NameCensus.

UK surname

Easton

A locational surname referring to someone from any of the places named Easton, meaning "east town."

In the 1881 census there were 4,554 people recorded with the Easton surname, ranking it #983 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6,793, ranked #991, down from #983 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northumberland, Braes Villages and West Calder and Polbeth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Easton is 7,058 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 49.2%.

1881 census count

4,554

Ranked #983

Modern count

6,793

2016, ranked #991

Peak year

2010

7,058 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Easton had 4,554 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #983 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 6,793 in 2016, ranked #991.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5,677 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Easton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Easton surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Easton 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 2,937 #990
1861 historical 3,381 #842
1881 historical 4,554 #983
1891 historical 4,968 #944
1901 historical 5,677 #982
1911 historical 4,070 #1,261
1997 modern 6,691 #972
1998 modern 6,885 #979
1999 modern 7,008 #976
2000 modern 6,982 #977
2001 modern 6,768 #981
2002 modern 6,972 #974
2003 modern 6,775 #976
2004 modern 6,745 #981
2005 modern 6,715 #974
2006 modern 6,675 #982
2007 modern 6,699 #986
2008 modern 6,735 #987
2009 modern 6,892 #985
2010 modern 7,058 #982
2011 modern 6,912 #985
2012 modern 6,715 #997
2013 modern 6,824 #1,002
2014 modern 6,900 #996
2015 modern 6,829 #990
2016 modern 6,793 #991

Geography

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Where Eastons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Bathgate. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Northumberland, Braes Villages, West Calder and Polbeth, South Norfolk and Methil Methilhill. 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 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Bathgate Linlithgow

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northumberland 002 Northumberland
2 Braes Villages Falkirk
3 West Calder and Polbeth West Lothian
4 South Norfolk 011 South Norfolk
5 Methil Methilhill Fife

Forenames

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First names often paired with Easton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Easton

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Easton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Easton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Easton 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

Easton 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

Easton falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Easton

The surname Easton is of English origin and is believed to have derived from the Old English words "east" and "tun," which together mean "east town" or "eastern homestead." This name likely originated as a descriptive term for someone who lived in the easternmost part of a village or settlement.

The earliest recorded use of the surname Easton can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Eastun" and "Estun," reflecting the evolution of the English language over time.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Easton was Sir Nicholas Easton, who lived in the 13th century. He was a prominent landowner and served as the Sheriff of Wiltshire in 1265. Another early bearer of the name was John Easton, a member of the English Parliament who represented the borough of Great Yarmouth in 1295.

In the 16th century, James Easton (1544-1597) was an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Archdeacon of Essex from 1589 until his death. During this period, the surname was also associated with various place names, such as Easton Neston in Northamptonshire and Easton Royal in Wiltshire.

Benjamin Easton (1673-1753) was a prominent figure in colonial America. He served as the Governor of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations from 1723 to 1734. Easton, Pennsylvania, a city founded in 1752, was named in his honor.

Mary Easton (1799-1884), an English botanist and author, made significant contributions to the study of botany and published several books on the subject. Her works included illustrations and descriptions of various plant species.

Other notable individuals with the surname Easton include Robert Easton (1892-1972), an American actor and film director, and David Easton (born 1938), a British author and historian known for his works on Renaissance art and culture.

