NameCensus.

UK surname

Houlton

A locational surname derived from a town name in England.

In the 1881 census there were 637 people recorded with the Houlton surname, ranking it #5,577 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 838, ranked #6,658, down from #5,577 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lincoln St Botolph, Winwick and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rotherham, St. Helens and Lincoln.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Houlton is 866 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 31.6%.

1881 census count

637

Ranked #5,577

Modern count

838

2016, ranked #6,658

Peak year

1911

866 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Houlton had 637 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,577 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 838 in 2016, ranked #6,658.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 866 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Houlton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Houlton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Houlton 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 366 #6,483
1861 historical 453 #5,718
1881 historical 637 #5,577
1891 historical 674 #5,786
1901 historical 801 #5,641
1911 historical 866 #5,130
1997 modern 805 #6,508
1998 modern 821 #6,624
1999 modern 832 #6,594
2000 modern 826 #6,608
2001 modern 802 #6,642
2002 modern 821 #6,634
2003 modern 803 #6,630
2004 modern 812 #6,589
2005 modern 809 #6,555
2006 modern 806 #6,588
2007 modern 813 #6,597
2008 modern 815 #6,640
2009 modern 837 #6,646
2010 modern 851 #6,683
2011 modern 851 #6,611
2012 modern 840 #6,586
2013 modern 851 #6,624
2014 modern 849 #6,666
2015 modern 846 #6,640
2016 modern 838 #6,658

Geography

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Where Houltons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lincoln St Botolph, Winwick, London parishes, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Wokingham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rotherham, St. Helens, Lincoln and Nottingham. 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 Lincoln St Botolph Lincolnshire
2 Winwick Lancashire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
5 Wokingham Berkshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rotherham 002 Rotherham
2 St. Helens 007 St. Helens
3 Lincoln 003 Lincoln
4 Rotherham 001 Rotherham
5 Nottingham 019 Nottingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Houlton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Houlton

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

Houlton is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Houlton falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Houlton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Houlton

The surname Houlton is of English origin, originating in the medieval period. It is a locational name derived from the town of Houlton in Somerset, England. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English words "hol" meaning "hollow" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement," suggesting that the name refers to a settlement situated in a hollow or valley.

One of the earliest known records of the name Houlton dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Holetone." This entry indicates that the name was already established in England by the late 11th century.

In the 13th century, the name was recorded in various forms such as "Houlton," "Houlton," and "Holton." These variations likely arose due to differences in regional dialects and spellings.

One notable individual bearing the Houlton surname was Sir Robert Houlton (1472-1538), a prominent English landowner and Member of Parliament during the reign of Henry VIII. He served as Sheriff of Somerset and held significant influence in the region.

Another notable figure was John Houlton (1615-1677), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Rector of Houlton and later became the Archdeacon of Somerset.

In the 17th century, the name Houlton was also found in the United States, with records indicating that a family bearing this surname settled in New England. One of the earliest known members of this family was Thomas Houlton (1620-1689), who arrived in Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1640s.

During the 18th century, the Houlton surname continued to be found in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Somerset, Dorset, and Devon. Notable individuals from this period include Samuel Houlton (1725-1798), a successful merchant and landowner in Somerset, and William Houlton (1742-1821), a respected lawyer and judge in Dorset.

In the 19th century, the name Houlton gained prominence in the United States, with several notable individuals bearing this surname. One example is Joseph Houlton (1807-1883), a prominent businessman and politician who served as the mayor of Portland, Maine, and was involved in the development of the city's infrastructure and transportation systems.

The Houlton surname has a rich history that spans several centuries and can be traced back to its origins in medieval England. While the name has undergone various spelling variations over time, its connection to the town of Houlton in Somerset remains a defining characteristic of its etymology and origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Houlton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Houlton 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. Lincolnshire leads with 177 Houltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.73x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 177 17.73x
Lancashire 109 1.47x
Yorkshire 69 1.12x
Berkshire 45 9.60x
Surrey 36 1.18x
Middlesex 35 0.56x
Nottinghamshire 24 2.85x
Gloucestershire 21 1.72x
Essex 18 1.46x
Hertfordshire 16 3.72x
Staffordshire 14 0.66x
Kent 12 0.56x
Somerset 12 1.19x
Buckinghamshire 9 2.38x
Hampshire 8 0.63x
Oxfordshire 6 1.56x
Dorset 5 1.22x
Leicestershire 5 0.72x
Warwickshire 4 0.25x
Anglesey 3 2.71x
Cheshire 3 0.22x
Derbyshire 3 0.31x
Bedfordshire 1 0.31x
Cornwall 1 0.14x
Northumberland 1 0.11x
Royal Navy 1 1.34x
Shropshire 1 0.19x
Sussex 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. Wokingham in Berkshire leads with 40 Houltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 373.83x.

