NameCensus.

UK surname

Latter

A locational surname referring to someone living near a slope or hillside.

In the 1881 census there were 781 people recorded with the Latter surname, ranking it #4,748 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,121, ranked #5,256, down from #4,748 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tunbridge, Bidborough, London parishes and Rotherfield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Croydon, Maidstone and South Kesteven.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Latter is 1,226 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 43.5%.

1881 census count

781

Ranked #4,748

Modern count

1,121

2016, ranked #5,256

Peak year

1999

1,226 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Latter had 781 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,748 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,121 in 2016, ranked #5,256.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,178 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Latter surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Latter surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Latter 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 725 #3,618
1861 historical 582 #4,530
1881 historical 781 #4,748
1891 historical 960 #4,307
1901 historical 1,151 #4,229
1911 historical 1,178 #3,972
1997 modern 1,204 #4,694
1998 modern 1,224 #4,803
1999 modern 1,226 #4,826
2000 modern 1,195 #4,927
2001 modern 1,170 #4,925
2002 modern 1,218 #4,844
2003 modern 1,174 #4,895
2004 modern 1,178 #4,886
2005 modern 1,121 #5,058
2006 modern 1,092 #5,170
2007 modern 1,098 #5,195
2008 modern 1,103 #5,204
2009 modern 1,147 #5,150
2010 modern 1,158 #5,205
2011 modern 1,146 #5,197
2012 modern 1,133 #5,158
2013 modern 1,158 #5,151
2014 modern 1,148 #5,210
2015 modern 1,147 #5,167
2016 modern 1,121 #5,256

Geography

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Where Latters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tunbridge, Bidborough, London parishes, Rotherfield, Yalding, Aylesford, Burham, Mereworth, Wateringbury, Nettlestead and Maidstone, Linton, Loddington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Croydon, Maidstone, South Kesteven, Tonbridge and Malling and Ashford. 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 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
2 London parishes London 3
3 Rotherfield Sussex
4 Yalding, Aylesford, Burham, Mereworth, Wateringbury, Nettlestead Kent
5 Maidstone, Linton, Loddington Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Croydon 036 Croydon
2 Maidstone 013 Maidstone
3 South Kesteven 008 South Kesteven
4 Tonbridge and Malling 012 Tonbridge and Malling
5 Ashford 002 Ashford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Latter

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Latter

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Latter surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Latter household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Latter is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

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Group profile

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Latter 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

Latter falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Latter

The surname Latter originated in England, likely in the late 12th or early 13th century. It derived from the Old English word "latere," meaning "later" or "slower." The name may have initially referred to someone who was considered tardy or sluggish.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Latter name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, dated around 1273, which mentions a Robert Latere. The Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296 also list a John Latter.

In the 14th century, the Latter surname appeared in various historical records, such as the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, which included a William Latter. The Lay Subsidy Rolls of Wiltshire from 1332 mentioned a John le Latter.

During the 15th century, the Latter name was found in various locations across England. The Feet of Fines for Essex from 1428 recorded a Robert Latter, while the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk from 1524 listed a John Latter.

Notable individuals with the Latter surname throughout history include Richard Latter (c. 1556-1612), an English clergyman and author. Another prominent figure was Matthew Latter (1572-1645), an English churchman who served as the Archdeacon of Buckingham.

In the 17th century, the Latter name appeared in various parish records, such as the baptism of Thomas Latter in St. Dunstan's, Stepney, in 1635. The marriage of John Latter and Elizabeth Gee was recorded in St. Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey, in 1674.

During the 18th century, the Latter surname was associated with several notable individuals, including Thomas Latter (1716-1789), an English clergyman and author. Another prominent figure was William Latter (1738-1808), an English physician and medical writer.

In the 19th century, the Latter name was found in various census records and historical documents. One notable individual was Mary Latter (1798-1878), an English diarist and author. Her diaries provide valuable insights into the life and times of the Victorian era.

Throughout its history, the Latter surname has been associated with various place names and variations in spelling, such as Lator, Latour, and Lattere. While the name originated in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and historical events.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Latter families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Latter 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. Kent leads with 371 Latters recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.25x.

County Total Index
Kent 371 14.25x
Sussex 104 8.09x
Middlesex 81 1.06x
Surrey 69 1.86x
Hampshire 51 3.26x
Essex 19 1.26x
Suffolk 16 1.72x
Gloucestershire 11 0.74x
Lincolnshire 11 0.90x
Cumberland 8 1.22x
Shropshire 7 1.06x
Somerset 5 0.41x
Wiltshire 4 0.59x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.62x
Northumberland 3 0.26x
Clackmannanshire 2 3.17x
Lancashire 2 0.02x
Midlothian 2 0.20x
Norfolk 2 0.17x
Northamptonshire 2 0.28x
Oxfordshire 2 0.42x
Royal Navy 2 2.20x
Bedfordshire 1 0.25x
Berkshire 1 0.17x
Cheshire 1 0.06x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.59x
Hertfordshire 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tonbridge in Kent leads with 78 Latters recorded in 1881 and an index of 83.09x.

