NameCensus.

UK surname

Emmerton

A locational surname originating from a place called Emmerton, in England.

In the 1881 census there were 238 people recorded with the Emmerton surname, ranking it #11,476 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 172, ranked #21,648, down from #11,476 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Teignbridge, Bedford and Southwark.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Emmerton is 331 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 27.7%.

1881 census count

238

Ranked #11,476

Modern count

172

2016, ranked #21,648

Peak year

1891

331 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Emmerton had 238 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,476 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 172 in 2016, ranked #21,648.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 331 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Emmerton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Emmerton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Emmerton 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 255 #8,652
1861 historical 163 #14,242
1881 historical 238 #11,476
1891 historical 331 #10,277
1901 historical 317 #11,213
1911 historical 296 #11,569
1997 modern 184 #18,580
1998 modern 195 #18,397
1999 modern 198 #18,343
2000 modern 195 #18,494
2001 modern 190 #18,520
2002 modern 200 #18,294
2003 modern 210 #17,559
2004 modern 200 #18,213
2005 modern 192 #18,640
2006 modern 193 #18,675
2007 modern 186 #19,337
2008 modern 192 #19,143
2009 modern 195 #19,329
2010 modern 191 #20,015
2011 modern 198 #19,410
2012 modern 178 #20,758
2013 modern 188 #20,352
2014 modern 187 #20,570
2015 modern 179 #21,069
2016 modern 172 #21,648

Geography

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Where Emmertons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes, Lambeth, St John Hackney and Newport Pagnell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Teignbridge, Bedford, Southwark and Central Bedfordshire. 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 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
2 London parishes London 3
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 St John Hackney London (North Districts)
5 Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Teignbridge 008 Teignbridge
2 Bedford 015 Bedford
3 Southwark 002 Southwark
4 Central Bedfordshire 013 Central Bedfordshire
5 Bedford 007 Bedford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Emmerton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Emmerton

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Emmerton is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Emmerton is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Emmerton 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 Emmerton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Emmerton

The surname EMMERTON is of English origin, emerging in the late medieval period around the 13th century. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from a now-lost place name, potentially in Derbyshire or Yorkshire. The name may have evolved from the Old English words "emmet" meaning "ant" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement," suggesting a connection to an ant hill or a place with an abundance of ants.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name EMMERTON can be found in the 1379 Poll Tax records of Yorkshire, where a certain John Emmerton is listed. This document provides valuable insight into the name's presence in the region during that time period.

In the 16th century, the EMMERTON surname appeared in various parish records across northern England, including those of Lancashire and Yorkshire. The name was sometimes spelled slightly differently, such as "Emmertonne" or "Emmertun," reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling common in those times.

Notable individuals bearing the EMMERTON surname include John Emmerton (1642-1712), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Southill in Bedfordshire. Another early figure was William Emmerton (1701-1782), a merchant and landowner from Yorkshire, whose estate played a role in the local economy.

In the 19th century, the EMMERTON name gained prominence with the birth of Alfred Emmerton (1858-1925), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Manchester. His contributions to the city's cultural and educational institutions, including the founding of the Emmerton Institute, left a lasting legacy.

Another significant figure was Margaret Emmerton (1882-1973), an English writer and feminist activist. She advocated for women's rights and was involved in various social and political movements during the early 20th century.

The EMMERTON surname has also been associated with notable figures in other fields, such as James Emmerton (1905-1987), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

