NameCensus.

UK surname

Just

A descriptive surname referring to a righteous, fair-minded, or morally upright person.

In the 1881 census there were 226 people recorded with the Just surname, ranking it #11,889 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 306, ranked #14,543, down from #11,889 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Stainton and St Leonard Shoreditch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hackney, Erewash and Carnwadric West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Just is 306 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 35.4%.

1881 census count

226

Ranked #11,889

Modern count

306

2016, ranked #14,543

Peak year

2014

306 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Just had 226 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,889 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 306 in 2016, ranked #14,543.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 252 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Just surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Just surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Just 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 170 #11,780
1861 historical 190 #12,520
1881 historical 226 #11,889
1891 historical 230 #13,494
1901 historical 222 #14,169
1911 historical 252 #12,834
1997 modern 246 #15,445
1998 modern 271 #14,883
1999 modern 275 #14,789
2000 modern 258 #15,427
2001 modern 253 #15,403
2002 modern 275 #14,819
2003 modern 266 #14,987
2004 modern 258 #15,386
2005 modern 250 #15,639
2006 modern 277 #14,667
2007 modern 284 #14,548
2008 modern 287 #14,580
2009 modern 284 #14,986
2010 modern 283 #15,363
2011 modern 280 #15,310
2012 modern 288 #14,934
2013 modern 302 #14,690
2014 modern 306 #14,647
2015 modern 305 #14,579
2016 modern 306 #14,543

Geography

Back to top

Where Justs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Stainton, St Leonard Shoreditch, Arbroath and St. Vigeans and Wigan. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hackney, Erewash, Carnwadric West, Stockton-on-Tees and East Cambridgeshire. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Stainton Durham
3 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
4 Arbroath and St. Vigeans Forfar
5 Wigan Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hackney 001 Hackney
2 Erewash 005 Erewash
3 Carnwadric West Glasgow City
4 Stockton-on-Tees 009 Stockton-on-Tees
5 East Cambridgeshire 008 East Cambridgeshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Just

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Just

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Just surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Just household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Just 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

Just 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

Just falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Just 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 Just, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Just

The surname JUST is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "juste," meaning "righteous" or "just." The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who was known for their fair and honest behavior.

In medieval times, it was common for surnames to arise from personal qualities, occupations, or physical characteristics. The JUST surname may have been initially bestowed upon an individual who was perceived as upright and equitable in their dealings with others.

One of the earliest known references to the JUST surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, dated 1273. This historical document recorded the name as "Justus" and "le Juste," indicating that the surname was in use during that period.

In the 14th century, the JUST surname appeared in various records across England. John Just was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379, while a Thomas Just was recorded in the Corpus Christi Guild Rolls of York in 1399.

During the 16th century, the surname JUST became more widespread across different regions of England. Notable individuals bearing this name included William Just, a merchant from Exeter who lived from 1505 to 1572, and Thomas Just, a clergyman and author who lived from 1550 to 1628.

In the 17th century, the JUST surname gained prominence with individuals such as Sir John Just, a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for Truro, Cornwall, who lived from 1597 to 1681. Another notable figure was William Just, an English minister and theologian who authored several religious works and lived from 1615 to 1675.

As the surname spread across England, it also evolved into various spellings, including Juste, Joust, and Jowst. These variations can be found in historical records and may be related to regional dialects or scribal errors.

Some notable individuals with the JUST surname throughout history include:

1. John Just (1639-1721), an English banker and Member of Parliament for Taunton. 2. Samuel Just (1766-1829), an English businessman and philanthropist who established the Just Lectureship in Natural and Experimental Philosophy at Oxford University. 3. Jacob Just (1811-1887), a German-American painter and lithographer known for his landscapes and portraits. 4. Mary Just (1878-1962), an American educator and activist who fought for women's rights and founded the National Association of Women Lawyers. 5. Walter Just (1901-1987), a German-American writer and journalist who covered World War II and wrote extensively on political and social issues.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Just families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Just 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. Yorkshire leads with 41 Justs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.91x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 41 1.91x
Norfolk 23 6.91x
Middlesex 21 0.97x
Westmorland 18 37.82x
Fife 17 13.26x
Durham 16 2.48x
Lancashire 16 0.62x
Kent 15 2.03x
Hampshire 11 2.48x
Gloucestershire 10 2.35x
Surrey 8 0.76x
Cornwall 6 2.45x
Essex 5 1.17x
Derbyshire 3 0.89x
Angus 2 1.00x
Cheshire 2 0.42x
Northumberland 2 0.62x
Perthshire 2 2.06x
Devon 1 0.22x
Lanarkshire 1 0.14x
Staffordshire 1 0.14x
Stirlingshire 1 1.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Forgan in Fife leads with 17 Justs recorded in 1881 and an index of 691.06x.

