UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name in England.
In the 1881 census there were 103 people recorded with the Polton surname, ranking it #19,410 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 60, ranked #34,340, down from #19,410 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Sedgley, London parishes and Woodgreen. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Polton is 147 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 41.7%.
1881 census count
103
Ranked #19,410
Modern count
60
2016, ranked #34,340
Peak year
1891
147 bearers
Map years
5
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Polton surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Polton surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 89 | #18,446 |
| 1861 | historical | 106 | #20,147 |
| 1881 | historical | 103 | #19,410 |
| 1891 | historical | 147 | #18,592 |
| 1901 | historical | 105 | #22,179 |
| 1911 | historical | 130 | #19,504 |
| 1997 | modern | 66 | #31,038 |
| 1998 | modern | 64 | #31,562 |
| 1999 | modern | 65 | #31,605 |
| 2000 | modern | 62 | #31,939 |
| 2001 | modern | 61 | #31,891 |
| 2002 | modern | 66 | #31,821 |
| 2003 | modern | 59 | #32,530 |
| 2004 | modern | 57 | #32,968 |
| 2005 | modern | 52 | #33,619 |
| 2006 | modern | 50 | #34,077 |
| 2007 | modern | 47 | #34,558 |
| 2008 | modern | 47 | #34,699 |
| 2009 | modern | 53 | #34,481 |
| 2010 | modern | 53 | #34,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 51 | #34,751 |
| 2012 | modern | 56 | #34,510 |
| 2013 | modern | 61 | #34,317 |
| 2014 | modern | 59 | #34,459 |
| 2015 | modern | 59 | #34,407 |
| 2016 | modern | 60 | #34,340 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Sedgley, London parishes, Woodgreen and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sedgley | Staffordshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Woodgreen | Hampshire |
| 5 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Polton surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Polton, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Polton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Polton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Polton is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Polton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Polton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Polton has its origins in England, tracing back to the late medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name derived from a place called Polton, which was a small hamlet or village in the county of Wiltshire. The name itself is thought to have evolved from the Old English words "pol" meaning "pool" or "stream" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement," suggesting that the name referred to a settlement near a pool or stream.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Polton can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Wiltshire from the year 1327, where a certain John de Polton is listed. This indicates that the name was already established in the region by the 14th century.
In the 15th century, the name Polton appears in the Feet of Fines for Wiltshire, a legal record that documented property transactions. In 1467, a William Polton is mentioned in connection with lands in the parish of Marlborough, further cementing the association of the name with the county of Wiltshire.
Notable individuals who bore the surname Polton include Richard Polton, a prominent landowner and farmer from the village of Polton in the 16th century. Records show that he was involved in several land disputes and transactions throughout his lifetime.
Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Polton, a military officer who served in the English Civil War during the 17th century. He fought on the Parliamentarian side and is recorded as having participated in several battles, including the Battle of Naseby in 1645.
In the 18th century, a certain Reverend John Polton gained recognition as a respected clergyman and scholar. He served as the vicar of the parish church in the village of Polton for over three decades and is known to have authored several religious treatises and sermons.
Fast-forwarding to the 19th century, we find Elizabeth Polton, a prominent writer and social reformer from Wiltshire. She advocated for various causes, including women's education and the abolition of child labor, and published several influential works on these subjects.
The surname Polton has also been associated with various place names throughout history, such as Polton Hill and Polton Farm, both located in the county of Wiltshire. These place names are likely derived from the original settlement of Polton, further reinforcing the link between the name and the region.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Polton surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Warwickshire leads with 14 Poltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.53x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Warwickshire | 14 | 5.53x |
| Middlesex | 11 | 1.09x |
| Kent | 9 | 2.63x |
| Surrey | 9 | 1.84x |
| Buckinghamshire | 8 | 13.17x |
| Staffordshire | 7 | 2.06x |
| Devon | 5 | 2.39x |
| Essex | 5 | 2.52x |
| Gloucestershire | 5 | 2.54x |
| Hampshire | 5 | 2.43x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 0.50x |
| Berkshire | 4 | 5.30x |
| Lincolnshire | 4 | 2.49x |
| Hertfordshire | 3 | 4.33x |
| Durham | 2 | 0.67x |
| Wiltshire | 2 | 2.25x |
| Bedfordshire | 1 | 1.92x |
| Herefordshire | 1 | 2.43x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.08x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.62x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 0.82x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 10 Poltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Aston | 10 | 14.33x |
| Newington | 7 | 18.86x |
| Speldhurst | 6 | 342.86x |
| Cheltenham | 5 | 32.89x |
| Plymouth Charles The | 5 | 54.29x |
| Sedgley | 5 | 39.68x |
| Boston | 4 | 82.14x |
| Lillingstone Lovell | 4 | 6666.67x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 4 | 69.44x |
| Woodgreen | 4 | 4000.00x |
| Bethnal Green London | 3 | 6.87x |
| Bow Brickhill | 3 | 1875.00x |
| Cookham | 3 | 127.66x |
| Selby | 3 | 144.23x |
| Tring | 3 | 162.16x |
| Birmingham | 2 | 2.37x |
| Bocking | 2 | 168.07x |
| Dartford | 2 | 56.98x |
| Downton | 2 | 172.41x |
| West Bromwich | 2 | 10.30x |
| West Ham | 2 | 4.57x |
| Wroxhall | 2 | 3333.33x |
| Barton | 1 | 555.56x |
| Bedminster | 1 | 6.58x |
| Clewer | 1 | 32.36x |
| Fyfield | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Great Leighs | 1 | 384.62x |
| Iveston | 1 | 72.46x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 1.79x |
| Kington | 1 | 98.04x |
| Luton | 1 | 11.10x |
| Maidstone | 1 | 9.79x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 7.72x |
| Mortlake | 1 | 45.87x |
| Orford | 1 | 256.41x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 5.27x |
| Spotland | 1 | 7.55x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 7.63x |
| St Vedast Foster Lane | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Wolsingham | 1 | 36.76x |
| Wolverton | 1 | 79.37x |
| Woodmansterne | 1 | 909.09x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Polton surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Polton surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Polton households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 15 |
| Labourer | 3 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Farm Labourer | 2 |
| General Serv | 2 |
| Labourer At Ironworks | 2 |
| At Home | 1 |
| At Home (No Occ) | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Book Folder | 1 |
| Boot Maker | 1 |
| Brass Finisher | 1 |
| Brass Founder | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Carrier & Baker | 1 |
| Carrier Wife | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Coachman At Ness House (D) | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Coal Porter | 1 |
| Cook (N D) | 1 |
| Cook Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Dom Servant | 1 |
| Domestic Servant General | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Engine Cleaner (O) | 1 |
| Engine Fitter | 1 |
| French Polisher | 1 |
| Grocer (Master) | 1 |
| Haddock Curer | 1 |
| Hotel Proprietor | 1 |
| Hotel Proprietress | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Kitchenmaid Dom | 1 |
| Lab | 1 |
| Laborer (Plasterer) | 1 |
| Labour | 1 |
| Labourer Railway Navvy | 1 |
| Late Gardener | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| O S | 1 |
| Oilman Asst | 1 |
| Plate Layer | 1 |
| Private | 1 |
| Rope Spinner (Mkr) | 1 |
| Sawyer | 1 |
| Schola | 1 |
| Warehouseman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 103 people were recorded with the Polton surname. That placed it at #19,410 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 60 in 2016. That gives Polton a modern rank of #34,340.
A locational surname derived from a place name in England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Polton bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.