NameCensus.

UK surname

Darton

A locative surname referring to someone from Darton, a village near Barnsley, Yorkshire.

In the 1881 census there were 281 people recorded with the Darton surname, ranking it #10,175 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 329, ranked #13,798, down from #10,175 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ippollitts, London parishes and Yardley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Uttlesford, East Hertfordshire and Shropshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Darton is 478 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.1%.

1881 census count

281

Ranked #10,175

Modern count

329

2016, ranked #13,798

Peak year

1861

478 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Darton had 281 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,175 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 329 in 2016, ranked #13,798.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 478 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Darton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Darton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Darton 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 207 #10,148
1861 historical 478 #5,458
1881 historical 281 #10,175
1891 historical 436 #8,262
1901 historical 381 #9,799
1911 historical 412 #9,097
1997 modern 374 #11,574
1998 modern 390 #11,563
1999 modern 390 #11,660
2000 modern 386 #11,718
2001 modern 378 #11,705
2002 modern 381 #11,865
2003 modern 369 #11,941
2004 modern 355 #12,326
2005 modern 350 #12,359
2006 modern 338 #12,779
2007 modern 335 #13,001
2008 modern 332 #13,207
2009 modern 346 #13,075
2010 modern 350 #13,251
2011 modern 354 #12,982
2012 modern 327 #13,654
2013 modern 331 #13,748
2014 modern 336 #13,692
2015 modern 332 #13,705
2016 modern 329 #13,798

Geography

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Where Dartons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ippollitts, London parishes, Yardley, Hitchin and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Uttlesford, East Hertfordshire, Shropshire and Leeds. 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 Ippollitts Hertfordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Yardley Hertfordshire
4 Hitchin Hertfordshire
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Uttlesford 009 Uttlesford
2 East Hertfordshire 015 East Hertfordshire
3 Shropshire 038 Shropshire
4 Leeds 098 Leeds
5 East Hertfordshire 001 East Hertfordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Darton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Darton

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Darton is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Darton is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Darton falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Darton

The surname Darton originated in England, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 13th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English words "deor" meaning "deer" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "farm," suggesting that it may have referred to a place where deer were kept or hunted.

One of the earliest known references to the name Darton can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which recorded landowners and their holdings. The Hundred Rolls mention a Roger de Dertun, indicating that the name was already in use at that time.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of 1327, which listed a John de Derton from Derbyshire. This suggests that the name may have been associated with a specific location or manor in that region.

The Darton surname also appears in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1334, which recorded taxpayers in England. One entry mentions a Robert de Derton from Nottinghamshire, further solidifying the name's presence in the Midlands area during that period.

Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals bore the surname Darton. One of the earliest was Thomas Darton (c. 1530-1592), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Maldon in 1559. Another was William Darton (1755-1819), a prominent English publisher and bookseller based in London.

In the 19th century, Jacob Darton (1809-1887) was a renowned English cricketer who played for Surrey County Cricket Club and represented the All-England Eleven team. He was known for his exceptional batting skills and scored over 10,000 runs during his career.

Another notable figure was John Darton (1832-1911), an English architect and civil engineer. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings, including the Stockport Town Hall and the Bingley Hall in Birmingham.

Lastly, Charles Darton (1867-1943) was a British artist and illustrator who gained recognition for his depictions of rural life and landscapes. His paintings were exhibited at the Royal Academy and other prestigious galleries in London.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Darton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Darton 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. Hertfordshire leads with 74 Dartons recorded in 1881 and an index of 38.75x.

County Total Index
Hertfordshire 74 38.75x
Middlesex 54 1.95x
Devon 43 7.46x
Surrey 39 2.89x
Kent 17 1.80x
Lancashire 10 0.30x
Durham 9 1.09x
Bedfordshire 7 4.88x
Hampshire 6 1.06x
Cheshire 5 0.82x
Warwickshire 5 0.72x
Cornwall 3 0.96x
Northamptonshire 3 1.15x
Yorkshire 3 0.11x
Gloucestershire 2 0.37x
Royal Navy 2 6.06x
Derbyshire 1 0.23x
Sussex 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Ippollitts in Hertfordshire leads with 21 Dartons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2187.50x.

