UK surname
A surname derived from Middle English "foster", referring to someone who was a foster parent or who was fostered.
In the 1881 census there were 53 people recorded with the Fost surname, ranking it #26,134 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 50, ranked #34,889, down from #26,134 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Henham, Leek and Radwell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fost is 138 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 5.7%.
1881 census count
53
Ranked #26,134
Modern count
50
2016, ranked #34,889
Peak year
1861
138 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Fost surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Fost 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 | 38 | #26,502 |
| 1861 | historical | 138 | #16,365 |
| 1881 | historical | 53 | #26,134 |
| 1891 | historical | 109 | #22,701 |
| 1901 | historical | 70 | #26,383 |
| 1911 | historical | 98 | #22,959 |
| 1997 | modern | 60 | #31,629 |
| 1998 | modern | 56 | #32,313 |
| 1999 | modern | 53 | #32,746 |
| 2000 | modern | 49 | #33,187 |
| 2001 | modern | 45 | #33,401 |
| 2002 | modern | 48 | #33,459 |
| 2003 | modern | 51 | #33,266 |
| 2004 | modern | 51 | #33,478 |
| 2005 | modern | 48 | #33,932 |
| 2006 | modern | 48 | #34,245 |
| 2007 | modern | 44 | #34,760 |
| 2008 | modern | 42 | #34,994 |
| 2009 | modern | 46 | #34,918 |
| 2010 | modern | 52 | #34,726 |
| 2011 | modern | 51 | #34,751 |
| 2012 | modern | 48 | #34,938 |
| 2013 | modern | 50 | #34,891 |
| 2014 | modern | 50 | #34,927 |
| 2015 | modern | 48 | #35,004 |
| 2016 | modern | 50 | #34,889 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Henham, Leek, Radwell, Lyme Regis and St Mary Islington. 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 | Henham | Hertfordshire |
| 2 | Leek | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Radwell | Hertfordshire |
| 4 | Lyme Regis | Devon |
| 5 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Fost 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 Fost, 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 Fost surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Fost 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, Fost 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 Fost is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Fost, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname FOST is believed to have originated in England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the late 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "foss," meaning a ditch or small stream. This suggests that the name may have initially been given to someone who lived near a ditch or stream.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name FOST can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1195, where a man named Robert Fosse is mentioned. This variant spelling, "Fosse," further supports the connection to the Old English word "foss."
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various records across different regions of England. For example, the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273 mention a Henry Fost, while the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275 include a reference to a William Fust.
The FOST surname has also been associated with certain place names in England. One such place is the village of Foston in Derbyshire, which may have derived its name from the Old English words "foss" and "tun," meaning a settlement near a ditch or stream.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname FOST. One example is John Fost, a 16th-century English composer and organist who was active in the early 1500s. Another is Sir Robert Fost, a member of the English gentry who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
In the 18th century, a prominent figure with the surname FOST was Benjamin Fost (1713-1775), an English mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics.
Moving into the 19th century, we find William Fost (1806-1876), an English politician and barrister who served as a Member of Parliament for several constituencies.
Finally, in the early 20th century, there was Henry Fost (1892-1963), an English artist and illustrator known for his work in children's literature.
While the surname FOST may have originated from humble beginnings, referring to those who lived near ditches or streams, it has since been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including composers, scientists, politicians, and artists.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fost 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 15 Fosts recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.94x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 15 | 13.94x |
| Middlesex | 11 | 2.13x |
| Dorset | 7 | 20.64x |
| Lanarkshire | 6 | 3.59x |
| Sussex | 6 | 6.89x |
| Essex | 3 | 2.94x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 1.15x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 1.71x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.11x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.99x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 7 Fosts recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.18x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bethnal Green London | 7 | 31.18x |
| Lyme Regis | 7 | 1707.32x |
| East Teignmouth | 6 | 1363.64x |
| Govan | 6 | 14.51x |
| Seaford | 6 | 2000.00x |
| West Teignmouth | 6 | 731.71x |
| Paignton | 3 | 365.85x |
| West Ham | 3 | 13.32x |
| Leek Lowe | 2 | 86.21x |
| Paddington London | 2 | 10.53x |
| Clifton | 1 | 19.53x |
| Ealing | 1 | 21.65x |
| Falmouth | 1 | 48.31x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 2.40x |
| Ystradyfodwg | 1 | 12.67x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Fost 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 Fost 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 Fost households.
FAQ
In 1881, 53 people were recorded with the Fost surname. That placed it at #26,134 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 50 in 2016. That gives Fost a modern rank of #34,889.
A surname derived from Middle English "foster", referring to someone who was a foster parent or who was fostered.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Fost 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.