NameCensus.

UK surname

Peniston

An English locality surname derived from a place name referring to a town or settlement.

In the 1881 census there were 102 people recorded with the Peniston surname, ranking it #19,518 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 123, ranked #27,115, down from #19,518 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Masham, Mexborough and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Monmouthshire, North Dorset and Wakefield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Peniston is 181 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 20.6%.

1881 census count

102

Ranked #19,518

Modern count

123

2016, ranked #27,115

Peak year

1901

181 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Peniston had 102 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,518 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 123 in 2016, ranked #27,115.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 181 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Peniston surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Peniston surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Peniston 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 112 #15,913
1861 historical 105 #20,298
1881 historical 102 #19,518
1891 historical 162 #17,390
1901 historical 181 #16,107
1911 historical 164 #16,879
1997 modern 123 #23,792
1998 modern 127 #23,940
1999 modern 122 #24,745
2000 modern 116 #25,452
2001 modern 120 #24,615
2002 modern 127 #24,267
2003 modern 124 #24,378
2004 modern 122 #24,812
2005 modern 119 #25,193
2006 modern 119 #25,413
2007 modern 115 #26,348
2008 modern 118 #26,212
2009 modern 129 #25,314
2010 modern 132 #25,519
2011 modern 132 #25,303
2012 modern 133 #25,187
2013 modern 136 #25,252
2014 modern 132 #25,971
2015 modern 124 #26,944
2016 modern 123 #27,115

Geography

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Where Penistons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Masham, Mexborough, Manchester, Wickersley and Ecclesfield (Ecclesfield), Rotherham (Dalton), Conisborough. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Monmouthshire, North Dorset and Wakefield. 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 Masham Yorkshire, North Riding
2 Mexborough Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Wickersley Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Ecclesfield (Ecclesfield), Rotherham (Dalton), Conisborough Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Monmouthshire 008 Monmouthshire
2 North Dorset 007 North Dorset
3 North Dorset 006 North Dorset
4 Wakefield 005 Wakefield
5 North Dorset 005 North Dorset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Peniston

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Peniston

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Peniston surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Peniston household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Peniston 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

Peniston is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Peniston falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Peniston

The surname Peniston originates from England, with its roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "pening" and "tun," which together mean "the farmstead or village where rent was paid." This suggests that the name may have been associated with a particular settlement or area where taxes or rent were collected.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Peniston can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1189, where it appears as "Penintuna." This document, which recorded financial transactions and accounts for the English royal treasury, provides evidence of the name's existence during the late 12th century.

The surname Peniston has also been linked to various place names in England, such as Pennington, Penningthorpe, and Pennythorn, all of which share similar etymological roots. These place names further reinforce the connection between the surname and locations associated with rent or tax collection.

Notable individuals with the surname Peniston include:

1. Sir Thomas Peniston (1615-1679), an English politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1667. 2. William Peniston (1626-1686), an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire. 3. Sarah Peniston (1698-1786), an American landowner and early settler in Pennsylvania, known for her involvement in the establishment of the city of Philadelphia. 4. Michael Peniston (1836-1901), an American businessman and politician who served as the 21st Governor of Oregon from 1887 to 1889. 5. John Peniston (1897-1968), a British soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military honor in the British Empire, for his bravery during World War I.

While the surname Peniston has evolved over time and may have been influenced by various linguistic and cultural factors, its origins can be traced back to the early medieval period in England, where it was likely associated with particular locations and the collection of rents or taxes.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Peniston families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Peniston 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. Yorkshire leads with 55 Penistons recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.58x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 55 5.58x
Lincolnshire 12 7.54x
Essex 11 5.60x
Lancashire 8 0.68x
Cornwall 2 1.78x
Derbyshire 2 1.28x
Middlesex 2 0.20x
Staffordshire 2 0.60x
Wiltshire 2 2.27x
Durham 1 0.34x
Norfolk 1 0.65x
Rutland 1 13.70x
Somerset 1 0.62x
Surrey 1 0.21x
Worcestershire 1 0.77x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 12 Penistons recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.56x.

Place Total Index
Leeds 12 21.56x
Ecclesfield 10 138.31x
Middle Rasen 9 3000.00x
Woodford 9 405.41x
Mexborough 7 357.14x
Moston 6 508.47x
Hunslet 4 26.02x
Seacroft 4 851.06x
Handsworth 3 114.94x
Horton In Bradford 3 19.49x
Rotherham 3 53.96x
Harewood 2 833.33x
Salisbury The Close 2 909.09x
Spalding 2 63.29x
St Blazey 2 202.02x
Stone 2 46.62x
West Ham 2 4.61x
Ashill 1 454.55x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 3.88x
Barmbrough 1 277.78x
Barugh 1 120.48x
Bermondsey 1 3.38x
Brodsworth 1 833.33x
Chesterfield 1 17.12x
Fishlake 1 526.32x
Gateshead 1 4.51x
Great Malvern 1 36.90x
Paddington London 1 2.73x
Preston 1 1111.11x
Scarborough 1 11.16x
Sheffield 1 3.19x
St Marylebone London 1 1.88x
Taunton St Mary 1 34.01x
Tealby 1 454.55x
Tickhill 1 158.73x
Tideswell 1 147.06x
Walton On Hill 1 15.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 8
Joseph 5
William 5
Thomas 3
Alfred 2
Charles 2
George 2
Joel 2
Richard 2
Samuel 2
Alexander 1
Amelia 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Edward 1
Frances 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Geo.E. 1
Harry 1
Henry 1
James 1
Robt. 1
Sam 1
Sidney 1
Wilson 1

FAQ

Peniston surname: questions and answers

How common was the Peniston surname in 1881?

In 1881, 102 people were recorded with the Peniston surname. That placed it at #19,518 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Peniston surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 123 in 2016. That gives Peniston a modern rank of #27,115.

What does the Peniston surname mean?

An English locality surname derived from a place name referring to a town or settlement.

What does the Peniston map show?

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