NameCensus.

UK surname

Foote

An English occupational surname for a messenger or foot soldier.

In the 1881 census there were 1,147 people recorded with the Foote surname, ranking it #3,487 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,106, ranked #3,065, up from #3,487 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Somerset, Hyndburn and Blaenau Gwent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Foote is 2,292 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 83.6%.

1881 census count

1,147

Ranked #3,487

Modern count

2,106

2016, ranked #3,065

Peak year

1999

2,292 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Foote had 1,147 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,487 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,106 in 2016, ranked #3,065.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,005 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Foote surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Foote surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Foote 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 373 #6,385
1861 historical 466 #5,573
1881 historical 1,147 #3,487
1891 historical 1,437 #3,046
1901 historical 2,005 #2,657
1911 historical 1,783 #2,743
1997 modern 2,178 #2,843
1998 modern 2,269 #2,842
1999 modern 2,292 #2,838
2000 modern 2,256 #2,863
2001 modern 2,226 #2,841
2002 modern 2,210 #2,906
2003 modern 2,137 #2,937
2004 modern 2,147 #2,928
2005 modern 2,111 #2,936
2006 modern 2,105 #2,948
2007 modern 2,114 #2,969
2008 modern 2,139 #2,959
2009 modern 2,190 #2,960
2010 modern 2,244 #2,959
2011 modern 2,201 #2,970
2012 modern 2,135 #3,000
2013 modern 2,166 #3,009
2014 modern 2,152 #3,054
2015 modern 2,109 #3,080
2016 modern 2,106 #3,065

Geography

Back to top

Where Footes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Somerset, Hyndburn, Blaenau Gwent, West Dorset and Swansea. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Somerset 024 South Somerset
2 Hyndburn 007 Hyndburn
3 Blaenau Gwent 005 Blaenau Gwent
4 West Dorset 007 West Dorset
5 Swansea 018 Swansea

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Foote

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Foote

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Foote 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

Foote is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Foote falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Foote

The surname Foote has its origins in medieval England, tracing back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "fot," meaning "foot," and was likely originally an occupational name referring to a runner or messenger. The name also has ties to the French word "pied," which has a similar meaning.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Foote surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Suffolk, England, from the year 1182, where it appears as "Fote." The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also mention a John Fote in Cambridgeshire. These early records suggest that the name was particularly prevalent in the eastern and central regions of England during the Middle Ages.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and populations undertaken in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror, does not contain any direct references to the Foote surname. However, it does mention several place names that may have contributed to the name's development, such as Fotherby in Lincolnshire and Fotheringham in Yorkshire.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the Foote surname was Sir Robert Foote, a prominent English knight who fought in the Battle of Crécy during the Hundred Years' War in 1346. Another notable figure was Samuel Foote (1720-1777), an English actor, playwright, and comedian who is remembered for his satirical works and contributions to the development of English theater.

In the 16th century, the Foote family established a significant presence in Cornwall, with several members holding influential positions in local government and the clergy. Reverend John Foote (1515-1594) was a prominent clergyman and served as the Archdeacon of Worcester during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

During the 17th century, the Foote surname gained recognition in the American colonies. Nathaniel Foote (1615-1655) was among the founders of Wethersfield, Connecticut, and his descendants played significant roles in the early history of New England. Another notable figure was Samuel Augustus Foote (1780-1846), an American naval officer who served during the War of 1812 and later became a prominent diplomat.

The 19th century saw the rise of several individuals with the Foote surname in various fields. Mary Hallock Foote (1847-1938) was an accomplished American author and illustrator, known for her depictions of life in the American West. Arthur Foote (1853-1937) was a renowned American composer and musician, recognized for his contributions to the development of American classical music.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Foote families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Foote 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 170 Footes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.52x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 170 1.52x
Lancashire 106 0.80x
Somerset 64 3.54x
Lanarkshire 63 1.74x
Hampshire 60 2.61x
Devon 59 2.53x
Fife 55 8.28x
Surrey 50 0.91x
Angus 45 4.33x
Gloucestershire 45 2.05x
Aberdeenshire 36 3.47x
Dorset 34 4.62x
Perthshire 34 6.75x
Yorkshire 34 0.31x
Wiltshire 26 2.62x
Cambridgeshire 21 2.96x
Kent 19 0.50x
Northamptonshire 18 1.71x
Midlothian 16 1.06x
Renfrewshire 16 1.84x
Sussex 15 0.79x
Cheshire 14 0.57x
Essex 14 0.63x
Durham 13 0.39x
Glamorgan 12 0.61x
Lincolnshire 11 0.61x
Warwickshire 10 0.35x
Buckinghamshire 9 1.33x
Cornwall 9 0.71x
Bedfordshire 8 1.38x
Northumberland 8 0.48x
Kinross-shire 7 24.68x
Huntingdonshire 6 2.69x
Isle of Man 5 2.40x
Monmouthshire 5 0.62x
Staffordshire 5 0.13x
Worcestershire 5 0.34x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.26x
Royal Navy 4 2.99x
Herefordshire 3 0.65x
Leicestershire 3 0.24x
Norfolk 2 0.12x
Ayrshire 1 0.12x
Berkshire 1 0.12x
Channel Islands 1 0.30x
Derbyshire 1 0.06x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.33x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.28x
Stirlingshire 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 42 Footes recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.52x.

