UK surname
An English surname derived from a place name meaning "coal settlement".
In the 1881 census there were 22 people recorded with the Coalson surname, ranking it #30,464 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2, ranked #38,825, down from #30,464 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, St Leonard Shoreditch and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Coalson is 202 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 90.9%.
1881 census count
22
Ranked #30,464
Modern count
2
2016, ranked #38,825
Peak year
1861
202 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Coalson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Coalson surname density by area, 1891 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 | 49 | #24,448 |
| 1861 | historical | 202 | #11,906 |
| 1881 | historical | 22 | #30,464 |
| 1891 | historical | 143 | #18,920 |
| 1901 | historical | 92 | #23,800 |
| 1911 | historical | 18 | #31,542 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 3 | #38,334 |
| 2007 | modern | 2 | #38,617 |
| 2008 | modern | 2 | #38,673 |
| 2009 | modern | 2 | #38,725 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2012 | modern | 3 | #38,530 |
| 2013 | modern | 2 | #38,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 2 | #38,791 |
| 2015 | modern | 2 | #38,793 |
| 2016 | modern | 2 | #38,825 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, St Leonard Shoreditch, Gateshead, St Pancras and Chollerton, Birtley. 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 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 2 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Chollerton, Birtley | Northumberland |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Coalson 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 Coalson, 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 Coalson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Coalson 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, Coalson 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 Coalson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Coalson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Coalson has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated from a place name, possibly derived from the Old English words "col" meaning coal and "tun" meaning settlement or farmstead, suggesting a connection to a coal mining community or a place where coal was abundant.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Coalson can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire from 1327, where a William Coalson is mentioned. This indicates that the name was already established in that region during the 14th century.
In the 15th century, the Coalson surname appears in various records, such as the Plea Rolls of 1443, mentioning a John Coalson. Additionally, the Inquisitiones post Mortem from 1472 references a Thomas Coalson, suggesting the name's spread across different parts of England during this period.
Notable individuals bearing the Coalson surname include Richard Coalson (1585-1639), a prominent merchant and landowner in Essex, who played a role in the establishment of the East India Company. Another notable figure was Elizabeth Coalson (1620-1692), a Puritan writer and educator, known for her religious works and contributions to education in colonial Massachusetts.
In the 18th century, the Coalson name gained further prominence with the birth of John Coalson (1745-1819), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Old Bailey courthouse. His son, William Coalson (1770-1843), followed in his footsteps and became an influential urban planner, responsible for the development of several new neighborhoods in the rapidly expanding city.
Another significant figure was Mary Coalson (1812-1888), a pioneering nurse and philanthropist, who played a crucial role in the establishment of modern nursing practices and the improvement of healthcare facilities in Victorian England.
It's worth noting that variations in the spelling of the surname, such as Colson and Coalston, were common throughout history, reflecting regional dialects and personal preferences.
The Coalson surname has a rich history, with its roots firmly planted in England's coal mining regions and evolving into a name associated with various professions and contributions to society over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Coalson 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 7 Coalsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.97x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 7 | 10.97x |
| Leicestershire | 4 | 16.83x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 1.40x |
| Worcestershire | 3 | 10.71x |
| Huntingdonshire | 2 | 46.95x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 2.68x |
| Kent | 1 | 1.37x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.96x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bishopwearmouth in Durham leads with 7 Coalsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 127.74x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bishopwearmouth | 7 | 127.74x |
| Enderby | 4 | 3333.33x |
| Lye | 3 | 638.30x |
| Shoreditch London | 2 | 21.51x |
| Woodstone | 2 | 2857.14x |
| Battersea | 1 | 12.67x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 1 | 48.54x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 17.73x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 1 | 81.30x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Coalson 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 Coalson 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 Coalson households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Bucket Maker | 2 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Fireman (S Man) (Marine) | 1 |
| Gas Fitter | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Painter | 1 |
| Sailmaker | 1 |
| Shoe Rivetter | 1 |
| Stocking Maker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 22 people were recorded with the Coalson surname. That placed it at #30,464 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 2 in 2016. That gives Coalson a modern rank of #38,825.
An English surname derived from a place name meaning "coal settlement".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Coalson 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.