NameCensus.

UK surname

Santon

A village name or possibly an occupational name relating to road making.

In the 1881 census there were 91 people recorded with the Santon surname, ranking it #20,843 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 130, ranked #26,152, down from #20,843 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Durham St Oswald. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lancaster, County Durham and Gravesham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Santon is 272 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 42.9%.

1881 census count

91

Ranked #20,843

Modern count

130

2016, ranked #26,152

Peak year

1861

272 bearers

Map years

7

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Santon had 91 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #20,843 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 130 in 2016, ranked #26,152.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 272 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Santon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Santon surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Santon 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 99 #17,294
1861 historical 272 #9,167
1881 historical 91 #20,843
1891 historical 227 #13,629
1901 historical 106 #22,076
1911 historical 134 #19,131
1997 modern 163 #20,038
1998 modern 161 #20,754
1999 modern 158 #21,102
2000 modern 141 #22,648
2001 modern 139 #22,541
2002 modern 143 #22,595
2003 modern 140 #22,634
2004 modern 139 #22,891
2005 modern 134 #23,406
2006 modern 141 #22,833
2007 modern 135 #23,824
2008 modern 135 #24,123
2009 modern 143 #23,686
2010 modern 150 #23,482
2011 modern 147 #23,627
2012 modern 139 #24,485
2013 modern 138 #25,020
2014 modern 131 #26,089
2015 modern 128 #26,356
2016 modern 130 #26,152

Geography

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Where Santons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Durham St Oswald, Lambeth and Hartlepool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lancaster, County Durham, Gravesham, Selby and Wakefield. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 Durham St Oswald Durham
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Hartlepool Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lancaster 011 Lancaster
2 County Durham 056 County Durham
3 Gravesham 012 Gravesham
4 Selby 006 Selby
5 Wakefield 015 Wakefield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Santon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Santon

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Santon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Santon household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Santon is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Santon is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Santon falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Santon

The surname Santon has its origins in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "sant" meaning "saint" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals residing in settlements or areas associated with a particular saint or religious figure.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Santon can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1166, where it appears as "de Santun." This spelling variation highlights the influence of the Norman French language on English surnames during this period.

The name Santon is also linked to various place names across England, such as Santon in Norfolk, Santon in West Yorkshire, and Santon in Lincolnshire. These place names may have played a role in the formation of the surname, as it was common for individuals to adopt surnames derived from the locations where they lived or originated.

In the 13th century, historical records mention a notable figure named William de Santon, who was a landowner in Lincolnshire. Another prominent individual bearing the name was John Santon, a merchant and alderman in London during the 15th century.

The Santon surname has also been associated with religious figures. In the 16th century, a Catholic martyr named Richard Santon was executed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I for his beliefs. Additionally, in the 17th century, a Puritan minister named David Santon gained recognition for his sermons and writings.

Other notable individuals with the surname Santon include Sir Henry Santon (1594-1668), an English politician and member of Parliament, and Edward Santon (1718-1782), a renowned architect who designed several churches and public buildings in London.

Throughout the centuries, the Santon surname has undergone various spelling variations, such as Santone, Santonne, and Santun, reflecting the influence of regional dialects and scribal practices. However, the core meaning and origin of the name have remained largely intact, rooted in the idea of a settlement or enclosure associated with a particular saint or religious figure.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Santon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Santon 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 35 Santons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.98x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 35 3.98x
Surrey 14 3.24x
Lancashire 10 0.95x
Glamorgan 8 5.18x
Hampshire 6 3.30x
Nottinghamshire 6 5.02x
Kent 4 1.32x
Durham 3 1.14x
Middlesex 2 0.23x
Northumberland 2 1.51x
Berkshire 1 1.50x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 9 Santons recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.63x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 9 11.63x
Ystradyfodwg 8 59.00x
Nottingham St Mary 6 19.39x
Aldershot 5 82.10x
Easingwold 5 806.45x
Northallerton 5 446.43x
Bedale 4 1250.00x
Crompton 4 133.33x
Norton In Malton 4 373.83x
Clifton In York 3 163.04x
Gate Fulford 3 146.34x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 16.80x
Ewell Lydden 2 833.33x
Halsall 2 476.19x
Hartlepool 2 53.33x
Horton In Bradford 2 14.57x
Huby 2 1333.33x
Hulme 2 9.10x
Molash 2 2000.00x
Poplar London 2 11.94x
Tynemouth 2 28.29x
York All Sts North 2 454.55x
Blackburn 1 3.57x
Bossall Claxton 1 1111.11x
Bramley In Bramley 1 29.67x
Cliddesden 1 1000.00x
Downholland 1 666.67x
East West Hagbourn 1 454.55x
Great Kelk 1 2000.00x
Kingston On Thames 1 9.62x
Newington 1 3.05x
Norton Le Clay 1 3333.33x
Ruswarp 1 102.04x
Westoe 1 6.68x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 7
George 6
William 6
Henry 5
Thomas 5
Charles 4
Frederick 2
Harry 2
Alfred 1
Alonzo 1
Anne 1
Arthur 1
Chris.R. 1
Edward 1
Isaac 1
James 1
W.Henry 1

FAQ

Santon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Santon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 91 people were recorded with the Santon surname. That placed it at #20,843 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Santon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 130 in 2016. That gives Santon a modern rank of #26,152.

What does the Santon surname mean?

A village name or possibly an occupational name relating to road making.

What does the Santon map show?

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