Place Total Index
Glasgow 42 6.52x
Dunfermline 31 30.36x
Aberdeen Old Machar 27 12.45x
Mile End Old Town London 26 10.89x
Kensington London 22 3.53x
Peterborough 17 22.25x
Dundee 16 4.12x
Kinclaven 16 701.75x
St Pancras London 16 1.77x
Wells St Cuthbert 16 129.87x
Hackney London 15 2.39x
Leeds 15 2.39x
Portsea 15 3.33x
Farnham 14 32.94x
Liverpool 14 1.73x
Southampton St Mary 14 9.68x
Beath 12 57.17x
Cirencester 12 40.28x
Clerkenwell London 12 4.53x
Manchester 12 2.00x
Teversham 12 1250.00x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 11 5.31x
Lochee 11 118.66x
Pylle 11 1067.96x
Battersea 10 2.42x
Bishopwearmouth 10 3.49x
Bury 10 6.58x
Chelsea London 10 2.96x
Everton 10 2.36x
St Peter Cheesehill 10 307.69x
Tavistock 10 37.59x
Barony 9 0.98x
Bere Ferrers 9 234.38x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 9 23.67x
Govan 9 1.00x
Hammersmith London 9 3.26x
Hampreston 9 168.22x
Islington London 9 0.83x
Moulton 9 104.29x
Newington 9 2.17x
Newton 9 8.77x
Totnes 9 65.89x
Broughton In Salford 8 6.57x
Kirkcaldy 8 24.29x
Liff Benvie 8 5.07x
Paisley High Church 8 11.56x
St Martin In Fields 8 11.91x
Streatham 8 9.61x
Whitechapel London 8 7.23x
Wimborne St Giles 8 459.77x
Yeovil 8 21.80x
Ashton Under Lyne 7 2.41x
Benwell 7 38.38x
Bethnal Green London 7 1.44x
Devizes St John 7 93.96x
Exeter St Sidwell 7 13.09x
Gillingham 7 55.34x
St Marylebone London 7 1.17x
Ashford 6 16.10x
Auchtergaven 6 71.09x
Buckland Monachorum 6 120.24x
Cheltenham 6 3.53x
Echt 6 120.00x
Perth West Church 6 25.12x
Plymouth St Andrew 6 3.34x
St Neots 6 49.55x
West Ham 6 1.23x
Westbury On Trym 6 8.05x
Aston 5 0.64x
Brighton 5 1.31x
Castleton 5 3.76x
Collingbourne Kingston 5 187.27x
Fisherton De La Mere 5 438.60x
Fossoway 5 102.67x
Holy Rood 5 107.53x
Onchan 5 8.33x
St Woollos 5 5.52x
Stoke Poges 5 60.46x
Veryan 5 101.63x
Wincanton 5 53.82x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 45
Elizabeth 32
Sarah 30
Annie 23
Jane 17
Ellen 16
Emily 14
Alice 13
Ann 12
Florence 12
Charlotte 11
Fanny 11
Margaret 10
Eliza 9
Emma 9
Maria 9
Ada 7
Caroline 7
Edith 7
Ethel 6
Julia 6
Kate 6
Anne 5
Lucy 5
Amelia 4
Anna 4
Bessie 4
Catherine 4
Hannah 4
Harriett 4
Louisa 4
Rebecca 4
Susan 4
Amy 3
Elizth. 3
Esther 3
Grace 3
Harriet 3
Helen 3
Jessie 3
Katherine 3
Martha 3
Agnes 2
E. 2
Ida 2
Isabella 2
Laura 2
Maud 2
Rose 2
Ruth 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 50
John 35
Charles 25
Henry 24
George 22
Thomas 22
James 14
Frederick 13
Samuel 13
Arthur 11
Harry 10
Frank 8
Francis 7
Robert 7
Walter 7
Alfred 6
Joseph 6
Albert 5
David 5
Tom 5
Edward 4
Richard 4
Andrew 3
Benjamin 3
Chas. 3
Myer 3
Wm. 3
Abraham 2
Daniel 2
Fred. 2
Herbert 2
Leonard 2
Robt. 2
Sidney 2
Stephen 2
Aaron 1
Allen 1
Benjam. 1
Benjiman 1
Berkeley 1
Danl. 1
Dennis 1
Douglas 1
Edmond 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Hubert 1
Hy. 1
Isaac 1
Wm.P. 1

FAQ

Foote surname: questions and answers

How common was the Foote surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,147 people were recorded with the Foote surname. That placed it at #3,487 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Foote surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,106 in 2016. That gives Foote a modern rank of #3,065.

What does the Foote surname mean?

An English occupational surname for a messenger or foot soldier.

What does the Foote map show?

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