NameCensus.

UK surname

Pattison

A patronymic surname derived from the given name Patrick, meaning "nobleman" or "patrician."

In the 1881 census there were 4,769 people recorded with the Pattison surname, ranking it #931 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6,222, ranked #1,084, down from #931 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Hambleton and Darlington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pattison is 6,435 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 30.5%.

1881 census count

4,769

Ranked #931

Modern count

6,222

2016, ranked #1,084

Peak year

1998

6,435 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pattison had 4,769 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #931 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 6,222 in 2016, ranked #1,084.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5,621 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Pattison surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pattison surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pattison 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 3,207 #900
1861 historical 3,022 #956
1881 historical 4,769 #931
1891 historical 4,869 #959
1901 historical 5,621 #989
1911 historical 5,413 #964
1997 modern 6,222 #1,057
1998 modern 6,435 #1,060
1999 modern 6,429 #1,070
2000 modern 6,404 #1,065
2001 modern 6,227 #1,074
2002 modern 6,289 #1,083
2003 modern 6,076 #1,093
2004 modern 6,113 #1,089
2005 modern 5,984 #1,095
2006 modern 5,983 #1,091
2007 modern 5,972 #1,105
2008 modern 6,062 #1,093
2009 modern 6,272 #1,082
2010 modern 6,408 #1,085
2011 modern 6,297 #1,090
2012 modern 6,127 #1,095
2013 modern 6,250 #1,095
2014 modern 6,290 #1,092
2015 modern 6,244 #1,087
2016 modern 6,222 #1,084

Geography

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Where Pattisons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes, Gateshead, Glasgow and Paisley Abbey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Hambleton and Darlington. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 London parishes London 3
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Paisley Abbey Renfrew

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 011 County Durham
2 Hambleton 003 Hambleton
3 Darlington 012 Darlington
4 County Durham 017 County Durham
5 County Durham 064 County Durham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pattison

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pattison

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Pattison surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Pattison household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Pattison 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

Pattison 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

Pattison 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 Pattison is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Pattison

The surname Pattison has its origins in England, with records dating back to the late 12th century. It is believed to be an occupational name derived from the Old French word "patin," meaning a clog or patten. This suggests that the name may have been given to a clog or patten maker.

In medieval times, the Pattison surname was predominantly found in the northern counties of England, particularly Yorkshire and Northumberland. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Northumberland from 1195, which mention a William Patynson.

The name has undergone various spelling variations over the centuries, such as Patinson, Pattinson, and Pattenson. These variations are likely due to the inconsistent spelling practices of the time and regional dialects.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are no direct references to the Pattison surname. However, the book does mention several place names that may have influenced the development of the surname, such as Patingham and Patton.

One notable historical figure with the surname Pattison was Sir Hugh Pattison (c. 1596–1658), an English politician who served as Lord Mayor of London from 1638 to 1639. Another prominent individual was John Pattison (1675–1727), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Bishop of Oxford from 1723 until his death.

In the 18th century, a famous bearer of the Pattison surname was James Pattison (1720–1789), a Scottish entrepreneur and philanthropist who made his fortune in the linen trade. He founded the village of Pattison's Town, now known as Murieston, near Edinburgh.

Moving into the 19th century, a notable figure was Dorothy Pattison (1832–1878), an English author and activist who wrote extensively on women's rights and education. She was also a founding member of the London Dialectical Society.

In the field of science, one cannot overlook the contributions of Andrew Pattison (1837–1907), a Scottish chemist and professor who made significant advancements in the study of organic chemistry and dye synthesis.

While these historical figures provide a glimpse into the rich heritage of the Pattison surname, it is important to note that the name has been carried by countless individuals throughout history, each with their own unique story and impact on their respective communities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pattison families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pattison 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. Durham leads with 1,273 Pattisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.20x.

County Total Index
Durham 1,273 9.20x
Yorkshire 990 2.15x
Northumberland 492 7.11x
Middlesex 251 0.54x
Renfrewshire 209 5.80x
Lancashire 205 0.37x
Lanarkshire 160 1.06x
Staffordshire 141 0.90x
Kent 123 0.78x
Surrey 116 0.51x
Midlothian 81 1.30x
Essex 79 0.86x
Cumberland 61 1.52x
Cheshire 48 0.47x
Fife 45 1.64x
Derbyshire 40 0.55x
Warwickshire 36 0.31x
Roxburghshire 33 3.92x
Ayrshire 30 0.86x
Angus 22 0.51x
Hampshire 22 0.23x
Lincolnshire 22 0.30x
Dunbartonshire 20 1.60x
Nottinghamshire 17 0.27x
Somerset 17 0.23x
Berwickshire 16 2.84x
Argyllshire 14 1.08x
Glamorgan 14 0.17x
Westmorland 14 1.37x
Worcestershire 13 0.21x
Sussex 12 0.15x
Leicestershire 11 0.21x
Shropshire 11 0.27x
Wigtownshire 10 1.62x
Caernarfonshire 9 0.48x
Stirlingshire 9 0.52x
Aberdeenshire 8 0.19x
Buckinghamshire 7 0.25x
Devon 7 0.07x
Morayshire 7 0.97x
Pembrokeshire 7 0.47x
Wiltshire 7 0.17x
Cornwall 6 0.11x
Hertfordshire 6 0.19x
Norfolk 6 0.08x
Dumfriesshire 5 0.49x
Gloucestershire 5 0.05x
Northamptonshire 4 0.09x
Selkirkshire 4 0.95x
Denbighshire 3 0.17x
Perthshire 3 0.14x
Royal Navy 3 0.54x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.07x
Monmouthshire 2 0.06x
Suffolk 2 0.04x
Bedfordshire 1 0.04x
Berkshire 1 0.03x
Buteshire 1 0.36x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.05x
Dorset 1 0.03x
Peeblesshire 1 0.46x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bishopwearmouth in Durham leads with 99 Pattisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.34x.

