UK surname
An occupational surname derived from the maker or seller of pottery.
In the 1881 census there were 40 people recorded with the Potters surname, ranking it #28,011 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 15, ranked #37,092, down from #28,011 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Egham, Whitby and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Potters is 139 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 62.5%.
1881 census count
40
Ranked #28,011
Modern count
15
2016, ranked #37,092
Peak year
1861
139 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Potters surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Potters surname density by area, 1861 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 | 41 | #25,926 |
| 1861 | historical | 139 | #16,263 |
| 1881 | historical | 40 | #28,011 |
| 1891 | historical | 85 | #26,080 |
| 1901 | historical | 40 | #29,678 |
| 1911 | historical | 40 | #28,913 |
| 1997 | modern | 14 | #36,528 |
| 1998 | modern | 10 | #37,048 |
| 1999 | modern | 10 | #37,072 |
| 2000 | modern | 11 | #36,879 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 4 | #37,921 |
| 2003 | modern | 4 | #37,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 4 | #38,013 |
| 2005 | modern | 4 | #38,078 |
| 2006 | modern | 5 | #37,956 |
| 2007 | modern | 3 | #38,372 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 5 | #38,122 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2012 | modern | 4 | #38,335 |
| 2013 | modern | 7 | #37,909 |
| 2014 | modern | 13 | #37,256 |
| 2015 | modern | 11 | #37,467 |
| 2016 | modern | 15 | #37,092 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Egham, Whitby, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Lambeth and Glasgow. 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 | Egham | Berkshire |
| 2 | Whitby | Yorkshire, North Riding |
| 3 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Potters 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 Potters, 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 Potters surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Potters 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, Potters 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 Potters is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Potters, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Potters is of English origin and can be traced back to the 14th century. The name derives from the Old English word "pottere," which referred to a person who made or sold pots or pottery. This occupational surname was common in regions where pottery production was a significant industry, such as Staffordshire and other areas of the Midlands.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Potters can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where it is listed as "le Potter." This medieval document was a survey of landholders in England and Wales, providing valuable insight into the prevalence and distribution of surnames during that time.
In the 15th century, the name Potters appeared in various legal documents and records, including the Paston Letters, a collection of correspondence between members of the influential Paston family in Norfolk. One notable individual from this period was Richard Potters, a merchant from London who was active in the early 1400s.
The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname Potters. However, it does mention several places with names derived from pottery-related activities, such as "Potterspiry" in Northamptonshire and "Potterton" in Bedfordshire.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname Potters continued to be found across England, particularly in areas with a strong pottery tradition. One notable figure from this period was John Potters, a renowned potter from Burslem, Staffordshire, who lived from 1566 to 1644 and was widely recognized for his skill in producing salt-glazed stoneware.
In the 18th century, the Potters family of Staffordshire became prominent in the pottery industry. John Potters (1675-1751) and his son Thomas Potters (1718-1798) were influential potters who played a significant role in the development of English ceramics.
Another notable individual with the surname Potters was Francis Potters (1801-1876), a British artist and illustrator known for his detailed paintings of rural life and landscapes. He was born in Staffordshire and was a member of the Birmingham Society of Artists.
As the centuries progressed, the surname Potters continued to be found throughout England, with some families relocating to other parts of the British Isles and beyond. The name has remained associated with the pottery trade and has become a respected and enduring surname in the English-speaking world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Potters 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. Lancashire leads with 10 Potters' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.11x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 10 | 2.11x |
| Lanarkshire | 8 | 6.19x |
| Surrey | 5 | 2.57x |
| Cheshire | 4 | 4.53x |
| Glamorgan | 4 | 5.74x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 2.22x |
| Devon | 2 | 2.40x |
| Channel Islands | 1 | 8.44x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.73x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.25x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.99x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.91x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ashton Under Lyne in Lancashire leads with 8 Potters' recorded in 1881 and an index of 77.15x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Ashton Under Lyne | 8 | 77.15x |
| Chertsey | 5 | 396.83x |
| Glasgow | 5 | 21.77x |
| Llanwonno | 4 | 160.00x |
| Sale | 3 | 277.78x |
| Leek Lowe | 2 | 111.11x |
| Liverpool | 2 | 6.94x |
| Rutherglen | 2 | 105.26x |
| Barony | 1 | 3.06x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 2.98x |
| Chester St Bridget | 1 | 666.67x |
| Devonport | 1 | 104.17x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 15.70x |
| Ombersley | 1 | 344.83x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 1 | 15.60x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 19.16x |
| St Peter Port | 1 | 45.66x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 1 | 6.98x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Potters 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 Potters 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 Potters households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Cotton Weaver | 2 |
| Dock Lab | 2 |
| B 2 Cl | 1 |
| Boot Maker | 1 |
| Colliery Labourer (CM) | 1 |
| Cotton Piecer | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Domestic Work | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| Gardener (Dom) | 1 |
| Groom Domestic | 1 |
| Industrial School | 1 |
| Iron Turner | 1 |
| Joiner Apprentice | 1 |
| Laundry Maid | 1 |
| Quarryman | 1 |
| Railway Clerk | 1 |
| Silk Picker (Unemployed) | 1 |
| Silk Winder | 1 |
| Stonemason | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 40 people were recorded with the Potters surname. That placed it at #28,011 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 15 in 2016. That gives Potters a modern rank of #37,092.
An occupational surname derived from the maker or seller of pottery.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Potters 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.