While the origins of the EMMERTON surname can be traced back to medieval England, its presence has since spread to other parts of the world, reflecting the migration patterns of English settlers and their descendants.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Emmerton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Emmerton 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. Middlesex leads with 83 Emmertons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.56x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 83 3.56x
Bedfordshire 45 37.28x
Surrey 20 1.76x
Buckinghamshire 18 12.77x
Essex 13 2.82x
Yorkshire 12 0.52x
Northumberland 10 2.88x
Cheshire 7 1.36x
Hertfordshire 5 3.11x
Kent 5 0.63x
Staffordshire 4 0.51x
Berkshire 3 1.71x
Denbighshire 3 3.41x
Carmarthenshire 2 2.04x
Durham 2 0.29x
Northamptonshire 2 0.91x
Dorset 1 0.65x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.32x
Royal Navy 1 3.60x
Sussex 1 0.25x
Worcestershire 1 0.33x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 15 Emmertons recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.64x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 15 6.64x
Salford 15 8333.33x
Shoreditch London 14 13.85x
Aspley Guise 11 948.28x
Hackney London 11 8.42x
Lambeth 11 5.41x
Newport Pagnell 11 372.88x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 9 197.37x
Paddington London 9 10.50x
Toddington 8 462.43x
York St Lawrence 8 331.95x
Monks Coppenhall 7 36.05x
Clerkenwell London 6 10.90x
St Clement Danes London 6 124.48x
Broughton 5 3846.15x
Luton 5 23.92x
Poplar London 5 11.36x
Wanstead 5 62.03x
Chalgrave 4 571.43x
Horton Kirby 4 325.20x
Little Henny 4 6666.67x
Newington 4 4.64x
Stone 4 39.72x
Kimberworth 3 23.40x
South Weald 3 76.14x
White Waltham 3 454.55x
Bishopwearmouth 2 3.36x
Gresford 2 238.10x
Hampstead London 2 5.51x
Hillingdon 2 26.92x
Kensington London 2 1.54x
Llanelly 2 9.04x
Richmond 2 12.56x
Shenley 2 188.68x
St George Hanover Square 2 4.87x
Stoke Newington London 2 11.01x
Westminster St James 2 8.34x
Broadwater 1 11.09x
Bromley 1 8.25x
Danbury 1 128.21x
Dunstable 1 26.95x
Edlesborough 1 78.13x
Godalming 1 13.99x
Goole 1 25.84x
Hatfield 1 30.67x
Hertford All Saints 1 111.11x
Lilford Cum Wigsthorpe 1 769.23x
Mile End Old Town London 1 2.02x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 5.56x
Northampton All Sts 1 13.44x
Oakley 1 434.78x
Oldbury 1 6.68x
Ridge 1 312.50x
Royal Navy 1 4.21x
South Collingham 1 161.29x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 2.13x
St Andrew Holborn London 1 9.91x
St Giles In Fields London 1 8.74x
St Marylebone London 1 0.80x
Tolpuddle 1 416.67x
Wandsworth 1 4.46x
Water Eaton 1 500.00x
Willesden 1 4.55x
Wrexham Regis 1 15.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Elizabeth 11
Sarah 9
Ann 6
Annie 6
Eliza 5
Emily 5
Louisa 5
Emma 4
Alice 3
Caroline 3
Jane 3
Kate 3
Ada 2
Anne 2
Catherine 2
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Ellen 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Harriett 2
Lucy 2
Margaret 2
Martha 2
Susan 2
Amanda 1
Amelia 1
C. 1
Deborah 1
Dorothy 1
E. 1
Elenor 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Evelyn 1
Hannah 1
Hariett 1
Harriet 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Lilley 1
Maria 1
May 1
Minnie 1
Rose 1
Ruth 1
Salome 1
Sus...erts 1
Zillah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 16
James 13
Thomas 9
John 7
George 4
Joseph 4
Robert 4
Alfred 3
Charles 3
Frederick 3
Harry 3
Richard 3
Albert 2
Arthur 2
Edward 2
Samuel 2
Stephen 2
Young 2
Archer 1
Caleb 1
Charley 1
David 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
F.Alfred 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Frederic 1
Henry 1
J. 1
Jonothan 1
Levi 1
Llewellyn 1
Margaret 1
Mary 1
Maurice 1
Thos. 1
Wiliam 1
Willm. 1
Wm.George 1

FAQ

Emmerton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Emmerton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 238 people were recorded with the Emmerton surname. That placed it at #11,476 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Emmerton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 172 in 2016. That gives Emmerton a modern rank of #21,648.

What does the Emmerton surname mean?

A locational surname originating from a place called Emmerton, in England.

What does the Emmerton map show?

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