NameCensus.

UK surname

Peto

A surname derived from the Latin term "peto" meaning to demand or request.

In the 1881 census there were 266 people recorded with the Peto surname, ranking it #10,589 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 418, ranked #11,472, down from #10,589 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Godalming, Burton-on-Trent and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tonbridge and Malling, Bromley and Canterbury.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Peto is 471 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 57.1%.

1881 census count

266

Ranked #10,589

Modern count

418

2016, ranked #11,472

Peak year

2000

471 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Peto had 266 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,589 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 418 in 2016, ranked #11,472.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 413 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Peto surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Peto surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Peto 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 120 #15,144
1861 historical 107 #20,008
1881 historical 266 #10,589
1891 historical 282 #11,597
1901 historical 413 #9,266
1911 historical 342 #10,445
1997 modern 423 #10,550
1998 modern 459 #10,250
1999 modern 450 #10,451
2000 modern 471 #10,073
2001 modern 457 #10,113
2002 modern 449 #10,465
2003 modern 425 #10,765
2004 modern 430 #10,697
2005 modern 412 #10,942
2006 modern 412 #10,976
2007 modern 422 #10,904
2008 modern 422 #10,992
2009 modern 440 #10,888
2010 modern 443 #11,046
2011 modern 433 #11,116
2012 modern 405 #11,627
2013 modern 422 #11,436
2014 modern 412 #11,743
2015 modern 412 #11,642
2016 modern 418 #11,472

Geography

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Where Petos are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Godalming, Burton-on-Trent, London parishes and Enfield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tonbridge and Malling, Bromley, Canterbury and Suffolk Coastal. 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 Godalming Surrey
2 Burton-on-Trent Staffordshire
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 Enfield Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tonbridge and Malling 002 Tonbridge and Malling
2 Bromley 006 Bromley
3 Canterbury 010 Canterbury
4 Tonbridge and Malling 003 Tonbridge and Malling
5 Suffolk Coastal 006 Suffolk Coastal

Forenames

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First names often paired with Peto

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Peto

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Peto surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Peto household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Peto 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

Peto is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Peto falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Peto is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Peto

The surname PETO is of English origin, deriving from an old French nickname meaning "fat" or "stout." It first appeared in historical records during the 13th century and was common in areas like Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the PETO name dates back to the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it is listed as "Petou." This suggests that the modern spelling evolved from an earlier French form. The name may also be linked to the Old English word "potta," meaning a potbellied person.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, there are several entries for places like Peto's Croft in Warwickshire and Peto's Farm in Gloucestershire, indicating that the surname was likely derived from a place name influenced by a person with this nickname.

Notable bearers of the PETO surname include Sir William Peto (c.1423-1492), a prominent English merchant and land owner during the Wars of the Roses. Another early figure was Cardinal William Peto (c.1485-1558), a Franciscan friar and influential religious reformer under King Henry VIII.

During the 16th century, the PETO name gained prominence with Sir Edward Peto (c.1510-1572), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for Middlesex. His grandson, Sir Edward Peto (c.1550-1618), was a respected judge and legal scholar.

In the 17th century, Sir Samuel Peto (1609-1699) was a successful merchant and Lord Mayor of London. His descendant, Sir Morton Peto (1809-1892), became a renowned civil engineer and builder, responsible for constructing many railways and public works projects across Britain and Europe.

Throughout history, the PETO surname has been associated with individuals of notable wealth, status, and achievement, particularly in the fields of commerce, law, and engineering. Despite variations in spelling, the name's origins can be traced back to medieval England and a descriptive nickname reflecting physical stature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Peto families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Peto 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. Surrey leads with 124 Petos recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.03x.

County Total Index
Surrey 124 10.03x
Middlesex 44 1.73x
Kent 26 3.00x
Staffordshire 15 1.75x
Hampshire 12 2.31x
Sussex 12 2.81x
Suffolk 11 3.56x
Leicestershire 7 2.49x
Durham 4 0.53x
Berkshire 3 1.58x
Derbyshire 1 0.25x
Lancashire 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Croydon in Surrey leads with 18 Petos recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.24x.

