NameCensus.

UK surname

Paston

A locational surname derived from the village of Paston in Norfolk, England.

In the 1881 census there were 182 people recorded with the Paston surname, ranking it #13,647 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 119, ranked #27,704, down from #13,647 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St George Tombland, St Peter Mountergate, St John Timberhill, All Saints, St Michael at Thorn, St Ju, St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a and St Mary Islington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Norwich, Bedford and South Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Paston is 251 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 34.6%.

1881 census count

182

Ranked #13,647

Modern count

119

2016, ranked #27,704

Peak year

1911

251 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Paston had 182 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,647 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016, ranked #27,704.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 251 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Paston surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Paston surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Paston 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 142 #13,428
1861 historical 215 #11,316
1881 historical 182 #13,647
1891 historical 228 #13,582
1901 historical 201 #15,059
1911 historical 251 #12,870
1997 modern 124 #23,669
1998 modern 133 #23,308
1999 modern 129 #23,907
2000 modern 134 #23,358
2001 modern 132 #23,230
2002 modern 133 #23,585
2003 modern 123 #24,497
2004 modern 113 #25,999
2005 modern 113 #25,974
2006 modern 123 #24,873
2007 modern 121 #25,469
2008 modern 126 #25,131
2009 modern 137 #24,371
2010 modern 132 #25,519
2011 modern 126 #26,060
2012 modern 133 #25,187
2013 modern 125 #26,695
2014 modern 128 #26,490
2015 modern 127 #26,494
2016 modern 119 #27,704

Geography

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Where Pastons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St George Tombland, St Peter Mountergate, St John Timberhill, All Saints, St Michael at Thorn, St Ju, St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a, St Mary Islington, Sheffield and Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Norwich, Bedford, South Norfolk and Swale. 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 St George Tombland, St Peter Mountergate, St John Timberhill, All Saints, St Michael at Thorn, St Ju Norfolk
2 St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a Norfolk
3 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Norwich 006 Norwich
2 Bedford 002 Bedford
3 Norwich 013 Norwich
4 South Norfolk 001 South Norfolk
5 Swale 005 Swale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Paston

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Paston

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Paston surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Paston household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Paston is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Paston 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

Paston falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Paston

The surname "PASTON" originated from the village of Paston, located in Norfolk, England. This name dates back to the medieval period, particularly the 13th and 14th centuries.

The village of Paston is believed to have derived its name from the Old English words "pæst" and "tun," which together translate to "farmstead or village where pease or peas were grown." This suggests that the area was known for its cultivation of peas or other legumes.

One of the earliest known references to the surname "PASTON" can be found in the famous Paston Letters, a collection of correspondences written by members of the Paston family between the years 1422 and 1509. These letters provide valuable insights into the lives of the gentry class during the late medieval period in England.

The Paston Letters mention several notable members of the Paston family, including William Paston (c. 1378-1444), a lawyer and landowner, and his son John Paston (1421-1466), who played a significant role in the family's affairs and legal disputes.

Another prominent figure with the surname "PASTON" was Sir Robert Paston (c. 1495-1547), who served as a Member of Parliament and held various positions under King Henry VIII. He was also involved in the dissolution of monasteries during the English Reformation.

In the 16th century, the Paston family gained further prominence through Sir William Paston (c. 1528-1610), who became a Member of Parliament and held the position of High Sheriff of Norfolk. He is known for his involvement in the persecution of Catholics during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

The Paston surname can also be found in historical records from the 17th century, such as the marriage of Robert Paston (1631-1679) to Rebecca Lestrange in 1655. Robert Paston was a member of the Paston family from Norfolk and served as a Member of Parliament.

