NameCensus.

UK surname

Martineau

A French occupational surname referring to a person who worked as a swallow keeper or swallow trainer.

In the 1881 census there were 114 people recorded with the Martineau surname, ranking it #18,324 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 213, ranked #18,785, down from #18,324 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Gatehouse, Bedford and Bromley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Martineau is 214 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 86.8%.

1881 census count

114

Ranked #18,324

Modern count

213

2016, ranked #18,785

Peak year

2014

214 bearers

Map years

4

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Martineau had 114 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,324 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016, ranked #18,785.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 114 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Martineau surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Martineau surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Martineau 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 39 #26,319
1861 historical 38 #29,216
1881 historical 114 #18,324
1891 historical 37 #31,398
1901 historical 98 #23,119
1911 historical 39 #29,025
1997 modern 172 #19,371
1998 modern 194 #18,451
1999 modern 173 #19,935
2000 modern 177 #19,634
2001 modern 165 #20,199
2002 modern 172 #20,108
2003 modern 175 #19,690
2004 modern 189 #18,855
2005 modern 193 #18,572
2006 modern 193 #18,675
2007 modern 198 #18,600
2008 modern 196 #18,895
2009 modern 198 #19,145
2010 modern 195 #19,762
2011 modern 191 #19,871
2012 modern 204 #18,973
2013 modern 211 #18,872
2014 modern 214 #18,825
2015 modern 207 #19,155
2016 modern 213 #18,785

Geography

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Where Martineaus are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Lambeth and Wisbech St Peter. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Gatehouse, Bedford, Bromley, Oxford and Wychavon. 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 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Wisbech St Peter Cambridgeshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Gatehouse Dumfries and Galloway
2 Bedford 002 Bedford
3 Bromley 042 Bromley
4 Oxford 003 Oxford
5 Wychavon 006 Wychavon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Martineau

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Martineau

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Martineau surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Martineau 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles

Group

European Enclaves

Within London, Martineau is most associated with areas classed as European Enclaves, part of Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles. 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

Many residents of these accessible neighbourhoods have wide-ranging non-UK European origins. Typically residing in privately rented flats, many residents live alone and are beyond normal retirement age. There are more students than elsewhere in the Supergroup, some of which live in communal establishments. Household residents are often drawn from different ethnic groups.

Wider London pattern

These neighbourhoods house people of all ages, predominantly of White British or European extraction. Resident turnover is low. Religious affiliation is less common than average and tends to be Christian if expressed. Homeownership, typically of terraced houses, is common but use of the social rented sector is not. Employment is typically in professional, managerial and associate professional or technical occupations. There are few full-time students. Level 4 qualifications are common. More households lack dependent children than have them which, considered alongside low levels of crowding and over-all age structure, indicates that many households may be post child-rearing and in late middle age. Incidence of disability is low, as is residence in communal establishments.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Martineau 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

Martineau falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Martineau is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Martineau

The surname Martineau originated in France, specifically in the region of Normandy, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old French personal name "Martin," which itself comes from the Latin name "Martinus," meaning "of Mars" or "warlike." The suffix "-eau" is a common diminutive in French surnames, indicating a small or young person.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Martineau name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Martinel" and is believed to refer to a Norman landholder who accompanied William during the conquest of England.

In the 13th century, the Martineau family established themselves in the village of Martineau in Normandy, which likely took its name from an early bearer of the surname. This village is located near the town of Mortain, and the name Martineau may have been influenced by the place name "Mortain."

One notable figure bearing the Martineau surname was Jacques Martineau (1569-1653), a French Huguenot minister and theologian who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation in France. He was known for his writings on religious tolerance and his efforts to promote unity among Protestants.

Another prominent individual was Harriet Martineau (1802-1876), an English social theorist, philosopher, and writer who was considered a pioneer of sociology. She wrote extensively on topics such as political economy, social reform, and women's rights, and her work had a profound impact on Victorian-era thought.

In the United States, John Martineau (1798-1859) was a notable figure in the early days of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). He was one of the first converts to the faith and served as a missionary and leader in the church.

The Martineau family also had a presence in Canada, with one of the earliest recorded instances being Jacques Martineau (1662-1737), a French immigrant who settled in Quebec and established a successful farming operation.

Finally, Edith Martineau (1842-1909) was a British artist and author known for her watercolor paintings and her writings on art and nature. She was a member of the prestigious Royal Society of Painters in Water Colours and exhibited her work widely during her lifetime.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Martineau families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Martineau 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. Middlesex leads with 44 Martineaus recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.96x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 44 3.96x
Warwickshire 23 8.20x
Surrey 22 4.06x
Sussex 5 2.67x
Hampshire 4 1.76x
Rutland 3 36.76x
Wiltshire 3 3.05x
Cambridgeshire 1 1.42x
Cornwall 1 0.79x
Devon 1 0.43x
Fife 1 1.52x
Hertfordshire 1 1.30x
Kent 1 0.26x
Lancashire 1 0.08x
Norfolk 1 0.58x
Somerset 1 0.56x
Suffolk 1 0.74x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 16 Martineaus recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.88x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 16 17.88x
Edgbaston 12 138.09x
Solihull 10 495.05x
Lambeth 7 7.22x
Croydon 6 19.95x
Esher 6 789.47x
Hampstead London 6 34.64x
Paddington London 6 14.68x
Fairlight 5 2777.78x
Hammersmith London 5 18.25x
Heckfield 3 1428.57x
Islington London 3 2.78x
Marlborough 3 1764.71x
Uppingham 3 309.28x
Fulham London 2 12.40x
Kensington London 2 3.24x
St Marylebone London 2 3.37x
Walton On Thames 2 80.32x
All Saints Cambridge 1 204.08x
Bovey Tracey 1 123.46x
Caldecote 1 2500.00x
East Farleigh 1 156.25x
Eversley 1 384.62x
Falmouth 1 22.42x
Forgan 1 79.37x
Harrow On The Hill 1 45.05x
Inner Temple London 1 1666.67x
Ipswich St Mary Stoke 1 79.37x
Liverpool 1 1.25x
Redenhall 1 151.52x
Richmond 1 13.18x
St Albans St Peter 1 38.61x
Wells St Cuthbert In 1 370.37x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alfred 4
Francis 4
Edward 3
Charles 2
Ernest 2
George 2
Henry 2
John 2
Lionel 2
Louis 2
Philip 2
William 2
Alfered 1
Arthur 1
Basil 1
Caryl 1
Cyril 1
Eliza 1
Eustace 1
Francois 1
Frank 1
Geoffrey 1
Horace 1
Howard 1
Hubert 1
Hugh 1
James 1
Lyon 1
Morrice 1
Robert 1
Rosneo 1
Sidney 1
Thomas 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Martineau surname: questions and answers

How common was the Martineau surname in 1881?

In 1881, 114 people were recorded with the Martineau surname. That placed it at #18,324 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Martineau surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016. That gives Martineau a modern rank of #18,785.

What does the Martineau surname mean?

A French occupational surname referring to a person who worked as a swallow keeper or swallow trainer.

What does the Martineau map show?

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