NameCensus.

UK surname

Porrett

A surname derived from a Norman diminutive of a Germanic personal name.

In the 1881 census there were 162 people recorded with the Porrett surname, ranking it #14,746 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 95, ranked #31,782, down from #14,746 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Welborne. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bradford, Havant and Worthing.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Porrett is 204 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 41.4%.

1881 census count

162

Ranked #14,746

Modern count

95

2016, ranked #31,782

Peak year

1891

204 bearers

Map years

6

1861 to 1998

Key insights

  • Porrett had 162 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,746 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 95 in 2016, ranked #31,782.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 204 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Porrett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Porrett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Porrett 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 97 #17,484
1861 historical 124 #17,797
1881 historical 162 #14,746
1891 historical 204 #14,702
1901 historical 173 #16,579
1911 historical 178 #16,073
1997 modern 125 #23,567
1998 modern 130 #23,603
1999 modern 128 #24,017
2000 modern 125 #24,351
2001 modern 123 #24,242
2002 modern 122 #24,874
2003 modern 116 #25,415
2004 modern 113 #25,999
2005 modern 103 #27,531
2006 modern 99 #28,453
2007 modern 100 #28,669
2008 modern 100 #29,001
2009 modern 101 #29,445
2010 modern 106 #29,305
2011 modern 100 #30,058
2012 modern 93 #31,409
2013 modern 102 #30,415
2014 modern 100 #31,033
2015 modern 99 #31,168
2016 modern 95 #31,782

Geography

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Where Porretts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Welborne, St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a and Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bradford, Havant, Worthing, Redcar and Cleveland and North Norfolk. 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 London parishes London 3
2 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 Welborne Norfolk
4 St Paul, St Saviour, St Edmund, St Simon and Jude, St Peter Hungate, St Michael at Plea, St Martin a Norfolk
5 Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bradford 057 Bradford
2 Havant 017 Havant
3 Worthing 006 Worthing
4 Redcar and Cleveland 006 Redcar and Cleveland
5 North Norfolk 014 North Norfolk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Porrett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Porrett

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Porrett is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Porrett is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Porrett falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Porrett

The surname PORRETT originated in England during the late medieval period, derived from a locational name referring to a specific place or settlement. It is believed to have evolved from the Old English words "porte" and "hythe," meaning "port" and "landing place" respectively, suggesting its earliest bearers may have resided near a port or harbor town.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the PORRETT name can be traced back to the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, which listed a Richard Porrett as a landholder in Oxfordshire. This document provides a valuable glimpse into the distribution and prominence of the name during the 13th century.

Throughout the centuries, various spelling variations of the name emerged, including Porrett, Porrit, Porritt, and Porrit. These variations were often a result of inconsistent record-keeping practices and regional dialects.

In the 16th century, the PORRETT name appeared in several historical records, such as the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1524, which documented a John Porryt residing in Yorkshire. Additionally, the Protestation Returns of 1641-1642 listed a William Porrett among the inhabitants of Oxfordshire.

Notable individuals bearing the PORRETT surname include:

1. Edward Porrett (1798-1871), a British architect and surveyor known for his work on several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Opera House.

2. Robert Porrett (1799-1868), a British artist and engraver who gained recognition for his landscape paintings and etchings depicting rural scenes.

3. Thomas Porrett (1820-1895), a prominent English businessman and philanthropist who founded the Porrett Trust, an organization dedicated to supporting educational initiatives in his hometown of Faversham, Kent.

4. Alice Porrett (1847-1923), a British educator and author who wrote several books on teaching methods and child development.

5. William Porrett (1875-1952), a renowned English cricketer who played for the Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and was considered one of the finest batsmen of his era.

The PORRETT name has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Porrett's Lane in Oxfordshire and Porrett's Farm in Surrey, further emphasizing its locational origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Porrett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Porrett 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. Norfolk leads with 52 Porretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.51x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 52 22.51x
Yorkshire 30 2.02x
Middlesex 13 0.87x
Northumberland 13 5.82x
Somerset 10 4.14x
Durham 9 2.01x
Lanarkshire 5 1.03x
Essex 4 1.35x
Lancashire 4 0.22x
Sussex 4 1.58x
Wiltshire 4 3.01x
Surrey 3 0.41x
Derbyshire 2 0.85x
Flintshire 1 2.48x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bishopwearmouth in Durham leads with 8 Porretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.86x.

Place Total Index
Bishopwearmouth 8 20.86x
Norwich St Benedict 8 776.70x
Stratton St Mary 8 2500.00x
Bridgewater 7 106.71x
Eaton St Andrew 7 1093.75x
Ecclesall Bierlow 6 19.82x
Great Melton 6 3750.00x
Luttons Ambo 6 1935.48x
St Pancras London 6 4.96x
Aylsham 5 364.96x
Elswick 5 28.03x
Glasgow 5 5.80x
Heigham 5 40.32x
Longbenton 5 52.80x
Scarborough 5 36.95x
Hornsey 4 21.05x
Stratton St Margaret 4 196.08x
Thornhill 4 92.17x
Ticehurst 4 258.06x
West Ham 4 6.11x
Bedminster 3 13.20x
Camberwell 3 3.13x
Keighley 3 18.90x
Newcastle On Tyne St 3 25.88x
Norwich St Saviour 3 370.37x
Dore 2 444.44x
Great Dunham 2 1000.00x
Guestwick 2 2222.22x
Happisburgh 2 689.66x
Kensington London 2 2.39x
Leeds 2 2.38x
Welborne 2 2000.00x
Wortley In Bramley 2 16.96x
Hackney London 1 1.19x
Horton In Bradford 1 4.30x
Hulme 1 2.69x
North Meols 1 5.73x
Selby 1 32.15x
Stranton 1 6.65x
Swaffham 1 53.19x
Swardeston 1 588.24x
Toxteth Park 1 1.66x
West Derby 1 1.92x
Whitford 1 47.85x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 7
Alice 5
Elizabeth 5
Sarah 5
Ann 4
Louisa 4
Annie 3
Emma 3
Kate 3
Clara 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Jane 2
Margaret 2
Agnes 1
Anness 1
Beatrice 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elisa 1
Eliza 1
Elizath. 1
Ellen 1
Emilie 1
Emily 1
Emleina 1
Ethel 1
Flora 1
Florance 1
Florence 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Isabella 1
Jessel 1
Laura 1
Lucy 1
M. 1
Marian 1
Marria 1
Martha 1
Naomi 1
Olive 1
Phila 1
Phoebe 1
Rosa 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 6
William 6
George 5
Henry 4
Joseph 4
Walter 4
Charles 3
David 3
Robert 3
Thomas 3
Jabez 2
Robt. 2
Sidney 2
Wm. 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Christopher 1
Eldred 1
Frederick 1
Harry 1
Isaac 1
James 1
Jas.C. 1
Jeffery 1
Percey 1
Reynolds 1
Richard 1
Robt.B. 1
Samuel 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Porrett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Porrett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 162 people were recorded with the Porrett surname. That placed it at #14,746 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Porrett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 95 in 2016. That gives Porrett a modern rank of #31,782.

What does the Porrett surname mean?

A surname derived from a Norman diminutive of a Germanic personal name.

What does the Porrett map show?

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