NameCensus.

UK surname

Kempthorne

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "at the thorn-tree near the camp."

In the 1881 census there were 148 people recorded with the Kempthorne surname, ranking it #15,611 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 162, ranked #22,512, down from #15,611 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Illogan, Newlyn and Wendron. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Hertfordshire, Hartlepool and Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kempthorne is 179 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9.5%.

1881 census count

148

Ranked #15,611

Modern count

162

2016, ranked #22,512

Peak year

2011

179 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kempthorne had 148 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,611 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 162 in 2016, ranked #22,512.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 155 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kempthorne surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kempthorne surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kempthorne 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 86 #18,820
1861 historical 92 #22,112
1881 historical 148 #15,611
1891 historical 132 #19,976
1901 historical 155 #17,704
1911 historical 139 #18,745
1997 modern 154 #20,780
1998 modern 165 #20,423
1999 modern 164 #20,621
2000 modern 158 #21,055
2001 modern 162 #20,460
2002 modern 164 #20,687
2003 modern 162 #20,624
2004 modern 155 #21,352
2005 modern 160 #20,899
2006 modern 164 #20,715
2007 modern 162 #21,115
2008 modern 166 #20,966
2009 modern 176 #20,632
2010 modern 172 #21,404
2011 modern 179 #20,732
2012 modern 173 #21,135
2013 modern 171 #21,654
2014 modern 166 #22,277
2015 modern 167 #22,066
2016 modern 162 #22,512

Geography

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Where Kempthornes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Illogan, Newlyn, Wendron, Mullion and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Hertfordshire, Hartlepool and Cornwall. 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 Illogan Cornwall
2 Newlyn Cornwall
3 Wendron Cornwall
4 Mullion Cornwall
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Hertfordshire 011 East Hertfordshire
2 East Hertfordshire 009 East Hertfordshire
3 Hartlepool 002 Hartlepool
4 Cornwall 004 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 006 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kempthorne

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kempthorne

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Kempthorne surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Kempthorne 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Kempthorne 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

Kempthorne is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kempthorne 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 Kempthorne is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Kempthorne

The surname Kempthorne originated in England during the late Anglo-Saxon period, approximately between the 8th and 11th centuries. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the Old English words "camp" meaning a field or enclosure, and "thorn" referring to a thorn bush or tree, indicating that the name likely originated from a particular place where thorn bushes or trees were prevalent.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kempthorne can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a survey commissioned by William the Conqueror to record landowners and their holdings in England. The name appears as "Campatorn" or "Campetorn," reflecting the Old English pronunciation and spelling.

During the Middle Ages, various spellings of the name emerged, such as Kempthorn, Kempthorne, and Kempton, reflecting regional dialects and scribal variations. The name was particularly prominent in the counties of Devon and Cornwall in southwestern England, where many Kempthorne families resided.

Notably, Sir James Kempthorne (1540-1618) was a prominent figure during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He served as a member of parliament and held influential positions in the government. Another notable bearer of the name was John Kempthorne (1620-1679), a celebrated English clergyman and author who wrote extensively on theological subjects.

In the 18th century, Thomas Kempthorne (1728-1807) was a renowned English naval officer who played a significant role in several battles during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. His bravery and leadership earned him recognition and promotions within the Royal Navy.

Moving into the 19th century, John Kempthorne (1775-1838) was a prominent English lawyer and judge who served as a King's Counsel and was appointed to the Court of Common Pleas. His legal expertise and contributions to the English judicial system were widely acknowledged during his lifetime.

The Kempthorne surname has also been associated with notable figures in various fields, including literature, academia, and politics. While the name has spread globally over time, its origins can be traced back to the rural regions of southwestern England, where it emerged as a locational surname reflecting the landscape and vegetation of the area.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kempthorne families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kempthorne 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. Cornwall leads with 79 Kempthornes recorded in 1881 and an index of 48.01x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 79 48.01x
Glamorgan 25 9.88x
Surrey 9 1.27x
Devon 7 2.31x
Warwickshire 6 1.64x
Durham 5 1.16x
Middlesex 5 0.34x
Berkshire 4 3.67x
Huntingdonshire 2 6.93x
Lincolnshire 2 0.86x
Cambridgeshire 1 1.09x
Carmarthenshire 1 1.63x
Channel Islands 1 2.32x
Gloucestershire 1 0.35x
Somerset 1 0.43x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sithney in Cornwall leads with 14 Kempthornes recorded in 1881 and an index of 843.37x.

Place Total Index
Sithney 14 843.37x
Newlyn 12 1714.29x
Aberdare 11 63.33x
Illogan 9 206.42x
Neath 9 174.76x
Constantine 6 625.00x
Mawnan 6 2307.69x
Cardiff St John 5 60.46x
Helston 5 292.40x
Lambeth 5 3.95x
Stranton 5 34.34x
Tormoham 5 39.06x
Bearley 4 3636.36x
Bermondsey 4 9.24x
Callington 4 416.67x
Sandhurst 4 189.57x
St Endellion 4 701.75x
Acton 2 23.47x
Awliscombe 2 740.74x
Elton 2 500.00x
Kilkhampton 2 408.16x
Morwenstow 2 500.00x
St Martin In Meneage 2 1000.00x
Stratton 2 224.72x
Wendron 2 87.72x
Winteringham 2 606.06x
Aston 1 0.99x
Bedminster 1 4.55x
Cheltenham 1 4.55x
Cubert 1 526.32x
Hackney London 1 1.23x
Landewednack 1 344.83x
Launcells 1 357.14x
Llandingat 1 71.94x
Manaccan 1 555.56x
Paddington London 1 1.87x
Padstow 1 91.74x
Rugby 1 20.16x
St Benedict Cambridge 1 192.31x
St Columb Major 1 72.99x
St Helier 1 7.13x
St Keverne 1 109.89x
St Kew 1 181.82x
St Pancras London 1 0.85x
St Stephens By Saltash 1 140.85x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 18
Elizabeth 11
Ann 4
Annie 4
Jane 3
Cathr. 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Sarah 2
Alerina 1
Anne 1
Beatrice 1
Caroline 1
Catharine 1
Christianna 1
Christine 1
Edith 1
Elizh. 1
Ellen 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
J. 1
Jessy 1
Levinia 1
Louie 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Maud 1
Minnie 1
Nancy 1
Prudence 1
Rosa 1
Rose 1
Selina 1
Sophia 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 8
John 8
William 7
Charles 4
Edward 4
Henry 4
Lewis 3
Albert 2
Chas. 2
Frederick 2
George 2
Robert 2
Alfred 1
Benny 1
Bertram 1
Edgar 1
Eleanor 1
Hedley 1
Hugh 1
Jerard 1
Jno. 1
Mark 1
Neville 1
Philip 1
Renatus 1
Richard 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Thomas 1
Tom 1
Wilfred 1

FAQ

Kempthorne surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kempthorne surname in 1881?

In 1881, 148 people were recorded with the Kempthorne surname. That placed it at #15,611 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kempthorne surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 162 in 2016. That gives Kempthorne a modern rank of #22,512.

What does the Kempthorne surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "at the thorn-tree near the camp."

What does the Kempthorne map show?

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