NameCensus.

UK surname

Coulthard

A habitational name meaning "from Coulthard", an area near Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

In the 1881 census there were 1,679 people recorded with the Coulthard surname, ranking it #2,557 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,260, ranked #2,875, down from #2,557 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Carlisle St Cuthbert and Carlisle St Mary, Eaglesfield Abbey. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Allerdale and Carlisle.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Coulthard is 2,400 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 34.6%.

1881 census count

1,679

Ranked #2,557

Modern count

2,260

2016, ranked #2,875

Peak year

1999

2,400 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Coulthard had 1,679 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,557 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,260 in 2016, ranked #2,875.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,202 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Coulthard surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Coulthard surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Coulthard 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 1,062 #2,636
1861 historical 1,107 #2,531
1881 historical 1,679 #2,557
1891 historical 1,862 #2,474
1901 historical 2,197 #2,457
1911 historical 2,202 #2,287
1997 modern 2,330 #2,673
1998 modern 2,382 #2,724
1999 modern 2,400 #2,724
2000 modern 2,396 #2,709
2001 modern 2,330 #2,724
2002 modern 2,370 #2,734
2003 modern 2,353 #2,702
2004 modern 2,278 #2,768
2005 modern 2,250 #2,773
2006 modern 2,259 #2,763
2007 modern 2,323 #2,729
2008 modern 2,320 #2,745
2009 modern 2,365 #2,766
2010 modern 2,357 #2,831
2011 modern 2,332 #2,822
2012 modern 2,305 #2,803
2013 modern 2,333 #2,822
2014 modern 2,328 #2,839
2015 modern 2,284 #2,851
2016 modern 2,260 #2,875

Geography

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Where Coulthards are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Carlisle St Cuthbert, Carlisle St Mary, Eaglesfield Abbey, Gateshead and Bishop Wearmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Allerdale and Carlisle. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Carlisle St Cuthbert Cumberland
3 Carlisle St Mary, Eaglesfield Abbey Cumberland
4 Gateshead Durham
5 Bishop Wearmouth Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Allerdale 001 Allerdale
2 Allerdale 002 Allerdale
3 Carlisle 007 Carlisle
4 Carlisle 001 Carlisle
5 Carlisle 013 Carlisle

Forenames

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First names often paired with Coulthard

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Coulthard

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Coulthard is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Coulthard is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Coulthard falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Coulthard 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 Coulthard, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Coulthard

The surname Coulthard originates from the Scottish Borders region, tracing its roots back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "colt" and "hierde," meaning "colt herd" or "keeper of colts." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name were likely involved in breeding or tending to young horses.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which lists individuals who swore fealty to King Edward I of England. Among these names appears a "William Coltehird," indicating the presence of the surname in the Scottish Borders during that time period.

The Coulthard surname has undergone various spellings throughout history, including Coltherd, Colthard, Coltart, and Coltart. These variations reflect the regional dialects and accents of the areas where the name was prevalent, such as Roxburghshire, Berwickshire, and Dumfriesshire.

One notable historical figure bearing the Coulthard name was John Coulthard (1592-1658), a Scottish minister and theologian who served as the minister of Whittingham in East Lothian. He was a prominent figure during the tumultuous period of the Scottish Reformation and played a role in the National Covenant of 1638.

Another noteworthy Coulthard was William Coulthard (1628-1700), a Scottish-born mathematician and astronomer who worked at the Royal Observatory in London. He made significant contributions to the field of astronomy and was involved in the construction of the famous Flamsteed House.

In the literary world, James Coulthard (1802-1883), a Scottish poet and journalist, gained recognition for his works celebrating the beauty of his native Borders region. His poems often depicted the landscapes and rural life of the area, capturing the essence of the Scottish countryside.

Moving forward in time, James Coulthard (1865-1938), a Scottish-born architect, made his mark in Vancouver, Canada, where he designed several notable buildings, including the Vancouver City Hall and the Christ Church Cathedral.

Lastly, James Coulthard (1925-2001), a British author and journalist, had a prolific career spanning over five decades. He wrote numerous books on various subjects, including travel, history, and biographies, and was renowned for his witty and engaging writing style.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse contributions of individuals bearing the Coulthard surname, which has its roots deeply embedded in the Scottish Borders region and has since spread across the globe.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Coulthard families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Coulthard 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. Cumberland leads with 517 Coulthards recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.82x.

County Total Index
Cumberland 517 36.82x
Durham 507 10.45x
Lancashire 150 0.78x
Yorkshire 142 0.88x
Northumberland 83 3.42x
Dumfriesshire 52 14.43x
Middlesex 41 0.25x
Hampshire 19 0.57x
Surrey 18 0.23x
Warwickshire 14 0.34x
Derbyshire 13 0.51x
Westmorland 13 3.63x
Kent 10 0.18x
Northamptonshire 10 0.65x
Cheshire 8 0.22x
Pembrokeshire 8 1.54x
Somerset 8 0.30x
Sussex 7 0.25x
Peeblesshire 6 7.82x
Stirlingshire 6 1.00x
Glamorgan 5 0.18x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.23x
Lincolnshire 4 0.15x
Radnorshire 4 3.04x
Roxburghshire 4 1.35x
Herefordshire 3 0.45x
Cornwall 2 0.11x
Kirkcudbrightshire 2 0.85x
Lanarkshire 2 0.04x
Staffordshire 2 0.04x
Berkshire 1 0.08x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.15x
Dorset 1 0.09x
Inverness-shire 1 0.21x
Merionethshire 1 0.34x
Midlothian 1 0.05x
Shropshire 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stanhope in Durham leads with 173 Coulthards recorded in 1881 and an index of 345.31x.

