NameCensus.

UK surname

Priestman

A surname derived from the occupation of a priest.

In the 1881 census there were 488 people recorded with the Priestman surname, ranking it #6,898 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 538, ranked #9,457, down from #6,898 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Auckland St Andrew, Drypool and Bradford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Eastbourne, Kingston upon Hull and Leeds.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Priestman is 651 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10.2%.

1881 census count

488

Ranked #6,898

Modern count

538

2016, ranked #9,457

Peak year

1911

651 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Priestman had 488 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,898 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 538 in 2016, ranked #9,457.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 651 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Priestman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Priestman surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Priestman 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 311 #7,413
1861 historical 349 #7,318
1881 historical 488 #6,898
1891 historical 602 #6,369
1901 historical 647 #6,665
1911 historical 651 #6,434
1997 modern 547 #8,694
1998 modern 570 #8,685
1999 modern 560 #8,855
2000 modern 544 #9,031
2001 modern 533 #9,013
2002 modern 541 #9,088
2003 modern 537 #8,997
2004 modern 544 #8,933
2005 modern 533 #9,008
2006 modern 537 #8,983
2007 modern 542 #8,991
2008 modern 536 #9,139
2009 modern 541 #9,279
2010 modern 557 #9,270
2011 modern 543 #9,373
2012 modern 555 #9,103
2013 modern 572 #9,042
2014 modern 561 #9,242
2015 modern 555 #9,243
2016 modern 538 #9,457

Geography

Back to top

Where Priestmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Auckland St Andrew, Drypool, Bradford, Sculcoates and Birmingham Town: Aston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Eastbourne, Kingston upon Hull and Leeds. 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 Auckland St Andrew Durham
2 Drypool Yorkshire, East Riding
3 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Sculcoates Yorkshire, East Riding
5 Birmingham Town: Aston Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Eastbourne 001 Eastbourne
2 Kingston upon Hull 021 Kingston upon Hull, City of
3 Kingston upon Hull 009 Kingston upon Hull, City of
4 Leeds 083 Leeds
5 Kingston upon Hull 019 Kingston upon Hull, City of

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Priestman

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Priestman

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Priestman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Priestman household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Priestman is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Priestman is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Priestman falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Priestman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Priestman

The surname Priestman originated in England and can be traced back to the early medieval period, around the 11th century. It is an occupational name derived from the Old English words "preost" meaning priest, and "man" meaning man, essentially referring to a person who served as a priest or someone associated with the clergy.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical documents, including the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population across England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared in various spellings, such as Presteman, Prestmanne, and Prestman, reflecting the fluid nature of surnames during that period.

One notable historical figure bearing this name was William Priestman, a prominent English clergyman who lived in the 15th century (c. 1420-1492). He served as the Archdeacon of Nottingham and was known for his contributions to the Church and his scholarly writings.

Another individual of note was John Priestman (1578-1637), an English clergyman and academic who held the position of Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, from 1624 until his death. He was renowned for his work in promoting education and was a staunch supporter of the Puritan movement.

In the 18th century, a prominent figure named Thomas Priestman (1734-1795) gained recognition as a successful merchant and philanthropist in Newcastle upon Tyne. He was actively involved in various charitable endeavors and played a significant role in the development of the city.

The name Priestman also has a connection to several place names in England, such as Priestman's Way, a street in the town of Sunderland, and Priestman Road in Leeds. These place names likely derived from individuals bearing the surname Priestman who were associated with those locations.

Another notable figure was John Priestman (1805-1866), an English engineer and industrialist who founded the Priestman Brothers engineering firm in Hull. His company played a crucial role in the development of steam-powered machinery and contributed significantly to the industrial revolution in England.

Throughout its history, the surname Priestman has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, academics, merchants, and industrialists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Priestman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Priestman 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. Yorkshire leads with 180 Priestmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.82x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 180 3.82x
Lancashire 63 1.12x
Durham 59 4.17x
Warwickshire 34 2.83x
Cumberland 24 5.86x
Middlesex 23 0.48x
Kent 14 0.86x
Lincolnshire 14 1.84x
Cheshire 12 1.14x
Rutland 10 28.61x
Leicestershire 9 1.71x
Northumberland 9 1.27x
Surrey 8 0.34x
Nottinghamshire 7 1.09x
Gloucestershire 4 0.43x
Derbyshire 3 0.40x
Oxfordshire 3 1.02x
Sussex 3 0.37x
Westmorland 3 2.87x
Northamptonshire 2 0.45x
Shropshire 1 0.24x
Somerset 1 0.13x
Wiltshire 1 0.24x
Worcestershire 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Manningham in Yorkshire leads with 29 Priestmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.91x.

