UK surname
English surname referring to someone from the village of Pott.
In the 1881 census there were 14 people recorded with the Patts surname, ranking it #31,604 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #31,604 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Glossop, Bellingham, Wark, Thorneyburn (West Tarset) and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Patts is 132 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 78.6%.
1881 census count
14
Ranked #31,604
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1891
132 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Patts surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Patts surname density by area, 1901 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 122 | #14,966 |
| 1861 | historical | 60 | #26,313 |
| 1881 | historical | 14 | #31,604 |
| 1891 | historical | 132 | #19,976 |
| 1901 | historical | 121 | #20,444 |
| 1911 | historical | 98 | #22,959 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 1 | #38,949 |
| 2009 | modern | 1 | #38,998 |
| 2010 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2011 | modern | 1 | #39,015 |
| 2013 | modern | 2 | #38,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 2 | #38,791 |
| 2015 | modern | 2 | #38,793 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Glossop, Bellingham, Wark, Thorneyburn (West Tarset), London parishes, Auckland St Andrew and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glossop | Derbyshire |
| 2 | Bellingham, Wark, Thorneyburn (West Tarset) | Northumberland |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Auckland St Andrew | Durham |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Patts surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Patts, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Patts surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Patts household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Patts is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Patts is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Patts, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Patts originated in England during the late medieval period, likely derived from the Old English personal name Pætta, a diminutive form of the name Patrick. The name was initially found in various parts of southern England, including Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Somerset.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Patts can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, where a William Patte is mentioned. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, there are records of a John Patte residing in Wiltshire. The Patts name also appears in the Somerset Assize Rolls from the late 13th century.
During the Middle Ages, the surname Patts was often spelled in various ways, such as Patte, Pate, and Pott, reflecting the local dialects and scribal variations of the time. Some alternative spellings like Potts and Potters may have been derived from occupational names for potters or makers of pots.
Historically, the Patts surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One such example is John Patts (c. 1490 - 1554), an English Protestant reformer and martyr who was burned at the stake during the reign of Queen Mary I for his religious beliefs.
Another prominent figure was Sir William Patts (1529 - 1593), a Member of Parliament and landowner from Gloucestershire, who served as Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1569.
In the 17th century, Samuel Patts (1623 - 1696) was a prominent English Puritan clergyman and author, known for his work "The Christian's Duty and Dignity" published in 1675.
Later, John Patts (1760 - 1835) was an English architect and surveyor who worked on several notable buildings in London, including the Admiralty Screen and portions of Carlton House.
Finally, Emily Patts (1855 - 1920) was a British philanthropist and social reformer, known for her work in establishing educational opportunities for women and advocating for women's rights in the early 20th century.
While the Patts surname has its roots in medieval England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities, carrying with it a rich history and cultural significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Patts surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Durham leads with 7 Patts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.25x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 7 | 17.25x |
| Norfolk | 4 | 19.07x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 10.94x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.73x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Coxhoe in Durham leads with 7 Patts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5833.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Coxhoe | 7 | 5833.33x |
| Norwich St Benedict | 4 | 4444.44x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 2 | 27.21x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 9.11x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Patts surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Patts surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Patts households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Tailoress | 2 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| Machinist (Boot) | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 14 people were recorded with the Patts surname. That placed it at #31,604 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Patts a modern rank of #38,594.
English surname referring to someone from the village of Pott.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Patts bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.