Place Total Index
Forgan 17 691.06x
Bristol St Michael 10 274.73x
East Tuddenham 10 2941.18x
Aldershot 8 53.80x
Islington London 8 3.81x
Leeds 8 6.60x
Pickering 8 296.30x
Lewisham 7 17.77x
Old Hutton Holmescales 7 2500.00x
Stainton In 7 2800.00x
Stockton On Tees 7 22.54x
Whinfell 7 5384.62x
Bishopwearmouth 6 10.85x
Honingham 6 2400.00x
Madron Penzance 6 67.34x
West Derby 6 7.98x
Ashford 5 69.54x
Heigham 5 27.98x
Newington 5 6.25x
Bradford 4 7.70x
East Broughton 4 547.95x
Great Clacton 4 275.86x
Holy Trinity 4 7.75x
Bethnal Green London 3 3.19x
Natland 3 1428.57x
St Pancras London 3 1.72x
West Hallam 3 681.82x
Arbroath 2 30.08x
Ashton Under Lyne 2 3.56x
Errol 2 111.11x
Hexham 2 40.08x
Hooton 2 1666.67x
Kensington London 2 1.66x
Middlesbrough 2 7.16x
St George Hanover Square 2 5.24x
St Marylebone London 2 1.73x
Barking 1 7.99x
Bentham 1 60.98x
Brewood 1 47.39x
Broughton In Salford 1 4.26x
Bury 1 3.41x
Colton 1 526.32x
Croydon 1 1.71x
Darlington 1 4.02x
Devonport 1 19.31x
East Wickham 1 113.64x
Govan 1 0.58x
Hardingham 1 256.41x
Hart 1 63.69x
Headingley Cum Burley 1 7.24x
Holdenhurst 1 8.59x
Kendal 1 11.48x
Kingstonupon Hull 1 58.14x
Kirby Misperton 1 500.00x
Lee 1 9.32x
Linthorpe 1 7.81x
Lytham 1 25.51x
Monkwearmouth Shore 1 7.96x
Portsea 1 1.15x
Portsmouth 1 9.78x
Putney 1 10.13x
Ripon 1 20.08x
Rotherhithe 1 3.74x
Shadwell 1 121.95x
Southcoates 1 8.40x
Stirling 1 9.93x
Sunbury 1 38.46x
Wigan 1 2.78x
Woolwich 1 3.66x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 13
Elizabeth 8
Annie 6
Sarah 6
Emma 5
Ann 4
Louisa 4
Margaret 4
Ada 3
Eliza 3
Hannah 3
Maria 3
Anna 2
Catherine 2
Edith 2
Emily 2
Jane 2
Julia 2
Alicia 1
Amelia 1
Barbara 1
Eliz. 1
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Ellenora 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Henrietta 1
Heonricte 1
Irene 1
Isabella 1
Jas. 1
Jeth 1
Katherine 1
Lina 1
Margret 1
Matilda 1
May 1
Minnie 1
Rebecca 1
Rosa 1
S. 1
Susan 1
Susannah 1
Theoday 1
Violet 1
Wilthiamma 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 14
John 11
Robert 8
George 5
Charles 4
James 4
Arthur 3
Henry 3
Albert 2
Edward 2
Job 2
Richard 2
Abel 1
Andrew 1
Augustus 1
Berthold 1
Charlotte 1
Chas.J. 1
E.Martin 1
Eli 1
Elijah 1
F.A.Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Frederick 1
Geo. 1
Harcourt 1
Hartman 1
Heinrich 1
Herbert 1
Hermann 1
Johan 1
Johnathan 1
Leo 1
Martin 1
Max 1
Morton 1
Oscar 1
Percy 1
Richd. 1
Tom 1
Urich 1

FAQ

Just surname: questions and answers

How common was the Just surname in 1881?

In 1881, 226 people were recorded with the Just surname. That placed it at #11,889 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Just surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 306 in 2016. That gives Just a modern rank of #14,543.

What does the Just surname mean?

A descriptive surname referring to a righteous, fair-minded, or morally upright person.

What does the Just map show?

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