NameCensus.

UK surname

Putt

An English occupational surname for someone who digs wells or pits, derived from the Old English word "pytt."

In the 1881 census there were 701 people recorded with the Putt surname, ranking it #5,186 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 837, ranked #6,664, down from #5,186 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Chivelstone, London parishes and Malborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Hams, Torbay and Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Putt is 974 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.4%.

1881 census count

701

Ranked #5,186

Modern count

837

2016, ranked #6,664

Peak year

2000

974 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Putt had 701 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,186 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 837 in 2016, ranked #6,664.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 949 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Putt surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Putt surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Putt 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 499 #5,010
1861 historical 396 #6,476
1881 historical 701 #5,186
1891 historical 762 #5,234
1901 historical 897 #5,159
1911 historical 949 #4,747
1997 modern 908 #5,932
1998 modern 941 #5,952
1999 modern 953 #5,930
2000 modern 974 #5,819
2001 modern 930 #5,918
2002 modern 956 #5,894
2003 modern 904 #6,065
2004 modern 899 #6,094
2005 modern 857 #6,274
2006 modern 851 #6,310
2007 modern 849 #6,379
2008 modern 866 #6,318
2009 modern 884 #6,356
2010 modern 879 #6,519
2011 modern 874 #6,472
2012 modern 822 #6,697
2013 modern 853 #6,613
2014 modern 838 #6,737
2015 modern 833 #6,706
2016 modern 837 #6,664

Geography

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Where Putts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Chivelstone, London parishes, Malborough and Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Hams, Torbay and Cornwall. 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 Chivelstone Devon
2 London parishes London 3
3 Malborough Devon
4 London parishes London 2
5 Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Hams 011 South Hams
2 Torbay 013 Torbay
3 Torbay 011 Torbay
4 South Hams 010 South Hams
5 Cornwall 002 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Putt

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Putt

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

Putt is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Putt falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Putt

The surname Putt has its origins in England, with records indicating its presence as early as the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "putt," which referred to a deep wide hole or pit, likely reflecting the occupation or residence of the earliest bearers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where a William Putte is mentioned. This suggests that the name had already established itself in various parts of England during the medieval period.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in various historical records, such as the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, where a John del Putt is listed in 1315. This form, "del Putt," suggests a connection to a specific place name, possibly referring to a residence near a pit or a deep hole.

The Putt surname has also been associated with place names like Puttenhall, a township in Cheshire, and Puttenham, a village in Hertfordshire. These place names share a similar root, indicating a potential link between the surname and the locations where early bearers may have resided.

Notable individuals with the surname Putt include Sir Thomas Putt (1615-1687), an English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1680-1681. Another prominent figure was John Putt (1766-1838), an English cricketer who played for the Hampshire county team in the early 19th century.

In the literary realm, Henry Putt (1807-1876) was an English writer and journalist who contributed to various publications, including the Illustrated London News and Punch magazine.

Moving forward, Charles Henry Putt (1838-1910) was a successful businessman and philanthropist from Kent, England, who made significant contributions to the local community.

Lastly, William Putt (1892-1963) was a British artist known for his landscape paintings, particularly those depicting the countryside of Somerset and Devon.

These examples demonstrate the longevity and diversity of the Putt surname throughout history, reflecting its deep roots in English society and its association with various professions and geographical locations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Putt families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Putt 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. Devon leads with 311 Putts recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.97x.

County Total Index
Devon 311 21.97x
Middlesex 115 1.69x
Oxfordshire 87 20.72x
Surrey 22 0.66x
Kent 21 0.91x
Yorkshire 18 0.27x
Leicestershire 17 2.26x
Lancashire 13 0.16x
Buckinghamshire 12 2.92x
Hampshire 9 0.65x
Hertfordshire 9 1.92x
Cheshire 8 0.53x
Warwickshire 8 0.47x
Durham 7 0.35x
Berwickshire 5 6.07x
Derbyshire 5 0.47x
Northamptonshire 5 0.78x
Berkshire 4 0.78x
Cornwall 4 0.52x
Somerset 4 0.37x
Essex 2 0.15x
Lincolnshire 2 0.18x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.22x
Royal Navy 2 2.47x
Worcestershire 2 0.23x
Renfrewshire 1 0.19x
Staffordshire 1 0.04x
Sussex 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Malborough in Devon leads with 69 Putts recorded in 1881 and an index of 1225.58x.

