NameCensus.

UK surname

Collet

A French surname derived from an occupational term for a collar or neckpiece maker.

In the 1881 census there were 233 people recorded with the Collet surname, ranking it #11,648 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 100, ranked #31,123, down from #11,648 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst, London parishes and Sutton Courtney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hart, Kensington and Chelsea and Chichester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Collet is 338 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 57.1%.

1881 census count

233

Ranked #11,648

Modern count

100

2016, ranked #31,123

Peak year

1851

338 bearers

Map years

7

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Collet had 233 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,648 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016, ranked #31,123.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 338 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Collet surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Collet surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Collet 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 338 #6,943
1861 historical 288 #8,743
1881 historical 233 #11,648
1891 historical 181 #16,065
1901 historical 231 #13,805
1911 historical 157 #17,348
1997 modern 73 #30,306
1998 modern 84 #29,537
1999 modern 84 #29,700
2000 modern 85 #29,598
2001 modern 84 #29,508
2002 modern 93 #28,920
2003 modern 92 #28,974
2004 modern 91 #29,345
2005 modern 89 #29,683
2006 modern 82 #30,933
2007 modern 90 #30,228
2008 modern 90 #30,567
2009 modern 94 #30,538
2010 modern 100 #30,225
2011 modern 95 #30,877
2012 modern 102 #29,902
2013 modern 102 #30,415
2014 modern 101 #30,855
2015 modern 100 #31,005
2016 modern 100 #31,123

Geography

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Where Collets are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst, London parishes, Sutton Courtney, Kingham and Dudley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hart, Kensington and Chelsea, Chichester, Norwich and Arun. 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 Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst Sussex
2 London parishes London 1
3 Sutton Courtney Berkshire
4 Kingham Oxfordshire
5 Dudley Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hart 010 Hart
2 Kensington and Chelsea 020 Kensington and Chelsea
3 Chichester 001 Chichester
4 Norwich 010 Norwich
5 Arun 007 Arun

Forenames

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First names often paired with Collet

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Collet

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Collet surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Collet 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Collet is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Collet is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Collet falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Collet is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Collet, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Collet

The surname COLLET is believed to have originated in France, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 12th century. The name is derived from the Old French word "colet," which referred to a small collar or neck band. It is thought that the name was initially given as a descriptive nickname, perhaps to someone who wore a distinctive collar or neckpiece.

One of the earliest known bearers of the COLLET name was Raoul Collet, a nobleman mentioned in the records of the Duchy of Burgundy in the early 13th century. In the 14th century, the name appeared in the tax rolls of the city of Paris, where several individuals with the surname COLLET were recorded as residents.

The COLLET name can also be found in the archives of medieval England, suggesting that the family had established a presence there by the late Middle Ages. In the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire, compiled in 1273, a reference is made to a certain William Collet, who held land in the village of Brampton.

During the Renaissance period, the COLLET surname gained prominence in the world of arts and letters. Jean-Baptiste Collet (1598-1659) was a renowned French painter and engraver who worked in the Baroque style. His contemporaries included the celebrated artists Nicolas Poussin and Claude Lorrain.

In the 18th century, the COLLET name was associated with the French Revolution. François-Étienne Collet (1765-1837) was a lawyer and politician who served as a deputy in the National Convention during the revolutionary period. He played a role in the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the French Republic.

Other notable individuals with the COLLET surname include:

1. John Collet (c. 1525-1611), an English theologian and scholar who served as the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. 2. Philibert Collet (1643-1718), a French Jesuit priest and hagiographer, known for his extensive writings on the lives of saints. 3. Charles Collet (1796-1875), a French painter and lithographer who specialized in architectural and landscape scenes. 4. Mathilde Collet (1884-1945), a French novelist and essayist who wrote under the pen name Colette. 5. Pierre Collet (1891-1957), a Belgian architect and urban planner who designed several notable buildings in Brussels.

