NameCensus.

UK surname

Kit

An English surname derived from the Middle English word "kit" meaning a small wooden tub or barrel.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barnet, Bradford and Isle of Anglesey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kit is 100 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

100

2016, ranked #31,123

Peak year

2016

100 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016, ranked #31,123.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Kit surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kit surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kit 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 11 #31,309
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1997 modern 54 #32,210
1998 modern 58 #32,138
1999 modern 53 #32,746
2000 modern 58 #32,317
2001 modern 56 #32,379
2002 modern 60 #32,388
2003 modern 63 #32,152
2004 modern 62 #32,478
2005 modern 63 #32,602
2006 modern 60 #33,235
2007 modern 62 #33,346
2008 modern 68 #33,047
2009 modern 77 #32,553
2010 modern 86 #32,081
2011 modern 88 #31,801
2012 modern 91 #31,659
2013 modern 94 #31,656
2014 modern 93 #32,025
2015 modern 92 #32,075
2016 modern 100 #31,123

Geography

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Where Kits are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Barnet, Bradford, Isle of Anglesey, Croydon and Brent. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Barnet 040 Barnet
2 Bradford 008 Bradford
3 Isle of Anglesey 008 Isle of Anglesey
4 Croydon 006 Croydon
5 Brent 030 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kit

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kit

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Kit surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Kit household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Kit 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

Kit 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

Kit 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 Kit 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
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Kit

The surname Kit is of English origin, emerging in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "cyt," meaning a small hut or cottage. The name likely referred to someone who lived in a small dwelling or was associated with such a structure.

The earliest known record of the surname Kit can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Chit" and "Kyt." This historical document was a survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest of England.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name was also found in various spellings such as "Ket," "Kyt," and "Kytt" in various county records and manor rolls across England, particularly in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex.

One notable bearer of the surname Kit was John Kit (c. 1335-1407), a prosperous merchant and landowner from Norwich, Norfolk. He was a prominent figure in the city's affairs and served as a bailiff and mayor during his lifetime.

Another individual of historical significance was Sir Thomas Kit (c. 1490-1567), a member of the English gentry from Suffolk. He held various positions in the court of Henry VIII and was knighted for his services to the crown.

In the 16th century, the name was also found in its modern spelling, "Kit." William Kit (c. 1520-1585) was a notable English clergyman and theologian who served as the Bishop of Winchester during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, Captain Richard Kit (c. 1610-1682) was a Parliamentarian officer who fought in several battles against the Royalist forces of King Charles I.

Another noteworthy figure was Sir Thomas Kit (1654-1721), a successful merchant and member of the East India Company. He amassed a considerable fortune through his trading activities and was knighted by King William III in recognition of his contributions to the English economy.

Throughout its history, the surname Kit has maintained a strong presence in various parts of England, particularly in the eastern counties. While not among the most common surnames, it has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including merchants, clergymen, soldiers, and noblemen.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kit surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kit surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016. That gives Kit a modern rank of #31,123.

What does the Kit surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Middle English word "kit" meaning a small wooden tub or barrel.

What does the Kit map show?

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