UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "coal maker" or "coal burner".
In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Coler surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 10, ranked #37,599, down from #32,581 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, St Pancras and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Coler is 135 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.0%.
1881 census count
8
Ranked #32,581
Modern count
10
2016, ranked #37,599
Peak year
1861
135 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Coler surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Coler 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 | 16 | #30,441 |
| 1861 | historical | 135 | #16,651 |
| 1881 | historical | 8 | #32,581 |
| 1891 | historical | 108 | #22,828 |
| 1901 | historical | 18 | #32,032 |
| 1911 | historical | 34 | #29,600 |
| 1997 | modern | 9 | #37,214 |
| 1998 | modern | 13 | #36,679 |
| 1999 | modern | 10 | #37,072 |
| 2000 | modern | 11 | #36,879 |
| 2001 | modern | 11 | #36,727 |
| 2002 | modern | 10 | #36,902 |
| 2003 | modern | 8 | #37,248 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 4 | #38,169 |
| 2008 | modern | 6 | #37,883 |
| 2009 | modern | 4 | #38,287 |
| 2010 | modern | 7 | #37,904 |
| 2011 | modern | 7 | #37,865 |
| 2012 | modern | 8 | #37,740 |
| 2013 | modern | 6 | #38,049 |
| 2014 | modern | 7 | #37,929 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 10 | #37,599 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, St Pancras, Lambeth, Inkpen and Wiggenhall St Germans. 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 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Inkpen | Berkshire |
| 5 | Wiggenhall St Germans | Norfolk |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Coler 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 Coler, 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 Coler surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Coler 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, Coler 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 Coler is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Coler, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname COLER originated in England, with its earliest known records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "col," meaning coal, suggesting that the name was likely associated with those who worked with or traded in coal.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the COLER surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire from 1194, which mentions a certain Robert le Colier. The suffix "er" was commonly added to occupational surnames during this period, indicating that Robert's profession was related to coal.
The COLER name also appears in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, a census-like record of landholders and their holdings. This document lists a John le Coliere residing in Oxfordshire, further solidifying the surname's early presence in various regions of England.
In the 14th century, the COLER surname evolved into several variations, such as Coler, Colyer, and Collier, reflecting the fluidity of spelling conventions during that time. One notable bearer of this name was William Coler, a merchant from London who lived between 1320 and 1390.
As the centuries progressed, the COLER surname spread across England, with various branches establishing themselves in different counties. One prominent figure was Sir John Coler (1516-1594), a wealthy merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London.
The COLER name also gained recognition in the realm of literature, with the English poet and dramatist Samuel Coler (1619-1667) making significant contributions to the arts during the 17th century.
In the 18th century, the COLER surname continued to be represented across various fields. Notable individuals included Thomas Coler (1705-1768), a renowned architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London.
As the industrial revolution took hold in the 19th century, the COLER name became closely associated with the coal mining industry. One prominent figure was John Coler (1825-1892), a pioneering coal mine owner and entrepreneur who played a crucial role in the development of the coal industry in Yorkshire.
Throughout its history, the COLER surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, poets, architects, and industrialists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and achievements of those who bear this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Coler 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. Devon leads with 3 Colers recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.47x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 3 | 18.47x |
| Kent | 2 | 7.52x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 13.62x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 20.75x |
| Surrey | 1 | 2.63x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Holsworthy in Devon leads with 3 Colers recorded in 1881 and an index of 6000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Holsworthy | 3 | 6000.00x |
| Woolwich | 2 | 204.08x |
| Corby | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Kingston On Thames | 1 | 109.89x |
| Oxford St Mary Magdalen | 1 | 1666.67x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Coler 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 Coler 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 Coler households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Bootmakers Apprentice | 1 |
| Cab Driver | 1 |
| Cook (D S) | 1 |
| Farmer 130 Ac Emp 2 Boys | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Coler surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 10 in 2016. That gives Coler a modern rank of #37,599.
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "coal maker" or "coal burner".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Coler 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.