Place Total Index
Malborough 69 1225.58x
Chivelstone 35 3535.35x
Brixham 33 201.22x
Cassington 20 2564.10x
Aveton Gifford 18 878.05x
St Marylebone London 18 4.96x
East Portlemouth 17 2394.37x
Wheatley 17 717.30x
Plymouth St Andrew 14 12.84x
Bromley London 13 8.69x
Combe 13 1031.75x
Kensington London 13 3.44x
Handborough 12 530.97x
Paddington London 12 4.80x
Dartmouth Townstall 11 190.97x
Bethnal Green London 10 3.39x
Burton On The Wolds 8 952.38x
Chesham 8 52.81x
Dartington 8 544.22x
Hampstead London 8 7.56x
Kidlington 8 246.15x
Tormoham 8 13.36x
Boldon 7 97.09x
Eynsham 7 263.16x
Hackney London 7 1.84x
Ipplepen 7 362.69x
Islington London 7 1.06x
Littleham 7 67.63x
Milton In Gravesend 7 20.12x
Neithrop 7 49.61x
St Pancras London 7 1.28x
Bermondsey 6 2.96x
Dartmouth St Petrox 6 294.12x
Lambeth 6 1.01x
Leicester St Margaret 6 3.26x
Loddiswell 6 320.86x
Saddleworth 6 11.55x
Southwark Christchurch 6 18.83x
Deptford St Paul 5 2.79x
Great Billing 5 549.45x
Harberton 5 155.28x
Kingston 5 256.41x
Litchurch 5 11.67x
Longformacus 5 555.56x
Plymouth Charles The 5 8.02x
Polesworth 5 61.43x
South Pool 5 543.48x
Southcoates 5 13.37x
Stokenham 5 125.31x
Totnes 5 60.39x
West Alvington 5 251.26x
Barrow In Furness 4 3.65x
Mile End Old Town 4 3.73x
Portsea 4 1.46x
Skircoat 4 15.05x
St Albans St Peter 4 25.30x
St George In East 4 8.65x
Stoke Damerel 4 4.04x
West Kirby 4 153.26x
Chudleigh 3 66.67x
Churchstow 3 348.84x
Dodbrooke 3 106.76x
Fleckney 3 167.60x
Hertford St Andrew 3 51.81x
Liverpool 3 0.61x
Newton Abbot St Mary 3 25.27x
Preston 3 1.39x
Reading St Mary 3 7.34x
Shoreditch London 3 1.02x
Thurlestone 3 352.94x
Tranmere 3 5.44x
Beckingham 2 246.91x
Buckfastleigh 2 30.63x
Camberwell 2 0.46x
Lathbury 2 714.29x
Leamington 2 17.61x
Torbrian 2 425.53x
Warley Wigorn 2 70.67x
Wolborough 2 11.18x
Woolwich 2 2.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 53
Elizabeth 35
Sarah 27
Eliza 17
Emma 16
Jane 16
Ann 13
Susan 12
Maria 8
Alice 7
Annie 7
Ellen 7
Fanny 7
Caroline 6
Catherine 6
Clara 6
Emily 6
Louisa 6
Harriet 5
Anne 4
Florence 4
Hannah 4
Laura 4
Rebecca 4
Edith 3
Henrietta 3
Jessie 3
Margaret 3
Matilda 3
Rose 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Bertha 2
Bessie 2
Esther 2
Grace 2
Harriett 2
Jemima 2
Kate 2
Lavinia 2
Lily 2
Maud 2
Phoebe 2
Sophia 2
Beatrice 1
Bella 1
Easter 1
Elizabth 1
Ella 1
Zilla 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 40
William 36
James 23
Thomas 21
George 20
Henry 18
Richard 17
Robert 12
Charles 10
Frederick 10
Alfred 9
Albert 7
Stephen 6
Arthur 5
Ernest 5
Frank 5
Harry 5
Philip 5
Edward 4
Edwin 3
Joseph 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Wm. 3
Amos 2
Chas. 2
Francis 2
Edmond 1
Edmund 1
Ephriam 1
Frdk 1
Gabriel 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
Hy.P. 1
Isaac 1
Jesse 1
Joshua 1
Leonard 1
Lewis 1
Luke 1
Malcolm 1
Nathaniel 1
Nicholas 1
Oliver 1
Randolph 1
Raymond 1
Samson 1
Sidney 1
Wm.G. 1

FAQ

Putt surname: questions and answers

How common was the Putt surname in 1881?

In 1881, 701 people were recorded with the Putt surname. That placed it at #5,186 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Putt surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 837 in 2016. That gives Putt a modern rank of #6,664.

What does the Putt surname mean?

An English occupational surname for someone who digs wells or pits, derived from the Old English word "pytt."

What does the Putt map show?

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