NameCensus.

UK surname

Sait

A surname of possible Arab origin, possibly derived from the word "saut" meaning "voice."

In the 1881 census there were 160 people recorded with the Sait surname, ranking it #14,860 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 387, ranked #12,170, up from #14,860 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to South Stoneham, London parishes and Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bradford, Swale and Havant.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sait is 429 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 141.9%.

1881 census count

160

Ranked #14,860

Modern count

387

2016, ranked #12,170

Peak year

1891

429 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sait had 160 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,860 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 387 in 2016, ranked #12,170.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 429 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Sait surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sait surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sait 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 137 #13,812
1861 historical 253 #9,764
1881 historical 160 #14,860
1891 historical 429 #8,359
1901 historical 285 #12,063
1911 historical 364 #9,985
1997 modern 385 #11,314
1998 modern 392 #11,512
1999 modern 397 #11,503
2000 modern 377 #11,903
2001 modern 372 #11,855
2002 modern 382 #11,839
2003 modern 369 #11,941
2004 modern 376 #11,798
2005 modern 370 #11,875
2006 modern 376 #11,775
2007 modern 383 #11,751
2008 modern 400 #11,468
2009 modern 419 #11,282
2010 modern 426 #11,396
2011 modern 413 #11,560
2012 modern 403 #11,662
2013 modern 388 #12,204
2014 modern 400 #12,006
2015 modern 395 #12,015
2016 modern 387 #12,170

Geography

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Where Saits are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around South Stoneham, London parishes, Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner, Southampton St Mary and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bradford, Swale and Havant. 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 South Stoneham Hampshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner Hampshire
4 Southampton St Mary Hampshire
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bradford 050 Bradford
2 Bradford 044 Bradford
3 Swale 011 Swale
4 Swale 013 Swale
5 Havant 005 Havant

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sait

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sait

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Sait is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Sait 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

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

Meaning and origin of Sait

The surname SAIT is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "sæta," which referred to a person who lived near a gate or entrance. This surname was predominantly found in the counties of Wiltshire and Somerset.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SAIT can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Wiltshire, a historic record dating back to 1273. The document mentions a "Willelmus le Sait," indicating the presence of the surname during that period.

In the 14th century, the SAIT surname appeared in various forms, such as "Sait," "Sayt," and "Sayte." These variations were likely due to the inconsistencies in spelling and pronunciation common during that era.

The Domesday Book, a remarkable survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the SAIT surname. However, it does include mentions of place names that may have influenced the formation of the surname, such as "Saiet" in Oxfordshire and "Saitun" in Cambridgeshire.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the SAIT surname. One of the earliest was Sir John Sait (1492-1559), a prominent English judge and legal scholar who served as a Justice of the King's Bench during the reign of Queen Mary I.

Another remarkable figure was William Sait (1630-1692), a renowned English botanist and horticulturist who made significant contributions to the study of plants. His extensive collection of specimens and his work on plant classification earned him a respected place in the annals of botany.

In the 18th century, Joseph Sait (1725-1798) was a wealthy merchant and landowner in Bristol, England. His business endeavors and philanthropic efforts left a lasting impact on the city, with several landmarks bearing his name, such as Sait Park and Sait Bridge.

The 19th century saw the rise of Mary Sait (1836-1912), a pioneering English educator and advocate for women's rights. She founded several schools and campaigned tirelessly for equal educational opportunities for girls and women.

More recently, Sir Robert Sait (1905-1982) was a distinguished British diplomat and statesman. He served as the Ambassador to the United States from 1960 to 1965 and played a significant role in strengthening diplomatic ties between the two nations.

While these examples provide insights into the SAIT surname's history and its bearers, it is important to note that the surname's origins and evolution can vary across different regions and contexts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sait families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sait 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. Hampshire leads with 81 Saits recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.32x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 81 25.32x
Sussex 26 9.88x
Middlesex 16 1.03x
Surrey 15 1.97x
Lincolnshire 5 2.00x
Berkshire 4 3.41x
Durham 4 0.86x
Leicestershire 3 1.73x
Gloucestershire 2 0.65x
Dorset 1 0.98x
Kent 1 0.19x
Lancashire 1 0.05x
Yorkshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Southampton St Mary in Hampshire leads with 18 Saits recorded in 1881 and an index of 89.51x.

Place Total Index
Southampton St Mary 18 89.51x
Alverstoke 16 138.17x
Portsea 11 17.55x
South Bersted 11 491.07x
Chichester St Pancras 8 1012.66x
Limehouse London 7 40.86x
New Alresford 7 843.37x
Brighton 6 11.30x
South Stoneham 6 86.46x
Wickham 6 1016.95x
Guildford St Nicholas 5 373.13x
St Pancras London 5 3.98x
St Swithin Lincoln 5 127.55x
St Thomas Winchester 5 221.24x
Fareham 4 104.17x
Long Ditton 4 322.58x
Sandhurst 4 176.21x
Ewell 3 186.34x
Sheepshed 3 126.58x
St Bartholomew Hyde 3 394.74x
St Maurice Winchester 3 225.56x
Croydon 2 4.74x
East Hartburn 2 1052.63x
Willington 2 74.63x
Woolaston 2 434.78x
Corfe Castle 1 105.26x
Hackney London 1 1.14x
Holy Trinity 1 2.69x
Liverpool 1 0.89x
Midhurst 1 116.28x
Millbrook 1 12.41x
North Stoneham 1 136.99x
St George Hanover 1 4.91x
St Sepulchre London 1 43.86x
Streatham 1 8.64x
Westminster St 1 17.39x
Woolwich 1 5.08x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Sait surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sait surname in 1881?

In 1881, 160 people were recorded with the Sait surname. That placed it at #14,860 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sait surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 387 in 2016. That gives Sait a modern rank of #12,170.

What does the Sait surname mean?

A surname of possible Arab origin, possibly derived from the word "saut" meaning "voice."

What does the Sait map show?

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