NameCensus.

UK surname

Mitton

A variant of Mitton, derived from a place name meaning "middle town" or "middle village".

In the 1881 census there were 886 people recorded with the Mitton surname, ranking it #4,287 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,048, ranked #5,561, down from #4,287 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Halifax and Leeds. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Craven, Herefordshire and Bolton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mitton is 1,339 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18.3%.

1881 census count

886

Ranked #4,287

Modern count

1,048

2016, ranked #5,561

Peak year

1911

1,339 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mitton had 886 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,287 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,048 in 2016, ranked #5,561.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,339 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Mitton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mitton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mitton 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 644 #4,032
1861 historical 587 #4,504
1881 historical 886 #4,287
1891 historical 894 #4,606
1901 historical 1,139 #4,262
1911 historical 1,339 #3,572
1997 modern 1,183 #4,770
1998 modern 1,200 #4,875
1999 modern 1,207 #4,908
2000 modern 1,191 #4,938
2001 modern 1,169 #4,930
2002 modern 1,186 #4,951
2003 modern 1,127 #5,072
2004 modern 1,101 #5,179
2005 modern 1,066 #5,276
2006 modern 1,066 #5,265
2007 modern 1,052 #5,383
2008 modern 1,055 #5,407
2009 modern 1,083 #5,386
2010 modern 1,093 #5,470
2011 modern 1,082 #5,450
2012 modern 1,073 #5,397
2013 modern 1,088 #5,424
2014 modern 1,092 #5,431
2015 modern 1,069 #5,480
2016 modern 1,048 #5,561

Geography

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Where Mittons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Halifax, Leeds, Manchester and Bradford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Craven, Herefordshire, Bolton and Sheffield. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Leeds Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Craven 001 Craven
2 Craven 003 Craven
3 Herefordshire 019 Herefordshire, County of
4 Bolton 034 Bolton
5 Sheffield 072 Sheffield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mitton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mitton

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Mitton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Mitton 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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, Mitton 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

Mitton 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

Mitton falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mitton 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Mitton

The surname Mitton has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "mitten," meaning "middle" or "midway," suggesting that the name may have been initially associated with individuals residing in a central location or a place situated along a midway path.

The earliest recorded instances of the Mitton surname can be found in various historical documents, such as the Domesday Book of 1086, wherein the name appears as "Mittun" and "Mitun." This entry indicates the presence of individuals bearing this name in various regions of England during the time of the Norman Conquest.

One notable historical figure associated with the Mitton surname was John Mitton, a 14th-century English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Salisbury from 1395 to 1407. His tenure as a bishop coincided with the reign of King Henry IV.

Another individual of significance was Richard Mitton, a 16th-century English lawyer and member of the Middle Temple. He gained recognition for his legal expertise and contributions to the field of law during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, a prominent figure named Samuel Mitton emerged as a prominent Puritan minister and author. He was known for his religious writings and sermons, which reflected the theological views of the Puritan movement during that era.

The surname Mitton has also been associated with various place names, such as Mitton in Lancashire and Mitton in Yorkshire. These locations likely derived their names from individuals bearing the Mitton surname who resided or held land in these areas.

During the 18th century, a notable figure named William Mitton gained recognition as a successful merchant and landowner. He was instrumental in the development of trade and commerce in his local community, and his legacy is reflected in the naming of certain landmarks or establishments.

Mitton has also been the surname of several artists and writers throughout history, including the 19th-century English painter John Mitton, whose landscape paintings captured the beauty of the English countryside, and the 20th-century American author and journalist Geraldine Mitton, who wrote extensively on topics related to women's rights and social issues.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mitton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mitton 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. Lancashire leads with 303 Mittons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.98x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 303 2.98x
Yorkshire 235 2.77x
Lincolnshire 45 3.29x
Middlesex 43 0.50x
Northamptonshire 33 4.10x
Surrey 28 0.67x
Worcestershire 28 2.51x
Staffordshire 22 0.76x
Durham 18 0.71x
Radnorshire 17 24.63x
Warwickshire 17 0.79x
Shropshire 15 2.03x
Herefordshire 13 3.71x
Leicestershire 13 1.37x
Kent 9 0.31x
Cardiganshire 6 2.88x
Hampshire 6 0.34x
Gloucestershire 5 0.30x
Sussex 4 0.28x
Cheshire 3 0.16x
Essex 3 0.18x
Derbyshire 2 0.15x
Hertfordshire 2 0.34x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.53x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.59x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.51x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.09x
Oxfordshire 1 0.19x
Perthshire 1 0.26x
Suffolk 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Oldham in Lancashire leads with 35 Mittons recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.68x.

