NameCensus.

UK surname

Hammerton

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "homestead settlement."

In the 1881 census there were 779 people recorded with the Hammerton surname, ranking it #4,763 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,128, ranked #5,224, down from #4,763 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Mirfield, London parishes and Darfield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Boston, Lincoln and Pendle.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hammerton is 1,174 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 44.8%.

1881 census count

779

Ranked #4,763

Modern count

1,128

2016, ranked #5,224

Peak year

1999

1,174 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hammerton had 779 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,763 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,128 in 2016, ranked #5,224.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,157 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Hammerton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hammerton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hammerton 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 514 #4,864
1861 historical 508 #5,149
1881 historical 779 #4,763
1891 historical 925 #4,467
1901 historical 1,066 #4,528
1911 historical 1,157 #4,036
1997 modern 1,148 #4,890
1998 modern 1,150 #5,059
1999 modern 1,174 #5,022
2000 modern 1,154 #5,066
2001 modern 1,141 #5,024
2002 modern 1,125 #5,192
2003 modern 1,126 #5,076
2004 modern 1,146 #5,014
2005 modern 1,150 #4,949
2006 modern 1,132 #5,006
2007 modern 1,121 #5,101
2008 modern 1,122 #5,132
2009 modern 1,158 #5,105
2010 modern 1,173 #5,141
2011 modern 1,135 #5,238
2012 modern 1,115 #5,228
2013 modern 1,140 #5,215
2014 modern 1,128 #5,291
2015 modern 1,121 #5,267
2016 modern 1,128 #5,224

Geography

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Where Hammertons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Mirfield, London parishes, Darfield, Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Boston, Lincoln, Pendle, Walsall and Wokingham. 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 Mirfield Yorkshire, West Riding
2 London parishes London 3
3 Darfield Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken Warwickshire
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Boston 001 Boston
2 Lincoln 003 Lincoln
3 Pendle 010 Pendle
4 Walsall 009 Walsall
5 Wokingham 007 Wokingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hammerton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hammerton

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hammerton, 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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Hammerton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Hammerton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Hammerton is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Hammerton is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hammerton falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Hammerton

The surname Hammerton is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "hamor" and "tun," meaning "hamlet or homestead on the rock." It can be traced back to the 11th century, around the time of the Norman Conquest of England.

The earliest recorded instances of the name are found in various medieval records, including the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Hamertone." This suggests that the name was already well-established in certain regions of England by the late 11th century.

During the Middle Ages, the name was primarily concentrated in the northern counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. It is believed to have originated as a place name, possibly referring to a hamlet or settlement located on or near a rocky outcrop or hill.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Hammerton was William de Hammerton, who lived in Yorkshire in the 13th century. He is mentioned in several legal documents and charters from that period.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various records related to the village of Hammerton, located in the West Riding of Yorkshire. This village likely took its name from the surname, suggesting that the family may have been among the early settlers or landowners in the area.

Another notable figure was Sir Stephen Hammerton, a knight who lived during the reign of King Edward III in the 14th century. He is mentioned in several chronicles and historical accounts for his military service and involvement in the Hundred Years' War against France.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Hammerton surname continued to be found primarily in the northern counties of England, with some families also residing in other parts of the country.

One prominent individual from this period was Richard Hammerton, a merchant and alderman in the city of York, who lived from 1585 to 1654. He was a respected member of the local community and played a significant role in the city's governance and trade.

In the 18th century, the name Hammerton is associated with several notable figures, including Robert Hammerton, a clergyman and author who lived from 1718 to 1804. He wrote several theological works and served as a vicar in various parishes in Yorkshire.

Another individual of note is John Hammerton, a renowned engraver and illustrator who lived from 1759 to 1828. His intricate engravings and illustrations adorned various publications and books of his time, and he is considered a skilled artist of the Georgian era.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hammerton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hammerton 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. Yorkshire leads with 243 Hammertons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.24x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 243 3.24x
Surrey 133 3.60x
Middlesex 104 1.37x
Warwickshire 69 3.61x
Lincolnshire 33 2.72x
Hampshire 30 1.93x
Kent 27 1.04x
Staffordshire 26 1.02x
Buckinghamshire 18 3.93x
Lancashire 18 0.20x
Carmarthenshire 10 3.13x
Leicestershire 9 1.07x
Cambridgeshire 7 1.46x
Essex 6 0.40x
Norfolk 6 0.51x
Dorset 5 1.01x
Hertfordshire 5 0.96x
Sussex 5 0.39x
Cheshire 4 0.24x
Northamptonshire 4 0.56x
Derbyshire 3 0.25x
Durham 3 0.13x
Berkshire 2 0.35x
Caernarfonshire 2 0.65x
Gloucestershire 2 0.13x
Channel Islands 1 0.45x
Devon 1 0.06x
Worcestershire 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mirfield in Yorkshire leads with 35 Hammertons recorded in 1881 and an index of 84.87x.

