NameCensus.

UK surname

Nason

An English occupational surname for a stonecutter or one who dresses stone.

In the 1881 census there were 280 people recorded with the Nason surname, ranking it #10,202 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 437, ranked #11,045, down from #10,202 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a and Nuneaton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Doncaster, Stratford-on-Avon and North Warwickshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nason is 482 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 56.1%.

1881 census count

280

Ranked #10,202

Modern count

437

2016, ranked #11,045

Peak year

1997

482 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Nason had 280 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,202 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 437 in 2016, ranked #11,045.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 456 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Nason surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nason surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nason 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 206 #10,183
1861 historical 250 #9,877
1881 historical 280 #10,202
1891 historical 333 #10,223
1901 historical 389 #9,666
1911 historical 456 #8,409
1997 modern 482 #9,567
1998 modern 471 #10,048
1999 modern 479 #9,987
2000 modern 478 #9,969
2001 modern 449 #10,254
2002 modern 455 #10,349
2003 modern 445 #10,376
2004 modern 435 #10,600
2005 modern 418 #10,812
2006 modern 410 #11,015
2007 modern 409 #11,182
2008 modern 411 #11,232
2009 modern 413 #11,436
2010 modern 415 #11,654
2011 modern 422 #11,359
2012 modern 439 #10,873
2013 modern 450 #10,831
2014 modern 448 #10,946
2015 modern 438 #11,055
2016 modern 437 #11,045

Geography

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Where Nasons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a, Nuneaton, Colchester St Peter and Banbury. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Doncaster, Stratford-on-Avon, North Warwickshire and Kensington and Chelsea. 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 3
2 Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a Essex
3 Nuneaton Warwickshire
4 Colchester St Peter Essex
5 Banbury Oxfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Doncaster 001 Doncaster
2 Doncaster 003 Doncaster
3 Stratford-on-Avon 003 Stratford-on-Avon
4 North Warwickshire 007 North Warwickshire
5 Kensington and Chelsea 021 Kensington and Chelsea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nason

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Nason

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Nason 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

Nason is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Nason falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Nason is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Nason

The surname Nason is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "naes" meaning "headland" or "promontory" and "tun" meaning "farm" or "settlement." This suggests that the name may have referred to someone who lived near a headland or a settlement located on a promontory.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nason can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were administrative records compiled during the reign of King Edward I. The name appears as "Nason" in these rolls, indicating its use at that time.

In the 14th century, the name Nason was found in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 and the Poll Tax Returns of 1379. These records provide valuable insights into the distribution and variations of the name during that period.

During the 16th century, the name Nason was associated with several notable individuals. One such person was John Nason, who was born in 1556 and served as a member of the English Parliament. Another was William Nason, a prominent merchant and landowner born in 1571.

In the 17th century, the Nason family had a presence in various parts of England, including Gloucestershire and Somerset. One notable figure from this period was Richard Nason, born in 1624, who was a scholar and author known for his works on theology and philosophy.

The 18th century saw the emergence of several influential Nasons, including James Nason, born in 1732, who was a successful businessman and landowner. Another notable figure was Thomas Nason, born in 1756, who served as a military officer during the American Revolutionary War.

As the centuries progressed, the Nason surname continued to be found in various regions of England, with some families also migrating to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Nason families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nason 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. Warwickshire leads with 103 Nasons recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.95x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 103 14.95x
Oxfordshire 54 32.02x
Essex 41 7.60x
Worcestershire 19 5.33x
Northamptonshire 11 4.28x
Surrey 10 0.75x
Gloucestershire 8 1.49x
Yorkshire 7 0.26x
Hampshire 6 1.07x
Buckinghamshire 5 3.03x
Devon 4 0.70x
Wiltshire 3 1.24x
Lanarkshire 2 0.23x
Berkshire 1 0.49x
Cheshire 1 0.17x
Kent 1 0.11x
Middlesex 1 0.04x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.27x
Suffolk 1 0.30x
Sussex 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire leads with 40 Nasons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1025.64x.

Place Total Index
Chipping Norton 40 1025.64x
Lexden 11 509.26x
Northampton Priory St 11 71.38x
Camberwell 10 5.73x
Nuneaton 10 125.31x
Banbury 9 266.27x
Colchester St Giles 9 168.86x
Kings Norton 9 28.14x
Long Lawford 9 1406.25x
Eatington 8 1230.77x
Haseley 8 3809.52x
Ingatestone 8 919.54x
Aston 7 3.69x
Colchester St Nicholas 7 1428.57x
Rowington 7 897.44x
Stratford On Avon 7 183.25x
Beoley 6 1052.63x
Southampton St Mary 6 17.05x
Barcheston 5 2941.18x
Eton 5 133.69x
Pillerton Priors 5 3846.15x
Tanworth 5 274.73x
Warwick St Mary 5 83.61x
Condicote 4 2500.00x
Leamington Priors 4 23.60x
Loxley 4 1333.33x
Sarsden 4 2666.67x
Shipston On Stour 4 246.91x
West Teignmouth 4 91.95x
Balsall 3 277.78x
Pewsey 3 168.54x
Scriven Cum Tentergate 3 300.00x
Solihull 3 60.61x
York Marygate St Olave 3 288.46x
Barony 2 0.89x
Birmingham 2 0.87x
Cheltenham 2 4.84x
Colchester St Botolph 2 43.57x
Horfield 2 37.11x
Wellesbourne Mountford 2 303.03x
West Ham 2 1.68x
Bishops Tachbrook 1 178.57x
Bromley 1 7.04x
Bulkington 1 67.11x
Claverdon 1 185.19x
Colchester St Peter 1 46.30x
Coventry Holy Trinity 1 4.86x
Frodsham 1 42.74x
Great Packington 1 454.55x
Harbury 1 89.29x
Keymer 1 30.77x
Leamington 1 21.93x
Margaretting 1 204.08x
Naburn 1 188.68x
Newark Upon Trent 1 7.56x
Old Stratford 1 25.64x
Old Windsor 1 42.19x
Oxford St Clement 1 23.47x
Spitalfields London 1 4.87x
Sudbury St Gregory 1 37.45x
Whitchurch 1 526.32x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 19
Sarah 10
Ann 7
Elizabeth 7
Alice 6
Ellen 5
Emma 5
Fanny 5
Eliza 4
Hannah 4
Jane 4
Louisa 4
Agnes 3
Florence 3
Harriet 3
Maud 3
Phoebe 3
Ada 2
Catherine 2
Charlotte 2
Emily 2
Esther 2
Gertrude 2
Katherine 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Matilda 2
Minnie 2
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Beatrice 1
Caroline 1
Clara 1
Constance 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elizh. 1
Ella 1
Emmelia 1
Eva 1
Frances 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Ledora 1
Margaret 1
Marguerete 1
Phyllis 1
Rose 1
Ruth 1
Thirza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 19
Thomas 16
William 16
George 12
James 11
Charles 7
Alfred 5
Henry 5
Joseph 5
Richard 5
Frederick 4
Harry 4
Albert 3
Arthur 3
Edward 3
Edwin 2
Francis 2
Mark 2
Robert 2
Samuel 2
Bernard 1
Daniel 1
Ernest 1
Jesse 1
Mowbray 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Nason surname: questions and answers

How common was the Nason surname in 1881?

In 1881, 280 people were recorded with the Nason surname. That placed it at #10,202 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Nason surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 437 in 2016. That gives Nason a modern rank of #11,045.

What does the Nason surname mean?

An English occupational surname for a stonecutter or one who dresses stone.

What does the Nason map show?

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