NameCensus.

UK surname

Herriott

A locational surname derived from place names containing "heriot" meaning lord or landholder.

In the 1881 census there were 361 people recorded with the Herriott surname, ranking it #8,579 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 560, ranked #9,165, down from #8,579 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lewes St John the Baptist Southover, Lewes St John-under-the-Castle and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sheffield, Brighton and Hove and Inverkeithing East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Herriott is 634 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 55.1%.

1881 census count

361

Ranked #8,579

Modern count

560

2016, ranked #9,165

Peak year

2002

634 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Herriott had 361 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,579 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 560 in 2016, ranked #9,165.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 547 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Herriott surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Herriott surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Herriott 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 201 #10,364
1861 historical 211 #11,508
1881 historical 361 #8,579
1891 historical 431 #8,330
1901 historical 547 #7,555
1911 historical 541 #7,378
1997 modern 573 #8,415
1998 modern 606 #8,329
1999 modern 595 #8,487
2000 modern 620 #8,240
2001 modern 608 #8,220
2002 modern 634 #8,127
2003 modern 614 #8,178
2004 modern 627 #8,061
2005 modern 610 #8,176
2006 modern 597 #8,314
2007 modern 604 #8,310
2008 modern 601 #8,406
2009 modern 622 #8,359
2010 modern 626 #8,507
2011 modern 604 #8,647
2012 modern 586 #8,757
2013 modern 594 #8,809
2014 modern 590 #8,922
2015 modern 569 #9,059
2016 modern 560 #9,165

Geography

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Where Herriotts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lewes St John the Baptist Southover, Lewes St John-under-the-Castle, London parishes, Boston (incl. Boston allotments) and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sheffield, Brighton and Hove, Inverkeithing East, Manchester and Northumberland. 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 Lewes St John the Baptist Southover Sussex
2 Lewes St John-under-the-Castle Sussex
3 London parishes London 3
4 Boston (incl. Boston allotments) Lincolnshire
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sheffield 007 Sheffield
2 Brighton and Hove 017 Brighton and Hove
3 Inverkeithing East Fife
4 Manchester 009 Manchester
5 Northumberland 001 Northumberland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Herriott

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Herriott

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Herriott surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Herriott household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Herriott 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

Herriott 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

Herriott 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 Herriott 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 Herriott, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Herriott

The surname Herriott originates from the northern regions of England, particularly Yorkshire and Northumberland, where it first appeared during the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "heriçon," meaning "hedgehog," which was likely a nickname given to someone with spiky or bristly hair.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where it is spelled as "Herizun." This spelling variation suggests that the name may have evolved from the Old French personal name "Herisson," which also means "hedgehog."

In the late 13th century, the surname appeared in the Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire as "Heriçon," further solidifying its French origins. During this period, the name was commonly associated with families residing in the northern counties of England, where French influence was strong due to the Norman conquest.

The Herriott surname gained prominence in the 14th century, with records indicating the presence of a family in the village of Herriott, located in the parish of Stannington, Northumberland. This place name likely contributed to the evolution of the surname's spelling to its modern form.

One notable figure with the surname was John Herriott, a merchant and alderman in the city of York during the late 16th century. He played a significant role in the city's governance and was recognized for his philanthropic efforts.

Another prominent individual was Sir William Herriott, born in 1619 in Yorkshire, who served as a Member of Parliament for Northallerton from 1660 to 1679. He was a staunch supporter of the monarchy and was knighted for his loyal service.

In the 18th century, James Herriott (1716-1794), a Scottish mathematician and astronomer, made significant contributions to the fields of navigation and timekeeping. His work on lunar observations and the development of chronometers aided in the advancement of maritime navigation.

The 19th century saw the rise of the author and naturalist John George Herriott (1818-1889), who was born in Northumberland. His writings on the wildlife and landscapes of northern England were widely acclaimed and helped to promote the region's natural beauty.

Finally, the 20th century brought forth the renowned veterinarian and author James Herriot (1916-1995), whose real name was James Alfred Wight. His semi-autobiographical books, such as "All Creatures Great and Small," chronicled the life of a country veterinarian and became beloved classics, cementing the Herriott name in literary history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Herriott families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Herriott 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. Sussex leads with 155 Herriotts recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.47x.