Place Total Index
Mirfield 35 84.87x
Twickenham 22 67.69x
Southwark St George Martyr 21 13.77x
Islington London 20 2.72x
Birmingham 19 2.98x
Hoyland Nether 19 103.15x
Ecclesall Bierlow 18 11.78x
Kingston On Thames 18 20.29x
Lambeth 17 2.57x
Barnsley 16 20.65x
Greasbrough 15 151.21x
Mile End Old Town London 14 8.68x
Sheffield 14 5.85x
Long Ditton 13 215.59x
Aston 12 2.28x
Lewisham 12 8.70x
Richmond 12 23.19x
Worsbrough 12 54.52x
Newington 11 3.93x
Preston 11 4.57x
South Stoneham 11 32.64x
Darfield 10 146.20x
Llanelly 10 13.90x
St Swithin Lincoln 10 52.49x
Walsall Foreign 10 7.57x
Leicester St Margaret 9 4.39x
Teddington London 9 52.42x
Wolston Marston 9 629.37x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 8 11.43x
Bradfield 8 27.63x
Brightside Bierlow 8 5.43x
Coventry St Michael 8 13.03x
Holy Trinity 8 4.43x
Rotherham 8 18.89x
Wing 8 188.24x
Bradford 7 3.85x
Camberwell 7 1.45x
Castleford 7 25.59x
Chatteris 7 57.14x
Dartford 7 26.48x
East Kirkby 7 813.95x
Eston 7 42.79x
Eton 7 67.37x
Friskney 7 181.82x
Mortlake 7 42.53x
Southwark Christchurch 7 19.71x
Tanshelf 7 116.67x
Thurgoland 7 138.07x
Wolverhampton 7 3.56x
Enfield 6 12.07x
Princethorpe 6 740.74x
Ringstead 6 504.20x
St Mary Extra 6 48.00x
Alverstoke 5 8.89x
Kinson 5 51.44x
Limpsfield 5 141.64x
Maidstone 5 6.49x
Rushall 5 33.20x
Calverley Cum Farsley 4 18.75x
Hackney London 4 0.94x
Handsworth 4 6.34x
Southwark St John 4 17.26x
Stickford 4 317.46x
Stoke Newington London 4 6.78x
Watford 4 9.87x
Westminster St Margaret 4 10.94x
Allesley 3 119.52x
Botley 3 107.14x
Colchester St Runwald 3 375.00x
Coventry Holy Trinity 3 5.26x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 3 3.07x
Hulme 3 1.60x
Little Bolton 3 2.59x
Rugby 3 11.60x
Ryton On Dunsmore 3 254.24x
St Pancras London 3 0.49x
Charterhouse London 2 55.87x
Corby 2 101.52x
Holdenhurst 2 4.91x
St Marylebone London 2 0.49x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 36
John 34
William 32
Joseph 23
Charles 20
Henry 20
James 18
Thomas 17
Walter 14
Robert 12
Arthur 10
Alfred 8
Albert 7
Edward 7
Frank 7
Richard 7
Frederick 6
Harry 6
Stephen 5
Fred 4
Geo. 4
Jonas 3
Daniel 2
David 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Fredrick 2
Herbert 2
Sam 2
Samuel 2
W. 2
Willie 2
Wm. 2
C.W. 1
Claud 1
Colby 1
Dan. 1
Fred.Rooke 1
Fredk. 1
G. 1
Geo.H.L. 1
Gilbert 1
Joe 1
Johnathan 1
Jonathan 1
Joshua 1
Joshuea 1
Josiah 1
Levi 1
Lindon 1

FAQ

Hammerton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hammerton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 779 people were recorded with the Hammerton surname. That placed it at #4,763 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hammerton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,128 in 2016. That gives Hammerton a modern rank of #5,224.

What does the Hammerton surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "homestead settlement."

What does the Hammerton map show?

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