NameCensus.

UK surname

Matton

From a Middle English word meaning a large mat or mattress maker.

In the 1881 census there were 58 people recorded with the Matton surname, ranking it #25,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 96, ranked #31,684, down from #25,428 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, Lewisham and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Dudley, Dartford and Gravesham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Matton is 231 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 65.5%.

1881 census count

58

Ranked #25,428

Modern count

96

2016, ranked #31,684

Peak year

1861

231 bearers

Map years

6

1851 to 2006

Key insights

  • Matton had 58 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #25,428 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 96 in 2016, ranked #31,684.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 231 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Matton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Matton surname density by area, 2006 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Matton 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 101 #17,036
1861 historical 231 #10,572
1881 historical 58 #25,428
1891 historical 140 #19,193
1901 historical 81 #25,130
1911 historical 141 #18,571
1997 modern 120 #24,158
1998 modern 118 #25,041
1999 modern 127 #24,125
2000 modern 105 #27,001
2001 modern 108 #26,184
2002 modern 107 #26,849
2003 modern 105 #26,940
2004 modern 102 #27,637
2005 modern 100 #28,025
2006 modern 103 #27,785
2007 modern 96 #29,339
2008 modern 99 #29,181
2009 modern 97 #30,076
2010 modern 101 #30,078
2011 modern 96 #30,721
2012 modern 91 #31,659
2013 modern 87 #32,472
2014 modern 94 #31,909
2015 modern 96 #31,624
2016 modern 96 #31,684

Geography

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Where Mattons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, Lewisham, London parishes, St Pancras and Marlesford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Dudley, Dartford, Gravesham and Bexley. 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 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
2 Lewisham London (South Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Marlesford Suffolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Dudley 012 Dudley
2 Dartford 013 Dartford
3 Gravesham 002 Gravesham
4 Bexley 015 Bexley
5 Bexley 022 Bexley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Matton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Matton

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Matton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Matton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Matton is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Matton is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Matton falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Matton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Matton

The surname Matton is believed to have originated in the northern regions of France, particularly in the area around Normandy, during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old French word "maton," which referred to a mason or stonemason.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings and populations compiled in 1086 under the orders of William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Matun," which was likely a variant spelling of the modern Matton.

In the 12th century, a notable figure named Robert Matton was a renowned stonemason who is credited with overseeing the construction of several churches and cathedrals in the Normandy region. His work can still be seen in the intricate stonework and architectural details of these historic structures.

During the 13th century, the name Matton began to spread beyond the confines of northern France as members of the family migrated to other parts of Europe. One such individual was Jean Matton, a merchant who settled in the city of Bruges in present-day Belgium around 1250.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various records across England, suggesting that some Mattons had crossed the English Channel and established themselves in the British Isles. One prominent figure from this era was Sir William Matton, a knight who fought alongside King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War against France.

The 16th century saw the emergence of Jacques Matton, a French Protestant who fled religious persecution and sought refuge in the Netherlands. Despite facing adversity, he became a successful businessman and is credited with establishing one of the earliest Matton family lines in the Low Countries.

Throughout history, the surname Matton has been associated with various place names and locations, reflecting the geographic spread of the family. For example, the village of Matton in Normandy, France, likely derived its name from the presence of Matton families in the area during medieval times.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Matton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Matton 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 17 Mattons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.01x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 17 3.01x
Surrey 10 3.63x
Kent 7 3.63x
Hertfordshire 6 15.39x
Devon 4 3.40x
Staffordshire 4 2.10x
Essex 2 1.79x
Lancashire 2 0.30x
Derbyshire 1 1.13x
Dorset 1 2.69x
Gloucestershire 1 0.90x
Hampshire 1 0.86x
Warwickshire 1 0.70x
Yorkshire 1 0.18x

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 8 Mattons recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.57x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 8 17.57x
Lewisham 7 68.03x
Battersea 6 28.83x
Hertford St John 6 1034.48x
Stoke Upon Trent 4 19.76x
Penge 3 83.10x
Shoreditch London 3 12.23x
Stoke Damerel 3 36.41x
Walton On Hill 2 54.95x
Aston 1 2.55x
Bakewell 1 208.33x
Bermondsey 1 5.94x
Blandford Forum 1 136.99x
Clifton 1 17.83x
Colchester St Leonard 1 277.78x
Hackney London 1 3.15x
Mile End Old Town 1 11.20x
Paddington London 1 4.81x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 11.03x
Portsmouth 1 37.45x
St Andrew Holborn 1 52.08x
St George Hanover 1 13.55x
St Marylebone London 1 3.31x
Thirsk 1 153.85x
West Ham 1 4.06x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 4
Emma 3
Alice 2
Annie 2
Eliza 2
Adline 1
Anne 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Elizth. 1
Else 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Isabella 1
Maria 1
Rachel 1
Robina 1
Sarah 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 5
John 4
Richard 3
Charles 2
Robert 2
Samuel 2
Thomas 2
William 2
Albert 1
Amos 1
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
James 1
Jefferay 1
Julius 1
Walter 1

Top occupations

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 Matton households.

FAQ

Matton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Matton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 58 people were recorded with the Matton surname. That placed it at #25,428 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Matton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 96 in 2016. That gives Matton a modern rank of #31,684.

What does the Matton surname mean?

From a Middle English word meaning a large mat or mattress maker.

What does the Matton map show?

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