Place Total Index
St Ippollitts 21 2187.50x
Camberwell 17 9.61x
Stoke Damerel 14 34.69x
Cottered 13 3611.11x
Islington London 13 4.84x
Plymouth St Andrew 13 29.27x
Bengeo 11 495.50x
Lambeth 11 4.55x
Ardeley 10 2127.66x
Willesborough 10 393.70x
Cheshunt 9 134.73x
Croydon 9 12.01x
Bromley London 7 11.48x
Caddington 7 333.33x
Orpington 7 242.21x
Dawdon 6 59.17x
Hendon 6 60.18x
Paddington London 6 5.89x
Plymouth Charles The 6 23.62x
Plymstock 6 198.68x
Toxteth Park 6 5.39x
Aston 5 2.60x
Brading 5 66.23x
Hornsey 5 14.27x
Sutton In Macclesfield 5 78.74x
Everton 4 3.82x
St Marylebone London 4 2.70x
Bishopwearmouth 3 4.24x
Enfield 3 16.50x
Hitchin 3 34.80x
Oundle 3 103.09x
St Pancras London 3 1.35x
Tavistock 3 45.66x
Hampstead London 2 4.64x
Layston 2 196.08x
Mylor 2 95.24x
Royal Navy 2 7.09x
Thundridge 2 444.44x
Whitechapel London 2 7.32x
Bermondsey 1 1.21x
Brightside Bierlow 1 1.86x
Brimpsfield 1 285.71x
Buxton 1 27.25x
Cheltenham 1 2.39x
Devonport 1 15.08x
Falmouth 1 9.01x
Friern Barnet 1 16.39x
Hertford St Andrew 1 42.37x
Houghton 1 526.32x
Lindley Cum Quarmby 1 14.45x
Poplar London 1 1.91x
Putney 1 7.92x
Shoreditch London 1 0.83x
Southampton St Mary 1 2.80x
Sutton On Derwent 1 312.50x
Watford 1 6.76x
Welwyn 1 60.61x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Alice 7
Sarah 7
Eliza 6
Elizabeth 6
Amelia 5
Emily 5
Emma 5
Lucy 5
Florence 4
Martha 4
Anne 3
Annie 3
Charlotte 3
Edith 3
Kate 3
Louisa 3
Rose 3
Ada 2
Adeline 2
Ann 2
Elisabeth 2
Elizth. 2
Ellen 2
Gertrude 2
Harriett 2
Jane 2
Margaret 2
Matilda 2
Minnie 2
Rebecca 2
Amy 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Elespth 1
Esther 1
Frances 1
Georgina 1
Girtrude 1
Gorginia 1
Hannah 1
Lavinia 1
Lillian 1
Lily 1
Linda 1
Lizzie 1
Lucinda 1
Lydia 1
Marie 1
Winnifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 18
George 13
William 12
James 10
Henry 8
Joseph 8
Thomas 8
Charles 7
Richard 6
Alfred 5
Harry 4
Arthur 3
Albert 2
David 2
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Samuel 2
Walter 2
Aarther 1
Amos 1
Charley 1
Chas. 1
Cushi 1
Edward 1
Francis 1
Fredk.G. 1
Geo. 1
Hugh 1
Isaac 1
Javes 1
Levi 1
Lewis 1
Mary 1
Oscar 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Ralph 1
Sidney 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Darton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Darton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 281 people were recorded with the Darton surname. That placed it at #10,175 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Darton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 329 in 2016. That gives Darton a modern rank of #13,798.

What does the Darton surname mean?

A locative surname referring to someone from Darton, a village near Barnsley, Yorkshire.

What does the Darton map show?

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