NameCensus.

UK surname

Potterton

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "farm by the potter's kiln".

In the 1881 census there were 339 people recorded with the Potterton surname, ranking it #8,948 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 471, ranked #10,456, down from #8,948 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Billinghay, Halifax and Timberland. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North East Lincolnshire, Lincoln and Doncaster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Potterton is 521 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.9%.

1881 census count

339

Ranked #8,948

Modern count

471

2016, ranked #10,456

Peak year

1998

521 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Potterton had 339 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,948 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 471 in 2016, ranked #10,456.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 420 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Potterton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Potterton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Potterton 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 215 #9,860
1861 historical 208 #11,642
1881 historical 339 #8,948
1891 historical 377 #9,302
1901 historical 377 #9,876
1911 historical 420 #8,969
1997 modern 488 #9,470
1998 modern 521 #9,296
1999 modern 521 #9,362
2000 modern 511 #9,468
2001 modern 508 #9,344
2002 modern 506 #9,545
2003 modern 472 #9,889
2004 modern 465 #10,046
2005 modern 464 #9,976
2006 modern 472 #9,892
2007 modern 484 #9,796
2008 modern 481 #9,930
2009 modern 488 #10,048
2010 modern 507 #9,947
2011 modern 499 #9,965
2012 modern 469 #10,348
2013 modern 489 #10,195
2014 modern 490 #10,233
2015 modern 475 #10,396
2016 modern 471 #10,456

Geography

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Where Pottertons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Billinghay, Halifax, Timberland, London parishes and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North East Lincolnshire, Lincoln, Doncaster, Boston and West Lindsey. 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 Billinghay Lincolnshire
2 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Timberland Lincolnshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North East Lincolnshire 001 North East Lincolnshire
2 Lincoln 004 Lincoln
3 Doncaster 015 Doncaster
4 Boston 001 Boston
5 West Lindsey 001 West Lindsey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Potterton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Potterton

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Potterton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Potterton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Potterton is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Potterton is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Potterton 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 Potterton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Potterton

The surname Potterton has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from a place called Potterton or Potterton Towne, which was located in Yorkshire, England. The name is thought to be a combination of the Old English words "pott" meaning a pot or vessel, and "tun" meaning a town or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Potterton can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of land and property in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a place called "Pottertuna" in Yorkshire, which is likely the origin of the surname.

In the 13th century, records show a Roger de Potterton in Yorkshire, indicating that the name was already in use as a hereditary surname by this time. Another early bearer of the name was William de Potterton, who was mentioned in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1301.

During the 16th century, the name Potterton appeared in various spellings, such as Potterton, Pottertoun, and Pottertown. This was a common occurrence during this period, as spelling conventions were not standardized. One notable individual from this time was John Potterton, a merchant from York who was recorded in the city's guild rolls in 1568.

In the 17th century, the name Potterton continued to be found in Yorkshire, as well as in other parts of England. A notable bearer of the name was Richard Potterton (1598-1668), a clergyman who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Beverley, Yorkshire.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, several individuals with the surname Potterton achieved prominence in various fields. These include William Potterton (1720-1796), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London; and Mary Potterton (1786-1863), a philanthropist and social reformer who founded several charitable organizations in Yorkshire.

Other notable bearers of the name Potterton include John Potterton (1832-1905), a successful businessman and industrialist who founded the Potterton Boiler Company in Leeds, which became a leading manufacturer of heating equipment; and Sir Thomas Potterton (1868-1946), a politician and member of parliament who served as the Lord Mayor of Leeds in the early 20th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Potterton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Potterton 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. Lincolnshire leads with 76 Pottertons recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.37x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 76 14.37x
Leicestershire 62 16.91x
Yorkshire 57 1.74x
Surrey 51 3.17x
Middlesex 36 1.09x
Lancashire 14 0.36x
Warwickshire 11 1.32x
Northamptonshire 9 2.89x
Nottinghamshire 8 1.79x
Hampshire 5 0.74x
Kent 3 0.27x
Bedfordshire 2 1.17x
Derbyshire 2 0.39x
Berkshire 1 0.40x
Sussex 1 0.18x
Worcestershire 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Oadby in Leicestershire leads with 23 Pottertons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1173.47x.

