UK surname
A derivative of the French surname "Cotte" meaning coat or coat maker.
In the 1881 census there were 76 people recorded with the Couts surname, ranking it #22,745 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 11, ranked #37,501, down from #22,745 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Alford, Kintore and Aberlour. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Couts is 176 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 85.5%.
1881 census count
76
Ranked #22,745
Modern count
11
2016, ranked #37,501
Peak year
1851
176 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Couts surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Couts 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 | 176 | #11,489 |
| 1861 | historical | 174 | #13,483 |
| 1881 | historical | 76 | #22,745 |
| 1891 | historical | 71 | #27,934 |
| 1901 | historical | 41 | #29,602 |
| 1911 | historical | 7 | #33,083 |
| 1997 | modern | 12 | #36,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 11 | #36,908 |
| 1999 | modern | 12 | #36,806 |
| 2000 | modern | 11 | #36,879 |
| 2001 | modern | 12 | #36,612 |
| 2002 | modern | 11 | #36,780 |
| 2003 | modern | 6 | #37,586 |
| 2004 | modern | 8 | #37,346 |
| 2005 | modern | 9 | #37,302 |
| 2006 | modern | 9 | #37,345 |
| 2007 | modern | 7 | #37,687 |
| 2008 | modern | 7 | #37,735 |
| 2009 | modern | 8 | #37,689 |
| 2010 | modern | 11 | #37,411 |
| 2011 | modern | 6 | #38,016 |
| 2012 | modern | 10 | #37,509 |
| 2013 | modern | 10 | #37,539 |
| 2014 | modern | 11 | #37,462 |
| 2015 | modern | 11 | #37,467 |
| 2016 | modern | 11 | #37,501 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Alford, Kintore, Aberlour, Arbroath and St. Vigeans and Edinburgh. 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 | Alford | Aberdeen |
| 2 | Kintore | Aberdeen |
| 3 | Aberlour | Banff |
| 4 | Arbroath and St. Vigeans | Forfar |
| 5 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Couts 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 Couts, 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 Couts surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Couts 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, Couts 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 Couts is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Couts, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "COUTS" is believed to have originated from the northern English regions, particularly in Yorkshire and Northumberland. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "cot," which referred to a small dwelling or cottage.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Cotes," likely referring to someone who lived in a small cottage or settlement. The spelling variations during the Middle Ages included "Cotes," "Cottes," and "Cotts."
In the 13th century, the surname started to appear in various records and documents across northern England. One notable individual was William de Cotes, who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1230.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name "COUTS" became more prevalent, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire, Northumberland, and Durham. Records from this period show families with the surname residing in areas such as Cotes near Richmond, Cotes near Guisborough, and Cotes near Loftus.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname "COUTS" was Robert Couts, who was born around 1550 in Northumberland. Another notable figure was John Couts, a merchant from Yorkshire who lived from 1620 to 1692.
In the 18th century, the surname spread further across England, with families bearing the name "COUTS" residing in various regions. One notable individual from this period was William Couts (1724-1798), a prominent landowner and farmer from Durham.
As the centuries progressed, the surname "COUTS" continued to be associated with various notable individuals. For instance, Sir Thomas Couts (1801-1879) was a renowned architect and civil engineer who contributed to the design of several iconic buildings in London.
Another prominent figure was Mary Elizabeth Couts (1842-1919), an English novelist and poet who gained recognition for her works exploring themes of social injustice and women's rights.
It is important to note that while the surname "COUTS" has its roots in northern England, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and historical events, with families bearing this name now found in various countries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Couts 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. Angus leads with 15 Couts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.44x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Angus | 15 | 22.44x |
| Aberdeenshire | 14 | 20.95x |
| Durham | 9 | 4.19x |
| Kent | 6 | 2.44x |
| Kincardineshire | 6 | 68.26x |
| Inverness-shire | 4 | 18.56x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 0.55x |
| Surrey | 4 | 1.14x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.35x |
| Lincolnshire | 2 | 1.73x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 2.07x |
| Banffshire | 1 | 6.68x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.68x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.03x |
| Perthshire | 1 | 3.09x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.14x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Alford in Aberdeenshire leads with 10 Couts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2777.78x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Alford | 10 | 2777.78x |
| Maidstone | 6 | 81.86x |
| Hetton Le Hole | 5 | 183.82x |
| St Vigeans | 5 | 138.50x |
| Abernethy Kincardine | 4 | 1052.63x |
| Banchory Devenick | 4 | 487.80x |
| Coupar Angus | 4 | 634.92x |
| Dundee | 3 | 12.02x |
| Newington | 3 | 11.25x |
| St Marylebone London | 3 | 7.79x |
| Widnes | 3 | 48.54x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 2 | 10.85x |
| Clee With Weelsby | 2 | 79.05x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 2 | 5.14x |
| Liff Benvie | 2 | 19.70x |
| Aberdeen St Nicholas | 1 | 8.00x |
| Banchory Ternan | 1 | 131.58x |
| Bilton Cum Harrogate | 1 | 40.82x |
| Fordyce | 1 | 92.59x |
| Garvock | 1 | 909.09x |
| Gateshead | 1 | 6.22x |
| Kirkby In Ashfield | 1 | 96.15x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 1.59x |
| Logie Buchan | 1 | 526.32x |
| Meldrum | 1 | 178.57x |
| Monifieth | 1 | 42.37x |
| New Machar | 1 | 263.16x |
| Portsea | 1 | 3.45x |
| St Luke London | 1 | 8.64x |
| Stranton | 1 | 13.83x |
| Tulliallan | 1 | 181.82x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Couts 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 Couts 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 Couts households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Butler | 1 |
| Colliery Horsekeeper (Mine Srv) | 1 |
| Cord Weaver | 1 |
| Dairy Boy | 1 |
| Draper Assistant | 1 |
| Gen Serv | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic | 1 |
| Oil Cloth Printer | 1 |
| Papermaker | 1 |
| Police Sergeant | 1 |
| Printer (Litho) | 1 |
| Public Accountant | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
| Vellum Binder | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 76 people were recorded with the Couts surname. That placed it at #22,745 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 11 in 2016. That gives Couts a modern rank of #37,501.
A derivative of the French surname "Cotte" meaning coat or coat maker.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Couts 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.