NameCensus.

UK surname

Morant

An English toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "at the moor's edge" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 249 people recorded with the Morant surname, ranking it #11,103 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 367, ranked #12,669, down from #11,103 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, South Stoneham and Paddington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Richmond upon Thames, South Lakeland and Wealden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Morant is 412 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 47.4%.

1881 census count

249

Ranked #11,103

Modern count

367

2016, ranked #12,669

Peak year

2002

412 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Morant had 249 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,103 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 367 in 2016, ranked #12,669.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 321 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Morant surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Morant surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Morant 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 102 #16,933
1861 historical 141 #16,072
1881 historical 249 #11,103
1891 historical 283 #11,573
1901 historical 278 #12,252
1911 historical 321 #10,902
1997 modern 390 #11,215
1998 modern 407 #11,212
1999 modern 402 #11,403
2000 modern 410 #11,204
2001 modern 398 #11,276
2002 modern 412 #11,192
2003 modern 389 #11,490
2004 modern 390 #11,495
2005 modern 374 #11,778
2006 modern 384 #11,579
2007 modern 385 #11,698
2008 modern 386 #11,795
2009 modern 396 #11,815
2010 modern 404 #11,902
2011 modern 383 #12,244
2012 modern 392 #11,898
2013 modern 385 #12,270
2014 modern 395 #12,125
2015 modern 379 #12,385
2016 modern 367 #12,669

Geography

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Where Morants are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, South Stoneham, Paddington and Southampton St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Richmond upon Thames, South Lakeland, Wealden, Eastleigh and Southampton. 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 South Stoneham Hampshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Paddington London (West Districts)
5 Southampton St Mary Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Richmond upon Thames 008 Richmond upon Thames
2 South Lakeland 002 South Lakeland
3 Wealden 009 Wealden
4 Eastleigh 009 Eastleigh
5 Southampton 012 Southampton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Morant

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Morant

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Morant, 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 Morant surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Morant 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Morant is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Morant 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

Morant falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Morant

The surname Morant is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "morant," which means "dweller." It is believed to have emerged in the late medieval period, likely used to describe someone who lived in a particular place or region.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Morant can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of northern France, including Normandy and Picardy. These areas were heavily influenced by the Norman conquest of England in 1066, which likely contributed to the eventual spread of the name across the English Channel.

One of the earliest documented references to the name Morant can be found in the Testa de Nevill, a medieval English census compiled between 1207 and 1272. This record includes entries for individuals with the surname Morant, indicating their presence in various parts of England during that time period.

In the 14th century, the name Morant appeared in various spellings, such as Moraunte and Morante, reflecting the linguistic variations of the era. These alternate spellings were often linked to specific locations or place names, further reinforcing the connection between the surname and its geographical origins.

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname Morant throughout history are:

1. Robert Morant (c. 1450 - c. 1510), an English merchant and alderman of London during the Tudor period. 2. Sir John Morant (1574 - 1631), an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament and as a judge in the Court of Admiralty. 3. Philippe Morant (1700 - 1779), a French painter and engraver known for his landscape and architectural works. 4. George Morant (1770 - 1809), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and participated in the Battle of Trafalgar. 5. John Morant (1797 - 1860), a British author and traveler who documented his experiences in various parts of the world, including the West Indies and South America.

Over the centuries, the surname Morant has maintained a presence in various regions, particularly in France, England, and parts of the British Empire. While its exact origins may be subject to some debate, the name's longevity and historical significance serve as a testament to its enduring legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Morant families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Morant 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. Hampshire leads with 84 Morants recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.87x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 84 16.87x
Middlesex 53 2.18x
Surrey 29 2.45x
Devon 24 4.75x
Yorkshire 23 0.96x
Dorset 7 4.39x
Pembrokeshire 6 7.77x
Essex 4 0.83x
Lancashire 4 0.14x
Sussex 4 0.98x
Carmarthenshire 3 2.93x
Berkshire 2 1.10x
Kent 2 0.24x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.68x
Cornwall 1 0.36x
Durham 1 0.14x
Herefordshire 1 1.00x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. South Stoneham in Hampshire leads with 20 Morants recorded in 1881 and an index of 185.19x.

