NameCensus.

UK surname

Phythian

An anglicized spelling variation of the Greek surname Pythian, meaning "of Pythia" or "from Delphi".

In the 1881 census there were 298 people recorded with the Phythian surname, ranking it #9,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 433, ranked #11,120, down from #9,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stockport, Toxteth Park and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Lancashire, Manchester and Gedling.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Phythian is 511 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 45.3%.

1881 census count

298

Ranked #9,765

Modern count

433

2016, ranked #11,120

Peak year

1911

511 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Phythian had 298 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 433 in 2016, ranked #11,120.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 511 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Phythian surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Phythian surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Phythian 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 128 #14,474
1861 historical 202 #11,906
1881 historical 298 #9,765
1891 historical 366 #9,508
1901 historical 451 #8,686
1911 historical 511 #7,706
1997 modern 427 #10,476
1998 modern 428 #10,810
1999 modern 430 #10,855
2000 modern 423 #10,941
2001 modern 412 #10,980
2002 modern 427 #10,900
2003 modern 409 #11,088
2004 modern 415 #10,989
2005 modern 423 #10,713
2006 modern 428 #10,659
2007 modern 431 #10,703
2008 modern 427 #10,892
2009 modern 441 #10,875
2010 modern 461 #10,701
2011 modern 460 #10,594
2012 modern 417 #11,346
2013 modern 431 #11,231
2014 modern 430 #11,323
2015 modern 432 #11,183
2016 modern 433 #11,120

Geography

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Where Phythians are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stockport, Toxteth Park, Manchester, Dean and West Derby. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Lancashire, Manchester, Gedling and Isle of Wight. 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 Stockport Cheshire
2 Toxteth Park Lancashire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Dean Lancashire
5 West Derby Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Lancashire 015 West Lancashire
2 Manchester 002 Manchester
3 Manchester 013 Manchester
4 Gedling 012 Gedling
5 Isle of Wight 007 Isle of Wight

Forenames

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First names often paired with Phythian

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Phythian

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Phythian surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Phythian household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Phythian is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Phythian 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

Phythian falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Phythian

The surname Phythian originated in England and dates back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "pytt," meaning a pit or hollow, and the suffix "-ian," which denotes a person associated with a particular location or occupation. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a pit or worked in a pit-related profession, such as mining or quarrying.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from 1195, where it appears as "Puttian." This spelling variation further supports the connection to the Old English word "pytt." Over time, the name evolved into various forms, including Pittian, Pytian, and eventually Phythian.

In the 13th century, the name Phythian appeared in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire, which were records of landholders and their holdings. This suggests that by this time, the name had become associated with a particular family or individuals of some prominence.

During the 14th century, the surname Phythian was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, indicating that individuals bearing this name were subject to taxation and held notable positions within the community.

One notable individual with the surname Phythian was John Phythian (c. 1600-1663), an English clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Winchester and was known for his involvement in ecclesiastical matters during the English Civil War.

Another Phythian of historical significance was William Phythian (1690-1763), an English lawyer and politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Cockermouth from 1741 to 1747.

In the 19th century, the name Phythian gained further prominence with the birth of John Phythian (1821-1894), a British businessman and politician who served as the Mayor of Liverpool in 1876.

The surname Phythian has also been associated with the place name Phythian Street in Liverpool, which was named after John Phythian, reflecting the family's connection to the city.

Another individual of note was Edward Phythian (1818-1888), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in Liverpool, including the iconic Liverpool Cathedral.

While the surname Phythian is not among the most common surnames in England or globally, it has a rich history that can be traced back to its Old English roots and has been borne by individuals of notable achievements across various fields throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Phythian families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Phythian 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. Lancashire leads with 256 Phythians recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.40x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 256 7.40x
Cheshire 18 2.80x
Middlesex 12 0.41x
Hampshire 6 1.00x
Surrey 5 0.35x
Isle of Man 1 1.85x
Warwickshire 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Toxteth Park in Lancashire leads with 29 Phythians recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.74x.

Place Total Index
Toxteth Park 29 24.74x
Kearsley 23 315.93x
Salford 17 16.70x
Ashton In Makerfield 16 162.27x
Windle 13 66.77x
Eccleston In Prescot 12 69.04x
Pendleton In Salford 11 26.68x
Westminster St John 11 30.97x
Manchester 9 5.78x
West Derby 9 8.89x
Withington 8 71.75x
Chorlton On Medlock 7 12.73x
Halliwell 7 55.56x
Offerton 7 2000.00x
Pemberton 7 50.72x
Stockport 7 21.13x
Wigan 7 14.47x
Billinge Chapel End 6 309.28x
Cheetham 6 23.25x
Halewood 6 324.32x
Kirkdale 6 10.31x
Little Woolton 6 600.00x
Much Woolton 6 127.66x
Ditton 5 354.61x
Liverpool 5 2.38x
Parr 5 40.39x
Portsea 5 4.27x
Wavertree 5 45.13x
Lambeth 4 1.57x
Little Bolton 4 8.99x
Spotland 4 10.40x
Winstanley 4 740.74x
Birkenhead 3 5.85x
Didsbury 3 65.22x
Garston 3 29.38x
Openshaw 2 12.34x
Allerton 1 120.48x
Beddington 1 18.18x
Birmingham 1 0.41x
Bowdon 1 39.22x
Burnage 1 117.65x
Chadderton 1 5.91x
Great Crosby 1 10.59x
Onchan 1 6.41x
Portsmouth 1 7.27x
St Martin In Fields 1 5.73x
Walton On Hill 1 5.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 24
Elizabeth 19
Sarah 13
Alice 9
Eliza 9
Ellen 7
Hannah 7
Jane 6
Ann 5
Margaret 5
Emma 4
Esther 4
Harriet 4
Jemima 2
Lucy 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Phoebe 2
Agnes 1
Betsy 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Ednor 1
Elisabeth 1
Elizth. 1
Esenbia 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
H. 1
Helen 1
Henrietta 1
Hilda 1
Jessie 1
John 1
Katherine 1
Margery 1
Maude 1
Nancy 1
Rachel 1
S.E. 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 22
John 21
Joseph 18
Thomas 18
Henry 8
James 8
Richard 6
George 4
Moses 4
Peter 4
Robert 3
Samuel 3
Aaron 2
Arthur 2
Daniel 2
Edward 2
Frederick 2
Josiah 2
Chs.W. 1
Clifford 1
David 1
Frank 1
Fredk.Thos. 1
Geo. 1
Harold 1
Jno. 1
Josh. 1
Joshua 1
Mary 1
Mose 1
Richd. 1
Sidney 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1
Wilfred 1

FAQ

Phythian surname: questions and answers

How common was the Phythian surname in 1881?

In 1881, 298 people were recorded with the Phythian surname. That placed it at #9,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Phythian surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 433 in 2016. That gives Phythian a modern rank of #11,120.

What does the Phythian surname mean?

An anglicized spelling variation of the Greek surname Pythian, meaning "of Pythia" or "from Delphi".

What does the Phythian map show?

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