Place Total Index
Bishopwearmouth 99 8.34x
Middlesbrough 90 15.00x
Stockton On Tees 87 13.05x
Barony 81 2.13x
Gateshead 70 6.76x
Newcastle Under Lyme 62 22.33x
Elswick 59 10.69x
Leeds 54 2.08x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 52 8.68x
West Ham 48 2.37x
Paisley Middle Church 47 22.41x
Govan 42 1.13x
Darlington 41 7.68x
Abbey 40 7.28x
Newcastle On Tyne St 40 11.16x
Paisley High Church 39 13.60x
Lambeth 37 0.91x
Sunderland 35 14.33x
Westgate 33 7.70x
Monkwearmouth Shore 32 11.85x
Thirsk 32 60.21x
Whickham 32 25.14x
Bedlington 31 13.42x
Cowpen 31 19.46x
Barnsley 30 6.31x
Chester Le Street 30 28.25x
Holy Trinity 30 2.71x
Heworth 29 10.64x
Longbenton 29 9.90x
West Greenock 29 4.48x
Winlaton 29 21.86x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 28 1.12x
Stranton 28 6.01x
Westoe 28 3.57x
Willington 28 35.04x
Glasgow 27 1.01x
Berwick Upon Tweed 26 17.74x
Crook Billy Row 24 13.55x
Battersea 23 1.34x
Kensington London 22 0.85x
Elvet 21 21.03x
Northallerton 21 35.71x
Shoreditch London 21 1.04x
Stoke Upon Trent 21 1.26x
Handsworth 20 5.17x
Horton In Bradford 20 2.78x
Neilston 20 11.06x
St George In East 20 6.32x
West Auckland 20 39.54x
Milton In Gravesend 19 7.99x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 19 4.60x
Sheffield 19 1.30x
St Giles 19 22.01x
Toxteth Park 19 1.02x
Bradford 18 1.61x
Linthorpe 18 6.55x
Morley 18 7.51x
Benwell 17 22.48x
Byker 17 4.97x
Tudhoe 17 14.05x
Whitburn 17 52.73x
Whitby 17 10.95x
Leyburn 16 103.23x
Stanhope 16 11.20x
Aston 15 0.46x
Esh 15 14.90x
South Leith 15 2.14x
Byers Green 14 35.88x
Eston 14 13.95x
Newbottle 14 18.54x
Preston In Tynemouth 14 51.47x
St Giles In Fields 14 8.73x
Birmingham 13 0.33x
Distington 13 63.17x
Dunoon Kilmun 13 12.88x
Nether Hallam 13 2.09x
Ripon 13 12.16x
Ryhope 13 13.54x
Scoonie 13 21.81x
St Pancras London 13 0.35x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 336
Elizabeth 206
Sarah 131
Jane 127
Margaret 112
Ann 103
Isabella 63
Annie 59
Hannah 58
Eliza 49
Ellen 45
Emma 39
Alice 31
Martha 31
Emily 26
Frances 26
Ada 23
Catherine 22
Harriet 21
Anne 17
Charlotte 17
Fanny 16
Maria 16
Agnes 15
Florence 15
Edith 14
Susannah 14
Kate 13
Louisa 13
Clara 11
Dorothy 9
Eleanor 9
Minnie 9
Isabel 8
Elizth. 7
Esther 7
Francis 7
Lucy 7
Rachel 7
Amelia 6
Amy 6
Caroline 6
Eliz. 6
Harriett 6
Isabell 6
Laura 6
Maud 6
Rose 6
Susan 6
Matilda 5

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 306
William 278
Thomas 161
George 156
James 110
Robert 104
Joseph 94
Henry 59
Edward 47
Charles 35
Frederick 29
Ralph 29
Matthew 26
Walter 25
Alfred 22
Arthur 22
Richard 21
Albert 15
Alexander 15
David 14
Samuel 14
Wm. 13
Francis 12
Harry 12
Thos. 11
Andrew 9
Christopher 9
Herbert 9
Tom 9
Ernest 8
Frank 8
Isaac 8
Mark 8
Michael 8
Geo. 7
Robt. 7
Edwin 6
Fred 6
Jno. 6
Richd. 6
Jacob 5
Johnson 5
Sidney 5
Timothy 5
Ambrose 4
Archibald 4
Hugh 4
Mathew 4
Nicholas 4
Peter 4

FAQ

Pattison surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pattison surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4,769 people were recorded with the Pattison surname. That placed it at #931 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pattison surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 6,222 in 2016. That gives Pattison a modern rank of #1,084.

What does the Pattison surname mean?

A patronymic surname derived from the given name Patrick, meaning "nobleman" or "patrician."

What does the Pattison map show?

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