NameCensus.

UK surname

Deighton

From a meadow where bees gather pollen.

In the 1881 census there were 1,494 people recorded with the Deighton surname, ranking it #2,804 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,879, ranked #3,385, down from #2,804 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall and Spofforth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Riding of Yorkshire, Scarborough and York.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Deighton is 2,078 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.8%.

1881 census count

1,494

Ranked #2,804

Modern count

1,879

2016, ranked #3,385

Peak year

1999

2,078 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Deighton had 1,494 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,804 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,879 in 2016, ranked #3,385.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,013 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Deighton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Deighton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Deighton 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 1,017 #2,746
1861 historical 998 #2,793
1881 historical 1,494 #2,804
1891 historical 1,631 #2,744
1901 historical 1,919 #2,749
1911 historical 2,013 #2,474
1997 modern 1,931 #3,133
1998 modern 2,001 #3,158
1999 modern 2,078 #3,087
2000 modern 2,050 #3,107
2001 modern 1,976 #3,134
2002 modern 2,003 #3,170
2003 modern 1,919 #3,217
2004 modern 1,922 #3,210
2005 modern 1,863 #3,265
2006 modern 1,882 #3,257
2007 modern 1,875 #3,290
2008 modern 1,868 #3,314
2009 modern 1,919 #3,317
2010 modern 1,940 #3,359
2011 modern 1,900 #3,381
2012 modern 1,874 #3,364
2013 modern 1,919 #3,349
2014 modern 1,924 #3,359
2015 modern 1,890 #3,380
2016 modern 1,879 #3,385

Geography

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Where Deightons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall, Spofforth, Bradford and St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Riding of Yorkshire, Scarborough, York and South Derbyshire. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Spofforth Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
5 St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles Yorkshire, East Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Riding of Yorkshire 003 East Riding of Yorkshire
2 East Riding of Yorkshire 042 East Riding of Yorkshire
3 Scarborough 012 Scarborough
4 York 008 York
5 South Derbyshire 006 South Derbyshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Deighton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Deighton

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Deighton, 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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Deighton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Deighton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Deighton is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Deighton is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Deighton falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Deighton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Deighton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Deighton

The surname Deighton is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated from the village of Deighton, which is located in Yorkshire. The name is derived from the Old English words "deig" meaning "valley" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Deighton can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were a census-like record of landholders in England. This document mentions a William de Deighton, who was likely a resident of the village of Deighton at the time.

In the 15th century, the surname appears in the records of the Oxfordshire Visitations, which were official inspections of the pedigrees and coats of arms of the gentry and nobility in various counties. These records mention a John Deighton, who lived in Oxfordshire during this period.

One notable historical figure with the surname Deighton was Sir Ridley Deighton (1630-1698), an English politician and lawyer who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire in the late 17th century.

Another significant individual was John Deighton (1830-1875), a British engineer and industrialist who was instrumental in the development of the early steam engine and was a pioneer in the field of mechanical engineering.

In the literary world, Len Deighton (born 1929) is a renowned British author, best known for his spy novels and his intricate plots that often involve historical events. His most famous works include the Harry Palmer series and the novels "Bomber" and "Berlin Game."

The surname Deighton has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Deighton Fields and Deighton Hall, both located in Yorkshire, further reinforcing the connection between the name and the region.

Throughout history, the spelling of the surname has remained relatively consistent, with minor variations such as Dighton and Deyton being recorded in some instances. However, the core form of Deighton has remained the most prevalent spelling.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Deighton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Deighton 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. Yorkshire leads with 711 Deightons recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.90x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 711 4.90x
Durham 166 3.81x
Middlesex 163 1.11x
Lancashire 84 0.48x
Bedfordshire 49 6.47x
Surrey 49 0.69x
Huntingdonshire 40 13.77x
Hampshire 30 1.00x
Lanarkshire 20 0.42x
Shropshire 17 1.34x
Warwickshire 14 0.38x
Westmorland 14 4.35x
Cheshire 12 0.37x
Nottinghamshire 12 0.61x
Cumberland 11 0.87x
Essex 11 0.38x
Northumberland 11 0.51x
Sussex 10 0.41x
Derbyshire 9 0.39x
Devon 9 0.30x
Staffordshire 9 0.18x
Hertfordshire 8 0.79x
Kent 8 0.16x
Worcestershire 7 0.37x
Cambridgeshire 4 0.43x
Lincolnshire 3 0.13x
Somerset 3 0.13x
Berkshire 2 0.18x
Channel Islands 2 0.46x
Gloucestershire 2 0.07x
Isle of Man 2 0.74x
Northamptonshire 2 0.15x
Renfrewshire 2 0.18x
Royal Navy 2 1.15x
Perthshire 1 0.15x
Wiltshire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rudston in Yorkshire leads with 53 Deightons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1749.17x.

