NameCensus.

UK surname

Keeton

A locational surname derived from places in Yorkshire, England, likely referring to a town near a wood.

In the 1881 census there were 490 people recorded with the Keeton surname, ranking it #6,876 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 870, ranked #6,456, up from #6,876 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood and Eckington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sheffield, North East Derbyshire and Doncaster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Keeton is 914 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 77.6%.

1881 census count

490

Ranked #6,876

Modern count

870

2016, ranked #6,456

Peak year

1998

914 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Keeton had 490 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,876 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 870 in 2016, ranked #6,456.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 725 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Keeton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Keeton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Keeton 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 280 #8,043
1861 historical 194 #12,310
1881 historical 490 #6,876
1891 historical 529 #7,085
1901 historical 669 #6,507
1911 historical 725 #5,900
1997 modern 890 #6,012
1998 modern 914 #6,080
1999 modern 883 #6,302
2000 modern 880 #6,272
2001 modern 867 #6,237
2002 modern 904 #6,179
2003 modern 864 #6,266
2004 modern 864 #6,277
2005 modern 855 #6,286
2006 modern 851 #6,310
2007 modern 870 #6,259
2008 modern 890 #6,179
2009 modern 892 #6,316
2010 modern 894 #6,424
2011 modern 880 #6,441
2012 modern 851 #6,521
2013 modern 850 #6,632
2014 modern 863 #6,590
2015 modern 868 #6,492
2016 modern 870 #6,456

Geography

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Where Keetons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood, Eckington, Nottingham St Mary and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sheffield, North East Derbyshire, Doncaster and Rotherham. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 Sutton-in-Ashfield, Fulwood Nottinghamshire
3 Eckington Derbyshire
4 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sheffield 049 Sheffield
2 North East Derbyshire 013 North East Derbyshire
3 Doncaster 010 Doncaster
4 Doncaster 034 Doncaster
5 Rotherham 029 Rotherham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Keeton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Keeton

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Keeton, 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 Keeton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Keeton 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Keeton is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Keeton 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

Keeton falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Keeton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Keeton

The surname Keeton is of English origin and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "cyta," which means "cottage" or "small dwelling." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in a small house or cottage.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Keeton can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from 1199, where a person named Richard Keyton is mentioned. The spelling variation "Keyton" further supports the idea that the name originated from the word "cyta."

The surname Keeton is also closely related to the place name "Keyton," which is a small village in Shropshire, England. It is possible that the name was initially adopted by families residing in or near this village.

In the 13th century, the Keeton surname appeared in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire, where a person named William Keyton was recorded in 1272. This suggests that the name was well-established in the region by that time.

One notable individual with the surname Keeton was John Keeton, a prominent English lawyer who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries (c. 1560-1630). He served as a Member of Parliament and was appointed as a Serjeant-at-Law in 1614.

Another figure of historical significance was Henry Keeton (1704-1776), an English Baptist minister and author. He published several religious works, including "The Travels of True Godliness" and "The Distressed Soul's Catechism."

In the 19th century, William Keeton (1816-1878) was a prominent English architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Holy Trinity Church in Marylebone.

During the same period, George Keeton (1817-1891) was a British politician and lawyer who served as a Member of Parliament and was appointed as a Queen's Counsel in 1865.

Finally, George Williams Keeton (1855-1917) was an English scholar and linguist who specialized in the study of ancient languages, particularly Sanskrit. He served as a professor at University College, London, and authored several works on Indian philology.

These examples demonstrate the historical presence and significance of the surname Keeton, which has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Keeton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Keeton 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. Derbyshire leads with 180 Keetons recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.05x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 180 24.05x
Nottinghamshire 141 21.89x
Yorkshire 111 2.34x
Lancashire 32 0.56x
Warwickshire 9 0.75x
Northamptonshire 5 1.11x
Lincolnshire 4 0.52x
Kent 2 0.12x
Leicestershire 2 0.38x
Anglesey 1 1.18x
Cardiganshire 1 0.86x
Hampshire 1 0.10x
Surrey 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Eckington in Derbyshire leads with 43 Keetons recorded in 1881 and an index of 236.52x.

