NameCensus.

UK surname

Nisbett

An English surname derived from a nickname meaning "sharp-witted" or "clever".

In the 1881 census there were 298 people recorded with the Nisbett surname, ranking it #9,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 433, ranked #11,120, down from #9,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverley, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Chelmsford, Harlow and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nisbett is 461 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 45.3%.

1881 census count

298

Ranked #9,765

Modern count

433

2016, ranked #11,120

Peak year

1999

461 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Nisbett had 298 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 433 in 2016, ranked #11,120.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 404 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Nisbett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nisbett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nisbett 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 336 #6,970
1861 historical 273 #9,134
1881 historical 298 #9,765
1891 historical 378 #9,277
1901 historical 404 #9,426
1911 historical 276 #12,099
1997 modern 439 #10,264
1998 modern 450 #10,409
1999 modern 461 #10,272
2000 modern 433 #10,750
2001 modern 421 #10,789
2002 modern 426 #10,918
2003 modern 437 #10,539
2004 modern 427 #10,749
2005 modern 429 #10,597
2006 modern 431 #10,600
2007 modern 430 #10,729
2008 modern 431 #10,814
2009 modern 429 #11,094
2010 modern 431 #11,285
2011 modern 452 #10,748
2012 modern 436 #10,940
2013 modern 445 #10,928
2014 modern 442 #11,057
2015 modern 439 #11,035
2016 modern 433 #11,120

Geography

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Where Nisbetts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverley, London parishes, St Pancras, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Chelmsford, Harlow, Birmingham, Bolton and Leeds. 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 Wolverley Worcestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Govan Combination Lanark
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Chelmsford 021 Chelmsford
2 Harlow 001 Harlow
3 Birmingham 134 Birmingham
4 Bolton 020 Bolton
5 Leeds 044 Leeds

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nisbett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Nisbett

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Nisbett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Nisbett 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Nisbett is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Nisbett 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

Nisbett 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 Nisbett is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Nisbett

The surname Nisbett is of English origin, first appearing in the 13th century. It is a locational name derived from the Old English words "nese" meaning "nose" and "bat" meaning "promontory" or "headland". This suggests the name likely originated from a place located on a prominent nose-shaped headland.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1275, which mentions a William de Nesobat. The name also appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1301 as Nicholaus de Nesbyt.

In the 14th century, the name was commonly spelled as Nesbit, Nesbitt, or Nisbett. During this time, it was particularly prevalent in the northern counties of England, such as Yorkshire, Northumberland, and Durham.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John Nisbett, who was born around 1360 in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland. He was a merchant and landowner who held properties in the nearby village of Dissington.

Another notable figure was Sir Philip Nisbett, who lived in the late 15th century and served as the Sheriff of Northumberland in 1492. He was also a member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London.

In the 16th century, the name spread to other parts of England, including London and the surrounding counties. One prominent individual from this period was Sir John Nisbett (1534-1612), who was a wealthy merchant and served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1604.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, several members of the Nisbett family fought on the Royalist side, including Captain Thomas Nisbett (1600-1676) and his son, Major William Nisbett (1628-1685), who were both killed in battle defending the city of Oxford.

In the 18th century, the name continued to be found throughout England, with notable bearers such as Admiral John Nisbett (1715-1785), who served in the Royal Navy and fought in the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Nisbett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nisbett 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 72 Nisbetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.51x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 72 2.51x
Surrey 32 2.29x
Midlothian 24 6.25x
Lanarkshire 23 2.48x
Worcestershire 19 5.07x
Hampshire 18 3.06x
East Lothian 13 34.22x
Kent 9 0.92x
Lancashire 8 0.24x
Yorkshire 8 0.28x
Ayrshire 7 3.26x
Essex 6 1.06x
Northumberland 6 1.41x
Berwickshire 5 14.40x
Durham 5 0.59x
Lincolnshire 5 1.09x
Nottinghamshire 5 1.29x
Somerset 4 0.87x
Berkshire 3 1.39x
Argyllshire 2 2.51x
Devon 2 0.34x
Dorset 2 1.06x
Fife 2 1.18x
Oxfordshire 2 1.13x
Suffolk 2 0.57x
Sussex 2 0.41x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.38x
Buteshire 1 5.75x
Cumberland 1 0.41x
Dunbartonshire 1 1.30x
Glamorgan 1 0.20x
Hertfordshire 1 0.51x
Staffordshire 1 0.10x
Stirlingshire 1 0.95x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wolverley in Worcestershire leads with 19 Nisbetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 577.51x.

