UK surname
A residence surname derived from someone who lived near a heathland or uncultivated area.
In the 1881 census there were 49 people recorded with the Heathcott surname, ranking it #26,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 16, ranked #36,998, down from #26,735 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Stockport, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Heathcott is 122 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 67.3%.
1881 census count
49
Ranked #26,735
Modern count
16
2016, ranked #36,998
Peak year
1861
122 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Heathcott surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Heathcott 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 | 53 | #23,739 |
| 1861 | historical | 122 | #18,036 |
| 1881 | historical | 49 | #26,735 |
| 1891 | historical | 73 | #27,677 |
| 1901 | historical | 57 | #27,846 |
| 1911 | historical | 26 | #30,547 |
| 1997 | modern | 21 | #35,692 |
| 1998 | modern | 20 | #35,885 |
| 1999 | modern | 21 | #35,810 |
| 2000 | modern | 20 | #35,915 |
| 2001 | modern | 22 | #35,531 |
| 2002 | modern | 20 | #35,894 |
| 2003 | modern | 20 | #35,915 |
| 2004 | modern | 21 | #35,969 |
| 2005 | modern | 23 | #35,924 |
| 2006 | modern | 21 | #36,179 |
| 2007 | modern | 21 | #36,290 |
| 2008 | modern | 20 | #36,443 |
| 2009 | modern | 19 | #36,603 |
| 2010 | modern | 20 | #36,599 |
| 2011 | modern | 19 | #36,668 |
| 2012 | modern | 17 | #36,811 |
| 2013 | modern | 17 | #36,857 |
| 2014 | modern | 17 | #36,888 |
| 2015 | modern | 18 | #36,809 |
| 2016 | modern | 16 | #36,998 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Stockport, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood, Manchester, Chesterfield and Sheffield. 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 | Stockport | Cheshire |
| 2 | Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood | Nottinghamshire |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Chesterfield | Derbyshire |
| 5 | Sheffield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Heathcott 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 Heathcott, 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 Heathcott surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Heathcott 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, Heathcott 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 Heathcott is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Heathcott, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Heathcott originated in England, with its earliest known records dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English words "hæth," meaning "heather," and "cot," meaning "a small dwelling or cottage." This suggests that the name likely referred to someone who lived in a cottage near a heather-covered area.
One of the earliest known references to the name Heathcott can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1195, where a person named Walter de Hethcote is mentioned. This record provides evidence of the name's existence and usage during the late 12th century.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Hechecote" and "Hethcot," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common during that time period. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 contain a reference to a "William de Hechecote" from Buckinghamshire.
The Domesday Book, a renowned medieval manuscript compiled in 1086, does not contain any direct mentions of the surname Heathcott. However, it does record several place names that may have influenced the formation of the surname, such as "Heccahtun" in Wiltshire and "Hechecote" in Oxfordshire.
Notable individuals with the surname Heathcott throughout history include:
1. Sir Robert Heathcott (c. 1510 - 1572), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Buckinghamshire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
2. Thomas Heathcott (1590 - 1661), an English clergyman who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Waltham Abbey.
3. Elizabeth Heathcott (1637 - 1718), an English landowner and philanthropist from Buckinghamshire, known for her charitable contributions to local parishes.
4. John Heathcott (1720 - 1795), a British military officer who served in the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War.
5. William Heathcott (1801 - 1879), an English architect and surveyor responsible for designing several notable buildings in London during the Victorian era.
While the surname Heathcott has its roots in ancient England, it has since spread across various regions and countries, with individuals bearing this name contributing to various fields throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Heathcott 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. Derbyshire leads with 20 Heathcotts recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.73x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Derbyshire | 20 | 26.73x |
| Lancashire | 14 | 2.47x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 1.06x |
| Devon | 2 | 2.01x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.42x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 1.24x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.95x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.61x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 1.89x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 1.31x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chapel En Le Frith in Derbyshire leads with 15 Heathcotts recorded in 1881 and an index of 2205.88x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Chapel En Le Frith | 15 | 2205.88x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 10 | 80.71x |
| Ecclesall Bierlow | 5 | 51.92x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 3 | 66.67x |
| Fernilee | 3 | 1764.71x |
| Fairfield | 2 | 400.00x |
| Ardwick | 1 | 19.53x |
| Congleton | 1 | 54.95x |
| Devonport | 1 | 87.72x |
| East Stonehouse | 1 | 51.02x |
| Grantham | 1 | 100.00x |
| Handsworth | 1 | 25.13x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 1 | 7.74x |
| Maidstone | 1 | 20.58x |
| Shenstone | 1 | 243.90x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 11.88x |
| Westminster St James | 1 | 20.37x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Heathcott surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 49 people were recorded with the Heathcott surname. That placed it at #26,735 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 16 in 2016. That gives Heathcott a modern rank of #36,998.
A residence surname derived from someone who lived near a heathland or uncultivated area.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Heathcott 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.