NameCensus.

UK surname

Manton

A place name derived from a location name in England.

In the 1881 census there were 1,282 people recorded with the Manton surname, ranking it #3,184 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,613, ranked #3,862, down from #3,184 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory and Liddington, Seaton (Thorpe). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Malvern Hills, Harborough and Kirklees.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Manton is 1,808 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.8%.

1881 census count

1,282

Ranked #3,184

Modern count

1,613

2016, ranked #3,862

Peak year

1911

1,808 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Manton had 1,282 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,184 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,613 in 2016, ranked #3,862.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,808 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Manton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Manton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Manton 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 785 #3,397
1861 historical 987 #2,820
1881 historical 1,282 #3,184
1891 historical 1,443 #3,034
1901 historical 1,654 #3,119
1911 historical 1,808 #2,715
1997 modern 1,644 #3,608
1998 modern 1,681 #3,670
1999 modern 1,676 #3,705
2000 modern 1,664 #3,709
2001 modern 1,644 #3,683
2002 modern 1,682 #3,676
2003 modern 1,635 #3,694
2004 modern 1,650 #3,674
2005 modern 1,622 #3,689
2006 modern 1,615 #3,709
2007 modern 1,611 #3,746
2008 modern 1,607 #3,777
2009 modern 1,614 #3,855
2010 modern 1,662 #3,835
2011 modern 1,647 #3,823
2012 modern 1,603 #3,841
2013 modern 1,641 #3,829
2014 modern 1,644 #3,847
2015 modern 1,630 #3,830
2016 modern 1,613 #3,862

Geography

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Where Mantons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory, Liddington, Seaton (Thorpe) and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Malvern Hills, Harborough, Kirklees, West Devon and Middlesbrough. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory Northamptonshire
4 Liddington, Seaton (Thorpe) Rutland
5 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Malvern Hills 005 Malvern Hills
2 Harborough 007 Harborough
3 Kirklees 016 Kirklees
4 West Devon 004 West Devon
5 Middlesbrough 003 Middlesbrough

Forenames

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First names often paired with Manton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Manton

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Manton, 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 Manton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Manton 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Manton 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.

Read profile summary

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

Manton is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Manton falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Manton

The surname Manton has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a place name, referring to the village of Manton in Wiltshire or the town of Manton in Rutland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Manton surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which documents landholders in England after the Norman Conquest. The entry mentions a landowner named Robert de Manton, suggesting the surname was already in use at that time.

During the Middle Ages, the Manton surname was prevalent in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Wiltshire, Rutland, and Lincolnshire. Historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries show variations in spelling, such as Mantone, Maunton, and Mawnton, reflecting the evolution of the English language over time.

Notable individuals bearing the Manton surname include Sir Walter Manton (1592-1669), an English Puritan minister and author who served as a chaplain to Oliver Cromwell. Another prominent figure was Sir George Manton (c. 1630-1676), a renowned gunsmith who was renowned for his craftsmanship and is considered one of the pioneers of the English gunmaking industry.

In the 17th century, John Manton (1647-1718), an English mathematician and astronomer, made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. His work on the motion of the moon and the calculation of eclipses earned him recognition from the Royal Society.

During the 18th century, Joseph Manton (1766-1835), a renowned English gunsmith, established a successful firearms business in London. His guns were highly prized and used by the British nobility and royalty, including King George IV.

Another notable figure was Sir Joseph Manton (1809-1886), a British railway engineer who played a crucial role in the construction of the London Underground railway system, serving as its chief engineer from 1856 to 1886.

The Manton surname has a rich history spanning several centuries, with its origins rooted in medieval England. While the name may have evolved in spelling over time, it has been associated with individuals who made significant contributions in various fields, including religion, science, engineering, and craftsmanship.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Manton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Manton 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. Warwickshire leads with 203 Mantons recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.45x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 203 6.45x
Middlesex 142 1.14x
Worcestershire 112 6.87x
Lincolnshire 109 5.46x
Yorkshire 96 0.78x
Northamptonshire 90 7.67x
Leicestershire 82 5.93x
Surrey 79 1.30x
Bedfordshire 78 12.07x
Lancashire 63 0.43x
Rutland 55 60.04x
Staffordshire 41 0.97x
Herefordshire 17 3.32x
Kent 16 0.38x
Derbyshire 13 0.67x
Hampshire 13 0.51x
Gloucestershire 10 0.41x
Sussex 9 0.43x
Essex 8 0.32x
Hertfordshire 6 0.70x
Northumberland 6 0.32x
Durham 5 0.13x
Devon 4 0.15x
Glamorgan 3 0.14x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.18x
Royal Navy 3 2.02x
Wiltshire 3 0.27x
Berkshire 2 0.21x
Norfolk 2 0.10x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.13x
Cheshire 1 0.04x
Cornwall 1 0.07x
Cumberland 1 0.09x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.40x
Midlothian 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 86 Mantons recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.93x.

