UK surname
An English surname derived from a place name, likely originating from the Old English "hals" meaning "neck" and "tun" meaning "town."
In the 1881 census there were 40 people recorded with the Halston surname, ranking it #28,011 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 45, ranked #35,162, down from #28,011 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Paddington and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Halston is 102 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12.5%.
1881 census count
40
Ranked #28,011
Modern count
45
2016, ranked #35,162
Peak year
1861
102 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Halston surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Halston 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 | 55 | #23,413 |
| 1861 | historical | 102 | #20,797 |
| 1881 | historical | 40 | #28,011 |
| 1891 | historical | 83 | #26,376 |
| 1901 | historical | 77 | #25,627 |
| 1911 | historical | 80 | #24,821 |
| 1997 | modern | 51 | #32,545 |
| 1998 | modern | 50 | #32,899 |
| 1999 | modern | 49 | #33,130 |
| 2000 | modern | 51 | #32,999 |
| 2001 | modern | 47 | #33,219 |
| 2002 | modern | 41 | #34,032 |
| 2003 | modern | 45 | #33,803 |
| 2004 | modern | 47 | #33,819 |
| 2005 | modern | 45 | #34,160 |
| 2006 | modern | 43 | #34,647 |
| 2007 | modern | 43 | #34,845 |
| 2008 | modern | 43 | #34,931 |
| 2009 | modern | 44 | #35,028 |
| 2010 | modern | 40 | #35,403 |
| 2011 | modern | 39 | #35,444 |
| 2012 | modern | 36 | #35,595 |
| 2013 | modern | 39 | #35,483 |
| 2014 | modern | 43 | #35,293 |
| 2015 | modern | 44 | #35,212 |
| 2016 | modern | 45 | #35,162 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Paddington, Manchester and Lambeth. 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 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Halston 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 Halston, 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 Halston surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Halston 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, Halston 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 Halston is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Halston, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Halston is of English origin and dates back to the medieval period, specifically the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English words "hæl," meaning "healthy" or "whole," and "tun," which refers to a farm or settlement.
This name was initially associated with individuals who hailed from the village or town of Halston, a place name found in various regions of England, such as Shropshire and Staffordshire. The earliest known written record of the surname Halston appears in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from the year 1176, where it was spelled as "Halestuna."
In the 13th century, the Halston surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Shropshire, a historical record documenting landowners and their properties. One notable entry mentions a William de Halston, who held land in the village of Halston in the year 1255.
The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the Halston surname. However, it does mention the village of Halston in Shropshire, suggesting that the name originated from this location.
Throughout history, several individuals with the Halston surname have achieved notable recognition. One such figure was Sir John Halston (1512-1580), an English courtier and diplomat who served under Queen Elizabeth I. He played a crucial role in negotiating treaties with France and Scotland during his diplomatic career.
Another prominent bearer of the Halston name was Robert Halston (1687-1752), an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works, including "A Vindication of the Doctrine of the Trinity" and "A Treatise on the Lord's Supper."
In the 19th century, William Halston (1818-1892) was a renowned English architect responsible for designing several notable buildings, such as the Manchester Town Hall and the Owens College (now part of the University of Manchester).
The Halston surname has also been associated with notable figures in the arts and fashion industry. Roy Halston Frowick (1932-1990), better known simply as Halston, was an influential American fashion designer who rose to fame in the 1970s. His sleek and minimalist designs were favored by celebrities and socialites of the time.
Finally, a more recent example is the British actor and writer Toby Halston (born 1975), who has appeared in various television shows and films, including "The Office" and "Kick-Ass 2."
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Halston 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 13 Halstons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.74x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 13 | 2.74x |
| Middlesex | 10 | 2.50x |
| Derbyshire | 7 | 11.18x |
| Essex | 2 | 2.53x |
| Surrey | 2 | 1.03x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 1.13x |
| Devon | 1 | 1.20x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 3.63x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.73x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.77x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 2.89x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.99x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tottington Lower End in Lancashire leads with 8 Halstons recorded in 1881 and an index of 353.98x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Tottington Lower End | 8 | 353.98x |
| Codnor Loscoe | 7 | 1400.00x |
| St Marylebone London | 6 | 28.10x |
| Withnell | 3 | 1034.48x |
| Fobbing | 2 | 3333.33x |
| Hampstead London | 2 | 32.10x |
| Shoreditch London | 2 | 11.53x |
| Cheriton | 1 | 178.57x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 1 | 13.26x |
| Edgbaston | 1 | 31.95x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 4.35x |
| Kirkdale | 1 | 12.53x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 2.87x |
| Southwark St Saviour | 1 | 48.54x |
| Stockport | 1 | 22.03x |
| Tamerton Foliott | 1 | 625.00x |
| Watford | 1 | 46.73x |
| Wentnor | 1 | 1000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Halston 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 Halston 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 Halston households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Cotton Weaver | 2 |
| Housekeeper | 2 |
| Paper Sorter Paper Works | 2 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Broker | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Engine Tenter (...) | 1 |
| Gen Servant | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Greengrocer | 1 |
| Grocer Farmer 140 Acre Employing 5 Men | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Lamplighter | 1 |
| Paper Finisher Paper Works | 1 |
| Private | 1 |
| Rom Cath Priest Oratory | 1 |
| Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Spare Lamplighter | 1 |
| Timber Merchant | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 40 people were recorded with the Halston surname. That placed it at #28,011 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 45 in 2016. That gives Halston a modern rank of #35,162.
An English surname derived from a place name, likely originating from the Old English "hals" meaning "neck" and "tun" meaning "town."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Halston 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.