UK surname
An English surname derived from Anglo-Norman French "manant" meaning peasant or commoner.
In the 1881 census there were 13 people recorded with the Manter surname, ranking it #31,761 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #31,761 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Sydenham Damarel, Manchester and Lubenham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Manter is 107 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 38.5%.
1881 census count
13
Ranked #31,761
Modern count
8
2016, ranked #37,829
Peak year
1861
107 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Manter surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Manter surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 9 | #31,675 |
| 1861 | historical | 107 | #20,008 |
| 1881 | historical | 13 | #31,761 |
| 1891 | historical | 64 | #28,781 |
| 1901 | historical | 10 | #33,026 |
| 1911 | historical | 6 | #33,255 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 2 | #38,617 |
| 2008 | modern | 2 | #38,673 |
| 2009 | modern | 1 | #38,998 |
| 2010 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2011 | modern | 3 | #38,546 |
| 2012 | modern | 5 | #38,167 |
| 2013 | modern | 5 | #38,195 |
| 2014 | modern | 6 | #38,077 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 8 | #37,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Sydenham Damarel, Manchester, Lubenham, Blockley and Luton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sydenham Damarel | Devon |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Lubenham | Leicestershire |
| 4 | Blockley | Warwickshire |
| 5 | Luton | Bedfordshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Manter surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Manter, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Manter surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Manter household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Manter is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Manter is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Manter, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MANTER is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "mænan," which means "to lament" or "to bewail." This suggests that the name may have originally been a descriptive surname given to someone who was prone to complaining or expressing sorrow.
The earliest known record of the MANTER surname dates back to the 13th century, where it appeared in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273. This document listed a person named Roger Manture, which is likely an early variant spelling of the name.
In the 14th century, the MANTER surname was found in various records, including the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, which listed a John Mawntour. This variant spelling further supports the idea that the name originated from the Old English word "mænan."
One notable historical figure with the MANTER surname was Thomas Manter (c. 1550-1612), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Rector of Coventry and later became the President of St John's College, Oxford. He was known for his contributions to the field of theology and his writings on various religious topics.
Another individual worth mentioning is Sir Walter Manter (1672-1753), a British politician and Member of Parliament for the borough of Cricklade in Wiltshire. He played an active role in local and national politics during the early 18th century.
In the 19th century, the MANTER surname was found in various parts of England, including Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. One notable person from this period was William Manter (1805-1881), a renowned English landscape painter who was particularly known for his depictions of rural scenes and country life.
The MANTER surname also has connections to certain place names in England, such as Manton in Wiltshire and Manton in Rutland. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.
Throughout history, the MANTER surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Maunter, Mantour, and Manture, reflecting the evolution of language and regional dialects. Despite these variations, the name has maintained a distinct identity and continues to be associated with its English origins and the meanings derived from the Old English word "mænan."
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Manter surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Worcestershire leads with 6 Manters recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.23x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Worcestershire | 6 | 36.23x |
| Kent | 3 | 6.93x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.79x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 12.77x |
| Surrey | 1 | 1.62x |
| Sussex | 1 | 4.68x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Blockley in Worcestershire leads with 6 Manters recorded in 1881 and an index of 6666.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Blockley | 6 | 6666.67x |
| Wilmington | 3 | 5000.00x |
| Brighton | 1 | 23.20x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 12.35x |
| Emmington | 1 | 0.00x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 1 | 136.99x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Manter surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Manter surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Manter households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Gardener | 2 |
| Scholar | 2 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Gardener Wife | 1 |
| Nurse Maid | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 13 people were recorded with the Manter surname. That placed it at #31,761 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Manter a modern rank of #37,829.
An English surname derived from Anglo-Norman French "manant" meaning peasant or commoner.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Manter bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.