Place Total Index
Wolverley 19 577.51x
Islington London 16 5.76x
Dunbar 13 243.90x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 12 7.76x
Camberwell 11 6.00x
Southwark St John 11 125.43x
Clerkenwell London 9 13.29x
Edinburgh St Stephens 8 105.82x
Mile End Old Town 8 17.67x
Govan 7 3.05x
Leeds 7 4.36x
Millbrook 7 47.27x
Brading 6 76.82x
Glasgow 6 3.64x
Ardrossan 5 67.29x
Coldstream 5 199.20x
Hammersmith London 5 7.08x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 5 13.53x
Kensington London 5 3.14x
Old Monkland 5 13.58x
St Pancras London 5 2.17x
Westminster St John 5 14.31x
Newington 4 3.78x
Portsea 4 3.47x
Wrangle 4 350.88x
Broughton In Salford 3 9.64x
Bulwell 3 35.71x
Canterbury St Margaret 3 566.04x
Colchester St Giles 3 53.67x
Mistley 3 197.37x
Newbury 3 43.48x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 3 11.77x
Paddington London 3 2.85x
Shoreditch London 3 2.41x
St Marylebone London 3 1.96x
Walton In Gordano 3 612.24x
West Derby 3 3.01x
Westgate 3 11.35x
Banbury 2 56.34x
Barony 2 0.85x
Burntisland 2 42.11x
Canterbury St Dunstan 2 118.34x
Dalserf 2 21.60x
Kilmore Kilbride 2 39.45x
Mile End New Town 2 51.02x
Papplewick 2 625.00x
Poplar London 2 3.69x
Preston 2 23.70x
Sherborne 2 36.10x
Southwark Christchurch 2 14.88x
Ayr 1 9.87x
Bath St Peter St Paul 1 49.02x
Battersea 1 0.95x
Beccles 1 17.79x
Canterbury St Alphage 1 95.24x
Carluke 1 11.88x
Caterham 1 16.18x
Colinton 1 23.36x
Edinburgh St Andrews 1 31.55x
Gravesend 1 12.08x
Great Barton 1 123.46x
Inveresk 1 9.62x
Kinver 1 35.84x
Kirkintilloch 1 9.55x
Loudoun 1 19.38x
Margate St John Baptist 1 5.58x
Normanby In 1 13.16x
North Leith 1 5.62x
Rothesay 1 11.88x
Southampton All Sts 1 9.91x
St George Bloomsbury 1 6.08x
St George Hanover 1 2.67x
St Giles In Fields 1 10.11x
St Martin In Fields 1 5.82x
St Ninians 1 9.54x
Underskiddaw 1 188.68x
Wainfleet St Mary 1 144.93x
West Alvington 1 119.05x
Woking 1 11.88x
Ystradyfodwg 1 2.28x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 11
Thomas 10
James 8
George 6
William 5
Robert 4
Alfred 3
Charles 3
Frederick 3
Henry 3
Norman 3
Albert 2
Archibald 2
Edward 2
Joseph 2
Ralph 2
Wm. 2
Agustus 1
Alick 1
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
Chas.G.U. 1
Colston 1
Donald 1
Edgar 1
Frank 1
G.B. 1
Jno 1
Major 1
Nathan 1
Richd. 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Nisbett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Nisbett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 298 people were recorded with the Nisbett surname. That placed it at #9,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Nisbett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 433 in 2016. That gives Nisbett a modern rank of #11,120.

What does the Nisbett surname mean?

An English surname derived from a nickname meaning "sharp-witted" or "clever".

What does the Nisbett map show?

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