NameCensus.

UK surname

Porton

A locational surname deriving from an English town bearing the same name.

In the 1881 census there were 147 people recorded with the Porton surname, ranking it #15,674 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 157, ranked #23,006, down from #15,674 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, London parishes and Wootton Rivers. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Walsall and Telford and Wrekin.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Porton is 363 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6.8%.

1881 census count

147

Ranked #15,674

Modern count

157

2016, ranked #23,006

Peak year

1861

363 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Porton had 147 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,674 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 157 in 2016, ranked #23,006.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 363 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Porton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Porton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Porton 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 113 #15,815
1861 historical 363 #7,045
1881 historical 147 #15,674
1891 historical 249 #12,813
1901 historical 106 #22,076
1911 historical 180 #15,961
1997 modern 186 #18,448
1998 modern 181 #19,229
1999 modern 183 #19,248
2000 modern 175 #19,764
2001 modern 175 #19,484
2002 modern 173 #20,043
2003 modern 160 #20,789
2004 modern 151 #21,720
2005 modern 144 #22,367
2006 modern 150 #21,915
2007 modern 146 #22,596
2008 modern 149 #22,530
2009 modern 158 #22,168
2010 modern 162 #22,292
2011 modern 151 #23,204
2012 modern 159 #22,361
2013 modern 152 #23,438
2014 modern 153 #23,537
2015 modern 154 #23,306
2016 modern 157 #23,006

Geography

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Where Portons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, London parishes, Wootton Rivers, Reading St Giles, Shinfield (East and West Side, Hartley Dammer), Sonning (Early), and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Walsall and Telford and Wrekin. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Wootton Rivers Wiltshire
4 Reading St Giles, Shinfield (East and West Side, Hartley Dammer), Sonning (Early), Berkshire
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Walsall 038 Walsall
2 Telford and Wrekin 018 Telford and Wrekin
3 Walsall 036 Walsall
4 Walsall 025 Walsall
5 Walsall 020 Walsall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Porton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Porton

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Porton, 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 Porton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Porton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Porton is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Porton is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Porton 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 Porton 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 Porton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Porton

The surname Porton has its origins in England, with records dating back to the late 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "port" meaning a gate or town entrance, and "tun" meaning a village or enclosure. The name likely referred to someone who lived near the gate or entrance of a town or village.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex from 1230, where a Thomas de Porton is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already well-established by this time and may have been associated with a specific place called Porton.

In the 13th century, the name appears in various records across southern England, particularly in Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Dorset. This could indicate that the surname originated from a now-lost place name in one of these counties.

The Hundred Rolls of 1273 contain a reference to a William de Porton, who was a landowner in Berkshire. This provides evidence of the surname's use among the landed gentry during the medieval period.

In the 14th century, the name is found in the records of the Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk, where a John Porton is mentioned as a servant of the abbey in 1327.

One notable individual with the surname was Sir John Porton, a Member of Parliament for Hampshire in the early 15th century (born c. 1390, died c. 1460). He served as Sheriff of Hampshire and Isle of Wight in 1432.

Another prominent figure was Robert Porton, a merchant and alderman in the City of London in the late 15th century (born c. 1450, died c. 1510). He was a member of the Worshipful Company of Drapers and served as Sheriff of London in 1491.

In the 16th century, the name appears in various parish records across southern England, including in the village of Porton in Wiltshire, which may have been the place of origin for some bearers of the surname.

One notable individual from this period was William Porton (c. 1535 - c. 1610), a wealthy landowner and justice of the peace in Dorset. He was also a Member of Parliament for Dorchester in 1588.

In the 17th century, the name is found in the records of the East India Company, with a Thomas Porton serving as a factor (trader) in Surat, India in the 1630s.

Overall, the surname Porton has a long and well-documented history in England, particularly in the southern counties, and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, merchants, and members of Parliament.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Porton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Porton 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. Wiltshire leads with 37 Portons recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.18x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 37 29.18x
Warwickshire 21 5.81x
Staffordshire 20 4.13x
Yorkshire 19 1.34x
Middlesex 10 0.70x
Berkshire 9 8.36x
Hampshire 8 2.72x
Oxfordshire 7 7.91x
Kent 4 0.82x
Durham 3 0.70x
Surrey 3 0.43x
Devon 2 0.67x
Glamorgan 1 0.40x
Lanarkshire 1 0.22x
Lancashire 1 0.06x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sheffield in Yorkshire leads with 15 Portons recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.16x.

Place Total Index
Sheffield 15 33.16x
Britford 14 1666.67x
Birmingham 13 10.79x
Earley 9 502.79x
North Charford 8 16000.00x
Walsall Foreign 8 32.00x
Aston 7 7.03x
Downton 7 421.69x
Oxford St Ebbe 7 268.20x
Swallowcliffe 6 4285.71x
Kensington London 5 6.27x
Wolverhampton 5 13.44x
Wootton Rivers 5 2631.58x
Handsworth 4 33.53x
Bexley 3 69.44x
St Pancras London 3 2.60x
Stockton On Tees 3 14.59x
Wandsworth 3 21.74x
Aldbourn 2 270.27x
Exeter St Sidwell 2 29.24x
Normanton 2 46.84x
Smallthorne 2 111.11x
South Savernake 2 1818.18x
Darlaston 1 14.95x
Ecclesfield 1 9.60x
Govan 1 0.87x
Greenwich 1 4.38x
Leamington Priors 1 11.24x
Llanblethian 1 277.78x
Manningham 1 5.71x
Newark Upon Trent 1 14.39x
Salisbury St Thomas 1 100.00x
St Martin In Fields 1 11.66x
Twickenham 1 16.26x
Withington 1 18.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Sarah 6
Alice 4
Jane 4
Elizabeth 3
Harriet 3
Annie 2
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Frances 2
Julia 2
Maria 2
Rose 2
Rosenia 2
Ada 1
Alma 1
Ammon 1
Anna 1
Bertha 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Dinah 1
Doria 1
Elizeabth 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Hannah 1
Jannet 1
Jessie 1
Laurie 1
Letitia 1
Lilley 1
Lily 1
Marria 1
Martha 1
Naomi 1
Nina 1
Rachel 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 11
William 7
Charles 6
James 6
John 4
Joseph 4
Frederick 3
Henry 3
Thomas 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Edward 2
Henery 2
Samuel 2
Arthur 1
David 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Gabriel 1
Herbert 1
Howard 1
Isaac 1
Jesse 1
Nathaniel 1
Robert 1
Sidney 1
Theophilus 1
W. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Porton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Porton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 147 people were recorded with the Porton surname. That placed it at #15,674 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Porton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 157 in 2016. That gives Porton a modern rank of #23,006.

What does the Porton surname mean?

A locational surname deriving from an English town bearing the same name.

What does the Porton map show?

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