Place Total Index
Wokingham 40 373.83x
Ashby 23 734.82x
Ashton In Makerfield 20 94.83x
St Botolph Lincoln 20 278.55x
Haydock 19 148.90x
Offley 15 535.71x
Newark Upon Trent 14 46.30x
Windle 14 33.59x
Aldsworth 13 1585.37x
Hougham 13 2241.38x
North South Killingholme 13 787.88x
Billinge Chapel End 12 288.46x
Sculcoates 11 11.22x
St Swithin Lincoln 11 70.11x
Goxhill 10 406.50x
Sheffield 10 5.08x
Ulceby 10 411.52x
Burton Upon Stather 9 708.66x
Everton 9 3.81x
Barking 8 22.19x
Broughton 8 285.71x
Datchet 8 310.08x
Fiskerton 8 851.06x
Frome 8 33.29x
Lexden 8 161.62x
Windlesham 8 139.86x
Castle Church 7 55.25x
Deptford St Paul 7 4.26x
Glentham 7 795.45x
Parr 7 26.42x
St Marylebone London 7 2.10x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 7 49.86x
Wakefield 7 14.74x
Golborne 6 62.18x
Newington 6 2.60x
St Pancras London 6 1.19x
Wortley In Bramley 6 12.24x
Boultham 5 2000.00x
Bristol St James In 5 27.76x
Gainsborough 5 21.25x
Holy Trinity St Mary 5 53.08x
Lambeth 5 0.92x
Newton 5 8.76x
Poole St James 5 32.49x
Rothwell 5 40.00x
Shoreditch London 5 1.85x
Stoke Upon Trent 5 2.24x
Taynton 5 704.23x
Ashby De La Zouch 4 24.94x
Battersea 4 1.74x
Beelsby 4 1081.08x
Bermondsey 4 2.15x
Bramham Cum Oglethorpe 4 161.94x
Brightside Bierlow 4 3.30x
Great Gonerby 4 155.64x
Headingley Cum Burley 4 10.05x
Headon Cum Upton 4 833.33x
Stretford 4 9.81x
Chatham 3 5.12x
Derby St Peter 3 9.64x
Eccleston In Prescot 3 8.07x
Hammersmith London 3 1.95x
Islington London 3 0.50x
Llandysilio 3 86.46x
Marston 3 454.55x
Nottingham St Mary 3 1.38x
Portsea 3 1.20x
Sutton Stoneferry 3 16.95x
Toxteth Park 3 1.20x
Waddington 3 164.84x
Batheaston 2 58.14x
Birkenhead 2 1.82x
Elsham 2 186.92x
Hawley 2 82.99x
Liverpool 2 0.44x
Masham 2 87.34x
Old Sleaford 2 178.57x
St George Hanover Square 2 1.82x
Stisted 2 125.79x
Westminster St Margaret 2 6.64x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 49
Elizabeth 29
Sarah 21
Ellen 16
Ann 12
Annie 12
Emma 12
Emily 11
Jane 10
Margaret 9
Alice 7
Charlotte 7
Hannah 7
Harriet 7
Eleanor 6
Eliza 6
Ruth 6
Catherine 4
Harriett 4
Isabella 4
Lucy 4
Maria 4
Rebecca 4
Betsy 3
Edith 3
Esther 3
Fanny 3
Florence 3
Frances 3
Louisa 3
Martha 3
Ada 2
Agnes 2
Amy 2
Caroline 2
Christiana 2
Clara 2
Gertrude 2
Matilda 2
Minnie 2
Susanna 2
Bridget 1
Elisabeth 1
Eliz. 1
Elizh. 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Ella 1
Henrietta 1
Janet 1
Winefred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 42
John 31
George 27
Thomas 25
Joseph 17
Robert 16
Henry 15
James 15
Charles 14
Arthur 7
Edward 6
Frederick 6
Richard 6
Albert 4
Herbert 4
Walter 4
Abraham 3
David 3
Frank 3
Harry 3
Alfred 2
Anthony 2
Augustus 2
Berry 2
Christopher 2
Edmund 2
Ernest 2
Jos. 2
Peter 2
Philip 2
Samuel 2
Thos. 2
Wm. 2
Brown 1
Chas. 1
Cornelius 1
Daniel 1
Elijah 1
Ella 1
Eugene 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Job 1
Josh. 1
Lewis 1
Matthew 1
Saml. 1

FAQ

Houlton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Houlton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 637 people were recorded with the Houlton surname. That placed it at #5,577 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Houlton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 838 in 2016. That gives Houlton a modern rank of #6,658.

What does the Houlton surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a town name in England.

What does the Houlton map show?

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