UK surname
A metonymic occupational surname for a steadfast or firm person, or for a quick runner or messenger.
In the 1881 census there were 69 people recorded with the Fast surname, ranking it #23,816 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 70, ranked #33,700, down from #23,816 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) and St Lawrence in Thanet. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fast is 101 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.4%.
1881 census count
69
Ranked #23,816
Modern count
70
2016, ranked #33,700
Peak year
1861
101 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Fast surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Fast surname density by area, 1861 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 | 37 | #26,673 |
| 1861 | historical | 101 | #20,955 |
| 1881 | historical | 69 | #23,816 |
| 1891 | historical | 99 | #24,200 |
| 1901 | historical | 78 | #25,500 |
| 1911 | historical | 75 | #25,322 |
| 1997 | modern | 52 | #32,444 |
| 1998 | modern | 51 | #32,816 |
| 1999 | modern | 49 | #33,130 |
| 2000 | modern | 49 | #33,187 |
| 2001 | modern | 47 | #33,219 |
| 2002 | modern | 47 | #33,548 |
| 2003 | modern | 53 | #33,076 |
| 2004 | modern | 53 | #33,336 |
| 2005 | modern | 54 | #33,433 |
| 2006 | modern | 55 | #33,688 |
| 2007 | modern | 55 | #33,965 |
| 2008 | modern | 58 | #33,918 |
| 2009 | modern | 55 | #34,355 |
| 2010 | modern | 61 | #34,143 |
| 2011 | modern | 58 | #34,330 |
| 2012 | modern | 64 | #34,028 |
| 2013 | modern | 60 | #34,378 |
| 2014 | modern | 65 | #34,082 |
| 2015 | modern | 67 | #33,911 |
| 2016 | modern | 70 | #33,700 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841), St Lawrence in Thanet, St Mary Islington and Plymouth St Charles the Martyr. 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 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) | Devon |
| 3 | St Lawrence in Thanet | Kent |
| 4 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Plymouth St Charles the Martyr | Devon |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Fast 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 Fast, 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 Fast surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Fast 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, Fast 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 Fast is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Fast, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "FAST" is believed to have originated in Germany, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old German word "fasto," which means "firm" or "steadfast." This surname was likely given to individuals who exhibited qualities of firmness, steadfastness, or perhaps even stubbornness.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname "FAST" can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of Germany. One notable mention is found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from Saxony, where a certain "Heinrich Fast" is mentioned in a land transaction dated 1278.
As the surname spread across Europe, variations in spelling emerged, such as "Faste," "Faste," and "Fasst." These variations were often influenced by local dialects and pronunciation variations.
Interestingly, the surname "FAST" is also found in some early English records, suggesting that individuals bearing this name may have migrated from Germany to England during the medieval period. One such example is the mention of a "John Fast" in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1230.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname "FAST." One of the earliest was Johann Fast (1496-1558), a German scholar and theologian who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. Another was Hans Fast (1543-1610), a German artist and engraver known for his intricate woodcuts and engravings.
In the 18th century, Johann Fast (1718-1788) was a prominent German architect who designed several notable buildings in the Baroque style. Moving forward to the 19th century, Friedrich Fast (1808-1878) was a German-American educator and author who contributed significantly to the educational system in the United States.
Finally, in the 20th century, Howard Fast (1914-2003) was an American novelist and writer known for his historical fiction and his involvement in leftist political causes. His works, such as "Spartacus" and "Freedom Road," explored themes of social justice and human rights.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the surname "FAST" throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of this surname's legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fast 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. Devon leads with 20 Fasts recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.27x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 20 | 14.27x |
| Middlesex | 14 | 2.08x |
| Kent | 8 | 3.48x |
| Leicestershire | 5 | 6.70x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 0.60x |
| Essex | 3 | 2.26x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 1.45x |
| Norfolk | 2 | 1.93x |
| Sussex | 2 | 1.76x |
| Wiltshire | 2 | 3.36x |
| Dorset | 1 | 2.26x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.76x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.13x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 1.92x |
| Rutland | 1 | 20.24x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.44x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.59x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brixham in Devon leads with 10 Fasts recorded in 1881 and an index of 617.28x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Brixham | 10 | 617.28x |
| Kensington London | 6 | 16.03x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 6 | 55.61x |
| Islington London | 5 | 7.66x |
| Ramsgate | 5 | 133.33x |
| Holy Trinity | 4 | 24.94x |
| Melton Mowbray | 4 | 298.51x |
| Plymouth Charles The | 4 | 64.83x |
| Lewisham | 3 | 24.49x |
| Wanstead | 3 | 128.76x |
| Chippenham | 2 | 160.00x |
| Southampton All Sts | 2 | 84.39x |
| Aston | 1 | 2.14x |
| Birkdale | 1 | 49.51x |
| Blackfordby | 1 | 416.67x |
| Braunston | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Great Yarmouth | 1 | 11.67x |
| Greenock Oldor West | 1 | 714.29x |
| Horsham | 1 | 45.45x |
| Norwich St Edmund | 1 | 588.24x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 4.04x |
| St Matthew Friday Street | 1 | 10000.00x |
| Sturminster | 1 | 232.56x |
| Tewkesbury | 1 | 84.75x |
| Twickenham | 1 | 34.60x |
| Walsall Foreign | 1 | 8.52x |
| Wisborough Green | 1 | 263.16x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Fast 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 Fast 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 Fast households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 9 |
| Fisherman | 3 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| School | 2 |
| Apprentice (Undef) | 1 |
| Builder | 1 |
| Builders Wife | 1 |
| Chemists Assistant | 1 |
| Cigar Tobacco Manufacturer | 1 |
| Drapers Shop Assistant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Fish Packer (Mfr) | 1 |
| French German & Music | 1 |
| Governess To Children | 1 |
| Grazier | 1 |
| Green Grocer | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| Housekeeper Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Joiner Unemployed | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| Merchant | 1 |
| Pensioner | 1 |
| Plasterer | 1 |
| Plumbers Labourer | 1 |
| Sailors Wife | 1 |
| Seaman | 1 |
| Stationers Manager | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 69 people were recorded with the Fast surname. That placed it at #23,816 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 70 in 2016. That gives Fast a modern rank of #33,700.
A metonymic occupational surname for a steadfast or firm person, or for a quick runner or messenger.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Fast 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.