UK surname
A variant of Mutton, referring to someone connected to the trade or selling of mutton or sheep.
In the 1881 census there were 51 people recorded with the Multon surname, ranking it #26,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 26, ranked #36,254, down from #26,428 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Teath, Kings Langley and St Decuman, Nettlecombe, Old Cleeve, Kilton, Lilstock, Dodington, Stringston, Holford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Multon is 120 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 49.0%.
1881 census count
51
Ranked #26,428
Modern count
26
2016, ranked #36,254
Peak year
1861
120 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Multon surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Multon surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 33 | #27,390 |
| 1861 | historical | 120 | #18,255 |
| 1881 | historical | 51 | #26,428 |
| 1891 | historical | 102 | #23,719 |
| 1901 | historical | 24 | #31,365 |
| 1911 | historical | 101 | #22,589 |
| 1997 | modern | 31 | #34,582 |
| 1998 | modern | 31 | #34,740 |
| 1999 | modern | 31 | #34,821 |
| 2000 | modern | 36 | #34,317 |
| 2001 | modern | 32 | #34,537 |
| 2002 | modern | 31 | #34,866 |
| 2003 | modern | 27 | #35,279 |
| 2004 | modern | 30 | #35,186 |
| 2005 | modern | 30 | #35,347 |
| 2006 | modern | 30 | #35,526 |
| 2007 | modern | 29 | #35,725 |
| 2008 | modern | 25 | #36,072 |
| 2009 | modern | 26 | #36,111 |
| 2010 | modern | 27 | #36,153 |
| 2011 | modern | 27 | #36,136 |
| 2012 | modern | 24 | #36,288 |
| 2013 | modern | 24 | #36,344 |
| 2014 | modern | 25 | #36,314 |
| 2015 | modern | 26 | #36,228 |
| 2016 | modern | 26 | #36,254 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Teath, Kings Langley, St Decuman, Nettlecombe, Old Cleeve, Kilton, Lilstock, Dodington, Stringston, Holford, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Teath | Cornwall |
| 2 | Kings Langley | Hertfordshire |
| 3 | St Decuman, Nettlecombe, Old Cleeve, Kilton, Lilstock, Dodington, Stringston, Holford | Somerset |
| 4 | Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory | Northamptonshire |
| 5 | Brighton | Sussex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Multon surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Multon, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Multon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Multon household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Multon is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Multon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Multon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Multon has its origins in England, where it first emerged in the 12th century. The name is derived from the Old French word "mouton," which means "sheep" or "mutton." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have been involved in the rearing or trading of sheep.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Multon surname appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. In this document, the name is spelled as "Muleton."
During the 12th and 13th centuries, the Multon family held significant land and property in various parts of England, including Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Northumberland. Several members of the family were prominent figures in the political and military affairs of the time.
One notable bearer of the Multon surname was Thomas de Multon (c. 1230-1294), a powerful English baron and military commander who served under King Henry III and King Edward I. He played a crucial role in the conquest of Wales and participated in several military campaigns against the Scots.
Another distinguished figure with the Multon surname was John de Multon (c. 1275-1321), who served as Lord Lieutenant of Cumberland and was involved in various border conflicts with Scotland during the reign of King Edward II.
In the 14th century, the Multon family held lands and properties in the village of Multon, located in the county of Suffolk. This place name likely derived from the family's surname and may have contributed to its continued use and prominence in the region.
Throughout history, the Multon surname has also been associated with various place names, such as Multon Abbey in Yorkshire, which was founded in the 12th century by the Multon family.
Other notable individuals with the Multon surname include:
1. William de Multon (c. 1240-1312), an English nobleman and military commander who served under King Edward I. 2. Robert de Multon (fl. 1300-1330), a member of the English Parliament representing Yorkshire. 3. Elizabeth Multon (c. 1320-1390), a wealthy heiress and landowner in Lincolnshire. 4. Henry Multon (c. 1450-1510), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Dean of York. 5. George Multon (c. 1570-1640), an English merchant and explorer who traveled to the East Indies and the Americas.
While the Multon surname has undergone various spelling variations over the centuries, such as Moulton, Moulten, and Molton, its origins can be traced back to the Old French word "mouton" and its association with the sheep and wool trade in medieval England.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Multon surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Somerset leads with 17 Multons recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.66x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Somerset | 17 | 21.66x |
| Sussex | 11 | 13.38x |
| Kent | 8 | 4.81x |
| Worcestershire | 5 | 7.85x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 3.14x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.93x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.99x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.04x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.17x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 1.28x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.21x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Old Cleeve in Somerset leads with 17 Multons recorded in 1881 and an index of 6071.43x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Old Cleeve | 17 | 6071.43x |
| Brighton | 10 | 60.28x |
| Gravesend | 8 | 567.38x |
| Redditch | 5 | 387.60x |
| Stroud | 3 | 161.29x |
| Birkenhead | 1 | 11.66x |
| Burwash | 1 | 263.16x |
| Great Grimsby | 1 | 20.20x |
| Little Bolton | 1 | 13.44x |
| Paignton | 1 | 129.87x |
| Southminster | 1 | 476.19x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 1 | 35.71x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Multon surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Multon surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Multon households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 10 |
| Farm Labourer | 5 |
| Tailor | 2 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Clerk In Builders Office | 1 |
| Clerk Merchant Office | 1 |
| Confectioner Employs 4 Women | 1 |
| Cook Dom | 1 |
| Domestic | 1 |
| Fisherman | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Housekeeper Dom Serv | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer Wife | 1 |
| Labourers Wife | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Painter | 1 |
| Painters Wife | 1 |
| Paper Maker | 1 |
| Parlourmaid Dom Serv | 1 |
| Rural Letter Carrier (C Ser) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 51 people were recorded with the Multon surname. That placed it at #26,428 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 26 in 2016. That gives Multon a modern rank of #36,254.
A variant of Mutton, referring to someone connected to the trade or selling of mutton or sheep.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Multon bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.