Place Total Index
Eckington 43 236.52x
Handsworth 33 263.58x
Nottingham St Mary 31 18.60x
Lenton 28 184.57x
Sheffield 25 16.58x
Sutton In Ashfield 23 164.52x
Pilsley 21 850.20x
Derby St Alkmund 13 57.96x
Staveley 11 82.83x
Mansfield 10 44.86x
Aston 9 2.71x
Beighton 9 265.49x
Hazelwood 9 1451.61x
Nether Hallam 9 14.04x
Wessington 9 900.00x
Derby St Peter 8 33.57x
Nottingham St Peter 8 111.42x
Pendleton In Salford 8 11.84x
Brightside Bierlow 7 7.54x
Crumpsall 7 52.36x
North Leverton 7 1428.57x
Shirland 7 125.00x
Snenton 7 27.66x
Toxteth Park 7 3.64x
Worksop 7 36.63x
Duffield 6 101.69x
Ecclesall Bierlow 6 6.23x
Killamarsh 6 129.03x
Nottingham St Nicholas 6 68.42x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 6 27.27x
Thorpe Salvin 6 1016.95x
Belper 5 34.46x
Derby All Sts 5 80.00x
Fairfield 5 100.00x
Hucknall Torkard 5 30.60x
Kirkby In Ashfield 5 72.57x
Oldham 5 2.73x
Claylane 4 38.46x
Everton 4 2.21x
Linthorpe 4 14.15x
Peterborough 4 12.29x
Ashover 3 80.65x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 3 6.80x
Chesterfield 3 10.70x
Coates 3 3750.00x
Manningham 3 5.14x
Sculcoates 3 4.00x
Whittington 3 28.99x
Wingerworth 3 447.76x
Alfreton 2 8.80x
Ault Hucknall 2 162.60x
Leicester St Mary 2 4.67x
Middlesbrough 2 3.24x
Newark Upon Trent 2 8.64x
North Wingfield 2 59.88x
Aston Cum Aughton 1 25.84x
Bexley 1 6.93x
Brampton 1 9.56x
Cuckney 1 109.89x
Ecclesfield 1 2.88x
Hipperholme Cum 1 4.81x
Kirton In Lindsey 1 33.00x
Lampeterpont Stephen 1 51.02x
Liverpool 1 0.29x
Llandegfan 1 58.14x
Northampton St Giles 1 5.84x
Southwark St Saviour 1 4.07x
Tonbridge 1 1.70x
Ventnor 1 10.73x
Wakefield 1 2.75x
Wellow 1 166.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 38
Sarah 20
Elizabeth 18
Hannah 15
Eliza 14
Ellen 10
Annie 9
Emma 9
Ann 8
Harriet 8
Martha 7
Alice 4
Clara 4
Fanny 4
Harriett 4
Lucy 4
Margaret 4
Ada 3
Agnes 3
Jane 3
Ruth 3
Bertha 2
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Edith 2
Eva 2
Frances 2
Julia 2
Miriam 2
Anne 1
Beatrice 1
Bessey 1
Betsy 1
Emily 1
Emna 1
Esther 1
Fany 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Hilda 1
Jemimah 1
Johanna 1
Kitty 1
Laura 1
Lavina 1
Lilian 1
Lilly 1
Lily 1
Louisa 1
Truphena 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 30
John 29
Joseph 24
George 21
Thomas 17
Henry 9
Samuel 9
Charles 8
James 8
Albert 6
Arthur 5
Mark 5
Edwin 4
Harry 4
Richard 4
Wm. 4
Ernest 3
Frank 3
Frederick 3
Alfred 2
Edward 2
Fredk. 2
Fredrick 2
Herbert 2
Paul 2
Walter 2
Benjamin 1
Clemens 1
Courtney 1
Daniel 1
Danl. 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Emmanuel 1
Erasouns 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fredk.G. 1
Gervis 1
Haydn 1
Jessie 1
Job 1
Leonard 1
Louis 1
Mathew 1
Matthew 1
Percy 1
Robert 1
Sam 1
Saml. 1

FAQ

Keeton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Keeton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 490 people were recorded with the Keeton surname. That placed it at #6,876 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Keeton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 870 in 2016. That gives Keeton a modern rank of #6,456.

What does the Keeton surname mean?

A locational surname derived from places in Yorkshire, England, likely referring to a town near a wood.

What does the Keeton map show?

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