon Trent 30 8.83x
High Leigh 27 978.26x
Dukinfield 22 22.72x
Hyde 21 33.96x
Stockport 21 19.48x
Gorton 20 18.89x
Worsley 20 28.81x
Ardwick 18 17.72x
Lymm 17 111.62x
Great Bolton 15 10.06x
Droylsden 13 35.38x
Dunham Massey 13 202.49x
Moss Side 12 20.25x
Broughton In Salford 11 10.68x
Mottram 11 115.91x
Denton 10 40.06x
Millington 10 1162.79x
Newton 10 11.52x
Timperley 10 137.36x
Crompton 9 28.06x
Oldham 9 2.48x
Ollerton 9 957.45x
Pendleton In Salford 9 6.71x
Altrincham 8 21.85x
Warburton 8 579.71x
Beswick 7 24.31x
Burnage 7 253.62x
Nottingham St Mary 7 2.12x
Rumworth 7 43.48x
Wardleworth 7 10.88x
Agden In Altrincham 6 1764.71x
Brightside Bierlow 6 3.25x
Chorlton Cum Hardy 6 80.32x
Dodworth 6 61.41x
Oakham Deanshold 6 192.93x
Spotland 6 4.79x
Stayley 6 25.05x
Tintwistle 6 53.57x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 5 2.85x
Layton With Warbreck 5 12.10x
Macclesfield 5 5.37x
Runcorn 5 10.35x
Rusholme 5 16.64x
Toxteth Park 5 1.31x
Bollin Fee 4 43.06x
Byker 4 5.73x
Cheadle 4 10.00x
Crumpsall 4 15.07x
Eton 4 30.75x
Fawdon Clinch Hartside 4 740.74x
Hale 4 55.33x
Halliwell 4 9.76x
Knutsford Nether 4 31.60x
Scammonden 4 203.05x
Smallthorne 4 33.64x
Stretford 4 6.46x
West Broughton 4 105.26x
West Derby 4 1.21x
Barton Upon Irwell 3 3.54x
Burnley 3 3.16x
Elswick 3 2.66x
Handforth 3 125.52x
North Meols 3 2.72x
Pendlebury 3 12.62x
St Marylebone London 3 0.59x
Tonge With Haulgh 3 13.69x
Didsbury 2 13.37x
Fulshaw 2 51.81x
Huyton With Roby 2 15.15x
Kearsley 2 8.44x
Longwood 2 13.19x
Sale 2 7.78x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 66
James 64
John 63
Thomas 50
Samuel 21
Charles 19
George 19
Henry 13
Edward 11
Joseph 11
Alfred 10
Arthur 9
Robert 8
Harry 6
Richard 6
Isaac 5
Albert 4
Frank 4
Herbert 4
Jas. 4
Wm. 4
Edwin 3
Fred 3
Jonathan 3
Ed. 2
Edmond 2
Ernest 2
Frederick 2
Oswald 2
Peter 2
Philip 2
Thos. 2
Allen 1
An 1
Andrew 1
David 1
Edmund 1
Ephraim 1
Ezra 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Harold 1
Jethro 1
Jno. 1
Josph 1
Nicholas 1
Noah 1
Percy 1
Ralph 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Chorlton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Chorlton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 972 people were recorded with the Chorlton surname. That placed it at #4,001 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Chorlton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 806 in 2016. That gives Chorlton a modern rank of #6,867.

What does the Chorlton surname mean?

A habitational name from a place in Greater Manchester, England, derived from Old English words meaning "churlish" or "peasant settlement".

What does the Chorlton map show?

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