NameCensus.

UK surname

Harton

A locational surname derived from places named Harton in England.

In the 1881 census there were 209 people recorded with the Harton surname, ranking it #12,475 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 130, ranked #26,152, down from #12,475 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and St Maurice in the Suburbs. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include York, Derby and Medway.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harton is 887 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 37.8%.

1881 census count

209

Ranked #12,475

Modern count

130

2016, ranked #26,152

Peak year

1861

887 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Harton had 209 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,475 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 130 in 2016, ranked #26,152.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 887 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Harton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Harton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Harton 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 317 #7,308
1861 historical 887 #3,126
1881 historical 209 #12,475
1891 historical 536 #7,013
1901 historical 264 #12,693
1911 historical 360 #10,063
1997 modern 156 #20,593
1998 modern 144 #22,221
1999 modern 144 #22,405
2000 modern 151 #21,684
2001 modern 144 #22,040
2002 modern 138 #23,094
2003 modern 137 #22,939
2004 modern 133 #23,528
2005 modern 138 #22,999
2006 modern 143 #22,619
2007 modern 142 #23,025
2008 modern 139 #23,635
2009 modern 139 #24,161
2010 modern 149 #23,598
2011 modern 143 #24,056
2012 modern 139 #24,485
2013 modern 138 #25,020
2014 modern 138 #25,218
2015 modern 131 #25,979
2016 modern 130 #26,152

Geography

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Where Hartons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, St Maurice in the Suburbs, St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles and Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to York, Derby and Medway. 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 London parishes London 3
2 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 St Maurice in the Suburbs Yorkshire, East Riding
4 St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles Yorkshire, East Riding
5 Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire) Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 York 016 York
2 Derby 009 Derby
3 York 018 York
4 York 006 York
5 Medway 002 Medway

Forenames

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First names often paired with Harton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Harton

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Harton 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

Harton is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Harton 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 Harton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Harton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Harton

The surname Harton has its origins in England, tracing back to the early medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "hara" and "tun," which together mean "a hare enclosure" or "a hare farmstead." This suggests that the name may have originally belonged to someone who lived in a settlement or town where hares were abundant or where hare hunting was prevalent.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Harton can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, including Haretun and Haretone, indicating the variations that existed in written records during that time.

In the 12th century, the name Harton appeared in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, which were administrative records of the county's financial affairs. This suggests that individuals bearing the name were present and held some significance in that region.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Harton has been associated with several notable individuals. One such figure was Sir William Harton, a 14th-century English knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War between England and France. Another Harton of note was John Harton, born in 1568, who served as the Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne in the early 17th century.

The name Harton is also linked to certain place names in England. For instance, Harton Village in County Durham and Harton Moor in Northumberland are believed to have derived their names from the surname, indicating the presence of Harton families in those areas.

Other notable individuals with the surname Harton include:

1. Robert Harton (1546-1616), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Pembroke College, Oxford. 2. Thomas Harton (1678-1745), an English mathematician and astronomer who made contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. 3. Elizabeth Harton (1720-1798), a British philanthropist and social reformer known for her work in establishing schools and charitable organizations. 4. George Harton (1822-1891), a Scottish-born Australian explorer and surveyor who played a significant role in the exploration and mapping of Western Australia. 5. Emily Harton (1876-1958), an American artist and painter who was celebrated for her landscapes and portraits, particularly those depicting life in the American Southwest.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Harton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harton 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 41 Hartons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.01x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 41 2.01x
Yorkshire 40 1.98x
Surrey 16 1.61x
Kent 14 2.01x
Warwickshire 11 2.14x
Durham 9 1.48x
Worcestershire 8 3.01x
Cheshire 7 1.56x
Midlothian 7 2.56x
Shropshire 7 3.97x
Lancashire 6 0.25x
Monmouthshire 6 4.07x
Hampshire 5 1.20x
Gloucestershire 4 1.00x
Northamptonshire 4 2.09x
Staffordshire 4 0.58x
Buckinghamshire 3 2.43x
Kirkcudbrightshire 3 10.17x
Sussex 3 0.87x
Derbyshire 2 0.63x
Devon 2 0.47x
Lincolnshire 2 0.61x
Renfrewshire 2 1.27x
Suffolk 2 0.81x
Dorset 1 0.75x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 12 Hartons recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.31x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 12 7.31x
York St Maurice 10 263.16x
Gate Fulford 9 190.68x
Aston 8 5.65x
Battersea 8 10.67x
Chelsea London 7 11.40x
Liscard 7 86.31x
Oldbury 7 53.44x
Woolwich 7 27.24x
Chirbury 6 576.92x
Newport 6 85.35x
Hampstead London 5 15.75x
Leeds 5 4.38x
Portsea 5 6.11x
Bolton In Bradford 4 307.69x
North Leith 4 31.65x
Wednesbury 4 23.26x
Westbury On Trym 4 29.54x
Bermondsey 3 4.94x
Bishopwearmouth 3 5.76x
Islington London 3 1.52x
Kirkdale 3 7.37x
Lambeth 3 1.69x
Northampton Priory St 3 26.06x
St Marylebone London 3 2.76x
Troqueer 3 77.52x
Witton Le Wear 3 174.42x
Wycombe 3 32.64x
Alvaston 2 219.78x
Great Grimsby 2 9.67x
Hailsham 2 96.15x
Hetton Le Hole 2 26.01x
Higham 2 212.77x
Linthorpe 2 16.58x
Penge 2 15.36x
Port Glasgow 2 26.18x
South Leith 2 6.51x
St George Hanover Square 2 5.57x
Stoneleigh 2 235.29x
Sudbury St Gregory 2 100.50x
Toxteth Park 2 2.44x
Westminster St John 2 8.05x
York Holy Trinity 2 114.29x
Ash Next Ridley 1 227.27x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 1 14.47x
Chadderton 1 8.45x
Chislehurst 1 26.81x
Christ Church Newgate 1 105.26x
Claines 1 13.68x
Clifton In York 1 23.64x
Cobham 1 156.25x
Edinburgh St Marys 1 18.83x
Folkestone 1 7.41x
Hackney London 1 0.88x
Headingley Cum Burley 1 7.69x
Lewisham 1 2.70x
Nunnington 1 357.14x
Paddington London 1 1.33x
Paignton 1 30.96x
Paston 1 121.95x
Rugby 1 14.39x
Spaunton 1 1666.67x
St Alban Wood Street 1 833.33x
St Andrew By Wardrobe 1 833.33x
St George Bloomsbury 1 8.55x
St Martin In Fields 1 8.20x
Stranton 1 4.90x
Ticehurst 1 47.62x
Tormoham 1 5.57x
Weymouth 1 39.53x
Worthen 1 53.48x
York St Cuthbert 1 54.05x
York St Mary 1 11.95x
York St Peter Le 1 256.41x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Harton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Harton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 209 people were recorded with the Harton surname. That placed it at #12,475 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Harton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 130 in 2016. That gives Harton a modern rank of #26,152.

What does the Harton surname mean?

A locational surname derived from places named Harton in England.

What does the Harton map show?

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