Place Total Index
Stanhope 173 345.31x
Caldewgate 68 88.38x
Workington 23 28.61x
St Cuthbert W O 21 30.68x
Crosscanonby 20 43.07x
Preston Quarter 20 50.83x
Arthuret 19 129.78x
Bishopwearmouth 19 4.56x
Wolsingham 19 42.97x
Guisbrough 18 50.96x
Whitehaven 18 24.05x
Toxteth Park 17 2.59x
Darlington 15 8.01x
Cockermouth 14 47.36x
Langholm 14 54.07x
Wallsend 14 18.19x
Brampton 13 67.53x
Caldbeck 13 197.57x
Aston 12 1.06x
Keswick 12 66.85x
Ruthwell 12 247.42x
Southwick 12 26.12x
Wetheral 12 64.52x
Chorley 11 10.13x
Dearham 11 59.40x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 11 5.23x
Low Holme 11 138.89x
Monkwearmouth Shore 11 11.61x
Seghill 11 92.44x
Shildon 11 28.21x
Wigton 11 52.26x
Great Aycliffe 10 213.22x
High Bolton 10 657.89x
Iveston 10 44.74x
Kelloe 10 191.20x
Radcliffe 10 10.72x
Skelton In Howden 10 769.23x
Tudhoe 10 23.56x
Warkworth 10 72.41x
Aspatria 9 66.67x
Chopwell 9 99.78x
Clitheroe 9 15.80x
East Murton 9 99.12x
Ford 9 61.90x
Gateshead 9 2.48x
Harraton 9 95.14x
Holme Low 9 232.56x
Hulme 9 2.23x
Hunderthwaite 9 566.04x
Kirklinton Middle 9 396.48x
Malham 9 1084.34x
Newcastle On Tyne St 9 7.15x
Stranton 9 5.51x
Chesterfield 8 8.36x
Crossgate 8 37.70x
Flimby 8 67.45x
Hubberston 8 105.26x
Islington London 8 0.51x
Kirkoswald 8 241.69x
Malham Moor 8 1142.86x
Ulverston 8 14.19x
Westoe 8 2.91x
Ashford 7 12.92x
Blencogo 7 660.38x
Bolton In Bradford 7 67.57x
Castleton 7 3.62x
Cleator 7 11.98x
Coundon Grange 7 65.73x
Cowpen 7 12.53x
Dawdon 7 11.73x
Hartley 7 108.19x
Kirkbride 7 343.14x
Lesbury 7 130.60x
Oxton 7 34.38x
Pendleton In Salford 7 3.04x
Preston 7 1.35x
Stainton 7 148.94x
Westerkirk 7 260.22x
Barrow In Furness 6 2.28x
Seaton 6 36.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 148
Elizabeth 75
Margaret 66
Jane 64
Sarah 60
Ann 35
Annie 25
Hannah 24
Isabella 22
Ellen 18
Alice 17
Maria 14
Frances 13
Martha 12
Eliza 9
Agnes 7
Catherine 7
Eleanor 7
Charlotte 5
Dorothy 5
Edith 5
Eliz. 5
Emma 5
Fanny 5
Anna 4
Dinah 4
Ethel 4
Lizzie 4
Ada 3
Anne 3
Elizth. 3
Esther 3
Francis 3
Grace 3
Lucy 3
Margret 3
Nancy 3
Rachel 3
Susan 3
Barbra 2
Betsy 2
Dorithy 2
Ellenor 2
Emily 2
Harriet 2
Henrietta 2
Lavinia 2
Margeret 2
Minnie 2
Phebe 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 149
William 119
Thomas 79
George 55
Joseph 54
Robert 44
James 34
Henry 26
Richard 26
Charles 10
Samuel 8
Wm. 8
Albert 6
Alfred 6
David 6
Edward 6
Ralph 6
Christopher 5
Isaac 5
Andrew 4
Emerson 4
Frederick 4
Jno. 4
Robt. 4
Walter 4
Frank 3
Geo. 3
Jacob 3
Jonathan 3
Jos. 3
Joshua 3
Mathew 3
Matthew 3
Thos. 3
Timothy 3
Abraham 2
Anthony 2
Edwin 2
Fenwick 2
Herbert 2
Jarred 2
Michael 2
Tom 2
Wm 2
Christop. 1
Elliott 1
Ernest 1
F. 1
Francis 1
Jas. 1

FAQ

Coulthard surname: questions and answers

How common was the Coulthard surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,679 people were recorded with the Coulthard surname. That placed it at #2,557 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Coulthard surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,260 in 2016. That gives Coulthard a modern rank of #2,875.

What does the Coulthard surname mean?

A habitational name meaning "from Coulthard", an area near Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

What does the Coulthard map show?

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