NameCensus.

UK surname

Pallett

An English surname deriving from the Old French "paillet" meaning straw mattress or pallet.

In the 1881 census there were 813 people recorded with the Pallett surname, ranking it #4,601 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,512, ranked #4,092, up from #4,601 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tamworth, London parishes and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester, North West Leicestershire and Hinckley and Bosworth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pallett is 1,647 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 86.0%.

1881 census count

813

Ranked #4,601

Modern count

1,512

2016, ranked #4,092

Peak year

1999

1,647 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pallett had 813 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,601 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,512 in 2016, ranked #4,092.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,456 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Pallett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pallett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pallett 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 463 #5,359
1861 historical 526 #4,984
1881 historical 813 #4,601
1891 historical 1,031 #4,045
1901 historical 1,272 #3,901
1911 historical 1,456 #3,315
1997 modern 1,586 #3,724
1998 modern 1,624 #3,785
1999 modern 1,647 #3,769
2000 modern 1,640 #3,760
2001 modern 1,608 #3,759
2002 modern 1,610 #3,828
2003 modern 1,577 #3,822
2004 modern 1,581 #3,817
2005 modern 1,531 #3,885
2006 modern 1,519 #3,922
2007 modern 1,523 #3,941
2008 modern 1,498 #4,037
2009 modern 1,541 #4,019
2010 modern 1,566 #4,036
2011 modern 1,563 #4,001
2012 modern 1,525 #4,016
2013 modern 1,539 #4,057
2014 modern 1,549 #4,053
2015 modern 1,522 #4,083
2016 modern 1,512 #4,092

Geography

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Where Palletts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tamworth, London parishes, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars and Tottenham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leicester, North West Leicestershire and Hinckley and Bosworth. 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 Tamworth Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire
4 Tottenham Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leicester 003 Leicester
2 North West Leicestershire 013 North West Leicestershire
3 North West Leicestershire 010 North West Leicestershire
4 Hinckley and Bosworth 004 Hinckley and Bosworth
5 Hinckley and Bosworth 011 Hinckley and Bosworth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pallett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pallett

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

Professional Periphery

Within London, Pallett is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Pallett is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pallett 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 Pallett 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 Pallett, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Pallett

The surname Pallett is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "palet," which means a small, flat stone or a wooden disk used in a game similar to modern-day quoits or horseshoes. The name likely referred to someone who either played this game or lived near a place where it was played.

The earliest known record of the name Pallett dates back to the 13th century in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, where it was spelled as "Pallet." This spelling variation suggests that the name was initially an occupational surname given to someone associated with the game of palet or palet-making.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, where it was recorded as "Palet." This further reinforces the connection between the surname and the game of palet, which was popular among commoners during that era.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Pallett was John Pallet, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1273. Another notable bearer of this name was William Pallet, a landowner from Oxfordshire who was mentioned in the Feet of Fines records in 1384.

During the 16th century, the surname Pallett began to appear in various parish records across England. In 1544, a record from the Parish Registers of St. Michael's in Coventry mentioned a marriage between John Pallett and Margaret Smyth. Similarly, in 1592, the Parish Registers of St. Mary's in Nottingham recorded the baptism of Elizabeth Pallett, daughter of William Pallett.

In the 17th century, the surname Pallett continued to be found in various parts of England. One notable individual was John Pallett, a prominent merchant from Bristol who was born in 1632 and became a member of the Society of Merchant Venturers.

Another notable bearer of the surname Pallett was Richard Pallett, a Puritan minister who was born in Lincolnshire in 1638. He served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Barton-upon-Humber and was known for his religious writings.

As the surname Pallett spread across England, it also began to appear in other parts of the British Isles. In the late 18th century, records show the presence of Palletts in Scotland, with individuals such as James Pallett, a merchant from Edinburgh, born in 1768.

Throughout its history, the surname Pallett has been associated with various occupations and professions, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of its bearers. From merchants and landowners to clergymen and tradesmen, the name has been carried by individuals from various walks of life.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pallett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pallett 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. Leicestershire leads with 121 Palletts recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.00x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 121 14.00x
Middlesex 120 1.54x
Warwickshire 84 4.27x
Staffordshire 78 2.96x
Hertfordshire 58 10.80x
Surrey 58 1.53x
Essex 55 3.57x
Buckinghamshire 48 10.19x
Yorkshire 44 0.57x
Devon 23 1.42x
Nottinghamshire 19 1.81x
Lancashire 16 0.17x
Sussex 12 0.91x
Worcestershire 11 1.08x
Kent 8 0.30x
Northumberland 8 0.69x
Bedfordshire 6 1.49x
Northamptonshire 6 0.82x
Oxfordshire 6 1.25x
Derbyshire 5 0.41x
Hampshire 3 0.19x
Lanarkshire 2 0.08x
Royal Navy 2 2.15x
Suffolk 2 0.21x
Cornwall 1 0.11x
Norfolk 1 0.08x
Shropshire 1 0.15x
Somerset 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 30 Palletts recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.54x.

