NameCensus.

UK surname

Monteith

A Scottish toponymic surname derived from a place near Ayr, likely meaning "moor by the River Teith."

In the 1881 census there were 796 people recorded with the Monteith surname, ranking it #4,675 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,443, ranked #4,254, up from #4,675 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Stranraer. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Upper Nithsdale, City Centre and Shropshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Monteith is 1,443 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 81.3%.

1881 census count

796

Ranked #4,675

Modern count

1,443

2016, ranked #4,254

Peak year

2016

1,443 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Monteith had 796 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,675 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,443 in 2016, ranked #4,254.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 921 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Monteith surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Monteith surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Monteith 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 495 #5,049
1861 historical 573 #4,600
1881 historical 796 #4,675
1891 historical 852 #4,801
1901 historical 921 #5,057
1911 historical 200 #14,960
1997 modern 1,221 #4,645
1998 modern 1,290 #4,610
1999 modern 1,280 #4,659
2000 modern 1,261 #4,708
2001 modern 1,247 #4,651
2002 modern 1,273 #4,663
2003 modern 1,231 #4,707
2004 modern 1,262 #4,607
2005 modern 1,275 #4,509
2006 modern 1,294 #4,462
2007 modern 1,312 #4,449
2008 modern 1,324 #4,440
2009 modern 1,384 #4,367
2010 modern 1,404 #4,394
2011 modern 1,376 #4,420
2012 modern 1,382 #4,344
2013 modern 1,398 #4,376
2014 modern 1,440 #4,303
2015 modern 1,432 #4,279
2016 modern 1,443 #4,254

Geography

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Where Monteiths are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Stranraer, Kirkconnel and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Upper Nithsdale, City Centre, Shropshire, Stranraer East and Rhins North. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Stranraer Wigtown
4 Kirkconnel Dumfries
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Upper Nithsdale Dumfries and Galloway
2 City Centre Stirling
3 Shropshire 036 Shropshire
4 Stranraer East Dumfries and Galloway
5 Rhins North Dumfries and Galloway

Forenames

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First names often paired with Monteith

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Monteith

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Monteith surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Monteith household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Monteith is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Monteith is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Monteith falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Monteith 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 Monteith, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Monteith

The surname Monteith is of Scottish origin and has its roots in the Gaelic language. It is believed to derive from the phrase 'Monadh-na-tiobairt,' which translates to 'the moor of the well' or 'the moss of the well.'

The name is closely associated with the town of Monteith, located in the historic county of Perthshire, Scotland. The earliest recorded instance of this place name dates back to the 12th century when it was written as 'Munythfu.' Over time, the spelling evolved to 'Monteith,' reflecting the pronunciation of the local Gaelic dialect.

The Monteith family played a significant role in Scottish history. One of the earliest documented members was Sir Walter Monteith, who lived in the 13th century and held the position of Seneschal (Steward) of Strathearn. The Monteith clan was influential in the region and their name is associated with several notable events and landmarks.

In the 14th century, the name Monteith appeared in the Ragman Rolls, which were essentially a series of homage rolls that recorded the names of Scottish landholders who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. This historical document provides an early written record of the surname's existence.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the Monteith surname. One of the most famous was Robert Monteith (1786-1855), a Scottish architect and engineer who designed several prominent buildings, including the Regency Theatre in London and the Royal Exchange in Glasgow.

Another prominent figure was Henry Monteith (1695-1775), a Scottish clergyman and author who served as the Minister of Longformacus in Berwickshire. He is best known for his work, 'The Theater of Mortality,' which explored themes of death and mortality.

In the 18th century, Sir Henry Monteith (1735-1808) was a Scottish soldier and politician who served as the Governor of Portsmouth and represented the constituency of Selkirkshire in the British Parliament.

More recently, Robert Monteith (1914-2008) was a British actor and playwright who appeared in numerous television shows and films, including the popular series 'Doctor Who' and the film 'Scrooge' (1970).

Another notable individual bearing this surname is Alastair Monteith (born 1939), a Scottish actor and playwright known for his roles in television series such as 'Taggart' and 'Hamish Macbeth.'

