NameCensus.

UK surname

Colson

Derived from a Scandinavian personal name composed of the elements "kol," meaning "coal," and "son," meaning "son."

In the 1881 census there were 571 people recorded with the Colson surname, ranking it #6,089 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 665, ranked #8,025, down from #6,089 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, Newchurch and Lewisham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Northamptonshire, Isle of Wight and West Oxfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Colson is 680 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16.5%.

1881 census count

571

Ranked #6,089

Modern count

665

2016, ranked #8,025

Peak year

2010

680 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Colson had 571 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,089 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 665 in 2016, ranked #8,025.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 679 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Colson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Colson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Colson 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 585 #4,372
1861 historical 515 #5,083
1881 historical 571 #6,089
1891 historical 584 #6,539
1901 historical 679 #6,431
1911 historical 679 #6,225
1997 modern 615 #8,008
1998 modern 651 #7,899
1999 modern 654 #7,914
2000 modern 674 #7,717
2001 modern 647 #7,824
2002 modern 666 #7,805
2003 modern 646 #7,860
2004 modern 638 #7,939
2005 modern 625 #8,018
2006 modern 656 #7,745
2007 modern 654 #7,827
2008 modern 657 #7,851
2009 modern 668 #7,913
2010 modern 680 #7,956
2011 modern 671 #7,954
2012 modern 659 #7,987
2013 modern 670 #8,010
2014 modern 674 #8,018
2015 modern 665 #8,044
2016 modern 665 #8,025

Geography

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Where Colsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, Newchurch, Lewisham, London parishes and Rushden. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Northamptonshire, Isle of Wight and West Oxfordshire. 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 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
2 Newchurch Hampshire
3 Lewisham London (South Districts)
4 London parishes London 3
5 Rushden Northamptonshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Northamptonshire 004 East Northamptonshire
2 Isle of Wight 017 Isle of Wight
3 West Oxfordshire 012 West Oxfordshire
4 Isle of Wight 011 Isle of Wight
5 East Northamptonshire 005 East Northamptonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Colson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Colson

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Colson 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

Colson is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Colson 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 Colson 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 Colson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Colson

The surname Colson is of English origin, derived from the Old French word "colu," meaning "dark-complexioned" or "swarthy," and the suffix "-son," indicating "son of." It emerged during the medieval period in various regions of England.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Colson can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror. This suggests that the name was established in England before the Norman Conquest of 1066.

The name is thought to have originated as a descriptive surname, referring to an individual with a dark complexion or swarthy appearance. It was initially given as a nickname to distinguish someone from others in the same community.

In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, such as Colson, Colsun, and Colsone, reflecting the regional dialects and inconsistent spellings of the time. Some early bearers of the name included John Colsun, recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1230, and William Colson, mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273.

Notable historical figures with the surname Colson include:

1. Sir John Colson (c. 1540-1609), an English politician and sheriff of London. 2. Nathaniel Colson (1599-1663), an English politician and lawyer who served as a member of Parliament. 3. Lancelot Colson (1628-1711), an English mathematician and astronomer, known for his contributions to the development of calculus. 4. Francis Colson (1678-1751), an English novelist and translator, best known for his English translation of Voltaire's works. 5. Richard Colson (1804-1890), an English surveyor and architect who designed many buildings in London.

