UK surname
An occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of darts.
In the 1881 census there were 106 people recorded with the Darter surname, ranking it #19,083 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 49, ranked #34,957, down from #19,083 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas, London parishes and Sapperton, Coates. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Darter is 176 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 53.8%.
1881 census count
106
Ranked #19,083
Modern count
49
2016, ranked #34,957
Peak year
1861
176 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Darter surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Darter surname density by area, 1881 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 | 104 | #16,746 |
| 1861 | historical | 176 | #13,335 |
| 1881 | historical | 106 | #19,083 |
| 1891 | historical | 145 | #18,752 |
| 1901 | historical | 134 | #19,288 |
| 1911 | historical | 130 | #19,504 |
| 1997 | modern | 64 | #31,233 |
| 1998 | modern | 73 | #30,681 |
| 1999 | modern | 69 | #31,223 |
| 2000 | modern | 60 | #32,124 |
| 2001 | modern | 58 | #32,180 |
| 2002 | modern | 61 | #32,286 |
| 2003 | modern | 63 | #32,152 |
| 2004 | modern | 62 | #32,478 |
| 2005 | modern | 53 | #33,528 |
| 2006 | modern | 52 | #33,923 |
| 2007 | modern | 53 | #34,115 |
| 2008 | modern | 53 | #34,315 |
| 2009 | modern | 56 | #34,278 |
| 2010 | modern | 59 | #34,273 |
| 2011 | modern | 55 | #34,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 50 | #34,814 |
| 2013 | modern | 50 | #34,891 |
| 2014 | modern | 51 | #34,865 |
| 2015 | modern | 49 | #34,946 |
| 2016 | modern | 49 | #34,957 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas, London parishes, Sapperton, Coates, Lambeth and Sutton Courtney (Sutton Courtney), East Hendred. 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 | Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas | Berkshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Sapperton, Coates | Gloucestershire |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Sutton Courtney (Sutton Courtney), East Hendred | Berkshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Darter 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 Darter, 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 Darter surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Darter 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, Darter 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 Darter is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Darter, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Darter is believed to have originated in England, likely during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "dartre," which referred to a type of javelin or small spear used for hunting. This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname for someone who made or used these hunting implements.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Darter can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which documented a William le Darter residing in Oxfordshire. The prefix "le" was commonly used to denote a person's profession or occupation during that time.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Dartour, Dartere, and Darter, in the Court Rolls of the County of Essex. These records provided valuable insights into the daily lives and activities of individuals bearing this surname.
The Darter name can also be traced back to various place names across England. For instance, the village of Darters Grave in Dorset may have derived its name from an individual with the surname Darter who lived or owned land in the area.
Notable individuals who carried the Darter surname throughout history include Sir William Darter (1583-1639), an English landowner and Member of Parliament for Middlesex during the reign of King Charles I. Another prominent figure was John Darter (1670-1737), a successful merchant and philanthropist who donated funds for the construction of several churches in London.
In the 18th century, Thomas Darter (1725-1793) gained recognition as a skilled clockmaker and watchmaker, with his timepieces being highly sought after by the English gentry. His son, James Darter (1760-1824), followed in his footsteps and continued the family's legacy in the horological trade.
During the Victorian era, Mary Darter (1823-1891) made her mark as an accomplished author and poet, publishing several collections of her works that were well-received by literary critics of the time.
While the Darter surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, thanks to migration and the dispersal of families over the centuries. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the English language and culture.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Darter 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. Berkshire leads with 26 Darters recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.19x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Berkshire | 26 | 33.19x |
| Middlesex | 23 | 2.20x |
| Gloucestershire | 19 | 9.28x |
| Surrey | 15 | 2.95x |
| Wiltshire | 7 | 7.58x |
| Oxfordshire | 6 | 9.31x |
| Staffordshire | 4 | 1.14x |
| Kent | 3 | 0.84x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 0.94x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.46x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.38x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sutton Courtney in Berkshire leads with 12 Darters recorded in 1881 and an index of 3750.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Sutton Courtney | 12 | 3750.00x |
| Lambeth | 8 | 8.79x |
| Draycot Moor | 7 | 8750.00x |
| Ashton Keynes | 6 | 1764.71x |
| Chelsea London | 6 | 19.08x |
| Edmonton | 6 | 71.34x |
| Gloucester Barton St Mary | 6 | 160.43x |
| Oxford St Clement | 6 | 368.10x |
| South Cerney | 4 | 1176.47x |
| Wolverhampton | 4 | 14.77x |
| Bermondsey | 3 | 9.66x |
| Cheltenham | 3 | 19.00x |
| Deptford St Paul | 3 | 10.93x |
| Sapperton | 3 | 1578.95x |
| St Marylebone London | 3 | 5.39x |
| Abingdon St Helen | 2 | 87.34x |
| Islington London | 2 | 1.98x |
| Newington | 2 | 5.19x |
| Ratcliffe London | 2 | 34.72x |
| Southwark St Saviour | 2 | 37.31x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 2.38x |
| Tubney | 2 | 3333.33x |
| Ventnor | 2 | 98.52x |
| Aston | 1 | 1.38x |
| Colesbourne | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Hinton Waldrist | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Milton | 1 | 666.67x |
| Moreton Hampstead | 1 | 178.57x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 2.61x |
| Reading St Giles | 1 | 13.02x |
| St Sepulchre London | 1 | 65.36x |
| Stratton St Margaret | 1 | 70.42x |
| Tewkesbury | 1 | 54.64x |
| Withington | 1 | 454.55x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Darter 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 Darter 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 Darter households.
FAQ
In 1881, 106 people were recorded with the Darter surname. That placed it at #19,083 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 49 in 2016. That gives Darter a modern rank of #34,957.
An occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of darts.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Darter 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.