NameCensus.

UK surname

Jason

Derived from a Greek mythological hero renowned for his leadership of the Argonauts and quest for the Golden Fleece.

In the 1881 census there were 46 people recorded with the Jason surname, ranking it #27,188 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 379, ranked #12,371, up from #27,188 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Whitworth, Ashley-cum-Silverley and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bournemouth, Barnet and Lambeth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jason is 379 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 723.9%.

1881 census count

46

Ranked #27,188

Modern count

379

2016, ranked #12,371

Peak year

2016

379 bearers

Map years

4

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Jason had 46 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,188 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 379 in 2016, ranked #12,371.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 212 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Jason surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Jason surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Jason 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 25 #28,853
1861 historical 212 #11,466
1881 historical 46 #27,188
1891 historical 52 #30,061
1901 historical 25 #31,259
1911 historical 35 #29,478
1997 modern 203 #17,457
1998 modern 212 #17,479
1999 modern 210 #17,712
2000 modern 207 #17,833
2001 modern 209 #17,469
2002 modern 211 #17,696
2003 modern 220 #17,033
2004 modern 215 #17,384
2005 modern 219 #17,126
2006 modern 230 #16,690
2007 modern 242 #16,296
2008 modern 237 #16,688
2009 modern 230 #17,382
2010 modern 258 #16,432
2011 modern 272 #15,653
2012 modern 307 #14,288
2013 modern 340 #13,449
2014 modern 355 #13,125
2015 modern 370 #12,596
2016 modern 379 #12,371

Geography

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Where Jasons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Whitworth, Ashley-cum-Silverley, Manchester, Lambeth and Llanfilhangel-y-Traethau. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bournemouth, Barnet, Lambeth and Hertsmere. 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 Whitworth Durham
2 Ashley-cum-Silverley Cambridgeshire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Llanfilhangel-y-Traethau Merionethshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bournemouth 021 Bournemouth
2 Barnet 034 Barnet
3 Barnet 031 Barnet
4 Lambeth 029 Lambeth
5 Hertsmere 005 Hertsmere

Forenames

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First names often paired with Jason

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Jason

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Jason surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Jason household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Jason 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

Jason is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Jason falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Jason 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Jason

The surname Jason has its origins in ancient Greece, where it was derived from the Greek name "Iason," which translates to "healer" or "to heal." The name is believed to have first emerged around the 8th century BC and was particularly popular in the region of Thessaly.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jason can be found in Greek mythology, where it was borne by the legendary hero of the Argonauts, who led a group of sailors on a quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece. This epic adventure is recounted in various ancient texts, including the "Argonautica" by Apollonius of Rhodes, dating back to the 3rd century BC.

During the Middle Ages, the name Jason gained popularity across Europe, particularly in regions influenced by the Greek culture and language. It was commonly used in Byzantine and Eastern Orthodox communities, as well as in areas with strong ties to classical literature and mythology.

In the 11th century, the name Jason appeared in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This early written record suggests that the name had already gained a foothold in parts of medieval England by that time.

One notable individual bearing the surname Jason was Jason of Pherae, a 4th-century BC ruler of Thessaly, known for his ambitious and ruthless pursuit of power. Another prominent figure was Jason of Cyrene, a 2nd-century BC Jewish historian and author of a now-lost work on the Maccabean revolt.

In the Renaissance period, the name gained further recognition through the works of writers and artists who drew inspiration from classical Greek literature and mythology. One such individual was Jason of Nicosia, a 15th-century Cypriot poet and scholar who played a significant role in the revival of Greek studies in Renaissance Italy.

Other notable figures with the surname Jason include Jason of Thessalonica, a 6th-century Byzantine historian and author of a work on the history of the Gothic Wars, and Jason of Cyrene, a 1st-century BC Jewish philosopher and scholar who wrote on the allegorical interpretation of the Torah.

While the surname Jason has its roots in ancient Greece, it has since spread and been adopted in various cultures around the world, with different spelling variations and pronunciations emerging over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Jason families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Jason 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 11 Jasons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.45x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 11 2.45x
Cambridgeshire 6 21.11x
Surrey 6 2.74x
Norfolk 5 7.25x
Herefordshire 4 21.74x
Merionethshire 4 48.72x
Cumberland 3 7.77x
Lancashire 2 0.38x
Devon 1 1.07x
Gloucestershire 1 1.14x
Nottinghamshire 1 1.65x
Warwickshire 1 0.88x
Wiltshire 1 2.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Marylebone London in Middlesex leads with 7 Jasons recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.22x.

Place Total Index
St Marylebone London 7 29.22x
Ashley Cum Silverley 6 8571.43x
Warham St Mary 5 50000.00x
Leominster 4 526.32x
Llanfihangel Y Traethau 4 851.06x
Croydon 3 24.71x
Lambeth 3 7.67x
Workington 3 135.75x
Hackney London 2 7.95x
Birmingham 1 2.65x
Carlton 1 144.93x
Frampton On Severn 1 666.67x
Froxfield 1 1428.57x
Kenton 1 344.83x
Liverpool 1 3.09x
Paddington London 1 6.06x
Salford 1 6.39x
Whitechapel London 1 22.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 6
Elizabeth 3
Ellen 2
Margaret 2
Ann 1
Clara 1
Dinah 1
Eliza 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Jane 1
Maria 1
Matilda 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Jason households.

FAQ

Jason surname: questions and answers

How common was the Jason surname in 1881?

In 1881, 46 people were recorded with the Jason surname. That placed it at #27,188 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Jason surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 379 in 2016. That gives Jason a modern rank of #12,371.

What does the Jason surname mean?

Derived from a Greek mythological hero renowned for his leadership of the Argonauts and quest for the Golden Fleece.

What does the Jason map show?

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