UK surname
A locational surname denoting someone from a place named Paulton.
In the 1881 census there were 120 people recorded with the Paulton surname, ranking it #17,756 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 63, ranked #34,163, down from #17,756 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Walthamstow, Low Leyton and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Paulton is 239 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 47.5%.
1881 census count
120
Ranked #17,756
Modern count
63
2016, ranked #34,163
Peak year
1861
239 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Paulton surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Paulton surname density by area, 1881 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 | 156 | #12,552 |
| 1861 | historical | 239 | #10,273 |
| 1881 | historical | 120 | #17,756 |
| 1891 | historical | 231 | #13,472 |
| 1901 | historical | 144 | #18,505 |
| 1911 | historical | 175 | #16,246 |
| 1997 | modern | 74 | #30,218 |
| 1998 | modern | 76 | #30,386 |
| 1999 | modern | 78 | #30,327 |
| 2000 | modern | 74 | #30,785 |
| 2001 | modern | 71 | #30,907 |
| 2002 | modern | 65 | #31,903 |
| 2003 | modern | 68 | #31,689 |
| 2004 | modern | 67 | #31,976 |
| 2005 | modern | 63 | #32,602 |
| 2006 | modern | 64 | #32,839 |
| 2007 | modern | 61 | #33,440 |
| 2008 | modern | 61 | #33,655 |
| 2009 | modern | 62 | #33,832 |
| 2010 | modern | 65 | #33,863 |
| 2011 | modern | 62 | #34,045 |
| 2012 | modern | 59 | #34,352 |
| 2013 | modern | 63 | #34,193 |
| 2014 | modern | 64 | #34,141 |
| 2015 | modern | 63 | #34,178 |
| 2016 | modern | 63 | #34,163 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Walthamstow, Low Leyton, London parishes, Wednesbury and St Marylebone. 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 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Walthamstow, Low Leyton | Essex |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Wednesbury | Staffordshire |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Paulton 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 Paulton, 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 Paulton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Paulton 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, Paulton 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 Paulton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Paulton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Paulton is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational name, derived from the place name Paulton, which refers to several villages and locations across England, particularly in Somerset and Hampshire.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Paulton can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which mentions a landowner named Radulfus de Paveltone, who held lands in Wiltshire. This entry suggests that the name was already established in the late 11th century.
The name Paulton is likely derived from the Old English words "pāwel" and "tūn," meaning "pool" and "farm" or "settlement" respectively. This etymology suggests that the name originally referred to a settlement or town located near a pool or body of water.
During the 13th century, various spellings of the name appeared in historical records, including Paulton, Poulton, and Pawelton. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was William de Paulton, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset in 1234.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Paulton. One example is Sir John Paulton (c. 1460-1520), who served as a Member of Parliament for Somerset during the reigns of Henry VII and Henry VIII. Another notable figure was Richard Paulton (1572-1638), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of Wythall in Worcestershire.
In the 17th century, the name Paulton appeared in connection with place names in Somerset, such as Paulton Moor and Paulton Hill. This further reinforces the locational origin of the surname.
Other individuals of note include Thomas Paulton (1719-1798), an English lawyer and author from Gloucestershire, and John Paulton (1768-1843), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars.
