NameCensus.

UK surname

Knotts

Derived from a place name meaning "hilltop" or referring to someone who lived near a hilltop.

In the 1881 census there were 141 people recorded with the Knotts surname, ranking it #16,091 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 238, ranked #17,361, down from #16,091 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Toryglen and Oatlands, Gorbals and Hutchesontown and Gateshead.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Knotts is 245 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 68.8%.

1881 census count

141

Ranked #16,091

Modern count

238

2016, ranked #17,361

Peak year

1997

245 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Knotts had 141 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,091 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 238 in 2016, ranked #17,361.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 185 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Routine Occupations or Retirement.

Knotts surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Knotts surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Knotts 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 59 #22,756
1861 historical 99 #21,294
1881 historical 141 #16,091
1891 historical 153 #18,078
1901 historical 181 #16,107
1911 historical 185 #15,686
1997 modern 245 #15,483
1998 modern 244 #15,947
1999 modern 234 #16,506
2000 modern 238 #16,290
2001 modern 229 #16,467
2002 modern 230 #16,730
2003 modern 213 #17,395
2004 modern 210 #17,644
2005 modern 211 #17,520
2006 modern 214 #17,507
2007 modern 219 #17,425
2008 modern 215 #17,809
2009 modern 226 #17,587
2010 modern 223 #18,096
2011 modern 220 #18,096
2012 modern 207 #18,777
2013 modern 218 #18,441
2014 modern 222 #18,355
2015 modern 228 #17,899
2016 modern 238 #17,361

Geography

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Where Knotts' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes, Govan Combination, Ryton and Staines. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Toryglen and Oatlands, Gorbals and Hutchesontown, Gateshead and Northumberland. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 London parishes London 3
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 Ryton Durham
5 Staines Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Toryglen and Oatlands Glasgow City
2 Gorbals and Hutchesontown Glasgow City
3 Gateshead 004 Gateshead
4 Northumberland 038 Northumberland
5 Gateshead 001 Gateshead

Forenames

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First names often paired with Knotts

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Knotts

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Knotts, 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 Knotts surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Routine Occupations or Retirement, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Knotts 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Knotts 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

Knotts is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Knotts 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 Knotts is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Knotts

The surname Knotts is believed to have originated in England, likely during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "cnotta," which means "a small lump or knot." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname given to someone with a distinctive physical characteristic, such as a knot-like protrusion or a stocky build.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Knotts can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, including "Cnotte" and "Knotte," reflecting the linguistic variations of the time.

The name Knotts was particularly prevalent in the northern counties of England, such as Yorkshire and Lancashire, where it is believed to have originated. In the 13th century, records show a Robert de Knottis residing in Yorkshire, indicating the presence of the name in that region.

Over the centuries, the Knotts surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One of the earliest was Sir John Knotts, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 15th century. Another notable figure was Thomas Knotts, a Puritan minister born in 1603, who played a significant role in the religious and political turmoil of the English Civil War era.

In the 18th century, the name Knotts gained further recognition through the works of playwright and actor Joseph Knotts (1725-1802), whose comedic plays were widely performed in London theaters. Another individual of note was Sir John Knotts (1765-1837), a British naval officer who distinguished himself in the Napoleonic Wars.

One of the most famous bearers of the Knotts surname was the American actor and comedian Don Knotts (1924-2006), best known for his roles in the television series "The Andy Griffith Show" and several popular films. His comedic talents and memorable performances have cemented his place in the annals of American entertainment history.

While the Knotts surname has evolved over time, its origins can be traced back to medieval England, where it likely began as a descriptive nickname reflecting a physical characteristic. Through the centuries, the name has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, clergymen, military officers, and entertainers, contributing to the rich tapestry of history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Knotts families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Knotts 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. Durham leads with 60 Knotts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.56x.

County Total Index
Durham 60 14.56x
Surrey 23 3.41x
Lanarkshire 20 4.47x
Middlesex 10 0.72x
Devon 7 2.43x
Yorkshire 6 0.44x
Renfrewshire 4 3.73x
Cambridgeshire 3 3.42x
Lancashire 3 0.18x
Somerset 2 0.90x
Carmarthenshire 1 1.71x
Cumberland 1 0.84x
Hampshire 1 0.35x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.54x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Winlaton in Durham leads with 21 Knotts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 531.65x.

Place Total Index
Winlaton 21 531.65x
Tanfield 20 408.16x
Govan 19 17.15x
Chopwell 9 1168.83x
Whickham 8 211.08x
Morthoe 7 3500.00x
Wandsworth 7 52.51x
Lambeth 6 4.97x
Inverkip 4 158.10x
Middlesbrough 4 22.38x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 14.35x
Ashton Under Lyne 3 8.35x
Chertsey 3 68.81x
Staines 3 136.99x
Clapham 2 11.55x
Kensington London 2 2.60x
March 2 68.03x
Sheffield 2 4.58x
St George Hanover Square 2 8.20x
St Pancras London 2 1.79x
Stogursey 2 333.33x
Barony 1 0.88x
Bermondsey 1 2.43x
Bishop Auckland 1 18.08x
Bulwell 1 24.63x
Elm 1 116.28x
Gateshead 1 3.24x
Llanelly 1 7.60x
Portsmouth 1 15.29x
St Clement Danes London 1 34.84x
Whitehaven 1 15.72x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 6
Thomas 6
Joseph 5
William 5
Edward 4
Henry 4
George 3
Isaac 3
Robert 3
Thos. 2
Walter 2
Alfred 1
Charles 1
Daniel 1
Erlick 1
Frank 1
Herbert 1
J. 1
James 1
Matthew 1
Ogden 1
Stephen 1
Surtees 1
Surtes 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Knotts surname: questions and answers

How common was the Knotts surname in 1881?

In 1881, 141 people were recorded with the Knotts surname. That placed it at #16,091 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Knotts surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 238 in 2016. That gives Knotts a modern rank of #17,361.

What does the Knotts surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "hilltop" or referring to someone who lived near a hilltop.

What does the Knotts map show?

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