Place Total Index
Oadby 23 1173.47x
Leicester St Margaret 18 20.13x
Streatham 14 57.07x
Birmingham 11 3.96x
Bracebridge 10 414.94x
Bradford 10 12.61x
Belgrave 9 108.83x
Clapham 8 19.35x
Halifax 8 16.63x
Skircoat 8 61.92x
Walcott 8 952.38x
Wardleworth 8 35.68x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 7 62.44x
Great Grimsby 7 20.86x
Hammersmith London 7 8.59x
Martin In Sleaford 7 752.69x
Thurmaston 7 1076.92x
Westminster St 7 57.42x
Baildon 6 97.24x
Boughton 6 1621.62x
New Sleaford 6 176.99x
Wimbledon 6 33.17x
Farnborough 5 70.22x
Lound 5 1250.00x
Send Ripley 5 238.10x
South Kyme 5 833.33x
St Swithin Lincoln 5 60.17x
Billinghay 4 245.40x
Chelsea London 4 4.01x
Dorking 4 36.97x
East Molesey 4 106.95x
Rawmarsh 4 34.54x
Saxby In Lincoln 4 3076.92x
Teddington London 4 53.40x
Ashley 3 882.35x
Clayton 3 37.41x
Clerkenwell London 3 3.84x
Fulham London 3 6.26x
Layton With Warbreck 3 20.83x
Mile End Old Town 3 5.75x
Northowram 3 13.05x
Nottingham St Mary 3 2.60x
Ovenden 3 20.58x
Ruskington 3 222.22x
Salford 3 2.60x
Bedford St Mary 2 45.35x
Blankney 2 270.27x
Brant Broughton 2 259.74x
Cheam 2 116.28x
Derby St Peter 2 12.13x
Digby 2 588.24x
Frithville 2 1666.67x
Idle 2 13.17x
Merton 2 70.92x
Morden 2 250.00x
Saxelby With Ingleby 2 148.15x
St Pancras London 2 0.75x
Strood 2 31.06x
Timberland 2 350.88x
Wigston Magna 2 41.15x
Barkstone 1 178.57x
Birstwith 1 181.82x
Brighton 1 0.89x
Brightside Bierlow 1 1.56x
Bushby 1 1666.67x
Carshalton 1 16.21x
Dorrington 1 222.22x
Holy Trinity 1 1.27x
Kensington London 1 0.54x
Leicester St Martin 1 40.65x
Monks Liberty 1 1111.11x
Newington 1 0.82x
Oldbury 1 4.71x
Paddington London 1 0.82x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 1.50x
Speldhurst 1 17.42x
Spittlegate 1 13.68x
Stoke 1 13.16x
Sunbury 1 25.19x
Wigtoft 1 129.87x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 23
George 17
William 16
James 14
Thomas 10
Charles 7
Richard 6
Edward 4
Joseph 4
Albert 3
Alfred 3
David 3
Henry 3
Luke 3
Abraham 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Fredrick 2
Geo. 2
Harry 2
Isaac 2
Louis 2
Samuel 2
Sidney 2
Thos. 2
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Charley 1
Chas.A. 1
Daniel 1
Edwd.C. 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Ezra 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Jas.Walter 1
Jesse 1
Jonas 1
Jonathan 1
Percival 1
Philip 1
Rabin 1
Robert 1
Sam. 1
Tom 1
Wallace 1
Walton 1

FAQ

Potterton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Potterton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 339 people were recorded with the Potterton surname. That placed it at #8,948 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Potterton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 471 in 2016. That gives Potterton a modern rank of #10,456.

What does the Potterton surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "farm by the potter's kiln".

What does the Potterton map show?

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