NameCensus.

UK surname

Peyton

From an English place name meaning "Pæga's town," referring to a settlement associated with someone named Pæga.

In the 1881 census there were 356 people recorded with the Peyton surname, ranking it #8,665 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 505, ranked #9,919, down from #8,665 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Harborne, London parishes and Leamington Priors. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include High Peak, Wigan and Bridgend.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Peyton is 596 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 41.9%.

1881 census count

356

Ranked #8,665

Modern count

505

2016, ranked #9,919

Peak year

1999

596 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Peyton had 356 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,665 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 505 in 2016, ranked #9,919.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 465 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Peyton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Peyton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Peyton 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 200 #10,403
1861 historical 168 #13,895
1881 historical 356 #8,665
1891 historical 345 #9,944
1901 historical 446 #8,767
1911 historical 465 #8,292
1997 modern 581 #8,331
1998 modern 577 #8,597
1999 modern 596 #8,475
2000 modern 557 #8,860
2001 modern 556 #8,732
2002 modern 584 #8,598
2003 modern 571 #8,609
2004 modern 559 #8,764
2005 modern 534 #8,997
2006 modern 529 #9,084
2007 modern 530 #9,144
2008 modern 544 #9,041
2009 modern 551 #9,155
2010 modern 558 #9,260
2011 modern 554 #9,212
2012 modern 526 #9,513
2013 modern 534 #9,564
2014 modern 515 #9,872
2015 modern 516 #9,789
2016 modern 505 #9,919

Geography

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Where Peytons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Harborne, London parishes, Leamington Priors and Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to High Peak, Wigan, Bridgend and Flintshire. 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 Harborne Worcestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Leamington Priors Warwickshire
5 Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire) Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 High Peak 013 High Peak
2 High Peak 001 High Peak
3 Wigan 017 Wigan
4 Bridgend 009 Bridgend
5 Flintshire 019 Flintshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Peyton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Peyton

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Peyton, 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 Peyton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Peyton 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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Peyton is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Peyton 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

Peyton falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Peyton

The surname Peyton has its origins in the Old French word "peiton", which means "a small piece of land". It is believed to have originated in Normandy, France, during the Middle Ages.

The name was likely brought to England by Norman settlers after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It was initially spelled in various ways, such as Peiton, Peytun, and Paytun, before the modern spelling of Peyton became more standardized.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Peiton" in the county of Somerset, England. This entry suggests that the name was already present in England shortly after the Norman Conquest.

In the 12th century, the name was associated with landowners and noblemen in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Somerset, Devon, and Wiltshire. Notable historical figures with the surname Peyton include Sir John Peyton (c. 1543 - 1616), an English politician and military leader who served as Lieutenant of the Tower of London.

Another prominent individual was Sir Robert Peyton (1589 - 1677), an English politician and soldier who fought for the Royalist cause during the English Civil War. He was appointed Lieutenant-General of the Ordnance by King Charles I.

In the 15th century, the name was also found in records related to the town of Peyton, located in the county of Essex, England. This place name likely derived from the surname itself, suggesting that the Peyton family had established a significant presence in the area.

Moving forward in time, Sir Henry Peyton (1719 - 1789) was a British naval officer who served during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War. He achieved the rank of Admiral of the Blue and played a crucial role in several naval battles.

Another notable figure was Sir John Peyton (1809 - 1879), a British Member of Parliament and barrister who served as a Justice of the Queen's Bench. He was also the High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1849.

Throughout its history, the surname Peyton has maintained a strong association with landed gentry, military service, and political involvement in various parts of England, reflecting the influential status of many families bearing this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Peyton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Peyton 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. Gloucestershire leads with 63 Peytons recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.20x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 63 9.20x
Middlesex 55 1.57x
Warwickshire 36 4.09x
Yorkshire 33 0.95x
Durham 24 2.31x
Cambridgeshire 19 8.59x
Hampshire 17 2.38x
Staffordshire 16 1.36x
Lancashire 15 0.36x
Surrey 14 0.82x
Kent 11 0.92x
Sussex 10 1.70x
Wiltshire 8 2.59x
Berkshire 7 2.67x
Channel Islands 5 4.83x
Essex 4 0.58x
Montgomeryshire 3 3.75x
Oxfordshire 3 1.39x
Worcestershire 3 0.66x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.95x
Devon 2 0.28x
Hertfordshire 2 0.83x
Angus 1 0.31x
Derbyshire 1 0.18x
Flintshire 1 1.07x
Northumberland 1 0.19x
Royal Navy 1 2.40x
Somerset 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stroud in Gloucestershire leads with 13 Peytons recorded in 1881 and an index of 97.52x.

