UK surname
Derived from a place name meaning "stone" or "rock" in Old English, likely referring to someone who lived near a stone boundary or rock formation.
In the 1881 census there were 34 people recorded with the Masten surname, ranking it #28,837 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4, ranked #38,419, down from #28,837 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Endford, Netheravon, St Leonard Shoreditch and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Masten is 177 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 88.2%.
1881 census count
34
Ranked #28,837
Modern count
4
2016, ranked #38,419
Peak year
1891
177 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Masten surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Masten surname density by area, 1891 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 | 50 | #24,274 |
| 1861 | historical | 145 | #15,715 |
| 1881 | historical | 34 | #28,837 |
| 1891 | historical | 177 | #16,330 |
| 1901 | historical | 57 | #27,846 |
| 1911 | historical | 55 | #27,313 |
| 1998 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 1999 | modern | 1 | #38,820 |
| 2000 | modern | 3 | #38,248 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 5 | #37,956 |
| 2007 | modern | 6 | #37,837 |
| 2008 | modern | 7 | #37,735 |
| 2009 | modern | 8 | #37,689 |
| 2010 | modern | 5 | #38,186 |
| 2011 | modern | 5 | #38,168 |
| 2012 | modern | 4 | #38,335 |
| 2013 | modern | 4 | #38,359 |
| 2014 | modern | 4 | #38,376 |
| 2015 | modern | 4 | #38,392 |
| 2016 | modern | 4 | #38,419 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Endford, Netheravon, St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes, St Dunstan Stepney and Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory. 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 | Endford, Netheravon | Wiltshire |
| 2 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 5 | Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory | Northamptonshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Masten 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 Masten, 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 Masten surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Masten 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, Masten 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 Masten is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Masten, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Masten is of English origin and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is believed to have originated from a place name, specifically the town of Masten or Maston in Gloucestershire, England. The name itself is derived from the Old English words "maest" meaning "highest" and "tun" meaning "town" or "settlement."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Mastun." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a survey of land holdings and resources in England, and it provides a valuable glimpse into the distribution and prevalence of surnames during that time period.
In the 13th century, the surname Masten appeared in various forms, including Mastun, Maston, and Masten, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common in those days. During this time, the name was primarily concentrated in the regions of Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire.
Notable individuals with the surname Masten throughout history include:
1. John Masten (c. 1560-1630), an English merchant and trader who established trade routes with the Netherlands and France. 2. Elizabeth Masten (1625-1689), a prominent landowner and philanthropist in Somerset, known for her contributions to the establishment of local schools and churches. 3. Robert Masten (1720-1789), a British military officer who served in the Seven Years' War and later became a member of Parliament. 4. Samuel Masten (1837-1912), an American inventor and engineer credited with developing an early form of the mechanical reaper, which revolutionized agricultural practices. 5. Emily Masten (1901-1988), a renowned American botanist and conservationist, known for her work in preserving rare plant species and advocating for environmental protection.
The surname Masten has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Masten Hill in Gloucestershire and Masten Manor in Somerset. These place names further reinforce the connection between the surname and its geographical origins.
While the surname Masten is not among the most common in the English-speaking world, it has persisted through the centuries, carrying with it a rich history and a connection to the rural settlements and agricultural communities of southwestern England.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Masten 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. Middlesex leads with 15 Mastens recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.52x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 15 | 4.52x |
| Bedfordshire | 6 | 34.94x |
| Kent | 5 | 4.42x |
| Staffordshire | 4 | 3.57x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.53x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.47x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 1.89x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 3.21x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wilshampstead in Bedfordshire leads with 6 Mastens recorded in 1881 and an index of 6666.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Wilshampstead | 6 | 6666.67x |
| Mile End Old Town | 5 | 95.60x |
| Willesden | 5 | 159.74x |
| Cannock | 4 | 205.13x |
| St Marylebone London | 3 | 16.95x |
| Charlton Next Woolwich | 2 | 169.49x |
| Burghclere | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 11.45x |
| Gravesend | 1 | 104.17x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 5.38x |
| Kettering | 1 | 79.37x |
| Kirkby Cum Osgodby | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 8.20x |
| South Ockendon | 1 | 714.29x |
| Woolwich | 1 | 23.92x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Masten 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 Masten 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 Masten households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Agent To Metallic Bedstead (& Manufacturer) | 1 |
| Bar Girl | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Butler Domestic | 1 |
| Dom Cook to Institution | 1 |
| Dressmakers Assistant | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Hosp Manciple | 1 |
| Lacemaker | 1 |
| Ladys Maid | 1 |
| Milk Seller | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Nursemaid | 1 |
| Post Office Porter | 1 |
| Sugar Baker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 34 people were recorded with the Masten surname. That placed it at #28,837 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 4 in 2016. That gives Masten a modern rank of #38,419.
Derived from a place name meaning "stone" or "rock" in Old English, likely referring to someone who lived near a stone boundary or rock formation.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Masten 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.