NameCensus.

UK surname

Mattock

An occupational surname derived from a type of tool used for digging and grubbing.

In the 1881 census there were 776 people recorded with the Mattock surname, ranking it #4,777 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 802, ranked #6,897, down from #4,777 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Trowbridge and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Oadby and Wigston, Babergh and South Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mattock is 1,064 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 3.4%.

1881 census count

776

Ranked #4,777

Modern count

802

2016, ranked #6,897

Peak year

1911

1,064 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mattock had 776 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,777 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 802 in 2016, ranked #6,897.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,064 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Mattock surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mattock surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Mattock 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 483 #5,157
1861 historical 449 #5,764
1881 historical 776 #4,777
1891 historical 876 #4,696
1901 historical 1,016 #4,696
1911 historical 1,064 #4,345
1997 modern 893 #5,995
1998 modern 934 #5,982
1999 modern 918 #6,109
2000 modern 935 #6,012
2001 modern 921 #5,972
2002 modern 913 #6,136
2003 modern 894 #6,119
2004 modern 884 #6,185
2005 modern 867 #6,206
2006 modern 861 #6,255
2007 modern 858 #6,331
2008 modern 854 #6,400
2009 modern 884 #6,356
2010 modern 861 #6,625
2011 modern 855 #6,580
2012 modern 833 #6,639
2013 modern 843 #6,682
2014 modern 845 #6,687
2015 modern 820 #6,796
2016 modern 802 #6,897

Geography

Back to top

Where Mattocks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Trowbridge, London parishes, Burton Overy and Martock. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Oadby and Wigston, Babergh, South Somerset, Winchester and Calderdale. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Trowbridge Wiltshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Burton Overy Leicestershire
5 Martock Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Oadby and Wigston 005 Oadby and Wigston
2 Babergh 009 Babergh
3 South Somerset 009 South Somerset
4 Winchester 006 Winchester
5 Calderdale 027 Calderdale

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Mattock

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Mattock

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Mattock surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Mattock household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Mattock is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mattock is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mattock 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 Mattock is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Mattock

The surname MATTOCK is of English origin and is believed to have originated in the late 13th or early 14th century. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "mattoc" or "mattoce," which referred to a type of pickaxe or heavy tool used for digging and breaking up soil. This suggests that the name may have originally been an occupational surname for someone who worked as a laborer or digger, possibly in agriculture or mining.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Warwickshire from 1332, where a person named William Mattok is mentioned. The name also appears in various other historical records from the 14th and 15th centuries, such as the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, where a John Mattok is listed.

The MATTOCK surname is believed to have originated in the Midlands and northern regions of England, particularly in counties like Warwickshire, Yorkshire, and Nottinghamshire. Over time, the name spread to other parts of the country, and different spelling variations emerged, such as Mattocke, Matock, and Mattockes.

Notably, the MATTOCK surname is not found in the famous Domesday Book of 1086, as it is thought to have emerged after the Norman Conquest. However, it is possible that the name's origins trace back to even earlier times, with roots in the Anglo-Saxon period.

Throughout history, several individuals with the MATTOCK surname have achieved recognition in various fields. One notable figure was William Mattock (1620-1677), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works, including "A Modest Answer to Dr. Ferne's Reply" and "A Defence of the Protestant Religion."

Another prominent MATTOCK was John Mattock (1777-1846), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. He participated in several battles, including the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, and received promotions for his bravery and leadership.

In the field of literature, there was William Mattock (1798-1878), an English poet and writer who published works such as "Poems and Occasional Pieces" and "The Poetical Works of William Mattock."

Additionally, George Mattock (1826-1886) was a prominent English architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the iconic St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel.

Lastly, John Mattock (1865-1941) was a British trade unionist and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party in the early 20th century, representing the constituency of Preston from 1923 to 1931.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Mattock families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mattock 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. Leicestershire leads with 134 Mattocks recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.95x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 134 15.95x
Middlesex 95 1.25x
Somerset 90 7.38x
Yorkshire 76 1.01x
Wiltshire 59 8.80x
Suffolk 57 6.17x
Essex 44 2.94x
Lincolnshire 36 2.97x
Kent 30 1.16x
Gloucestershire 22 1.48x
Northamptonshire 22 3.09x
Surrey 20 0.54x
Nottinghamshire 12 1.17x
Berkshire 8 1.41x
Pembrokeshire 8 3.32x
Warwickshire 8 0.42x
Oxfordshire 7 1.50x
Glamorgan 6 0.45x
Staffordshire 6 0.23x
Devon 5 0.32x
Lancashire 5 0.06x
Rutland 5 8.98x
Worcestershire 4 0.40x
Buckinghamshire 3 0.65x
Hampshire 3 0.19x
Lanarkshire 3 0.12x
Monmouthshire 3 0.55x
Cumberland 2 0.31x
Dorset 2 0.40x
Cornwall 1 0.12x
Royal Navy 1 1.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Martock in Somerset leads with 34 Mattocks recorded in 1881 and an index of 428.75x.