Place Total Index
Croydon 18 26.24x
Burton Upon Trent 14 69.90x
Godalming 14 179.95x
Stoke 12 205.83x
Shere 10 671.14x
Kensington London 9 6.38x
Rotherhithe 9 28.73x
Weeke 9 573.25x
Sutton 8 89.49x
Twickenham 8 73.60x
Wouldham 8 727.27x
Deptford St Paul 7 10.49x
Hinckley 7 104.95x
Ruislip 7 555.56x
Sutton At Hone 7 388.89x
Cranleigh 6 331.49x
Ewhurst 6 779.22x
Shalford 6 437.96x
Woking 6 80.54x
Bardwell 5 757.58x
Beddington 5 104.60x
Chelsea London 5 6.54x
Guildford Holy Trinity 5 211.86x
Islington London 5 2.03x
Kirkley 5 193.80x
Chichester St Pancras 4 312.50x
Egglescliffe 4 701.75x
St Pancras London 4 1.96x
Brighton 3 3.48x
Mitcham 3 38.41x
Camberwell 2 1.23x
Cookham 2 33.73x
Guildford St Mary 2 131.58x
Hove 2 10.66x
Minster In Thanet 2 111.11x
Shadwell London 2 28.17x
St Luke London 2 4.92x
St Michael Winchester 2 188.68x
Wimbledon 2 14.42x
Ash Normandy 1 59.52x
Bromley 1 7.58x
Burton Extra 1 20.37x
Chobham 1 45.87x
Compton 1 243.90x
Farnham 1 10.41x
Frimley 1 28.41x
Fulham London 1 2.72x
Hastings St Mary 1 9.40x
Ipswich St Mathew 1 11.55x
Lambeth 1 0.45x
Leatherhead 1 32.36x
Lewisham 1 2.17x
Portsea 1 0.98x
Send Ripley 1 62.11x
Shaw Cum Donnington 1 163.93x
St George Hanover 1 3.02x
Stapenhill 1 16.92x
Subdeanary 1 86.96x
Tillington 1 129.87x
Wandsworth 1 4.10x
Withington 1 10.32x
Wonersh 1 64.94x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ellen 12
Mary 12
Emily 11
Emma 11
Eliza 6
Annie 5
Frances 5
Alice 4
Edith 4
Elizabeth 4
Jane 4
Louisa 4
Sarah 4
Kate 3
Susan 3
Ada 2
Ann 2
Florence 2
Gertrude 2
Harriet 2
Lucy 2
Naomi 2
Prescilia 2
Caroline 1
Constance 1
Dorothy 1
Elizth. 1
Eva 1
Francais 1
Frederick 1
Hannah 1
Helen 1
Henrietta 1
Hilda 1
Ida 1
Jessy 1
Julia 1
Lilly 1
Lotty 1
Mabel 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Marie 1
Martha 1
Maud 1
Mercey 1
Olive 1
Patience 1
Phoebe 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 17
William 16
George 12
John 9
Charles 6
Henry 6
Alfred 4
Edward 4
Thomas 4
Ernest 3
Aaron 2
Albert 2
Chas. 2
Eli 2
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Morton 2
Robert 2
Samuel 2
Stephen 2
Albt.Edwd. 1
Archibald 1
Arthur 1
Basil 1
David 1
Ebenezer 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.C. 1
Harry 1
Henrey 1
Herbert 1
Laurance 1
Maria 1
Neville 1
Nicholas 1
Philip 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Peto surname: questions and answers

How common was the Peto surname in 1881?

In 1881, 266 people were recorded with the Peto surname. That placed it at #10,589 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Peto surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 418 in 2016. That gives Peto a modern rank of #11,472.

What does the Peto surname mean?

A surname derived from the Latin term "peto" meaning to demand or request.

What does the Peto map show?

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