NameCensus.

UK surname

Marton

A habitational name referring to someone from any of several English towns and villages named Marton.

In the 1881 census there were 551 people recorded with the Marton surname, ranking it #6,263 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 269, ranked #15,956, down from #6,263 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ryedale, Scarborough and Dacorum.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Marton is 3,010 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 51.2%.

1881 census count

551

Ranked #6,263

Modern count

269

2016, ranked #15,956

Peak year

1861

3,010 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Marton had 551 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,263 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 269 in 2016, ranked #15,956.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,010 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Marton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Marton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Marton 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 1,005 #2,779
1861 historical 3,010 #957
1881 historical 551 #6,263
1891 historical 1,645 #2,727
1901 historical 559 #7,443
1911 historical 478 #8,099
1997 modern 135 #22,499
1998 modern 131 #23,495
1999 modern 128 #24,017
2000 modern 105 #27,001
2001 modern 104 #26,765
2002 modern 112 #26,165
2003 modern 126 #24,146
2004 modern 127 #24,224
2005 modern 129 #23,963
2006 modern 138 #23,156
2007 modern 144 #22,804
2008 modern 159 #21,598
2009 modern 167 #21,383
2010 modern 179 #20,886
2011 modern 198 #19,410
2012 modern 223 #17,852
2013 modern 245 #17,025
2014 modern 257 #16,598
2015 modern 260 #16,361
2016 modern 269 #15,956

Geography

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Where Martons are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Ryedale, Scarborough, Dacorum and Cannock Chase. 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 3
2 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 St Marylebone London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ryedale 001 Ryedale
2 Scarborough 008 Scarborough
3 Scarborough 005 Scarborough
4 Dacorum 013 Dacorum
5 Cannock Chase 008 Cannock Chase

Forenames

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First names often paired with Marton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Marton

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Marton, 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 Marton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Marton 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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Marton is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Marton 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

Marton falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Marton 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
Unknown

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

Meaning and origin of Marton

The surname Marton has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 11th century. It is derived from the Old English words "mere" meaning "lake" and "tun" meaning "settlement" or "farmstead." This suggests that the name originally referred to a settlement near a lake or body of water.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, the earliest known record of the name appears as "Mertun" and "Mertone," referring to various villages and townships in different counties of England. These early spellings provide insight into the name's evolution over time.

The earliest known bearer of the surname Marton was William de Merton, a renowned scholar and founder of Merton College, Oxford, who lived from around 1205 to 1277. He came from a village called Merton in Surrey, which likely contributed to the formation of his surname.

Another notable figure with the surname Marton was Sir Henry Marton, a 14th-century English politician and Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, who served during the reign of King Edward III (1312-1377).

In the 16th century, John Marton (1536-1599) was an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, and played a role in the translation of the King James Bible.

Moving to the 18th century, James Marton (1720-1776) was a British military engineer and cartographer, known for his work in mapping and surveying various parts of North America during the French and Indian War.

In the 19th century, Robert Marton (1853-1920) was a notable English-born Australian explorer and bushman, who made significant contributions to the exploration of the Australian outback and the development of the Northern Territory.

These examples illustrate the widespread use of the surname Marton throughout British history, with its origins rooted in the naming conventions of early English settlements and villages. The name has evolved over time, but its underlying meaning and connections to place names have remained consistent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Marton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Marton 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. Yorkshire leads with 143 Martons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.69x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 143 2.69x
Lancashire 73 1.15x
Middlesex 47 0.88x
Kent 29 1.58x
Durham 28 1.75x
Staffordshire 23 1.27x
Surrey 19 0.73x
Northumberland 18 2.25x
Lanarkshire 14 0.81x
Derbyshire 13 1.55x
Devon 13 1.16x
Essex 12 1.13x
Hampshire 12 1.09x
Lincolnshire 11 1.28x
Sussex 11 1.22x
Warwickshire 10 0.74x
Angus 9 1.81x
Cheshire 8 0.68x
Norfolk 6 0.73x
Renfrewshire 6 1.44x
Leicestershire 5 0.84x
Hertfordshire 4 1.08x
Aberdeenshire 3 0.60x
Kirkcudbrightshire 3 3.86x
Worcestershire 3 0.43x
Ayrshire 2 0.50x
Brecknockshire 2 1.86x
Glamorgan 2 0.21x
Gloucestershire 2 0.19x
Huntingdonshire 2 1.88x
Northamptonshire 2 0.40x
Westmorland 2 1.70x
Wiltshire 2 0.42x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.31x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.46x
Cumberland 1 0.22x
Fife 1 0.31x
Herefordshire 1 0.45x
Monmouthshire 1 0.26x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.14x
Shropshire 1 0.22x
Somerset 1 0.12x
Stirlingshire 1 0.51x
Suffolk 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wakefield in Yorkshire leads with 17 Martons recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.66x.