Place Total Index
Tonbridge 78 83.09x
Croydon 26 12.60x
Rotherfield 26 229.68x
Yalding 23 350.08x
Maidstone 19 24.51x
Wateringbury 17 500.00x
Kensington London 16 3.77x
Portsea 16 5.22x
Littlehampton 14 136.32x
Bexley 13 56.50x
Staplehurst 12 281.03x
Widley 12 430.11x
East Peckham 11 203.33x
Mayfield 11 144.55x
Brighton 10 3.85x
Clanfield 10 1369.86x
Farnborough 10 263.85x
Leyton 10 38.55x
Leeds 9 473.68x
Limehouse London 9 10.75x
Stoke 9 604.03x
Bermondsey 8 3.52x
Bromley 8 20.17x
Capel 8 547.95x
Dorking 8 32.05x
Hadlow 8 124.03x
Hammersmith London 8 4.26x
Lewisham 8 5.76x
Marden 8 131.15x
Pembury 8 216.80x
St Giles Cripplegate 8 78.97x
Whitehaven 8 22.85x
Great Gonerby 7 222.93x
Harkstead 7 714.29x
Hougham 7 45.22x
Lambeth 7 1.05x
Lee 7 18.52x
Rochester St Margaret 7 25.50x
Shrewsbury St Julian 7 42.94x
Southampton St Mary 7 7.12x
Wadhurst 7 82.94x
Beckenham 6 17.64x
Chislehurst 6 42.98x
East Farleigh 6 137.30x
Elmley 6 1111.11x
Horsemonden 6 157.89x
Ipswich St Mathew 6 23.04x
Prittlewell 6 28.75x
Cranbrook 5 45.37x
Deptford St Paul 5 2.49x
Etchingham 5 210.08x
Fletching 5 86.81x
Harrow On The Hill 5 32.81x
Lullingstone 5 2631.58x
Newington 5 1.77x
Sevenoaks 5 23.70x
St Marylebone London 5 1.23x
Stapleton 5 17.62x
Teston 5 588.24x
Ticehurst 5 63.53x
Westbourne 5 78.13x
Bath St Michael 4 64.52x
Battersea 4 1.43x
Broadwater 4 13.56x
Chelsfield 4 160.64x
Edmonton 4 6.51x
Hackney London 4 0.94x
Islington London 4 0.54x
Mereworth 4 191.39x
Paddington London 4 1.43x
Ruckinge 4 388.35x
Spittlegate 4 23.71x
St Pancras London 4 0.65x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 2.13x
Gravesend 3 13.61x
Hambledon 3 56.93x
Milton In Gravesend 3 7.69x
Thornbury 3 29.33x
Westerham 3 50.00x
Wilburton 3 217.39x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 30
Sarah 24
Emily 23
Ellen 20
Elizabeth 14
Ann 13
Eliza 13
Alice 12
Caroline 11
Jane 11
Ada 10
Fanny 10
Annie 9
Clara 9
Harriet 9
Kate 9
Rose 9
Charlotte 8
Emma 8
Harriett 8
Hannah 7
Louisa 7
Catherine 5
Edith 5
Lucy 5
Maria 5
Amy 4
Anne 4
Flora 4
Frances 4
Eva 3
Katherine 3
Martha 3
Matilda 3
Maud 3
Sophia 3
Abigail 2
Agnes 2
Amelia 2
Betsy 2
Emmarietta 2
Ethel 2
Hariett 2
Lavinia 2
Lilly 2
Blanch 1
Edna 1
Eleanor 1
Eleonor 1
Elinor 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 47
George 38
John 35
Henry 30
Thomas 23
Charles 22
James 15
Alfred 12
Richard 12
Edward 11
Frederick 9
Albert 8
Arthur 5
Edwin 5
Ernest 5
Benjamin 4
Joseph 4
Louis 4
Walter 4
Fredk. 3
Hugh 3
Phillip 3
Adolphus 2
David 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Horace 2
Leonard 2
Reuben 2
Sidney 2
Thos. 2
Willm. 2
Wm. 2
Archebald 1
Arnold 1
Bertram 1
Cecil 1
Daniel 1
Edw. 1
Edwd. 1
Francis 1
Fredrick 1
Halbert 1
Infant 1
J. 1
Jas. 1
Jno. 1
Laurance 1
Lewis 1
Miles 1

FAQ

Latter surname: questions and answers

How common was the Latter surname in 1881?

In 1881, 781 people were recorded with the Latter surname. That placed it at #4,748 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Latter surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,121 in 2016. That gives Latter a modern rank of #5,256.

What does the Latter surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone living near a slope or hillside.

What does the Latter map show?

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