Place Total Index
Aston 30 5.54x
Tottenham 30 24.17x
Lambeth 29 4.27x
Leicester St Margaret 27 12.81x
Stoke Goldington 23 1064.81x
Nuneaton 20 87.83x
Fazeley 18 376.57x
Loughborough 17 43.36x
Newington 17 5.90x
Sheffield 16 6.51x
Takeley 16 727.27x
Islington London 15 1.99x
Leicester St Mary 14 20.05x
Stoke Damerel 13 11.45x
Cadeby 12 2926.83x
Birmingham 11 1.68x
Coventry St Michael 11 17.42x
Hertford St Andrew 11 165.66x
Nether Hallam 11 10.53x
St Pancras London 11 1.75x
Tamworth 11 78.18x
Aston 10 657.89x
Doncaster 10 17.72x
Hanslope 10 236.41x
Market Bosworth 10 320.51x
Handsworth 9 13.88x
Nottingham St Mary 9 3.31x
Enfield 8 15.64x
North Kilworth 8 666.67x
Waltham Holy Cross 8 55.63x
Bromley London 7 4.08x
Clifton Campville 7 339.81x
Harborne 7 8.30x
Herstmonceaux 7 177.22x
Northfield 7 36.25x
Sheepshed 7 59.12x
St Marylebone London 7 1.68x
Widdington 7 693.07x
Arnold 6 39.11x
Buckland 6 259.74x
Hatfield 6 55.10x
North Mimms 6 177.51x
Sculcoates 6 4.90x
St George In East 6 11.32x
Wigan 6 4.64x
Barking 5 11.11x
Bicester Market End 5 56.56x
Debden 5 229.36x
Edmonton 5 7.96x
Gilmorton 5 290.70x
Newcastle On Tyne St 5 8.32x
Newport Pagnell 5 50.76x
Plymouth St Andrew 5 4.00x
Salford 5 1.84x
Wednesbury 5 7.60x
Willesden 5 6.81x
Battersea 4 1.39x
Bayford 4 547.95x
Burslem 4 5.31x
Cholesbury 4 1538.46x
Dudley 4 3.23x
Essendon 4 246.91x
Fillongley 4 142.86x
Horninglow 4 32.28x
Knighton 4 82.14x
Packington 4 129.87x
Putney 4 11.26x
Radford 4 7.49x
Shoreditch London 4 1.18x
Stevenage 4 48.02x
Upper Gravenhurst 4 421.05x
Wigginton 4 179.37x
Bothal Demesne 3 54.05x
Chelsea London 3 1.28x
Duffield 3 31.19x
Exeter St Leonard 3 67.57x
Leicester All Sts 3 17.68x
Ore 3 30.67x
Radwinter 3 133.33x
Stapleford 3 566.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 69
George 43
John 39
Thomas 32
James 26
Charles 18
Henry 18
Joseph 15
Alfred 10
Arthur 10
Edward 9
Robert 9
Frederick 7
Albert 6
Walter 6
Edwin 5
Ernest 4
Frank 4
Richard 4
Harry 3
Peter 3
Samuel 3
Wm. 3
Andrew 2
Benjamin 2
Chas. 2
Christopher 2
Daniel 2
Edmund 2
Eli 2
Fred 2
Jehoiada 2
Willm. 2
Benj. 1
Chas.J. 1
F. 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Harvy 1
Josh. 1
Josiah 1
Leonard 1
Llewellyn 1
Louis 1
Reginald 1
Richd.W. 1
Sam 1

FAQ

Pallett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pallett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 813 people were recorded with the Pallett surname. That placed it at #4,601 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pallett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,512 in 2016. That gives Pallett a modern rank of #4,092.

What does the Pallett surname mean?

An English surname deriving from the Old French "paillet" meaning straw mattress or pallet.

What does the Pallett map show?

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