NameCensus.

UK surname

Epton

A locational name for someone from a place with this name.

In the 1881 census there were 272 people recorded with the Epton surname, ranking it #10,409 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 596, ranked #8,758, up from #10,409 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Burgh-in-the-Marsh, Wainfleet All Saints, North Holme and Huttoft. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Boston and East Lindsey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Epton is 640 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 119.1%.

1881 census count

272

Ranked #10,409

Modern count

596

2016, ranked #8,758

Peak year

2009

640 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Epton had 272 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,409 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 596 in 2016, ranked #8,758.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 416 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Epton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Epton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Epton 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 176 #11,489
1861 historical 190 #12,520
1881 historical 272 #10,409
1891 historical 324 #10,453
1901 historical 328 #10,943
1911 historical 416 #9,028
1997 modern 540 #8,782
1998 modern 564 #8,749
1999 modern 557 #8,897
2000 modern 572 #8,681
2001 modern 576 #8,523
2002 modern 605 #8,415
2003 modern 602 #8,313
2004 modern 598 #8,369
2005 modern 584 #8,431
2006 modern 586 #8,431
2007 modern 622 #8,126
2008 modern 638 #8,027
2009 modern 640 #8,168
2010 modern 640 #8,351
2011 modern 629 #8,370
2012 modern 618 #8,395
2013 modern 630 #8,421
2014 modern 628 #8,489
2015 modern 616 #8,550
2016 modern 596 #8,758

Geography

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Where Eptons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Burgh-in-the-Marsh, Wainfleet All Saints, North Holme, Huttoft, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Stickney, Mid Ville, East Ville. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Boston and East Lindsey. 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 Burgh-in-the-Marsh Lincolnshire
2 Wainfleet All Saints, North Holme Lincolnshire
3 Huttoft Lincolnshire
4 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
5 Stickney, Mid Ville, East Ville Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Boston 002 Boston
2 Boston 007 Boston
3 Boston 004 Boston
4 Boston 009 Boston
5 East Lindsey 017 East Lindsey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Epton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Epton

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Epton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Epton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Epton is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Epton is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Epton falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Epton

The surname Epton is of English origin, derived from the place name "Epton" in Derbyshire. It is believed to have emerged in the 12th or 13th century. The name is thought to stem from the Old English words "ēa" meaning "river" and "tūn" meaning "farm" or "enclosure," suggesting the name originated from a farm or settlement near a river.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Epton can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Derbyshire from 1176, where a Roger de Epton is mentioned. This indicates the name was already established by the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the Epton surname appeared in the Curia Regis Rolls of Staffordshire, where a William de Epton was listed in 1214. This record suggests the name had spread beyond Derbyshire by that time.

The Epton surname is also found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1273, which mentions a John de Epton. This suggests the name had reached other parts of England by the late 13th century.

One notable bearer of the Epton surname was Sir Ralph de Epton (c. 1300 - 1367), a knight who served under Edward III during the Hundred Years' War. He was granted lands in Derbyshire for his service.

Another historical figure with the Epton surname was John Epton (c. 1450 - 1518), a English clergyman and academic who served as the Chancellor of the University of Oxford from 1509 until his death.

In the 16th century, the Epton surname is recorded in the parish registers of Epton, Derbyshire, with entries for families such as the Eptons of Epton Hall, who were landowners in the area.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, a Captain William Epton fought for the Royalist forces under Prince Rupert of the Rhine. He was killed in action at the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644.

In the 18th century, a notable bearer of the Epton surname was Richard Epton (1728 - 1817), an English clergyman and botanist who authored several works on plants and gardening.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Epton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Epton 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. Lincolnshire leads with 176 Eptons recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.34x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 176 41.34x
Yorkshire 40 1.52x
Somerset 12 2.80x
Nottinghamshire 11 3.06x
Surrey 10 0.77x
Middlesex 8 0.30x
Glamorgan 5 1.08x
Sussex 5 1.11x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.59x
Gloucestershire 1 0.19x
Lancashire 1 0.03x
Northamptonshire 1 0.40x
Staffordshire 1 0.11x
Worcestershire 1 0.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Huttoft in Lincolnshire leads with 12 Eptons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2181.82x.

