UK surname
A name of German origin, likely referring to someone who lived near a forest.
In the 1881 census there were 14 people recorded with the Farster surname, ranking it #31,604 among surnames in the records.
The strongest historical links point to Wittersham, St Pancras and Monkwearmouth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Farster is 100 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.
1881 census count
14
Ranked #31,604
Modern count
-
Peak year
1891
100 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Farster surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Farster surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 18 | #30,094 |
| 1861 | historical | 1 | #34,435 |
| 1881 | historical | 14 | #31,604 |
| 1891 | historical | 100 | #24,045 |
| 1901 | historical | 11 | #32,907 |
| 1911 | historical | 29 | #30,190 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wittersham, St Pancras, Monkwearmouth, Ryton and Hunstonworth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wittersham | Kent |
| 2 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | Monkwearmouth | Durham |
| 4 | Ryton | Durham |
| 5 | Hunstonworth | Durham |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Farster surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Farster, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Farster surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Farster household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Farster is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Farster is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Farster, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Farster originated in the Yorkshire region of England in the late 13th century. It is derived from the Old English words "feor" meaning far and "stere" meaning steer or guide, suggesting the name may have been given to someone who worked as a guide or navigator over long distances.
One of the earliest known references to the name is in the Essex Feet of Fines records from 1292, which mentions a William Farster. The Hundred Rolls of 1275 also contain an entry for a Henry Farstere from Oxfordshire. These early spellings highlight the evolving nature of surnames during this period.
In the 14th century, the Farster name appeared in various records across northern England, including the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, which listed a John Farster from Wakefield. Around this time, the name also began appearing in Scottish records, possibly due to migration or trade between the two regions.
One notable Farster was Sir Robert Farster, a knight and landowner from Northumberland who served as a member of Parliament in the early 15th century. He was born around 1380 and died in 1452. Another early example is William Farster, a merchant from York who was mentioned in the city's Guild records in the late 15th century.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name continued to be found in various parts of England, particularly in Yorkshire and the surrounding counties. One example is Thomas Farster, a farmer from Lincolnshire who was born in 1587 and died in 1662.
In the 18th century, the Farster name appeared in records from both England and Scotland. One notable individual was James Farster, a Scottish philosopher and writer who was born in Edinburgh in 1718 and died in 1795. His works explored various topics including ethics, aesthetics, and political philosophy.
Moving into the 19th century, the Farster surname remained relatively uncommon but continued to be found in various parts of the British Isles. One example is John Farster, an English poet and author who was born in Lancashire in 1835 and died in 1912. He published several collections of poetry and works of fiction during his lifetime.
Throughout its history, the Farster surname has maintained its connection to the Yorkshire region of England, where it first emerged. While not a widespread name, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, merchants, philosophers, and writers over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Farster surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Kent leads with 10 Farsters recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.48x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wittersham in Kent leads with 9 Farsters recorded in 1881 and an index of 22500.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Wittersham | 9 | 22500.00x |
| St Pancras London | 4 | 36.43x |
| Northfleet | 1 | 243.90x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Farster surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Farster surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Farster households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Beerhousekeeper | 1 |
| Butcher | 1 |
| Housekeeper (Dom) | 1 |
| Master | 1 |
| Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Sub Postmistress (C S U) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 14 people were recorded with the Farster surname. That placed it at #31,604 in the surname rankings for that year.
A name of German origin, likely referring to someone who lived near a forest.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Farster bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.