Place Total Index
Wakefield 17 41.66x
Kirby Misperton 12 2400.00x
Gorton 10 16.71x
Greenwich 10 11.71x
Liverpool 10 2.59x
Over Kellet 10 1098.90x
Rastrick 10 67.70x
Southcoates 10 33.89x
St Marylebone London 10 3.49x
Dartford 9 48.08x
Dundee 9 4.85x
Horton 9 228.43x
Long Eaton 9 81.15x
Paddington London 9 4.56x
Ecclesall Bierlow 7 6.47x
Halifax 7 8.97x
Little Totham 7 1206.90x
Stoke Upon Trent 7 3.65x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 7 66.41x
Wombwell 7 45.16x
Barony 6 1.37x
Batley 6 11.87x
Bishopwearmouth 6 4.38x
Brixham 6 46.37x
Hackney London 6 1.99x
Laxton 6 1363.64x
Middlestone 6 187.50x
Otley 6 46.48x
Preston 6 3.52x
Willington 6 65.08x
Aston 5 1.34x
Barrow In Furness 5 5.77x
Coundon 5 77.28x
Gedney 5 142.86x
Govan 5 1.17x
Habergham Eaves 5 8.59x
Linthorpe 5 15.76x
Norton In Moors 5 52.14x
Rotherhithe 5 7.54x
St George Hanover 5 7.14x
St Peter Colebrook 5 322.58x
West Greenock 5 6.70x
Westbourne 5 111.11x
Westgate 5 10.12x
Gargrave 4 168.78x
Handsworth 4 28.47x
Heckmondwike 4 23.39x
Islington London 4 0.77x
Manchester 4 1.40x
Scarborough 4 8.28x
Sedgley 4 5.95x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 3.71x
Syston 4 71.81x
Terrington With 4 388.35x
Walthamstow 4 10.49x
Battersea 3 1.52x
Bootle Cum Linacre 3 5.93x
Bushey 3 34.09x
Chatham 3 5.96x
Coull 3 205.48x
Ermington 3 73.89x
Faversham 3 17.18x
Holy Trinity 3 2.35x
Leeds 3 1.00x
Nether Hallam 3 4.17x
Oldbury 3 8.70x
Portsea 3 1.39x
Southampton St Mary 3 4.34x
St Pancras London 3 0.69x
Thorpe Next Norwich 3 34.32x
Troqueer 3 29.44x
Yarm 3 109.89x
Beswick 2 12.29x
Claxby In Caistor 2 333.33x
Hilderthorpe 2 74.63x
Horton In Bradford 2 2.41x
Llantrisant 2 8.49x
Pewsey 2 57.31x
South Wootton 2 606.06x
Walton Le Dale 2 11.69x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 31
Sarah 23
Elizabeth 19
Annie 15
Ann 12
Emma 10
Emily 9
Jane 9
Harriet 7
Martha 7
Hannah 6
Anne 5
Ada 4
Alice 4
Ellen 4
Amelia 3
Catherine 3
Charlotte 3
Elizth. 3
Harriett 3
Jessie 3
Margaret 3
Rebecca 3
Adelaide 2
Ammie 2
Eliza 2
Eva 2
Isabella 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2
Maria 2
Mercey 2
Susan 2
Allice 1
Augusta 1
Beatrice 1
Belinda 1
Bertha 1
E. 1
E.M.A. 1
Edith 1
Helen 1
Henrietta 1
Isabel 1
Jemima 1
Jesse 1
Vivian 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 31
William 24
James 18
George 17
Thomas 17
Joseph 11
Edward 9
Alfred 8
Frederick 7
Richard 6
Robert 6
Charles 5
Edwin 5
Henry 5
Patrick 5
Walter 5
Arthur 3
Wm. 3
Albert 2
David 2
Fred 2
Geo. 2
Herbert 2
Joe 2
Stephen 2
Ambrose 1
Amos 1
Ben 1
Birdwood 1
Chas.A. 1
Christopher 1
Edmund 1
Eli 1
Enoch 1
Ernest 1
Fdk. 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
G.B.H. 1
Lancelot 1
Lionel 1
Lister 1
Matthew 1
Oliver 1
Oswald 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Phineas 1
Wm.R. 1

FAQ

Marton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Marton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 551 people were recorded with the Marton surname. That placed it at #6,263 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Marton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 269 in 2016. That gives Marton a modern rank of #15,956.

What does the Marton surname mean?

A habitational name referring to someone from any of several English towns and villages named Marton.

What does the Marton map show?

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