NameCensus.

UK surname

Pinter

A Hungarian occupational surname referring to a cellarman or wine steward.

In the 1881 census there were 16 people recorded with the Pinter surname, ranking it #31,301 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 230, ranked #17,812, up from #31,301 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hackney, East Staffordshire and Doncaster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pinter is 230 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1337.5%.

1881 census count

16

Ranked #31,301

Modern count

230

2016, ranked #17,812

Peak year

2016

230 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pinter had 16 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,301 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 230 in 2016, ranked #17,812.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 68 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Pinter surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pinter surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pinter 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 10 #31,497
1861 historical 67 #25,342
1881 historical 16 #31,301
1891 historical 68 #28,300
1901 historical 3 #34,063
1911 historical 30 #30,073
1997 modern 67 #30,915
1998 modern 73 #30,681
1999 modern 77 #30,427
2000 modern 85 #29,598
2001 modern 79 #30,065
2002 modern 79 #30,499
2003 modern 89 #29,380
2004 modern 94 #28,896
2005 modern 92 #29,271
2006 modern 102 #27,926
2007 modern 116 #26,209
2008 modern 127 #25,020
2009 modern 128 #25,427
2010 modern 152 #23,282
2011 modern 163 #21,983
2012 modern 190 #19,864
2013 modern 215 #18,598
2014 modern 221 #18,412
2015 modern 225 #18,050
2016 modern 230 #17,812

Geography

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Where Pinters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hackney, East Staffordshire, Doncaster and Warrington. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hackney 001 Hackney
2 Hackney 003 Hackney
3 East Staffordshire 011 East Staffordshire
4 Doncaster 018 Doncaster
5 Warrington 017 Warrington

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pinter

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pinter

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Pinter surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Pinter household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Pinter is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Pinter is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pinter falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Pinter 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Pinter

The surname Pinter has its origins in Hungary, where it can be traced back to the 14th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Hungarian word "pinter," which means "cooper" or a maker of barrels and casks. This occupation was crucial in a time when wine and beer production was an integral part of local economies.

In the early records, the name was often spelled as "Pyntyr" or "Pintér," reflecting the regional dialects and variations in pronunciation. One of the earliest documented instances of the name can be found in the 1364 tax records of the town of Kecskemét, where a certain "Johannes Pyntyr" was listed as a taxpayer.

By the 16th century, the Pinter surname had spread across various regions of Hungary, with concentrations in towns and villages known for their wineries or breweries. In the 1522 census of the village of Tállya, a winemaking center in the Tokaj region, several families with the surname Pintér were recorded.

One of the earliest notable bearers of the Pinter surname was Gergely Pinter, a respected cooper who lived in the town of Eger in the late 15th century. His craftsmanship was highly sought after, and he is mentioned in several historical documents from that era.

As the centuries passed, the Pinter name continued to be associated with the cooperage trade, but also branched out into other professions. In the 18th century, a Pál Pinter (1702-1778) gained recognition as a skilled architect and builder, responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in the region of Debrecen.

Another notable figure was the writer and poet Sándor Pinter (1838-1921), who was born in the town of Makó and became a prominent figure in the Hungarian literary scene of the 19th century. His works often drew inspiration from the rich folklore and traditions of his homeland.

In the 20th century, the Pinter surname gained international recognition through the acclaimed British playwright Harold Pinter (1930-2008). Although his family had emigrated from Poland, his surname likely had its roots in the Hungarian Pinter lineage, reflecting the widespread diaspora of the name across Eastern and Central Europe.

Throughout its history, the Pinter surname has endured as a testament to the skilled craftspeople and artisans who contributed to the cultural fabric of Hungary and beyond, carrying the echoes of their trade through the generations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pinter families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pinter 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. Cardiganshire leads with 4 Pinters recorded in 1881 and an index of 104.99x.

County Total Index
Cardiganshire 4 104.99x
Suffolk 4 21.05x
Lancashire 2 1.08x
Middlesex 2 1.28x
Kent 1 1.88x
Midlothian 1 4.78x
Northumberland 1 4.31x
Somerset 1 3.98x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aberystwyth in Cardiganshire leads with 4 Pinters recorded in 1881 and an index of 6666.67x.

Place Total Index
Aberystwyth 4 6666.67x
Ashby 4 40000.00x
Chelsea London 2 42.55x
Toxteth Park 2 31.90x
Dartford 1 185.19x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 11.89x
Wallsend 1 135.14x
Weston Super Mare 1 158.73x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 2
Alice 1
Annie 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 3
David 1
George 1
John 1
Joseph 1
Walter 1

Top occupations

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 Pinter households.

FAQ

Pinter surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pinter surname in 1881?

In 1881, 16 people were recorded with the Pinter surname. That placed it at #31,301 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pinter surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 230 in 2016. That gives Pinter a modern rank of #17,812.

What does the Pinter surname mean?

A Hungarian occupational surname referring to a cellarman or wine steward.

What does the Pinter map show?

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