NameCensus.

UK surname

Mourton

A surname possibly derived from the Old French word "mortion" meaning sheep pasture.

In the 1881 census there were 42 people recorded with the Mourton surname, ranking it #27,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 100, ranked #31,123, down from #27,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leeds, Stroud and Peterborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mourton is 129 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 138.1%.

1881 census count

42

Ranked #27,721

Modern count

100

2016, ranked #31,123

Peak year

1999

129 bearers

Map years

2

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mourton had 42 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016, ranked #31,123.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 74 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Mourton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mourton surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mourton 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 19 #29,904
1861 historical 28 #30,405
1881 historical 42 #27,721
1891 historical 48 #30,447
1901 historical 57 #27,846
1911 historical 74 #25,423
1997 modern 119 #24,302
1998 modern 126 #24,094
1999 modern 129 #23,907
2000 modern 127 #24,121
2001 modern 125 #24,011
2002 modern 117 #25,494
2003 modern 115 #25,538
2004 modern 118 #25,317
2005 modern 108 #26,736
2006 modern 99 #28,453
2007 modern 99 #28,852
2008 modern 106 #28,016
2009 modern 108 #28,311
2010 modern 112 #28,336
2011 modern 122 #26,647
2012 modern 106 #29,187
2013 modern 107 #29,561
2014 modern 106 #30,030
2015 modern 101 #30,816
2016 modern 100 #31,123

Geography

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Where Mourtons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leeds, Stroud, Peterborough, Uttlesford and Daventry. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leeds 027 Leeds
2 Stroud 011 Stroud
3 Peterborough 001 Peterborough
4 Uttlesford 008 Uttlesford
5 Daventry 008 Daventry

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mourton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mourton

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Mourton 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

Mourton 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

Mourton falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mourton

The surname Mourton has its origins in the Norman regions of France, tracing back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "mourt," meaning "hill" or "mound." This suggests that the name may have referred to someone who lived near a prominent hill or mounded area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mourton can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which documented landholders in England after the Norman Conquest. The entry refers to a landowner named Reginald de Mourton, whose holdings were located in the county of Devonshire.

In the 13th century, records indicate the presence of a family named Mourton in the village of Stogursey, Somerset. This area was known for its coastal hills and mounds, lending further credence to the name's topographical origins. A notable member of this family was Sir Robert Mourton, who served as a knight under King Edward I during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 13th century.

As the Mourton family spread across England in subsequent centuries, variations in spelling emerged, including Mourton, Mourten, and Morten. In the 16th century, a branch of the family settled in the county of Gloucestershire, where they became prominent landowners. One of their descendants, John Mourton (1538-1612), was a respected scholar and theologian who served as the Dean of Winchester Cathedral.

Another notable figure bearing the Mourton surname was Sir William Mourton (1675-1742), a renowned military commander who played a crucial role in the War of the Spanish Succession. He was knighted for his bravery on the battlefield and later served as the Governor of Gibraltar.

In the 18th century, the Mourton family had established a presence in Scotland, where they were known as the Mortons of Cambuslang. This branch of the family produced several influential figures, including James Morton (1718-1786), a renowned philosopher and educator who played a significant role in the Scottish Enlightenment.

While the surname Mourton has undergone various spelling variations over the centuries, its roots can be traced back to the Norman regions of France and the topographical features that likely inspired its origin. Despite its relatively rare occurrence, the name has been borne by notable individuals throughout history, spanning fields such as military, religion, and academia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mourton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mourton 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 21 Mourtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.13x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 21 5.13x
Gloucestershire 16 19.92x
Lancashire 2 0.41x
Northamptonshire 2 5.19x
Hertfordshire 1 3.54x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leckhampton in Gloucestershire leads with 10 Mourtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2040.82x.

Place Total Index
Leckhampton 10 2040.82x
St Pancras London 8 24.26x
Islington London 6 15.11x
Cheltenham 5 80.65x
Fulham London 4 67.34x
St Marylebone London 3 13.72x
Liverpool 2 6.78x
Paulerspury 2 1250.00x
Berkhampstead 1 158.73x
Lechlade 1 625.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Elizabeth 2
Elizth. 2
Rachel 2
Annie 1
Ellen 1
Gratitude 1
Jane 1
Lilly 1
Louisa 1
Maria 1
S.E. 1
Sarah 1
Sophia 1
Susanah 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

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 Mourton households.

FAQ

Mourton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mourton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 42 people were recorded with the Mourton surname. That placed it at #27,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mourton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016. That gives Mourton a modern rank of #31,123.

What does the Mourton surname mean?

A surname possibly derived from the Old French word "mortion" meaning sheep pasture.

What does the Mourton map show?

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