Place Total Index
Martock 34 428.75x
Chelsea London 27 11.82x
Fleckney 26 1300.00x
Burton Overy 24 2181.82x
Trowbridge 22 74.25x
Wigston Magna 18 161.44x
Islington London 16 2.18x
Leicester St Margaret 16 7.81x
Skipton 15 63.45x
Old Newton 13 730.34x
Warley 12 55.27x
Glastonbury 11 110.44x
Kibworth Beauchamp 11 378.01x
Aldham 10 900.90x
Bradleys Both 10 751.88x
Bristol St Michael 10 78.49x
Dartford 10 37.82x
Nayland 10 427.35x
Newton 10 862.07x
Smeeton 10 990.10x
West Ham 10 3.03x
Great Gonerby 9 288.46x
Polstead 9 418.60x
St Marylebone London 9 2.22x
Steeple Ashton 9 497.24x
Northampton All Sts 8 33.07x
Pembroke St Mary 8 25.79x
Spittlegate 8 47.73x
St George Hanover 8 8.09x
Camberwell 7 1.45x
Drayton 7 434.78x
Elmstead 7 290.46x
Great Hinton 7 1627.91x
Headington 7 96.29x
Keighley 7 8.74x
Lambeth 7 1.06x
Mistley 7 174.13x
Northampton Priory St 7 16.36x
Stoke By Nayland 7 234.90x
Sutton At Hone 7 130.35x
Sutton St James 7 479.45x
Wiston 7 1400.00x
Cardiff St Mary 6 8.25x
Ealing 6 8.86x
Hilperton 6 280.37x
Ilminster 6 70.42x
Leicester St Mary 6 8.84x
Pitminster 6 167.13x
Scraptoft 6 1875.00x
Stonehouse 6 71.01x
Whaplode 6 145.28x
Banwell 5 112.36x
Curry Rivell 5 122.55x
Gillingham 5 9.38x
Handsworth 5 25.18x
Kettering 5 17.34x
Mile End Old Town 5 4.18x
Nottingham St Mary 5 1.89x
Oakham Deanshold 5 201.61x
Pudsey 5 12.45x
Wednesfield 5 13.28x
Westbury 5 31.97x
Coventry Holy Trinity 4 7.01x
Coventry St Michael 4 6.51x
Easton 4 740.74x
Hendon 4 14.67x
Hornsey 4 4.17x
Kempsey 4 106.67x
Middlesbrough 4 4.09x
Radford 4 7.71x
Shalford 4 97.80x
Tottenham 4 3.31x
Wakefield 4 6.94x
Woolwich 4 4.19x
Bulkington 3 666.67x
Great Brickhill 3 206.90x
Melksham 3 25.77x
Taunton St James 3 16.86x
Thurnby 3 500.00x
Walcot 3 4.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 48
Sarah 34
Elizabeth 22
Ann 21
Emma 18
Alice 14
Emily 14
Louisa 10
Florence 9
Annie 8
Ellen 8
Hannah 7
Jane 7
Rose 7
Anne 6
Fanny 6
Harriet 6
Eliza 5
Harriett 5
Kate 5
Ada 4
Amelia 4
Frances 4
Martha 4
Charlotte 3
Edith 3
Lucy 3
Lydia 3
Margaret 3
Matilda 3
Selina 3
Clara 2
Elizth. 2
Elizth.A. 2
Esther 2
Francis 2
Lilian 2
Lilly 2
Maria 2
Maud 2
Maude 2
Mercy 2
Rebecca 2
Susan 2
Catherine 1
Cathrine 1
Celia 1
Elza 1
Emiline 1
Verina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 57
John 45
George 34
James 26
Thomas 26
Robert 15
Samuel 13
Charles 11
Joseph 10
Henry 9
Richard 9
Walter 9
Alfred 8
Harry 8
Frederick 7
Albert 6
Edward 6
Tom 6
Arthur 5
Herbert 5
Benjamin 4
Edwin 4
Francis 4
Ernest 3
Fred 3
Wm. 3
David 2
Edgar 2
Frank 2
Gregory 2
Isaac 2
Willie 2
Christopher 1
Clifford 1
Ebenezer 1
Fred. 1
Fredick 1
Geo. 1
Gipp 1
Gordon 1
Hary 1
Ivor 1
Jabez 1
Jacob 1
Job 1
Jonathan 1
Laban 1
Linday 1
Montague 1
Wright 1

FAQ

Mattock surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mattock surname in 1881?

In 1881, 776 people were recorded with the Mattock surname. That placed it at #4,777 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mattock surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 802 in 2016. That gives Mattock a modern rank of #6,897.

What does the Mattock surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from a type of tool used for digging and grubbing.

What does the Mattock map show?

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