Place Total Index
Manningham 29 49.91x
Aston 25 7.56x
Southcoates 17 64.91x
Beverley St Nicholas 16 413.44x
Bishop Auckland 13 68.42x
Prestwich 13 92.26x
Richmond 13 176.39x
Beverley St Martin 12 152.48x
Barrow In Furness 11 14.32x
Stanhope 9 61.56x
Birmingham 8 2.00x
Chester Le Street 8 73.53x
Cottesmore 8 1194.03x
Darlington 8 14.63x
Stainby 8 3200.00x
Camberwell 7 2.30x
Crumpsall 7 52.59x
Holy Trinity 7 6.17x
Melton Mowbray 7 73.76x
Newsham With 7 2058.82x
Beckenham 6 28.26x
Chelsea London 6 4.18x
Everton 6 3.33x
Lotherton Cum Aberford 6 833.33x
Northfleet 6 41.93x
Nottingham St Mary 6 3.62x
Penrith 6 39.63x
Poplar London 6 6.68x
Preston On Hill 6 659.34x
Preston Quarter 6 52.26x
Toxteth Park 6 3.14x
Tynemouth 6 15.82x
Benfieldside 5 53.71x
Beverley St Mary 5 72.57x
Hulme 5 4.24x
North Meols 5 9.04x
Odd Rode 5 96.15x
Parton 5 206.61x
Witton Le Wear 5 124.38x
York St Mary 5 25.59x
York St Maurice 5 56.31x
Gateshead 4 3.77x
Heworth 4 14.33x
Hunmanby 4 181.82x
Skeeby 4 1538.46x
Thixendale 4 975.61x
Bradford 3 2.63x
Caldbeck 3 156.25x
Carthorpe 3 566.04x
Dringhouses 3 394.74x
Filey 3 78.74x
Islington London 3 0.65x
Ledstone 3 833.33x
Manthorpe Cum Little 3 51.55x
Swalcliffe 3 294.12x
Well 3 576.92x
Westbury On Trym 3 9.48x
Broughton In Salford 2 3.87x
Chirton 2 12.48x
Ecclesall Bierlow 2 2.08x
Ganstead 2 1250.00x
Great Crosby 2 12.99x
Hackney London 2 0.75x
Hornsey 2 3.32x
Horton In Bradford 2 2.71x
Hunslet 2 2.72x
Kensington London 2 0.76x
Kirkby Ireleth 2 70.92x
Litchurch 2 6.67x
Long Marton 2 170.94x
Louth 2 11.47x
Oakham Deanshold 2 128.21x
Swinton In Rotherham 2 16.04x
Thornaby 2 11.34x
Wolsingham 2 15.49x
Workington 2 8.52x
Lymm 1 13.09x
Stamford Baron St Martin 1 41.67x
Thormanby 1 454.55x
York Holy Trinity 1 24.51x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 35
Elizabeth 21
Jane 18
Sarah 12
Annie 9
Martha 8
Ann 6
Frances 6
Hannah 6
Louisa 6
Agnes 5
Catherine 5
Ellen 5
Ada 4
Henrietta 4
Lucy 4
Margaret 4
Alice 3
Emily 3
Ethel 3
Harriett 3
Helen 3
Amy 2
Barbara 2
Bridget 2
Elizth. 2
Emma 2
Isabel 2
Margt. 2
Mercy 2
Rebecca 2
Sophia 2
Anne 1
Caroline 1
Catharine 1
Charlotte 1
Dorothy 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Eliz. 1
Eliza 1
Elizbeth 1
Gertrude 1
Guliotma 1
Harriet 1
Helena 1
Hephzibah 1
Hilda 1
Ida 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 45
William 35
Thomas 19
James 16
George 12
Joseph 9
Charles 8
Henry 8
Robert 6
Francis 5
Frederick 5
Alfred 4
Jonathan 4
Walter 4
Albert 3
Mathew 3
Adam 2
Arthur 2
Edward 2
Harry 2
Matthew 2
Arnold 1
Chas.E. 1
Chrisr. 1
Edgar 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Garry 1
Harold 1
Howard 1
Jno. 1
Jos. 1
Joshua 1
Lawrence 1
Leonard 1
Lewis 1
Lionel 1
Mary 1
Miles 1
Oswald 1
Richard 1
Roland 1
S. 1
Samuel 1
Southern 1
Sydney 1
T.W. 1
Thornton 1
Thos 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Priestman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Priestman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 488 people were recorded with the Priestman surname. That placed it at #6,898 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Priestman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 538 in 2016. That gives Priestman a modern rank of #9,457.

What does the Priestman surname mean?

A surname derived from the occupation of a priest.

What does the Priestman map show?

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