Throughout history, the surname Easton has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, politicians, clergymen, scholars, and artists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of those who bear this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Easton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Easton 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. Lanarkshire leads with 425 Eastons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.97x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 425 2.97x
Yorkshire 410 0.93x
Middlesex 383 0.86x
Surrey 343 1.59x
Midlothian 209 3.52x
Devon 206 2.23x
Northumberland 169 2.56x
Kent 164 1.08x
Sussex 158 2.12x
Norfolk 143 2.10x
Stirlingshire 137 8.38x
Lancashire 136 0.26x
Roxburghshire 128 15.95x
West Lothian 127 19.03x
Durham 118 0.90x
Renfrewshire 113 3.29x
Angus 102 2.48x
Ayrshire 89 2.68x
Lincolnshire 76 1.07x
Aberdeenshire 73 1.78x
Dumfriesshire 68 6.95x
Hampshire 57 0.63x
Somerset 53 0.74x
Essex 50 0.57x
Cumberland 48 1.26x
Fife 43 1.64x
Dunbartonshire 40 3.36x
Berwickshire 37 6.90x
Huntingdonshire 35 3.98x
Perthshire 27 1.36x
Dorset 25 0.86x
Northamptonshire 24 0.58x
Selkirkshire 22 5.49x
Gloucestershire 21 0.24x
Cheshire 20 0.20x
Nottinghamshire 18 0.30x
Cambridgeshire 17 0.61x
Argyllshire 16 1.30x
Buckinghamshire 15 0.56x
Suffolk 15 0.28x
Staffordshire 14 0.09x
Berkshire 13 0.39x
Cornwall 13 0.26x
Hertfordshire 13 0.43x
Kincardineshire 13 2.41x
Clackmannanshire 11 3.01x
Peeblesshire 11 5.28x
Kirkcudbrightshire 9 1.40x
Warwickshire 9 0.08x
Inverness-shire 8 0.60x
Morayshire 8 1.16x
Wigtownshire 8 1.36x
Worcestershire 7 0.12x
Leicestershire 6 0.12x
Herefordshire 5 0.28x
Monmouthshire 4 0.12x
Shropshire 4 0.10x
Derbyshire 3 0.04x
East Lothian 3 0.51x
Rutland 3 0.92x
Wiltshire 3 0.08x
Channel Islands 2 0.15x
Denbighshire 2 0.12x
Glamorgan 2 0.03x
Pembrokeshire 2 0.14x
Westmorland 2 0.21x
Buteshire 1 0.37x
Flintshire 1 0.08x
Isle of Man 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 93 Eastons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.89x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 93 3.89x
Bathgate 86 59.37x
Govan 82 2.31x
Barony 79 2.18x
Glasgow 79 3.10x
Camberwell 66 2.33x
Croydon 62 5.17x
Bromley London 53 5.44x
Guisbrough 48 50.03x
Islington London 43 1.00x
Cawston 42 251.95x
Plymouth St Andrew 42 5.91x
Forfar 37 16.65x
Lambeth 37 0.96x
Bedlington 33 14.99x
St Pancras London 32 0.90x
Wilton 31 35.20x
Cathcart 30 16.15x
Reigate Foreign 30 12.83x
Hawick 28 15.59x
Chelsea London 27 2.02x
Larbert 27 27.64x
Portsea 26 1.46x
Old Monkland 25 4.40x
Slamannan 24 26.82x
Wandsworth 24 5.63x
Carluke 23 17.68x
Paddington London 23 1.41x
Battersea 22 1.35x
Bermondsey 22 1.67x
Elswick 22 4.18x
Holy Trinity 22 2.08x
Holywell Cum Needingworth 22 199.46x
Stoke Damerel 22 3.41x
Dalziel 21 13.62x
Lewisham 21 2.61x
South Leith 21 3.14x
Stirling 20 9.71x
Cockpen 19 27.39x
Gateshead 19 1.93x
Jedburgh 19 24.16x
Kensington London 19 0.77x
Abbey 18 3.44x
Denny 18 20.71x
Epsom 18 17.11x
Lesmahagow 18 11.88x
New Kilpatrick 18 15.89x
Cowpen 17 11.20x
Falkirk 17 4.44x
Heigham 17 4.65x
South Mimms 17 27.98x
Stevenston 17 19.67x
Westfield 17 106.52x
Barnstaple 16 11.05x
Manchester 16 0.68x
Moffat 16 35.82x
Plymouth Charles The 16 3.94x
Wemyss 16 14.42x
West Calder 16 13.68x
Whitburn 16 16.60x
Aberdeen Old Machar 15 1.75x
Hamilton 15 3.75x
Mile End Old Town London 15 1.59x
Newington 15 0.92x
Paisley High Church 15 5.49x
Rotherham 15 6.06x
St Luke London 15 2.11x
Toxteth Park 15 0.84x
West Greenock 15 2.43x
Bexhill 14 37.60x
Bothwell 14 3.60x
Danby 14 78.92x
Dundee 14 0.91x
Exeter St David 14 17.77x
Folkestone 14 4.77x
Hackney London 14 0.56x
Horsham 14 9.65x
Kilcalmonell 14 50.14x
Sprouston 14 89.86x
Gilling East 13 349.46x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 204
Elizabeth 95
Sarah 86
Jane 63
Alice 51
Eliza 44
Annie 43
Ann 41
Emily 33
Ellen 32
Emma 31
Margaret 31
Hannah 25
Maria 25
Martha 24
Ada 22
Florence 21
Caroline 20
Isabella 20
Kate 20
Charlotte 19
Louisa 16
Harriet 15
Harriett 15
Edith 14
Frances 12
Agnes 10
Catherine 10
Eleanor 10
Ethel 10
Rose 10
Maud 9
Clara 8
Esther 8
Lucy 8
Julia 7
Matilda 7
Susannah 7
Anne 6
Helen 6
Jessie 6
Mabel 6
Rosina 6
Selina 6
Sophia 6
Dorothy 5
Laura 5
Margret 5
Minnie 5
Rachel 5

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 187
John 136
George 106
James 97
Thomas 72
Robert 71
Charles 51
Joseph 41
Henry 39
Alfred 31
Richard 31
Edward 30
Frederick 27
Harry 18
Arthur 17
Ernest 17
Walter 16
Albert 14
Samuel 13
Frank 12
Herbert 11
David 10
Francis 10
Thos. 10
Geo. 8
Alexander 7
Isaac 7
Stephen 7
Wm. 7
Edwin 6
Harold 6
Mark 6
Percy 6
Andrew 5
Daniel 5
Fred 5
Jesse 5
Peter 5
Edgar 4
Jonathan 4
Philip 4
Phillip 4
A. 3
Abraham 3
Elias 3
Horace 3
J. 3
Jno. 3
Michael 3
Richd. 3

FAQ

Easton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Easton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4,554 people were recorded with the Easton surname. That placed it at #983 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Easton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 6,793 in 2016. That gives Easton a modern rank of #991.

What does the Easton surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from any of the places named Easton, meaning "east town."

What does the Easton map show?

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