NameCensus.

UK surname

Kelt

A surname derived from the Gaelic word "Celt", referring to a person of Celtic origin or descent.

In the 1881 census there were 108 people recorded with the Kelt surname, ranking it #18,888 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 160, ranked #22,694, down from #18,888 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bridekirk, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Dingwall, North Warwickshire and Glenwood South.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kelt is 166 in 2001. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 48.1%.

1881 census count

108

Ranked #18,888

Modern count

160

2016, ranked #22,694

Peak year

2001

166 bearers

Map years

6

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kelt had 108 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,888 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 160 in 2016, ranked #22,694.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 135 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Routine Occupations or Retirement.

Kelt surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kelt surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kelt 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 78 #19,840
1861 historical 95 #21,768
1881 historical 108 #18,888
1891 historical 135 #19,692
1901 historical 114 #21,166
1911 historical 45 #28,332
1997 modern 156 #20,593
1998 modern 162 #20,673
1999 modern 162 #20,781
2000 modern 163 #20,657
2001 modern 166 #20,129
2002 modern 164 #20,687
2003 modern 166 #20,320
2004 modern 162 #20,756
2005 modern 164 #20,552
2006 modern 148 #22,111
2007 modern 155 #21,726
2008 modern 154 #22,034
2009 modern 162 #21,791
2010 modern 162 #22,292
2011 modern 157 #22,574
2012 modern 159 #22,361
2013 modern 163 #22,342
2014 modern 162 #22,624
2015 modern 161 #22,599
2016 modern 160 #22,694

Geography

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Where Kelts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bridekirk, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Perth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Dingwall, North Warwickshire, Glenwood South, West Oxfordshire and Springburn. 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 Bridekirk Cumberland
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Perth Perth

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Dingwall Highland
2 North Warwickshire 002 North Warwickshire
3 Glenwood South Glasgow City
4 West Oxfordshire 001 West Oxfordshire
5 Springburn Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kelt

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kelt

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Routine Occupations or Retirement

Nationally, the Kelt surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Routine Occupations or Retirement, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Kelt 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 are characterised by high proportions of single, often never-married adults of normal retirement age or older, including many that are in the most advanced age groups. Most adults are UK born and live at high residential densities, and many of the children living with parents are in adulthood. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are uncommon, but above average proportions of households include individuals that identify with different ethnic groups. Long-term disability is relatively common, and the dominant accommodation type is flats. Unemployment rates are high, with most of those employed working in routine occupations. Few individuals have high level qualifications. Car ownership is not high.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Kelt is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kelt is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kelt falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Kelt

The surname KELT is believed to have originated in the British Isles, with its roots traced back to the ancient Celts who inhabited various regions of the islands. The name is derived from the Old English word "Celt," which referred to these ancient inhabitants.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname KELT can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This historical document contains references to individuals bearing variations of the name, such as Celte and Kelti.

During the Middle Ages, the KELT surname was predominantly found in regions with strong Celtic influences, such as Wales, Scotland, and parts of England. The name was often associated with families who traced their lineage back to the ancient Celts or had connections to Celtic culture and traditions.

One notable figure bearing the KELT surname was Sir John Kelt, a Welsh nobleman who lived during the 14th century. He played a significant role in the Wars of Scottish Independence, fighting alongside Robert the Bruce. Another individual of note was Elizabeth Kelt, a Scottish writer and poet who lived in the 16th century and contributed to the literary traditions of her time.

In the 17th century, the KELT surname spread across the British Isles, with families bearing this name settling in various regions. One such example is William Kelt, an English merchant who established a successful trade business in London during the 1600s.

As the centuries progressed, the KELT surname continued to be found in various parts of the British Isles, with some families also migrating to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia. One notable figure from more recent history was James Kelt, an Australian explorer who led several expeditions into the outback during the late 19th century.

Another individual of significance was Mary Kelt, an Irish-born writer and activist who played a prominent role in the Irish independence movement in the early 20th century. She was known for her passionate advocacy for Irish culture and traditions.

Despite its ancient origins, the KELT surname has endured throughout the centuries, carrying with it the rich heritage and traditions of the Celtic peoples. While its prevalence may have fluctuated over time, the name continues to be a part of the tapestry of surnames found across various regions of the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kelt families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kelt 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. Lanarkshire leads with 24 Kelts recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.61x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 24 7.61x
Cumberland 19 22.62x
Dunbartonshire 8 30.52x
Middlesex 8 0.82x
Angus 7 7.75x
Lancashire 7 0.60x
Yorkshire 7 0.72x
Perthshire 6 13.70x
Midlothian 5 3.83x
Ayrshire 4 5.48x
Staffordshire 2 0.61x
Derbyshire 1 0.65x
Fife 1 1.73x
Kent 1 0.30x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 17 Kelts recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.79x.

Place Total Index
Govan 17 21.79x
Bridekirk 14 2089.55x
Dundee 6 17.78x
Keighley 6 58.25x
Kirkintilloch 6 168.54x
Barony 5 6.26x
Cockermouth 5 282.49x
Girvan 4 218.58x
Hackney London 4 7.31x
Inveresk 4 112.99x
Manchester 4 7.68x
Paddington London 3 8.36x
Perth Middle Church 3 181.82x
Perth West Church 3 144.23x
Stoke Upon Trent 2 5.73x
Bonhill 1 23.75x
Bridlington 1 45.25x
Edinburgh Canongate 1 30.03x
Everton 1 2.71x
Forgan 1 90.09x
Glasgow 1 1.79x
Kirkdale 1 5.14x
Liverpool 1 1.42x
Matlock 1 48.78x
Minster In Sheppey 1 18.15x
Newtyle 1 322.58x
Row 1 29.50x
Shettleston 1 35.46x
Westminster St Margaret 1 21.23x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 5
Amy 1
Ann 1
Catherine 1
Emma 1
Grace 1
Isabella 1
Jane 1
Kate 1
Lousia 1
Margaret 1
May 1
Ruth 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Kelt 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 Kelt households.

FAQ

Kelt surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kelt surname in 1881?

In 1881, 108 people were recorded with the Kelt surname. That placed it at #18,888 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kelt surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 160 in 2016. That gives Kelt a modern rank of #22,694.

What does the Kelt surname mean?

A surname derived from the Gaelic word "Celt", referring to a person of Celtic origin or descent.

What does the Kelt map show?

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