NameCensus.

UK surname

Master

An occupational surname referring to a person who had control or authority over others, such as a teacher or employer.

In the 1881 census there were 379 people recorded with the Master surname, ranking it #8,268 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 866, ranked #6,480, up from #8,268 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Blackburn with Darwen and Leicester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Master is 997 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 128.5%.

1881 census count

379

Ranked #8,268

Modern count

866

2016, ranked #6,480

Peak year

1861

997 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Master had 379 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,268 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 866 in 2016, ranked #6,480.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 997 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Master surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Master surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Master 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 389 #6,177
1861 historical 997 #2,796
1881 historical 379 #8,268
1891 historical 398 #8,910
1901 historical 301 #11,627
1911 historical 412 #9,097
1997 modern 502 #9,273
1998 modern 521 #9,296
1999 modern 527 #9,277
2000 modern 567 #8,733
2001 modern 559 #8,699
2002 modern 614 #8,316
2003 modern 629 #8,020
2004 modern 666 #7,705
2005 modern 655 #7,730
2006 modern 682 #7,525
2007 modern 702 #7,405
2008 modern 722 #7,305
2009 modern 759 #7,182
2010 modern 848 #6,706
2011 modern 860 #6,554
2012 modern 843 #6,571
2013 modern 856 #6,594
2014 modern 845 #6,687
2015 modern 855 #6,569
2016 modern 866 #6,480

Geography

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Where Masters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Lambeth and St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Blackburn with Darwen and Leicester. 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 St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace London (West Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Blackburn with Darwen 004 Blackburn with Darwen
2 Blackburn with Darwen 006 Blackburn with Darwen
3 Blackburn with Darwen 002 Blackburn with Darwen
4 Leicester 027 Leicester
5 Leicester 021 Leicester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Master

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Master

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Master surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Master household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Master is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Master 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

Master falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Master 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Master

The surname MASTER is an occupational surname of English origin. It originated in the Middle Ages, derived from the Old English word 'māster', meaning a person of authority, skill, or knowledge. The name was initially given to those who held positions of leadership or mastery in various trades and professions.

The earliest recorded instances of the MASTER surname date back to the 13th century. One of the earliest documented bearers of the name was William le Master, mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Nottinghamshire in 1275. The 'le' prefix was commonly used at the time to indicate a person's occupation or distinguishing characteristic.

In the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1279, the name appears as 'Mastere', suggesting variations in spelling in different regions. The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 list a Robert le Master, further demonstrating the surname's early usage.

The MASTER surname is also linked to several place names across England, such as Masterton in Nottinghamshire and Mastershill in Hertfordshire. These locations likely derived their names from early MASTER families who settled or held lands in those areas.

Notable historical figures with the MASTER surname include:

1. Robert Master (c. 1480-1535), an English clergyman and author who wrote treatises on theological and moral subjects. 2. Thomas Master (1603-1643), an English Puritan minister and religious writer who participated in the Westminster Assembly. 3. John Master (1672-1754), a British landowner and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Cirencester. 4. Mary Master (1718-1771), an English naturalist and entomologist, known for her pioneering work in insect studies. 5. Streynsham Master (1682-1724), an English merchant and administrator who served as the Governor of Fort St. George (Madras) in British India.

Throughout history, the MASTER surname has been found across various regions of England, with concentrations in counties such as Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, and Hertfordshire. The name's enduring presence reflects its occupational origins and the influence of those who held positions of mastery in their respective fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Master families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Master 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 108 Masters recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.94x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 108 2.94x
Surrey 58 3.24x
Norfolk 25 4.42x
Gloucestershire 24 3.33x
Kent 24 1.91x
Devon 17 2.22x
Hampshire 14 1.86x
Yorkshire 12 0.33x
Glamorgan 11 1.72x
Suffolk 11 2.46x
Lancashire 8 0.18x
Sussex 8 1.29x
Nottinghamshire 7 1.41x
Warwickshire 7 0.75x
Essex 5 0.69x
Staffordshire 5 0.40x
Derbyshire 4 0.69x
Durham 3 0.27x
Midlothian 3 0.61x
Cheshire 2 0.25x
Cumberland 2 0.63x
Lanarkshire 2 0.17x
Leicestershire 2 0.49x
Northumberland 2 0.37x
Shropshire 2 0.63x
Somerset 2 0.34x
Worcestershire 2 0.42x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.29x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.45x
Dorset 1 0.41x
Herefordshire 1 0.66x
Hertfordshire 1 0.39x
Lincolnshire 1 0.17x
Monmouthshire 1 0.38x