Place Total Index
Aston 86 9.93x
Birmingham 37 3.53x
Leicester St Mary 30 26.84x
Islington London 29 2.40x
Leicester St Margaret 26 7.71x
Pershore Holy Cross 23 220.31x
St Pancras London 23 2.29x
Bedford St Mary 21 126.20x
Kings Norton 21 14.37x
Warwick St Mary 21 76.87x
Ampthill 20 207.47x
Camberwell 18 2.26x
Croydon 18 5.33x
Liddington 18 800.00x
Northampton Priory St 18 25.56x
Worcester St Peter 17 55.12x
Colwall 15 236.59x
Handsworth 15 14.45x
Bedford St Paul 14 31.60x
Holy Trinity 14 4.71x
St Marylebone London 14 2.10x
Ecclesall Bierlow 13 5.17x
Everton 12 2.54x
Ridlington 12 1200.00x
Bowling 11 8.98x
Easton 11 260.05x
Southwark St George Martyr 11 4.38x
Spittlegate 11 39.87x
Batley 10 8.51x
Kenilworth 10 56.37x
Peterborough 10 11.77x
Wandsworth 10 8.33x
Christchurch 9 16.23x
Donington 9 125.70x
Edgbaston 9 9.23x
Northampton St Sepulchre 9 15.08x
Skirbeck 9 80.50x
Spalding 9 22.73x
Wakefield 9 9.48x
Yardley 9 21.59x
Chipping Campden 8 100.50x
Holbeach 8 36.00x
Limehouse London 8 5.84x
West Haddon 8 209.97x
Brighton 7 1.65x
Bromley London 7 2.55x
Clerkenwell London 7 2.38x
Duddington 7 457.52x
Gedney 7 86.00x
Heston 7 16.90x
Hulme 7 2.26x
Leicester All Sts 7 25.76x
Manchester 7 1.05x
Northfield 7 22.65x
Stoulton 7 443.04x
Stretton On Dunsmore 7 243.06x
Toxteth Park 7 1.40x
Walsall Borough 7 21.41x
Warmington 7 238.10x
Worcester St Martin 7 31.85x
Ashton Under Lyne 6 1.85x
Bermondsey 6 1.62x
Great Grimsby 6 4.74x
Hackney London 6 0.86x
Hammersmith London 6 1.95x
Lapworth 6 203.39x
Middlesbrough 6 3.73x
Preston 6 512.82x
Sheffield 6 1.52x
Shoreditch London 6 1.11x
Stotfold 6 48.50x
Alvechurch 5 72.15x
Boston 5 8.26x
Harrold 5 114.42x
Kirkdale 5 2.01x
Leeds 5 0.72x
Northampton St Giles 5 11.19x
Sculcoates 5 2.55x
Seaton 5 367.65x
Solihull 5 22.10x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 87
John 82
George 59
Thomas 45
James 42
Charles 34
Henry 30
Joseph 22
Arthur 19
Alfred 15
Edward 13
Harry 13
Robert 13
Richard 12
Samuel 10
Frederick 9
Walter 9
Albert 6
Matthew 6
Tom 6
Ernest 5
Herbert 5
David 4
Edwin 4
Frank 4
Geo. 4
Fredk. 3
Michael 3
Adam 2
Augustus 2
Charlie 2
Ebenezer 2
Fredrick 2
Joshua 2
Josiah 2
Leonard 2
Robt. 2
Thos. 2
Willm. 2
Wm. 2
Bertie 1
Carlo 1
Edmund 1
Emma 1
Florence 1
Francis 1
Isaac 1
Ishmael 1
J. 1
Zechariah 1

FAQ

Manton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Manton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,282 people were recorded with the Manton surname. That placed it at #3,184 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Manton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,613 in 2016. That gives Manton a modern rank of #3,862.

What does the Manton surname mean?

A place name derived from a location name in England.

What does the Manton map show?

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