UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name in England.
In the 1881 census there were 74 people recorded with the Holberton surname, ranking it #23,062 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 52, ranked #34,780, down from #23,062 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Devonport Stonehouse, East, Tormoham with Torquay and Lewes St John-under-the-Castle. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Holberton is 127 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 29.7%.
1881 census count
74
Ranked #23,062
Modern count
52
2016, ranked #34,780
Peak year
1911
127 bearers
Map years
3
1891 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Holberton surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Holberton surname density by area, 1911 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 | 81 | #23,431 |
| 1881 | historical | 74 | #23,062 |
| 1891 | historical | 125 | #20,713 |
| 1901 | historical | 113 | #21,296 |
| 1911 | historical | 127 | #19,749 |
| 1997 | modern | 68 | #30,810 |
| 1998 | modern | 69 | #31,076 |
| 1999 | modern | 76 | #30,546 |
| 2000 | modern | 69 | #31,273 |
| 2001 | modern | 73 | #30,699 |
| 2002 | modern | 72 | #31,269 |
| 2003 | modern | 73 | #31,186 |
| 2004 | modern | 72 | #31,488 |
| 2005 | modern | 62 | #32,708 |
| 2006 | modern | 62 | #33,043 |
| 2007 | modern | 60 | #33,539 |
| 2008 | modern | 58 | #33,918 |
| 2009 | modern | 56 | #34,278 |
| 2010 | modern | 58 | #34,346 |
| 2011 | modern | 59 | #34,265 |
| 2012 | modern | 50 | #34,814 |
| 2013 | modern | 52 | #34,780 |
| 2014 | modern | 52 | #34,803 |
| 2015 | modern | 51 | #34,834 |
| 2016 | modern | 52 | #34,780 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Devonport Stonehouse, East, Tormoham with Torquay, Lewes St John-under-the-Castle, Molesey, East and Plympstock. 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 | Devonport Stonehouse, East | Devon |
| 2 | Tormoham with Torquay | Devon |
| 3 | Lewes St John-under-the-Castle | Sussex |
| 4 | Molesey, East | Surrey |
| 5 | Plympstock | Devon |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Holberton 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 Holberton, 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 Holberton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Holberton 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, Holberton 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 Holberton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Holberton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Holberton has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from a place name, specifically the village of Holberton in the county of Devon. The name likely evolved from the Old English words "hol" meaning hollow or sunken and "tun" meaning an enclosure or a farm, suggesting that the name referred to a settlement or farmstead located in a hollow or low-lying area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Holberton name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landholders and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared in various spellings, such as Holebertone and Holbertone, reflecting the inconsistent nature of surname spellings during that era.
In the 13th century, records show a William de Holberton, who was born around 1210 and held lands in the village of Holberton. This suggests that the Holberton surname had already become established as a hereditary name by that time.
During the 14th century, the Holberton family gained prominence in Devon, with several members serving as members of parliament and holding influential positions. One notable figure was John Holberton, born around 1320, who served as a member of parliament for Devon in 1377 and 1382.
In the 16th century, the Holberton name can be found in historical records from various parts of England, indicating that the family had spread beyond its original Devon roots. Sir Ralph Holberton, born in 1540, was a renowned military commander who fought in the French Wars of Religion and was knighted for his service.
Another noteworthy individual with the Holberton surname was Richard Holberton, born in 1628, who was a prominent English scholar and writer. He authored several works on theology and philosophy and served as a fellow at Exeter College, Oxford.
Throughout the centuries, the Holberton name has been associated with various professions and walks of life, from landowners and military figures to scholars and writers. While the name has undergone slight variations in spelling over time, its origins can be traced back to the village of Holberton in Devon, reflecting the rich history and heritage of this English surname.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Holberton 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. Devon leads with 57 Holbertons recorded in 1881 and an index of 38.99x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plymouth Charles The in Devon leads with 19 Holbertons recorded in 1881 and an index of 295.03x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Plymouth Charles The | 19 | 295.03x |
| Plymstock | 18 | 2337.66x |
| Teddington London | 9 | 566.04x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 8 | 71.05x |
| Tormoham | 8 | 129.24x |
| Kew | 3 | 1500.00x |
| Stoke | 3 | 508.47x |
| Liscard | 1 | 35.84x |
| Lustleigh | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Saxlingham Thorpe | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Swindon | 1 | 20.75x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Holberton 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 Holberton surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 74 people were recorded with the Holberton surname. That placed it at #23,062 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 52 in 2016. That gives Holberton a modern rank of #34,780.
A locational surname derived from a place name in England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Holberton 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.