UK surname
A variant of "Colville", an Anglo-Saxon surname derived from a place name meaning "cool valley".
In the 1881 census there were 15 people recorded with the Colvert surname, ranking it #31,451 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 22, ranked #36,533, down from #31,451 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Richmond, Brancepeth and Preston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Colvert is 136 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 46.7%.
1881 census count
15
Ranked #31,451
Modern count
22
2016, ranked #36,533
Peak year
1861
136 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Colvert surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Colvert 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 | 63 | #22,069 |
| 1861 | historical | 136 | #16,556 |
| 1881 | historical | 15 | #31,451 |
| 1891 | historical | 92 | #25,109 |
| 1901 | historical | 38 | #29,914 |
| 1911 | historical | 63 | #26,537 |
| 1997 | modern | 27 | #35,016 |
| 1998 | modern | 23 | #35,603 |
| 1999 | modern | 23 | #35,612 |
| 2000 | modern | 23 | #35,588 |
| 2001 | modern | 24 | #35,357 |
| 2002 | modern | 24 | #35,520 |
| 2003 | modern | 16 | #36,304 |
| 2004 | modern | 19 | #36,147 |
| 2005 | modern | 21 | #36,083 |
| 2006 | modern | 21 | #36,179 |
| 2007 | modern | 21 | #36,290 |
| 2008 | modern | 21 | #36,355 |
| 2009 | modern | 23 | #36,313 |
| 2010 | modern | 22 | #36,462 |
| 2011 | modern | 19 | #36,668 |
| 2012 | modern | 18 | #36,723 |
| 2013 | modern | 20 | #36,614 |
| 2014 | modern | 22 | #36,496 |
| 2015 | modern | 20 | #36,653 |
| 2016 | modern | 22 | #36,533 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Richmond, Brancepeth, Preston, Blockley and Blackburn. 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 | Richmond | Yorkshire, North Riding |
| 2 | Brancepeth | Durham |
| 3 | Preston | Lancashire |
| 4 | Blockley | Warwickshire |
| 5 | Blackburn | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Colvert 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 Colvert, 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 Colvert surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Colvert 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, Colvert 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 Colvert is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Colvert, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname COLVERT originated in England during the late medieval period, deriving from the Old French words 'colvert' meaning 'dove-coloured' or 'greyish blue'. It is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname for someone with a greyish complexion or hair colour.
Early records of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where it appears as 'Coluerd'. This spelling variation points to the name's French roots and its subsequent anglicisation over time.
In the 14th century, the name appears in various documented forms, such as 'Colvert', 'Colverth', and 'Coluerde', reflecting the inconsistent spelling practices of the time. One notable early bearer of the name was John Colvert, a landowner mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, Yorkshire, in 1348.
By the 16th century, the name had solidified into its modern spelling of 'COLVERT'. In 1587, a William COLVERT was recorded in the Parish Registers of St. Mary's Church, Sandwich, Kent.
One of the earliest known instances of the name in literature can be found in the works of the renowned English poet and playwright, William Shakespeare. In his play 'The Taming of the Shrew', written around 1593, a character named 'COLVERT' makes a brief appearance.
Notable bearers of the COLVERT surname include:
1. Sir John COLVERT (1564-1641), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Andover during the reign of King James I.
2. Robert COLVERT (1623-1685), an English clergyman and author who served as the Archdeacon of Nottingham in the late 17th century.
3. Elizabeth COLVERT (1769-1845), a British philanthropist and social reformer known for her work in improving conditions for the poor and advocating for women's rights.
4. James COLVERT (1812-1878), a Scottish-born architect who designed several notable buildings in Melbourne, Australia, including the Melbourne Town Hall.
5. Sir Henry COLVERT (1865-1951), a British diplomat and civil servant who served as the Governor of the Leeward Islands from 1915 to 1920.
While the COLVERT surname originated in England, it eventually spread to other parts of the United Kingdom and beyond, carried by migration and exploration. Today, it can be found in various countries around the world, a testament to its enduring legacy and rich historical roots.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Colvert 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. Lancashire leads with 5 Colverts recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.88x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 5 | 2.88x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 2.74x |
| Kent | 3 | 6.02x |
| Worcestershire | 3 | 15.72x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Spotland in Lancashire leads with 4 Colverts recorded in 1881 and an index of 207.25x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Spotland | 4 | 207.25x |
| Blockley | 3 | 2727.27x |
| Greenwich | 3 | 128.76x |
| St Marylebone London | 2 | 25.64x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 12.32x |
| Middleton In Lancaster | 1 | 10000.00x |
| Stanwell | 1 | 909.09x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Colvert 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 Colvert 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 Colvert households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Engineers Clerk | 1 |
| Labr Agl | 1 |
| Nurse Domestic Servt | 1 |
| Pauper | 1 |
| Second Housemaid | 1 |
| Silk Winder Out Of Work | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 15 people were recorded with the Colvert surname. That placed it at #31,451 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 22 in 2016. That gives Colvert a modern rank of #36,533.
A variant of "Colville", an Anglo-Saxon surname derived from a place name meaning "cool valley".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Colvert 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.