Place Total Index
South Stoneham 20 185.19x
Leeds 16 11.77x
Owslebury 11 1549.30x
East Anstey 10 5000.00x
Battersea 9 10.07x
Stoke Damerel 9 25.44x
Newington 8 8.92x
Portsea 8 8.20x
Hammersmith London 7 11.70x
Melcombe Regis 7 105.90x
Ringwood 7 219.44x
Titchfield 7 186.67x
Fulham London 6 17.04x
Kensington London 6 4.44x
Paddington London 6 6.72x
Penge 6 38.68x
Lambeth 5 2.36x
Tormoham 5 23.38x
Islington London 4 1.70x
Monckton 4 289.86x
Preston 4 5.19x
Shenfield 4 322.58x
Southampton All Sts 4 46.84x
Southcoates 4 29.94x
St Marylebone London 4 3.08x
Tottenham 4 10.34x
Westminster St John 4 13.52x
Brockenhurst 3 348.84x
Christchurch 3 27.80x
Hackney London 3 2.20x
Hampstead London 3 7.93x
Holdenhurst 3 22.97x
Laugharne 3 220.59x
Rotherham 3 22.11x
Southampton St Mary 3 9.58x
Bishopstoke 2 156.25x
Hursley 2 173.91x
Ruscombe 2 645.16x
St George Hanover 2 6.31x
St Mary Extra 2 49.88x
St Thomas Winchester 2 56.82x
Tenby St Mary In 2 50.89x
Alverstoke 1 5.55x
Bartestree 1 588.24x
Brighton 1 1.21x
Chelsea London 1 1.37x
Clerkenwell London 1 1.74x
Godalming 1 13.42x
Gulval 1 56.50x
Hastings St Mary In The 1 11.44x
Kingston By Sea 1 153.85x
Lewisham 1 2.26x
Margate St John Baptist 1 6.59x
North Stoneham 1 88.50x
Nuthurst 1 147.06x
Petersfield 1 72.99x
St Faith Winchester 1 43.10x
St George Martyr 1 24.45x
St Michael Winchester 1 98.04x
Stranton 1 4.11x
Twyford 1 84.03x
Wavendon 1 123.46x
Weeke 1 66.23x
Westminster St James 1 4.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Elizabeth 7
Alice 6
Ellen 6
Margaret 5
Sarah 5
Amy 4
Catherine 4
Eliza 4
Caroline 3
Emily 3
Emma 3
Fanny 3
Florence 3
Harriet 3
Isabella 3
Laura 3
Ann 2
Bertha 2
Hannah 2
Helen 2
Jane 2
Janet 2
Beatrice 1
Clara 1
Constance 1
Dorothy 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elizbth.L. 1
Eveline 1
Flora 1
Frances 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Harriett 1
Henretta 1
Henrietta 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Lily 1
Louisa 1
Lydia 1
Mabel 1
Marg. 1
Martha 1
Maud 1
Minna 1
Nelly 1
Winfrith 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 13
John 11
Charles 10
James 10
Alfred 8
Edward 8
William 8
Thomas 7
Arthur 5
Joseph 4
Robert 3
Francis 2
Harry 2
Hay 2
Henry 2
Herbert 2
Walter 2
Abdy 1
Albert 1
Augutus 1
C.H.E. 1
Claude 1
David 1
Edgar 1
Elijah 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Frederic 1
Frederick 1
Llewelyn 1
Philip 1
Phillip 1
Reginald 1
Richard 1
Robt. 1
Rowland 1
Sydney 1
Tom 1
Victor 1

FAQ

Morant surname: questions and answers

How common was the Morant surname in 1881?

In 1881, 249 people were recorded with the Morant surname. That placed it at #11,103 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Morant surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 367 in 2016. That gives Morant a modern rank of #12,669.

What does the Morant surname mean?

An English toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "at the moor's edge" in Old English.

What does the Morant map show?

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