Place Total Index
Oldham 35 10.68x
Edgeworth 28 513.76x
Leeds 24 5.01x
Kettering 20 61.44x
Todmorden Walsden 16 58.82x
Ashton In Makerfield 15 51.89x
Bentham 14 216.72x
Blackburn 14 5.18x
Chorley 14 24.58x
Hulme 14 6.61x
Birmingham 13 1.81x
Gorton 13 13.62x
Great Little Marsden 13 27.96x
Lambeth 12 1.61x
Livesey 12 67.34x
Manchester 12 2.63x
Manningham 12 11.49x
Toxteth Park 12 3.49x
Stansfield 11 35.26x
Castleton 10 9.86x
Kings Norton 10 9.98x
Langfield 10 67.43x
Asgarby 9 1428.57x
Embsay Cum Eastby 9 262.39x
Horton In Bradford 9 6.80x
Moss Side 9 16.85x
Sherburn House 9 1578.95x
Accrington 8 8.67x
Burton Upon Trent 8 11.84x
Hawes 8 144.40x
Higham 8 203.05x
Islington London 8 0.96x
Kingswinford 8 7.63x
Little Bolton 8 6.13x
Sculcoates 8 5.95x
St Pancras London 8 1.16x
Bowling 7 8.34x
Broughton In Skipton 7 1346.15x
Halifax 7 5.62x
Halton 7 325.58x
Kensington London 7 1.47x
Kettlewell With 7 636.36x
Spittlegate 7 37.00x
Stourbridge 7 24.35x
Wellingborough 7 17.30x
Wingate 7 40.11x
Barkisland 6 97.40x
Beswick 6 23.11x
Burton In Lonsdale 6 327.87x
Colne 6 19.84x
Ecclesall Bierlow 6 3.48x
Ilkley 6 43.32x
Llandrindod 6 681.82x
Nutfield 6 190.48x
Scybory Coed 6 392.16x
Sowerby In Halifax 6 21.65x
St Swithin Lincoln 6 27.89x
Abbey Cwm Hir 5 352.11x
Bootle Cum Linacre 5 6.20x
Claines 5 16.31x
Gargrave 5 132.28x
Great Easton 5 316.46x
Halton Gill 5 2000.00x
Hampstead London 5 3.75x
Holy Trinity 5 2.45x
Horton In Ribblesdale 5 322.58x
Knighton 5 89.61x
Norland 5 85.91x
Spotland 5 4.43x
St Marylebone London 5 1.09x
Bilston 4 7.15x
Church 4 27.91x
Helpringham 4 144.93x
Little Cowarne 4 800.00x
North Bierley 4 8.74x
Shrewsbury St Chad 4 15.42x
Shrewsbury St Mary 4 13.72x
Stockbridge 4 156.25x
Warwick St Mary 4 21.36x
West Derby 4 1.35x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 78
Sarah 45
Elizabeth 40
Emma 17
Alice 16
Hannah 14
Annie 13
Ann 12
Ellen 12
Margaret 9
Jane 8
Martha 8
Clara 7
Eliza 7
Emily 7
Maria 7
Betty 6
Eleanor 6
Agnes 5
Ada 4
Edith 4
Esther 4
Frances 4
Harriet 4
Charlotte 3
Elizth. 3
Fanny 3
Florence 3
Isabella 3
Julia 3
Lydia 3
Matilda 3
Nancy 3
Phoebe 3
Ruth 3
Sophia 3
Anne 2
Catherine 2
Ethel 2
Lilly 2
Rose 2
Selina 2
Susan 2
Susannah 2
Bessie 1
Blanche 1
Bridget 1
Elener 1
Hester 1
Zebinda 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 55
William 53
Thomas 34
George 28
James 26
Robert 23
Henry 17
Joseph 14
Arthur 12
Walter 12
Charles 10
Albert 9
Daniel 9
Harry 9
Alfred 8
Edward 8
Frederick 8
Richard 8
Samuel 7
Fred 5
Benjamin 3
Edgar 3
Herbert 3
Jonathan 3
Thos. 3
Abraham 2
Adam 2
Ambrose 2
Edwin 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Fredrick 2
Geo. 2
Matthew 2
Miles 2
Percy 2
Sydney 2
Ben 1
Brough 1
Christr. 1
Clarence 1
Eliston 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Jno. 1
Johnson 1
Lewis 1
Meredith 1
Norris 1
Young 1

FAQ

Mitton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mitton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 886 people were recorded with the Mitton surname. That placed it at #4,287 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mitton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,048 in 2016. That gives Mitton a modern rank of #5,561.

What does the Mitton surname mean?

A variant of Mitton, derived from a place name meaning "middle town" or "middle village".

What does the Mitton map show?

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