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Monteith families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Monteith 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. Lanarkshire leads with 275 Monteiths recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.96x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 275 10.96x
Midlothian 120 11.55x
Stirlingshire 43 15.03x
Wigtownshire 43 41.76x
Lancashire 41 0.45x
Perthshire 39 11.20x
Middlesex 34 0.44x
Renfrewshire 28 4.66x
Dumfriesshire 24 14.01x
Ayrshire 16 2.76x
Clackmannanshire 13 20.30x
Roxburghshire 12 8.54x
Durham 10 0.43x
East Lothian 10 9.74x
Angus 8 1.11x
Dunbartonshire 8 3.84x
Kirkcudbrightshire 8 7.13x
Sussex 7 0.54x
Yorkshire 7 0.09x
Dorset 6 1.18x
Cumberland 5 0.75x
Argyllshire 4 1.85x
Buteshire 4 8.51x
Cheshire 4 0.23x
Somerset 4 0.32x
Fife 3 0.65x
Hampshire 3 0.19x
Selkirkshire 3 4.28x
Glamorgan 2 0.15x
Northumberland 2 0.17x
Oxfordshire 2 0.42x
West Lothian 2 1.71x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.14x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.21x
Kent 1 0.04x
Royal Navy 1 1.08x
Warwickshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 79 Monteiths recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.74x.

Place Total Index
Govan 79 12.74x
Barony 53 8.35x
Glasgow 50 11.23x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 41 9.81x
Stranraer 33 350.32x
Falkirk 24 35.85x
Maryhill 20 40.73x
Kirkconnell 17 627.31x
New Monkland 16 21.58x
Bothwell 15 22.05x
East Greenock 15 26.43x
Hamilton 13 18.58x
South Leith 13 11.12x
Hawick 12 38.17x
Liverpool 12 2.15x
Edinburgh St Stephens 11 53.79x
Pendleton In Salford 10 9.12x
Salton 10 653.59x
Carstairs 9 173.08x
Dalkeith 9 43.90x
Dalry 9 32.96x
Penicuik 9 63.74x
Stockton On Tees 9 8.09x
Alloa 8 25.76x
Edinburgh St Marys 8 39.60x
Everton 8 2.73x
Old Monkland 8 8.04x
Penninghame 8 76.19x
Forgandenny 7 421.69x
New Cumnock 7 69.58x
St Marylebone London 7 1.69x
West Calder 7 34.18x
West Drayton 7 261.19x
Bonhill 6 17.94x
Brighton 6 2.27x
Burton Bradstock 6 239.04x
Glencairn 6 130.15x
Minnigaff 6 142.18x
Tibbermore 6 120.24x
Carluke 5 21.96x
Dalziel 5 18.53x
Duddingston 5 23.98x
Findo Gask 5 515.46x
Forfar 5 12.85x
Shoreditch London 5 1.49x
St Ninians 5 17.64x
Abernethy 4 87.91x
Chewton Mendip 4 193.24x
Clackmannan 4 33.06x
Dunblane 4 48.02x
Edinburgh Canongate 4 15.13x
Forteviot 4 240.96x
Hackney London 4 0.92x
Headingley Cum Burley 4 8.09x
Kensington London 4 0.93x
Kirkdale 4 2.58x
Mile End Old Town 4 3.27x
Port Glasgow 4 13.77x
Alva 3 21.99x
Birkenhead 3 2.20x
Dunoon 3 67.57x
Edinburgh New North 3 33.19x
Larbert 3 17.54x
Liberton 3 18.70x
Moss Side 3 6.20x
Neilston 3 9.94x
Rothesay 3 13.18x
Stirling 3 8.32x
Brechin 2 7.08x
Dunfermline 2 2.83x
Inverkip 2 14.12x
Kinnoull 2 21.86x
Merthyr Tydfil 2 1.54x
Paisley Low Church 2 10.51x
Perth West Church 2 12.11x
Selkirk 2 10.12x
St Cuthbert W O 2 6.14x
Toxteth Park 2 0.64x
Wark 2 147.06x
Whitehaven 2 5.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jane 5
Mary 5
Margaret 4
Agnes 3
Caroline 3
Elizabeth 3
Ellen 3
Sarah 3
Alice 2
Annie 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Janet 2
Marion 2
Rebecca 2
Amelia 1
Ann 1
Anne 1
Barbara 1
Catherine 1
Clara 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Helen 1
Isabella 1
Jesse 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Leonara 1
Lilly 1
Loise 1
Maggie 1
Maria 1
Susan 1
Teresa 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 12
William 11
James 9
Alexander 3
Duncan 3
Hugh 3
Robert 3
Andrew 2
Frank 2
Abram 1
Albert 1
Allan 1
Dvid 1
Edwin 1
F.A. 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
George 1
Jas. 1
Lowry 1
Morrison 1
Peter 1
Richard 1
Thos. 1
Willm.R. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Monteith surname: questions and answers

How common was the Monteith surname in 1881?

In 1881, 796 people were recorded with the Monteith surname. That placed it at #4,675 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Monteith surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,443 in 2016. That gives Monteith a modern rank of #4,254.

What does the Monteith surname mean?

A Scottish toponymic surname derived from a place near Ayr, likely meaning "moor by the River Teith."

What does the Monteith map show?

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