UK surname
An occupational surname referring to one who worked with or manufactured colts (young male horses).
In the 1881 census there were 75 people recorded with the Colt surname, ranking it #22,893 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 48, ranked #35,004, down from #22,893 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Inveresk, Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) and St Leonard Shoreditch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Colt is 130 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 36.0%.
1881 census count
75
Ranked #22,893
Modern count
48
2016, ranked #35,004
Peak year
1861
130 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Colt surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Colt surname density by area, 1861 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 | 65 | #21,747 |
| 1861 | historical | 130 | #17,164 |
| 1881 | historical | 75 | #22,893 |
| 1891 | historical | 55 | #29,744 |
| 1901 | historical | 62 | #27,252 |
| 1911 | historical | 51 | #27,708 |
| 1997 | modern | 18 | #36,053 |
| 1998 | modern | 16 | #36,361 |
| 1999 | modern | 15 | #36,476 |
| 2000 | modern | 22 | #35,684 |
| 2001 | modern | 20 | #35,754 |
| 2002 | modern | 21 | #35,798 |
| 2003 | modern | 19 | #36,011 |
| 2004 | modern | 22 | #35,878 |
| 2005 | modern | 19 | #36,247 |
| 2006 | modern | 20 | #36,254 |
| 2007 | modern | 15 | #36,793 |
| 2008 | modern | 21 | #36,355 |
| 2009 | modern | 27 | #36,045 |
| 2010 | modern | 30 | #35,967 |
| 2011 | modern | 30 | #35,949 |
| 2012 | modern | 34 | #35,711 |
| 2013 | modern | 38 | #35,534 |
| 2014 | modern | 41 | #35,396 |
| 2015 | modern | 42 | #35,322 |
| 2016 | modern | 48 | #35,004 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Inveresk, Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), St Leonard Shoreditch, St Pancras and Stokeinteignhead, Combeinteignhead, Haccombe, St Nicholas. 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 | Inveresk | Edinburgh |
| 2 | Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) | Devon |
| 3 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Stokeinteignhead, Combeinteignhead, Haccombe, St Nicholas | Devon |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Colt 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 Colt, 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 Colt surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Colt 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, Colt 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 Colt is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Colt, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname COLT is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the county of Shropshire, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "colt," which refers to a young male horse or pony.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname COLT can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as Colte, Culte, and Culht, reflecting the linguistic variations of the time.
One of the earliest known bearers of the surname COLT was Robert Colt, who lived in Shropshire in the 13th century. Records from that period indicate that he was a prominent landowner and a member of the local gentry.
During the 14th century, the surname COLT began to spread to other parts of England, particularly in the counties of Norfolk and Essex. This expansion was likely due to migration and the establishment of new settlements.
In the 15th century, a notable figure with the surname COLT was Sir John Colt (c. 1435-1510), a distinguished soldier and member of the landed gentry in Suffolk. He served under King Henry VII and was knighted for his loyalty and service.
Another prominent individual with the surname COLT was Sir Henry Colt (1572-1634), a successful merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1636. He was instrumental in the establishment of the East India Company and played a significant role in the expansion of trade between England and the East.
In the 17th century, the surname COLT was associated with several place names in England, such as Coltshall in Norfolk and Coltishall in Suffolk. These place names likely derived from the Old English words "colt" and "halh" (meaning "nook" or "corner of land"), suggesting that the name may have originated from a geographical location.
One of the most famous bearers of the surname COLT was Samuel Colt (1814-1862), the renowned American inventor and businessman. He revolutionized the firearms industry with his innovative revolving-cylinder pistol design and established the iconic Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company.
Throughout history, other notable individuals with the surname COLT include Sir George Colt (1588-1661), an English politician and landowner; Samuel Colt (1779-1855), an American politician and jurist; and Christopher Colt (1808-1890), an English painter and illustrator.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Colt 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. Yorkshire leads with 11 Colts recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.63x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 11 | 1.63x |
| Middlesex | 10 | 1.46x |
| Essex | 9 | 6.68x |
| Worcestershire | 6 | 6.73x |
| Devon | 5 | 3.52x |
| Surrey | 5 | 1.50x |
| Nottinghamshire | 4 | 4.35x |
| Oxfordshire | 4 | 9.49x |
| Lanarkshire | 2 | 0.91x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.25x |
| Norfolk | 2 | 1.91x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 1.16x |
| Bedfordshire | 1 | 2.83x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.75x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.71x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.43x |
| Radnorshire | 1 | 18.15x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 1.20x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.87x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 1.66x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Ham in Essex leads with 8 Colts recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.89x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| West Ham | 8 | 26.89x |
| Blacktoft Cheapsides | 5 | 12500.00x |
| Camberwell | 5 | 11.47x |
| Hampstead London | 5 | 47.04x |
| Stokeinteignhead | 5 | 3333.33x |
| Great Malvern | 4 | 215.05x |
| Newington | 4 | 4444.44x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 3 | 12.61x |
| Old Monkland | 2 | 22.83x |
| Prestwich | 2 | 99.01x |
| Adlingfleet | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Ampthill | 1 | 188.68x |
| Anlaby | 1 | 666.67x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 1.74x |
| Brighton | 1 | 4.31x |
| Cawston | 1 | 384.62x |
| Codford St Peter | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Fulham London | 1 | 10.10x |
| Gillingham | 1 | 20.83x |
| Goole | 1 | 88.50x |
| Grays Thurrock | 1 | 80.00x |
| Hill | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Hornsey | 1 | 11.59x |
| Kidderminster Borough | 1 | 19.16x |
| Leeds | 1 | 2.62x |
| Llanyre | 1 | 625.00x |
| Loddon | 1 | 370.37x |
| Long Melford | 1 | 129.87x |
| Mansfield | 1 | 31.45x |
| Portsea | 1 | 3.65x |
| Rugby | 1 | 42.92x |
| Spitalfields London | 1 | 19.46x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 8.31x |
| Tollerton | 1 | 833.33x |
| Westminster St Margaret | 1 | 30.40x |
| Worcester St Martin | 1 | 83.33x |
| Wortley In Bramley | 1 | 18.66x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Colt 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 Colt 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 Colt households.
FAQ
In 1881, 75 people were recorded with the Colt surname. That placed it at #22,893 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 48 in 2016. That gives Colt a modern rank of #35,004.
An occupational surname referring to one who worked with or manufactured colts (young male horses).
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Colt 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.