The name Colson has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Colson Bassett in Nottinghamshire and Colson in Wiltshire, further solidifying its historical roots in the country.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Colson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Colson 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 112 Colsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.01x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 112 2.01x
Hampshire 65 5.69x
Surrey 48 1.77x
Northamptonshire 47 8.97x
Suffolk 34 5.01x
Kent 33 1.74x
Lancashire 27 0.41x
Yorkshire 19 0.34x
Bedfordshire 15 5.20x
Cambridgeshire 15 4.25x
Devon 14 1.21x
Durham 14 0.84x
Gloucestershire 14 1.28x
Huntingdonshire 13 11.76x
Staffordshire 12 0.64x
Essex 10 0.91x
Nottinghamshire 9 1.20x
Lincolnshire 8 0.90x
Lanarkshire 7 0.39x
Warwickshire 7 0.50x
Fife 6 1.82x
Hertfordshire 6 1.56x
Worcestershire 6 0.82x
Angus 4 0.78x
Derbyshire 4 0.46x
Norfolk 4 0.47x
Somerset 4 0.45x
Sussex 4 0.43x
Cornwall 3 0.48x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.30x
Dorset 1 0.27x
East Lothian 1 1.36x
Leicestershire 1 0.16x
Monmouthshire 1 0.25x
Royal Navy 1 1.51x
Wiltshire 1 0.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 31 Colsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.74x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 31 5.74x
Rushden 19 271.04x
Kimbolton 13 557.94x
Lambeth 12 2.47x
Bromley London 11 8.98x
Cheltenham 11 13.05x
Newington 11 5.35x
St Marylebone London 11 3.70x
Erith 10 53.42x
Exeter Heavitree 10 115.74x
Shoreditch London 10 4.14x
Handsworth 9 19.42x
Liverpool 9 2.24x
Millbrook 9 31.30x
Portsea 9 4.02x
St Luke London 9 10.07x
Walton On Thames 9 72.23x
Carisbrooke 8 50.47x
Woodford 8 274.91x
Bedford St Paul 7 35.39x
Bethnal Green London 7 2.89x
Habergham Eaves 7 11.59x
Hitcham 7 409.36x
Walsham Le Willows 7 308.37x
Westminster St John 7 10.32x
Aston 6 1.55x
March 6 50.80x
Southampton All Sts 6 30.63x
St Faith Winchester 6 112.78x
St Peter Cheesehill 6 372.67x
Ware 6 54.55x
Wemyss 6 43.01x
Chelmondiston 5 303.03x
Dawdon 5 24.53x
Everton 5 2.37x
Hartest 5 427.35x
Lewisham 5 4.93x
Peterborough 5 13.18x
Ratcliffe London 5 16.25x
Raunds 5 93.81x
Snenton 5 16.95x
St Bartholomew Hyde 5 183.15x
Strood 5 46.13x
Brentwood 4 59.70x
Cuxton 4 533.33x
Droxford 4 91.74x
Dudley 4 4.52x
Dundee 4 2.08x
Govan 4 0.90x
Hartlepool 4 16.99x
Limehouse London 4 6.54x
Luton 4 8.01x
North Cave Drewton 4 184.33x
Norwich St Mary In Marsh 4 416.67x
Paddington London 4 1.95x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 3.57x
Upwell 4 154.44x
Woolwich 4 5.70x
Wortley In Bramley 4 9.15x
Battersea 3 1.46x
Bermondsey 3 1.81x
Bury St Edmunds St James 3 16.56x
Matlock 3 25.62x
Nottingham St Mary 3 1.55x
Oldham 3 1.41x
Penge 3 8.43x
Rickinghall Inferior 3 428.57x
Roundhay 3 193.55x
Scilly Islands St Mary 3 121.95x
South Stoneham 3 12.12x
St George Hanover Square 3 3.06x
St Pancras London 3 0.67x
Stranton 3 5.38x
Waddington 3 184.05x
Whaplode Drove 3 200.00x
Whittlesey St Mary St 3 24.35x
Wymington 3 319.15x
Colchester St Botolph 2 21.39x
Stoke Upon Trent 2 1.00x
Tichmarsh 2 113.64x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 40
George 25
John 24
Thomas 16
Alfred 12
James 12
Charles 11
Henry 11
Frederick 10
Edward 7
Arthur 5
Benjamin 4
Ernest 3
Francis 3
Harry 3
Joseph 3
Richard 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Frederic 2
Geo. 2
Herbert 2
Jabez 2
Peter 2
Phillip 2
Reginald 2
Robert 2
Alexanda 1
Allan 1
Anne 1
Chas. 1
Collin 1
David 1
Douglas 1
Ekin 1
Elijah 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Geo.D. 1
Gustave 1
Jas. 1
Jno. 1
Leonard 1
Luis 1
Mark 1
N.J. 1
Olave 1
Philip 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Colson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Colson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 571 people were recorded with the Colson surname. That placed it at #6,089 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Colson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 665 in 2016. That gives Colson a modern rank of #8,025.

What does the Colson surname mean?

Derived from a Scandinavian personal name composed of the elements "kol," meaning "coal," and "son," meaning "son."

What does the Colson map show?

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