The COLLET surname has been widely dispersed across various regions, including France, England, Belgium, and beyond, reflecting the geographical spread and influence of the family over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Collet families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Collet 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. Middlesex leads with 44 Collets recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.96x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 44 1.96x
Gloucestershire 20 4.55x
Staffordshire 19 2.51x
Sussex 19 5.02x
Wiltshire 19 9.58x
Midlothian 14 4.66x
Warwickshire 13 2.30x
Yorkshire 11 0.49x
Surrey 10 0.91x
Kent 8 1.05x
Cornwall 6 2.36x
Buckinghamshire 5 3.69x
Hertfordshire 5 3.23x
Devon 4 0.86x
Monmouthshire 4 2.47x
Cambridgeshire 3 2.11x
Somerset 3 0.83x
Worcestershire 3 1.02x
Brecknockshire 2 4.46x
Channel Islands 2 3.01x
Glamorgan 2 0.51x
Leicestershire 2 0.80x
Norfolk 2 0.58x
Bedfordshire 1 0.86x
Berkshire 1 0.59x
Durham 1 0.15x
Hampshire 1 0.22x
Herefordshire 1 1.09x
Lancashire 1 0.04x
Morayshire 1 2.87x
Northamptonshire 1 0.47x
Shropshire 1 0.52x
Suffolk 1 0.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Broadwater in Sussex leads with 14 Collets recorded in 1881 and an index of 161.29x.

Place Total Index
Broadwater 14 161.29x
Langley Burrell 13 1585.37x
Paddington London 9 10.91x
Hampton London 8 216.80x
West Bromwich 8 18.45x
Bolehall Glascote 7 291.67x
Edinburgh Greenside S 7 642.20x
Aston 6 3.85x
Battersea 6 7.27x
St Winnow 6 689.66x
Admington 5 4545.45x
Bethnal Green London 5 5.13x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 5 4.14x
Harborne 5 20.60x
Harrow On The Hill 5 111.61x
Islington London 5 2.30x
St Luke London 5 13.89x
Broadwell 4 1333.33x
Melksham 4 115.94x
Rickmansworth 4 93.90x
Saul 4 869.57x
Buckland 3 454.55x
Horton In Bradford 3 8.64x
Armley 2 20.39x
Bilston 2 13.62x
Chatham 2 9.50x
Cheltenham 2 5.89x
Dinton 2 377.36x
East Lavant 2 645.16x
Grosmont 2 370.37x
Leatherhead 2 72.99x
Leicester St Margaret 2 3.30x
Llanelly 2 37.24x
Nether Stowey 2 350.88x
South Leith 2 5.91x
St Pancras London 2 1.11x
Stoke Damerel 2 6.12x
Westwood 2 487.80x
Bawtry 1 142.86x
Beckenham 1 9.99x
Bedwellty 1 3.49x
Bermondsey 1 1.50x
Brighton 1 1.31x
Brinkley 1 434.78x
Cannock 1 7.57x
Cardiff St Mary 1 4.65x
Clifton 1 4.49x
Down Hatherley 1 666.67x
Drainie 1 32.36x
East Blatchington 1 588.24x
Edgware 1 158.73x
Flixton 1 73.53x
Gloucester 1 666.67x
Hackney London 1 0.80x
Halifax 1 3.06x
Heigham 1 5.40x
Hingham 1 84.03x
Holdenhurst 1 8.29x
Lewisham 1 2.45x
Newport 1 12.92x
North Cray 1 204.08x
Northfield 1 17.99x
Sevenoaks 1 16.10x
Sidmouth 1 37.45x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.53x
St Helier 1 4.62x
St Martin 1 24.57x
Swansea St Thomas 1 25.51x
Tadcaster West 1 56.82x
Tamworth 1 24.69x
Tempsford 1 243.90x
Toddington 1 625.00x
Tormoham 1 5.06x
West Grinstead 1 87.72x
Westbury On Trym 1 6.71x
Weybread 1 192.31x
Whistones 1 47.17x
Willesden 1 4.73x
Worfield 1 74.07x
Wortley In Bramley 1 5.68x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 8
John 7
Henry 6
James 5
Thomas 5
Albert 4
Charles 4
George 4
Herbert 3
Joseph 3
Walter 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Edward 2
Francis 2
Fredk. 2
Harold 2
Mark 2
Richard 2
Robert 2
Robt. 2
Andrew 1
Antoine 1
Auguste 1
Augustus 1
Charley 1
Chas. 1
Collet 1
Daniel 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Eugene 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Godfrey 1
Golding 1
Harrey 1
Henery 1
Hugh 1
J. 1
Joiah 1
Joshua 1
Justin 1
Lennard 1
Pierre 1
Roland 1
Samuel 1
Simeon 1
Stephen 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Collet surname: questions and answers

How common was the Collet surname in 1881?

In 1881, 233 people were recorded with the Collet surname. That placed it at #11,648 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Collet surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016. That gives Collet a modern rank of #31,123.

What does the Collet surname mean?

A French surname derived from an occupational term for a collar or neckpiece maker.

What does the Collet map show?

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