Place Total Index
Rudston 53 1749.17x
Horton In Bradford 38 16.78x
Bethnal Green London 28 4.40x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 25 50.41x
Islington London 24 1.69x
Nether Poppleton 23 1564.63x
Newington 23 4.26x
Bridlington 21 63.25x
Clifton In York 21 69.24x
Doncaster 21 19.82x
Godmanchester 21 191.08x
Coxwold 20 1273.89x
Govan 20 1.71x
Darlington 18 10.71x
Gateshead 18 5.52x
Kensington London 18 2.21x
Bradford 17 4.84x
Spofforth Cum Stockeld 16 695.65x
Ecclesfield 15 14.11x
Leeds 15 1.83x
Manchester 15 1.92x
Ventnor 15 52.59x
Monkton Moor 14 1120.00x
Crook Billy Row 13 23.32x
Holy Trinity 12 3.44x
Stanhope 12 26.70x
Scarborough 11 8.35x
Shoreditch London 11 1.73x
Wallsend 11 15.93x
Bishopwearmouth 10 2.68x
Evenwood Barony 10 67.57x
Falsgrave 10 46.79x
Masham 10 186.57x
Stockton On Tees 10 4.77x
Sunderland 10 13.01x
Wortley In Bramley 10 8.71x
Everton 9 1.63x
Gilling 9 206.42x
Hammersmith London 9 2.50x
Kirkby In Ashfield 9 42.65x
Melchbourne 9 818.18x
Richmond 9 39.74x
Salcombe Regis 9 314.69x
Skipwith 9 647.48x
Welburn In Malton 9 320.28x
Abbots Langley 8 53.40x
Aston 8 0.79x
Bromley London 8 2.49x
Chester Le Street 8 23.93x
Dean 8 325.20x
Hunslet 8 3.54x
Manningham 8 4.48x
Salford 8 1.57x
St Andrew Holborn London 8 12.63x
St Pancras London 8 0.68x
Winston 8 479.04x
York St Lawrence 8 52.91x
York St Mary Castlegate 8 187.79x
Bedford St Paul 7 13.47x
Blackburn 7 1.52x
Chesterfield 7 8.15x
Headingley Cum Burley 7 7.50x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 7 3.71x
Houghton Le Spring 7 23.26x
Husthwaite 7 318.18x
Luton 7 5.34x
Morley 7 9.29x
Reigate Foreign 7 9.07x
Roundhay 7 171.99x
Rusholme 7 15.12x
Shrewsbury St Mary 7 14.03x
Walkington 7 142.57x
Yeadon 7 21.38x
York St Mary 7 11.66x
Batley 6 4.35x
Bowling 6 4.18x
Bridewell Precinct London 6 428.57x
Flamborough 6 85.47x
Hulme 6 1.66x
Thorner 6 127.66x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 92
William 84
George 61
Thomas 50
Joseph 33
James 31
Robert 31
Henry 29
Charles 25
Francis 17
Richard 17
Albert 15
Edward 13
Arthur 12
Wm. 11
Frederick 10
Walter 10
Samuel 9
Herbert 8
Alfred 7
Christopher 7
Tom 7
David 6
Frank 5
Aaron 4
Peter 4
Ernest 3
Geo. 3
Leonard 3
Reginald 3
Chas. 2
Daniel 2
Edmund 2
Edwin 2
Fennell 2
Fred 2
Fredrick 2
Harry 2
Joe 2
Kenneth 2
Lewis 2
Oswald 2
Percival 2
Percy 2
Philip 2
Ralph 2
Seymour 2
Shaw 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2

FAQ

Deighton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Deighton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,494 people were recorded with the Deighton surname. That placed it at #2,804 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Deighton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,879 in 2016. That gives Deighton a modern rank of #3,385.

What does the Deighton surname mean?

From a meadow where bees gather pollen.

What does the Deighton map show?

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