Place Total Index
Huttoft 12 2181.82x
Burgh In Marsh 10 961.54x
Lopen 10 3125.00x
Alford 9 340.91x
Clee With Weelsby 8 85.84x
Croydon 8 11.11x
Ingoldmells 8 3636.36x
Leake 8 410.26x
Sutton In Marsh 8 2424.24x
Bilsby 7 1489.36x
Bratoft 7 3500.00x
Claxby In Spilsby 7 7777.78x
Great Grimsby 7 25.91x
Langton By Wragby 7 2592.59x
Northolme 7 3888.89x
Sculcoates 7 16.73x
West Fen 7 2413.79x
Wrangle 7 660.38x
Airmyn 6 1333.33x
Hutton Cranswick 6 540.54x
Ruddington 6 248.96x
Doncaster 5 25.93x
Hastings St Mary In The 5 52.19x
Newball 5 4545.45x
Nottingham St Mary 5 5.39x
Fulham London 4 10.36x
Gosberton 4 211.64x
Kensington London 4 2.70x
Llandaff 4 25.92x
Louth 4 40.98x
Barugh 3 134.53x
Cumberworth 3 1500.00x
Gate Fulford 3 48.70x
Morley 3 21.87x
Mumby 3 508.47x
Spalding 3 35.50x
St Peterin Eastgate 3 227.27x
Wainfleet All Sts 3 241.94x
Camberwell 2 1.18x
Ecclesfield 2 10.34x
Great Carlton 2 833.33x
Midville 2 1052.63x
South Thoresby 2 1333.33x
Spilsby 2 148.15x
West Ashby 2 555.56x
Addlethorpe 1 454.55x
Anderby 1 400.00x
Blackburn 1 1.19x
Carrington 1 370.37x
Cheltenham 1 2.48x
Cold Hanworth 1 1250.00x
East Kirkby 1 333.33x
Ewerby 1 243.90x
Hemingby 1 270.27x
Hogsthorpe 1 151.52x
Horncastle 1 22.78x
Kings Norton 1 3.21x
Lindley Cum Quarmby 1 15.02x
Mablethorpe 1 172.41x
Miningsby In Horncastle 1 833.33x
Northampton St Sepulchre 1 7.85x
Ormesby 1 14.10x
Rigsby 1 1000.00x
Rowley 1 172.41x
Sheffield 1 1.19x
Skegness 1 81.97x
South Willingham 1 333.33x
St Margaret Lincoln 1 263.16x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 1.05x
Wainfleet St Mary 1 156.25x
Welton In The Marsh 1 294.12x
Welton Melton 1 129.87x
Wenvoe 1 270.27x
West Barkwith 1 909.09x
Westonsuper Mare 1 114.94x
Willoughby 1 178.57x
Wisbech St Peter 1 11.82x
Yeovil 1 11.48x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Elizabeth 8
Sarah 8
Annie 6
Ann 5
Fanny 5
Jane 5
Susan 5
Alice 4
Betsy 4
Hannah 4
Lucy 4
Eliza 3
Phebe 3
Rose 3
Catherine 2
Charlotte 2
Ellen 2
Emily 2
Frances 2
Margaret 2
Martha 2
Rhoda 2
Ruth 2
Susanna 2
Susannah 2
Anna 1
Anne 1
Caraline 1
Caroline 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Elizth. 1
Elizth.Mary 1
Emma 1
Ethel 1
Eva 1
Eve 1
Evelena 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Honour 1
Infant 1
Jessie 1
Lily 1
Margret 1
Maria 1
Millie 1
Rebecca 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 18
William 17
Charles 10
George 10
Joseph 9
Thomas 7
James 6
Edward 5
Robert 5
Walter 5
Richard 4
Albert 3
Frederick 3
Tobias 3
David 2
Edmund 2
Henry 2
Isaac 2
Levi 2
Samuel 2
Stephen 2
Wm. 2
Arthur 1
Eardley 1
Elijah 1
Ernest 1
Geo.Willm. 1
Harry 1
Headley 1
J.G. 1
Jabez 1
Jms. 1
Kidd 1
Lancelot 1
Mary 1
Reuben 1
Saml. 1
Silas 1
Simon 1
Solomon 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Epton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Epton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 272 people were recorded with the Epton surname. That placed it at #10,409 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Epton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 596 in 2016. That gives Epton a modern rank of #8,758.

What does the Epton surname mean?

A locational name for someone from a place with this name.

What does the Epton map show?

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