UK surname
A surname originating from an occupational term for someone who fasted regularly.
In the 1881 census there were 68 people recorded with the Faster surname, ranking it #23,950 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 9, ranked #37,705, down from #23,950 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Darlaston, Wigan and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Faster is 1,519 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 86.8%.
1881 census count
68
Ranked #23,950
Modern count
9
2016, ranked #37,705
Peak year
1861
1,519 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Faster surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Faster surname density by area, 1911 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 | 528 | #4,753 |
| 1861 | historical | 1,519 | #1,859 |
| 1881 | historical | 68 | #23,950 |
| 1891 | historical | 789 | #5,096 |
| 1901 | historical | 109 | #21,712 |
| 1911 | historical | 186 | #15,643 |
| 1997 | modern | 1 | #38,839 |
| 1998 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 3 | #38,372 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 4 | #38,338 |
| 2012 | modern | 8 | #37,740 |
| 2013 | modern | 8 | #37,767 |
| 2014 | modern | 8 | #37,806 |
| 2015 | modern | 8 | #37,797 |
| 2016 | modern | 9 | #37,705 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Darlaston, Wigan, Lambeth, Liverpool and Bradford. 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 | Darlaston | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 5 | Bradford | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Faster 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 Faster, 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 Faster surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Faster 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, Faster 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 Faster is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Faster, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Faster is believed to have its origins in England, with historical ties possibly dating back to the medieval period. The name likely hails from regions in Northern England or Scotland, where surnames often derived from occupational terms, personal characteristics, or geographical features.
The etymology of Faster may relate to the Old English term "fæsten," which means strong or steadfast. This could have referred to someone known for their strength or reliability. The name is also found in similar spellings such as Fastre or Fastor in old manuscripts, which were common during the Middle Ages.
Historical references to the surname Faster can be found in various old records. One of the earliest mentions appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1327, where a John Fastre is listed. This suggests the name had emerged as a distinct surname by the early 14th century. Another early record is in the Poll Tax returns of 1379, again in Yorkshire, indicating that the name was relatively established in that region.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Faster. John Faster, born in 1403, was a farmer in Lincolnshire who became well-known for his substantial contributions to the local parish church. Another individual, Thomas Faster, documented in 1501, was a merchant in Norwich and played a significant role in the local economy during the Tudor period.
By the 17th century, the surname Faster appeared in various church records in Scotland, indicating a wider spread of the name. William Faster, born in 1625, served as a prominent soldier in the English Civil War on the side of the Parliamentarians. His military achievements earned him recognition and some historical mention.
In the late 18th century, Robert Faster, who was born in 1767, became a noted scholar and clergyman in Edinburgh. His works on theology and ecclesiastical history are still referenced by scholars today. Daniel Faster, born in 1812, was a well-known industrialist in Manchester who played a crucial role during the Industrial Revolution, contributing to developments in textile manufacturing.
The surname Faster, with its roots deep in medieval England and ties to various historical figures, represents a legacy of endurance and contribution to society. From farmers and merchants to soldiers and scholars, those who bore the name have left their mark on history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Faster 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. Lancashire leads with 22 Fasters recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.75x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 22 | 2.75x |
| Nottinghamshire | 8 | 8.82x |
| Surrey | 8 | 2.44x |
| Yorkshire | 7 | 1.05x |
| West Lothian | 5 | 49.31x |
| Essex | 3 | 2.26x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 2.27x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.45x |
| Devon | 2 | 1.43x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 1.45x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 0.88x |
| Dorset | 1 | 2.26x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 1.11x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 1.58x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 12.47x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wigan in Lancashire leads with 11 Fasters recorded in 1881 and an index of 98.57x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Wigan | 11 | 98.57x |
| Ratcliffe Upon Trent | 8 | 3478.26x |
| Salford | 7 | 29.80x |
| Lambeth | 5 | 8.52x |
| Uphall | 5 | 450.45x |
| Attercliffe Cum Darnall | 3 | 48.31x |
| Cheltenham | 3 | 29.47x |
| Great Burstead | 3 | 625.00x |
| Manchester | 3 | 8.35x |
| Darlaston | 2 | 63.69x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 5.34x |
| Millbrook | 2 | 57.64x |
| Newton Abbot St Nicholas | 2 | 689.66x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 2.33x |
| Carleton In Pontefract | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Chertsey | 1 | 47.17x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 2.76x |
| Holy Trinity | 1 | 6.23x |
| Kingston On Thames | 1 | 12.69x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 2.06x |
| Melcombe Regis | 1 | 54.64x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 11.51x |
| Northampton All Sts | 1 | 46.51x |
| Norwood | 1 | 64.94x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 14.58x |
| Thornaby | 1 | 40.16x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Faster 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 Faster 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 Faster households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 10 |
| Cattle Dealer | 3 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Grocer | 2 |
| Laundress | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Anuitant | 1 |
| Bandsman | 1 |
| Carter | 1 |
| Carter At Dye Works | 1 |
| Chemist | 1 |
| Chief Engineer | 1 |
| Coal Mine Contractor | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Engine Driver | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| General Servent (Dom) | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Iron Moulder | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer In Foundry | 1 |
| Lace Apprentice | 1 |
| Latch & Handle Forger | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| No Business Out Of Work | 1 |
| Nurse Formerly | 1 |
| Painter | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Sewing Maid (Dom) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 68 people were recorded with the Faster surname. That placed it at #23,950 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 9 in 2016. That gives Faster a modern rank of #37,705.
A surname originating from an occupational term for someone who fasted regularly.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Faster 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.