Throughout the centuries, the Paulton surname has been associated with various notable families and individuals, reflecting its long-standing presence in England and its roots in the medieval period.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Paulton 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. Middlesex leads with 27 Paultons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.31x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 27 | 2.31x |
| Staffordshire | 27 | 6.83x |
| Surrey | 12 | 2.10x |
| Lancashire | 11 | 0.79x |
| Hampshire | 8 | 3.34x |
| Essex | 7 | 3.03x |
| Gloucestershire | 7 | 3.05x |
| Warwickshire | 6 | 2.03x |
| Glamorgan | 5 | 2.45x |
| Lanarkshire | 4 | 1.06x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 1.27x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.17x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.41x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 0.70x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wolverhampton in Staffordshire leads with 19 Paultons recorded in 1881 and an index of 62.56x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton | 19 | 62.56x |
| St Marylebone London | 9 | 14.40x |
| Gloucester Longford St | 6 | 1935.48x |
| Salford | 6 | 14.69x |
| Walthamstow | 6 | 72.20x |
| Wednesfield | 5 | 86.06x |
| Camberwell | 4 | 5.35x |
| Chelsea London | 4 | 11.34x |
| Govan | 4 | 4.27x |
| Llandaff | 4 | 59.00x |
| Lyndhurst | 4 | 606.06x |
| Southampton St Mary | 4 | 26.53x |
| West Derby | 4 | 9.84x |
| Wimbledon | 4 | 62.50x |
| Aston | 3 | 3.69x |
| Islington London | 3 | 2.64x |
| Birmingham | 2 | 2.03x |
| Cotton | 2 | 769.23x |
| Keighley | 2 | 16.18x |
| Kirkby In Ashfield | 2 | 118.34x |
| Paddington London | 2 | 4.65x |
| Send Ripley | 2 | 270.27x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 2.12x |
| Battersea | 1 | 2.32x |
| Chiswick | 1 | 15.65x |
| Darlaston | 1 | 18.32x |
| Edgbaston | 1 | 10.93x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 5.49x |
| Hornsey | 1 | 6.76x |
| Ipswich St Clement | 1 | 27.62x |
| Newington | 1 | 2.31x |
| Preston | 1 | 2.69x |
| Ramsey | 1 | 333.33x |
| Ratcliffe London | 1 | 15.48x |
| Shoreditch London | 1 | 1.97x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 6.54x |
| Tormoham | 1 | 9.70x |
| Westbury On Trym | 1 | 12.85x |
| Westminster St James | 1 | 8.31x |
| Whitchurch | 1 | 90.91x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Paulton surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 10 |
| Agnes | 3 |
| Alice | 3 |
| Annie | 3 |
| Elizabeth | 3 |
| Ellen | 3 |
| Emily | 3 |
| Martha | 3 |
| Ada | 2 |
| Caroline | 2 |
| Catherine | 2 |
| Edith | 2 |
| Eliza | 2 |
| Elizth. | 2 |
| Frances | 2 |
| Jane | 2 |
| Susan | 2 |
| Amelia | 1 |
| Ann | 1 |
| Carlin | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Ethel | 1 |
| Flora | 1 |
| Harriet | 1 |
| Harriett | 1 |
| Kate | 1 |
| Matilda | 1 |
| Minnie | 1 |
| Rosina | 1 |
| Ruth | 1 |
| Sophia | 1 |
| Victoria | 1 |
| Winifred | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Paulton 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 Paulton households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 17 |
| Costermonger | 3 |
| Domestic Servant | 3 |
| General Servant | 3 |
| Servant | 3 |
| Carter | 2 |
| Farmers Daur | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Barmaid | 1 |
| Barman (Inn) (Serv) | 1 |
| Barristers Clerk | 1 |
| Brass Finisher | 1 |
| Brewers Clerk | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Cellarman | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Coach Builder | 1 |
| Coachman | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Cook O S | 1 |
| Cotton Rover | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Farm Servant Indoor | 1 |
| Farmer Wife | 1 |
| Farmer of 25 Acres | 1 |
| Farmers Son | 1 |
| Gen Serv Dom | 1 |
| Iron Brazier | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Lamplighter Murrie | 1 |
| Land Holder | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Law Student | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| Musician | 1 |
| Needlewoman | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Police Constable | 1 |
| Printer Employing 4 Men 4 Boys & 1 Girl | 1 |
| Printer's Apprentice | 1 |
| Pupil Teacher | 1 |
| Seamstress | 1 |
| Student | 1 |
| Telegraph C. S. | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 120 people were recorded with the Paulton surname. That placed it at #17,756 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 63 in 2016. That gives Paulton a modern rank of #34,163.
A locational surname denoting someone from a place named Paulton.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Paulton 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.