Throughout history, the "PASTON" surname has been associated with various spellings, including Paston, Pasting, and Pasting. While the name originated in Norfolk, it eventually spread to other parts of England and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Paston families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Paston 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. Norfolk leads with 109 Pastons recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.38x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 109 40.38x
Middlesex 16 0.91x
Staffordshire 9 1.52x
Lancashire 8 0.38x
Yorkshire 6 0.34x
Surrey 5 0.58x
Warwickshire 5 1.13x
Midlothian 4 1.70x
Northumberland 4 1.53x
Durham 3 0.57x
Lincolnshire 2 0.71x
Shropshire 2 1.32x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.94x
Derbyshire 1 0.36x
Kent 1 0.17x
Northamptonshire 1 0.61x
Perthshire 1 1.27x
Suffolk 1 0.47x
West Lothian 1 3.78x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Heigham in Norfolk leads with 29 Pastons recorded in 1881 and an index of 200.14x.

Place Total Index
Heigham 29 200.14x
Great Yarmouth 16 71.56x
Islington London 9 5.29x
Norwich St James 9 424.53x
Burslem 8 47.11x
Norwich St Paul 8 493.83x
Norwich St Stephen 8 322.58x
Aylsham 6 372.67x
Norwich St Martin At 6 1304.35x
Norwich St Mary At Coslany 6 779.22x
Crumpsall 5 101.83x
Bermondsey 4 7.65x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 4 4.23x
Norwich St Benedict 4 333.33x
St Pancras London 4 2.83x
Tynemouth 4 28.59x
Whitwood 4 161.94x
Norwich St George Tombland 3 638.30x
Trowse Cum Newton 3 447.76x
West Derby 3 4.92x
Brightside Bierlow 2 5.86x
Coventry St Michael 2 14.06x
Lakenham 2 52.08x
Norwich St Augustine 2 183.49x
Norwich St Clement 2 63.90x
Norwich St Helen 2 588.24x
Stranton 2 11.38x
Wistanstow 2 408.16x
Ashtead 1 178.57x
Aylesbury 1 21.28x
Birmingham 1 0.68x
Eckington 1 14.97x
Gresham 1 434.78x
Hammersmith London 1 2.31x
Harmston 1 476.19x
Hingham 1 107.53x
Kirkliston 1 64.94x
Logie 1 35.34x
Milton In Gravesend 1 11.14x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 1 57.14x
Rugby 1 16.69x
St Bride London 1 98.04x
St Marylebone London 1 1.07x
St Swithin Lincoln 1 22.68x
Stockton On Tees 1 3.97x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 1.59x
Stonham Earl 1 263.16x
Sutton Coldfield 1 21.51x
Warkworth 1 67.11x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 7
Sarah 6
Charlotte 5
Elizabeth 5
Martha 5
Eleanor 4
Alice 3
Ann 3
Eliza 3
Emma 3
Ada 2
Agnes 2
Annie 2
Bridget 2
Caroline 2
Ellen 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Jane 2
Laura 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Selina 2
Aabina 1
Abigail 1
Adelaide 1
Edith 1
Emily 1
Eugenie 1
Evengaline 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Gertrude 1
Marian 1
Maud 1
May 1
Minnie 1
Nora 1
Patience 1
Pheobe 1
Rose 1
Rosina 1
Susanna 1
Susannah 1
Sussana 1
Victoria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 17
Thomas 9
James 8
Robert 6
Henry 4
John 4
Albert 3
Arthur 3
Benjamin 3
Charles 3
Frederick 2
George 2
Philip 2
Robt. 2
Alfred 1
Benjn. 1
Egbert 1
Frederic 1
Isaac 1
Joseph 1
Joshua 1
Richard 1
Samuel 1
Walter 1
Wm.S. 1

FAQ

Paston surname: questions and answers

How common was the Paston surname in 1881?

In 1881, 182 people were recorded with the Paston surname. That placed it at #13,647 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Paston surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016. That gives Paston a modern rank of #27,704.

What does the Paston surname mean?

A locational surname derived from the village of Paston in Norfolk, England.

What does the Paston map show?

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