County Total Index
Sussex 155 26.47x
Surrey 26 1.54x
Yorkshire 23 0.67x
Lancashire 21 0.51x
Lincolnshire 19 3.42x
Middlesex 19 0.55x
Kent 17 1.43x
Nottinghamshire 17 3.63x
Durham 14 1.36x
Northumberland 14 2.71x
Midlothian 7 1.50x
Herefordshire 5 3.51x
Renfrewshire 5 1.86x
Hampshire 3 0.42x
Warwickshire 3 0.34x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.95x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.45x
Dunbartonshire 1 1.07x
Essex 1 0.15x
Gloucestershire 1 0.15x
Hertfordshire 1 0.42x
Stirlingshire 1 0.78x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 71 Herriotts recorded in 1881 and an index of 60.11x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 71 60.11x
Boston 17 100.89x
Berwick Upon Tweed 14 127.85x
Ecclesall Bierlow 13 18.57x
Lewes St John Southover 12 305.34x
Plumstead 10 25.32x
Preston 9 88.06x
Battersea 8 6.26x
Blackburn 8 7.30x
Heworth 8 39.29x
Lewes St John Under 8 1000.00x
Deptford St Paul 7 7.66x
Newhaven 7 147.06x
South Leith 7 13.37x
Sutton In Ashfield 7 68.90x
Bowling 6 17.61x
Gateshead 6 7.76x
Islington London 6 1.78x
Beddingham 5 943.40x
Bulwell 5 49.12x
Croydon 5 5.32x
Cuckfield 5 84.60x
Ditchling 5 312.50x
Hove 5 19.46x
Keymer 5 121.07x
Kingston On Thames 5 12.30x
Port Glasgow 5 38.43x
Stauntonon Arrow 5 1219.51x
Barcombe 4 283.69x
Cliffe 4 202.02x
Lambeth 4 1.32x
Rotherhithe 4 9.32x
Rottingdean 4 200.00x
Arundel 3 91.46x
Little Bolton 3 5.66x
Mile End Old Town London 3 4.06x
Skegby 3 104.53x
Ardwick 2 5.38x
Aston 2 0.83x
Broughton In Salford 2 5.31x
Chelsea London 2 1.91x
Hamsey 2 303.03x
Lewes St Ann 2 100.50x
Lewes St Michael 2 172.41x
Rishton 2 41.41x
St George Hanover Square 2 3.27x
Turton 2 29.63x
Upton Cum Chalvey 2 23.89x
Vernham Dean 2 281.69x
Widmerpool 2 1111.11x
Basingstoke 1 12.21x
Birmingham 1 0.34x
Blyborough 1 333.33x
Bonhill 1 6.68x
Bridlington 1 12.69x
Bristol St Augustine 1 9.10x
Bushey 1 17.54x
Enfield 1 4.39x
Garston 1 8.22x
Hackney London 1 0.51x
Kensington London 1 0.52x
Limehouse London 1 2.62x
Lissett 1 909.09x
Manchester 1 0.54x
Oxspring 1 238.10x
Patcham 1 95.24x
Quadring 1 93.46x
Rodmell 1 357.14x
Sewerby Cum Marton 1 153.85x
Shoreditch London 1 0.66x
South Shoebury 1 36.36x
St Andrewthe Less 1 3.98x
St Magnus Martyr London 1 909.09x
Stirling 1 6.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 21
Elizabeth 15
Eliza 7
Emily 7
Jane 7
Ellen 6
Agnes 5
Annie 5
Ann 4
Edith 4
Emma 4
Hannah 4
Isabella 4
Maria 4
Martha 4
Sarah 4
Esther 3
Florence 3
Kate 3
Laura 3
Anne 2
Catherine 2
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Elizth. 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Grace 2
Harriett 2
Isabel 2
Jessie 2
Louisa 2
Margaret 2
Minnie 2
Ruth 2
Amy 1
Bassalina 1
Bessie 1
Betsey 1
Bridgett 1
Caroline 1
Constance 1
Dorothy 1
Eleanor 1
Ellgenie 1
Jargema 1
Joanna 1
Lilly 1
Lucy 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 27
George 18
John 16
James 10
Richard 7
Thomas 7
Arthur 6
Alfred 5
Charles 4
Henry 4
Joseph 4
Daniel 3
Edward 3
Horace 3
Samuel 3
Benjamin 2
Frank 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Robert 2
Tom 2
Baby 1
Christopher 1
David 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Glanford 1
Hugh 1
Jessie 1
Jonathan 1
Martin 1
Matthew 1
Morris 1
Nathaniel 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Richardson 1
Robt.John 1
Thos. 1
W. 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Herriott surname: questions and answers

How common was the Herriott surname in 1881?

In 1881, 361 people were recorded with the Herriott surname. That placed it at #8,579 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Herriott surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 560 in 2016. That gives Herriott a modern rank of #9,165.

What does the Herriott surname mean?

A locational surname derived from place names containing "heriot" meaning lord or landholder.

What does the Herriott map show?

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