NameCensus.

UK surname

Distin

A French surname derived from the Old French "destin" meaning destiny or fate.

In the 1881 census there were 147 people recorded with the Distin surname, ranking it #15,674 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 137, ranked #25,254, down from #15,674 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Paignton, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and St Philip and Jacob. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Teignbridge, South Hams and Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Distin is 160 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 6.8%.

1881 census count

147

Ranked #15,674

Modern count

137

2016, ranked #25,254

Peak year

2009

160 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Distin had 147 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,674 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 137 in 2016, ranked #25,254.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 154 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Distin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Distin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Distin 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 111 #16,006
1861 historical 102 #20,797
1881 historical 147 #15,674
1891 historical 106 #23,105
1901 historical 127 #19,893
1911 historical 154 #17,553
1997 modern 148 #21,295
1998 modern 148 #21,841
1999 modern 150 #21,826
2000 modern 146 #22,170
2001 modern 147 #21,756
2002 modern 157 #21,261
2003 modern 153 #21,406
2004 modern 142 #22,573
2005 modern 147 #22,057
2006 modern 147 #22,221
2007 modern 154 #21,804
2008 modern 155 #21,956
2009 modern 160 #21,978
2010 modern 158 #22,692
2011 modern 158 #22,473
2012 modern 146 #23,681
2013 modern 142 #24,547
2014 modern 143 #24,621
2015 modern 142 #24,617
2016 modern 137 #25,254

Geography

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Where Distins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Paignton, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, St Philip and Jacob, Totnes and St Stephen. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Teignbridge, South Hams, Cornwall, Plymouth and Windsor and Maidenhead. 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 Paignton Devon
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 St Philip and Jacob Gloucestershire
4 Totnes Devon
5 St Stephen Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Teignbridge 017 Teignbridge
2 South Hams 007 South Hams
3 Cornwall 022 Cornwall
4 Plymouth 029 Plymouth
5 Windsor and Maidenhead 002 Windsor and Maidenhead

Forenames

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First names often paired with Distin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Distin

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Distin is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Distin 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

Distin falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Distin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Distin

The surname Distin originated in England, with roots tracing back to the late 12th century. It is believed to be a variant spelling of the Old English name "Dustin," which itself is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Þórsteinn," meaning "Thor's stone" or "rock of Thor."

In medieval records, the earliest known spelling of the name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1195, where it appears as "Dustin." This indicates that the name was present in England during the late 12th century, potentially brought over by Norse settlers or traders.

The Distin surname is also mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were administrative records compiled during the reign of King Edward I. This suggests that the name had become more widely established in various parts of England by the late 13th century.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the Distin surname was William Distin, a landowner in Nottinghamshire, who is mentioned in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1327. Another notable early bearer of the name was John Distin, a merchant from London, who is referenced in guild records from the late 15th century.

In the 16th century, the Distin surname can be found in various parish records across England, particularly in the counties of Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Yorkshire. This indicates that the name had spread to different regions of the country by this time.

One notable individual with the Distin surname was Henry Distin (1592-1658), a renowned English musician and composer who served as a lutenist at the court of King Charles I. He is considered one of the most significant figures in the development of English lute music during the 17th century.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Sir Thomas Distin (1653-1719), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist from London. He was involved in the East India Company and made significant contributions to the establishment of various charitable institutions in the city.

Other notable individuals with the Distin surname include William Distin (1744-1828), a renowned English instrument maker and manufacturer of brass instruments, and his son Henry Distin (1819-1903), who founded the famous Distin Family Brass Band, which achieved great success in the mid-19th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Distin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Distin 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. Devon leads with 72 Distins recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.80x.

County Total Index
Devon 72 23.80x
Gloucestershire 19 6.67x
Surrey 18 2.54x
Middlesex 16 1.10x
Cornwall 8 4.86x
Lancashire 7 0.41x
Channel Islands 2 4.64x
Hampshire 2 0.67x
Leicestershire 2 1.24x
Staffordshire 2 0.41x
Durham 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Paignton in Devon leads with 16 Distins recorded in 1881 and an index of 695.65x.

Place Total Index
Paignton 16 695.65x
South Pool 13 6500.00x
Totnes 8 451.98x
Ashburton 7 482.76x
Bermondsey 7 16.18x
Berry Pomeroy 7 1400.00x
St Stephens By Saltash 7 985.92x
Malborough 6 500.00x
Newington 6 11.18x
Stapleton 6 110.91x
Bromley London 5 15.63x
Habergham Eaves 5 31.73x
Hammersmith London 5 13.97x
Tormoham 5 39.06x
West Alvington 5 1190.48x
Bitton Oldland 4 137.46x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 4 14.90x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 10.26x
St George Hanover Square 3 11.71x
Wolborough 3 78.53x
Aveton Gifford 2 454.55x
Bristol St Mary Le Port 2 4000.00x
Bristol St Michael 2 81.97x
Burton Upon Trent 2 17.42x
Clerkenwell London 2 5.83x
Salford 2 3.94x
Southwark Christchurch 2 29.37x
St Lawrence 2 169.49x
Ventnor 2 70.67x
Bishopwearmouth 1 2.69x
Burbage 1 119.05x
Hallaton 1 277.78x
Islington London 1 0.71x
Saltash 1 78.13x
Westbury On Trym 1 10.35x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 13
Mary 11
Charlotte 4
Emma 4
Ann 3
Anne 3
Annie 3
Emily 2
Jane 2
Louisa 2
Ada 1
Amy 1
Augusta 1
Bridget 1
Edith 1
Elina 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Geraldine 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Helen 1
Irene 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lucy 1
Maud 1
Maude 1
S.A.A. 1
Sara 1
Sarah 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 11
William 10
James 6
Henry 5
Thomas 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Ernest 3
Joseph 3
Charles 2
Fred 2
George 2
Harold 2
Harry 2
Robert 2
Samuel 2
Theodore 2
Alban 1
Albert 1
Andrew 1
Frank 1
Gilbert 1
Howard 1
Louis 1
R. 1
Raymond 1
Robt. 1
Sidney 1
Sydney 1

FAQ

Distin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Distin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 147 people were recorded with the Distin surname. That placed it at #15,674 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Distin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 137 in 2016. That gives Distin a modern rank of #25,254.

What does the Distin surname mean?

A French surname derived from the Old French "destin" meaning destiny or fate.

What does the Distin map show?

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