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 13 Masters recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.39x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 13 4.39x
Camberwell 12 5.11x
Norwich St Giles 12 662.98x
Shoreditch London 11 6.90x
Clase 10 42.00x
Fordingbridge 10 243.90x
Newington 10 7.36x
Tormoham 10 30.87x
Ashford 9 73.65x
Paddington London 9 6.66x
Witton In Smallburgh 9 2812.50x
Clifton 8 21.94x
Lambeth 8 2.49x
Mile End Old Town 8 13.78x
Stratton 8 919.54x
Kensington London 7 3.42x
Saffron Hill London 7 886.08x
Nottingham St Mary 6 4.68x
Petersham 6 845.07x
Chelsea London 5 4.51x
Doncaster 5 18.78x
Hornsey 5 10.75x
Islington London 5 1.40x
Battersea 4 2.96x
Bethnal Green London 4 2.50x
Deptford St Paul 4 4.13x
Ealing 4 12.17x
Milton Abbott 4 360.36x
Monken Hadley 4 272.11x
Ore 4 86.77x
Oxted 4 185.19x
Preston 4 1176.47x
Rowley Regis 4 11.56x
Ashford 3 103.09x
Barton Mills 3 508.47x
Chorley 3 12.25x
Cirencester 3 30.74x
Clerkenwell London 3 3.46x
Croydon 3 3.02x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 3 1.51x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 3 6.33x
Hillingdon 3 25.60x
Norwich Liberty Of Town 3 789.47x
Portsea 3 2.03x
Sculcoates 3 5.19x
St Marylebone London 3 1.53x
Wandsworth 3 8.47x
Wimbledon 3 14.91x
Birmingham 2 0.65x
Brighton 2 1.60x
Chester St Oswald 2 13.61x
Edgbaston 2 6.96x
Glasgow 2 0.95x
Greenwich 2 3.42x
Halesworth 2 62.89x
Ickham Well 2 277.78x
Ipswich St Mary Stoke 2 48.08x
Matlock 2 25.87x
Oswestry Town 2 19.67x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 3.39x
Putney 2 11.93x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 2.70x
St George Hanover 2 4.17x
Thornham 2 243.90x
Walthamstow 2 7.65x
Westgate 2 5.90x
Aston 1 0.39x
Barnsley 1 2.66x
Bradford 1 1.13x
Chilvers Coton 1 26.25x
Enfield 1 4.14x
Great Little Marsden 1 5.00x
Holy Trinity 1 1.14x
Itchen Stoke 1 285.71x
Loughborough 1 5.41x
Maidstone 1 2.68x
Poole St James 1 11.03x
St George Martyr 1 16.13x
Westminster St 1 7.37x
Workington 1 5.52x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 18
Elizabeth 13
Alice 9
Caroline 9
Annie 8
Emma 8
Sarah 8
Emily 7
Eliza 6
Anne 5
Hannah 5
Ann 4
Florence 4
Ada 3
Amelia 3
Amy 3
Catherine 3
Louisa 3
Agnes 2
Edith 2
Ellen 2
Ethel 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Georgina 2
Harriet 2
Harriett 2
Isabella 2
Jane 2
Laura 2
Mabel 2
Rose 2
Audily 1
Berth 1
Bertha 1
Blanch 1
C. 1
E. 1
Eleanor 1
Ellinor 1
Harriott 1
Hester 1
Hilda 1
Infant 1
Isabell 1
Janet 1
Jemima 1
Jennie 1
Jessy 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 23
John 20
Charles 16
George 13
Henry 12
Thomas 10
Alfred 6
James 6
Robert 4
Arthur 3
Edward 3
Frederick 3
Harry 3
Richard 3
Albert 2
Frank 2
Harcourt 2
Andrew 1
Benjamin 1
C.H. 1
Cecil 1
Charley 1
Chas. 1
Claude 1
Cyril 1
Daniel 1
E. 1
Edgar 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Gilbert 1
Giles 1
Godfrey 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Hugh 1
Hy. 1
J.M. 1
Jas.M. 1
Joseph 1
Leah 1
Montague 1
Peter 1
Robt. 1
Samuel 1
Standly 1
Sydney 1
Teissier 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Master surname: questions and answers

How common was the Master surname in 1881?

In 1881, 379 people were recorded with the Master surname. That placed it at #8,268 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Master surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 866 in 2016. That gives Master a modern rank of #6,480.

What does the Master surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a person who had control or authority over others, such as a teacher or employer.

What does the Master map show?

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