Place Total Index
Stroud 13 97.52x
Rodborough 12 362.54x
Portsea 11 7.84x
Westminster St James 10 27.86x
Leamington Priors 9 41.53x
St Andrewthe Less 9 35.62x
Sutton Stoneferry 9 90.91x
Harborne 8 21.18x
Hardwicke 8 1025.64x
Aston 7 2.89x
Bethnal Green London 7 4.61x
Birmingham 7 2.38x
Hammersmith London 7 8.14x
Kirkdale 7 10.04x
Sculcoates 7 12.76x
Tetbury 7 180.41x
Brandon Byshottles 6 46.08x
Hutton Henry 6 273.97x
Poplar London 6 9.10x
West Derby 6 4.95x
Camberwell 5 2.24x
Chatteris 5 88.65x
Darlington 5 12.47x
Eastbourne 5 18.46x
Edgbaston 5 18.31x
Haresfield 5 735.29x
Hastings St Mary 5 34.13x
Little Shelford 5 806.45x
Paddington London 5 3.89x
Saul 5 704.23x
St Saviour 5 87.41x
Wednesfield 5 28.82x
Hampstead London 4 7.35x
Islington London 4 1.18x
Milverton 4 155.04x
Otley 4 47.62x
Portsmouth 4 24.27x
Preshute 4 210.53x
St Pancras London 4 1.42x
Bisley 3 48.31x
Byers Green 3 102.39x
Eastington 3 132.16x
Gillingham 3 12.21x
Herne 3 56.82x
Hurley 3 220.59x
Kingstanley 3 118.58x
Kirkheaton 3 53.48x
Leeds 3 1.54x
Llanfyllin 3 142.18x
Newcastle Under Lyme 3 14.38x
Prittlewell 3 31.41x
Putney 3 18.84x
Stoke Lyne 3 454.55x
Bromsgrove 2 13.03x
Broughton In Salford 2 5.28x
Gloucester Barton St 2 49.88x
Horton In Bradford 2 3.70x
Lambeth 2 0.66x
Langley Burrell 2 156.25x
Lewisham 2 3.15x
Monks Risborough 2 198.02x
Newington 2 1.55x
Radford Semele 2 298.51x
Shoreditch London 2 1.32x
Southowram 2 18.94x
St Nicholas Acons 2 3333.33x
Sunninghill 2 54.95x
Warblington 2 70.42x
Woodchester 2 185.19x
Aldenham 1 45.66x
Ardeley 1 169.49x
Boulton 1 416.67x
Caterham 1 13.30x
Harbledown 1 116.28x
Holy Trinity 1 1.20x
Lambourn 1 38.46x
Monifieth 1 8.75x
Rhuddlan 1 12.11x
St George Hanover 1 2.19x
Sutton Coldfield 1 10.80x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 21
Sarah 15
Elizabeth 12
Charlotte 7
Eliza 7
Caroline 6
Jane 6
Ann 5
Annie 5
Emily 5
Alice 4
Hannah 4
Louisa 4
Lucy 4
Amy 3
Harriet 3
Kate 3
Lilian 3
Martha 3
Amelia 2
Anne 2
Catherine 2
Edith 2
Ellen 2
Emma 2
Ethel 2
Frances 2
Isabella 2
Julia 2
Margaret 2
Aggeness 1
Augusta 1
Beatrice 1
Blanch 1
Bridget 1
Eleanor 1
Eliz. 1
Ester 1
Eveline 1
Fanny 1
Fany 1
Gertrude 1
H. 1
Hildegarde 1
Ida 1
Juliet 1
Kathleen 1
Letilia 1
Lily 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 23
John 20
George 11
Henry 10
James 10
Thomas 8
Charles 7
Joseph 7
Edward 6
Alfred 5
Frank 5
Richard 5
Arthur 4
Walter 3
Alexander 2
Herbert 2
Mathew 2
Robert 2
Willm. 2
Algemon 1
Archibald 1
Bertie 1
Charls 1
Chas.H. 1
Chilhen 1
Donald 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Harry 1
Helmuth 1
Jno. 1
Josiah 1
Kenneth 1
Lewis 1
Lumley 1
Michael 1
Nathaniel 1
Oliver 1
Owen 1
Phil 1
Ralph 1
Samual 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Stanley 1
Tom 1
Woodyeare 1

FAQ

Peyton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Peyton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 356 people were recorded with the Peyton surname. That placed it at #8,665 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Peyton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 505 in 2016. That gives Peyton a modern rank of #9,919.

What does the Peyton surname mean?

From an English place name meaning "Pæga's town," referring to a settlement associated with someone named Pæga.

What does the Peyton map show?

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