NameCensus.

UK surname

Sartain

Derived from a Middle English occupational name for a tailor, from the Old French "sartein" meaning "tailor."

In the 1881 census there were 212 people recorded with the Sartain surname, ranking it #12,373 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 392, ranked #12,052, up from #12,373 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hilperton, Whaddon, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include IZ15, IZ17 and Kettering.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sartain is 422 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 84.9%.

1881 census count

212

Ranked #12,373

Modern count

392

2016, ranked #12,052

Peak year

2002

422 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sartain had 212 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,373 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 392 in 2016, ranked #12,052.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 358 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Sartain surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sartain surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sartain 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 198 #10,483
1861 historical 154 #14,963
1881 historical 212 #12,373
1891 historical 254 #12,598
1901 historical 343 #10,583
1911 historical 358 #10,110
1997 modern 389 #11,238
1998 modern 390 #11,563
1999 modern 388 #11,696
2000 modern 381 #11,814
2001 modern 377 #11,723
2002 modern 422 #11,002
2003 modern 409 #11,088
2004 modern 389 #11,516
2005 modern 373 #11,794
2006 modern 379 #11,688
2007 modern 369 #12,098
2008 modern 370 #12,182
2009 modern 399 #11,750
2010 modern 416 #11,627
2011 modern 383 #12,244
2012 modern 374 #12,324
2013 modern 388 #12,204
2014 modern 402 #11,949
2015 modern 394 #12,038
2016 modern 392 #12,052

Geography

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Where Sartains are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hilperton, Whaddon, London parishes, St Pancras 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 IZ15, IZ17, Kettering, IZ13 and IZ14. 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 Hilperton, Whaddon Wiltshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 IZ15 West Dunbartonshire
2 IZ17 West Dunbartonshire
3 Kettering 011 Kettering
4 IZ13 West Dunbartonshire
5 IZ14 West Dunbartonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sartain

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sartain

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Sartain is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Sartain 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

Sartain 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 Sartain is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Sartain

The surname Sartain is believed to have originated in England in the medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "serteyn," which means "certain" or "sure." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who was considered reliable or trustworthy.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Sartain name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a Robert Sartein is mentioned. This document was a survey of landowners in England, suggesting that the Sartain family may have held some property or status at that time.

In the 14th century, the Sartain name appeared in various records from the county of Lancashire. This included references to places like Sartain Clough and Sartain Meadows, which may have been named after the family or vice versa.

A notable figure with the Sartain surname was John Sartain (1808-1897), an English-born engraver and artist who became a prominent figure in the art world of Philadelphia, USA. He established a successful engraving business and was known for his portraits and landscapes.

Another notable Sartain was Thomas Sartain (1805-1882), the brother of John Sartain. He was also an engraver and artist, and collaborated with his brother on several projects.

In the 19th century, the Sartain name continued to appear in various records and documents, such as parish registers and census records, particularly in the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire.

One fascinating historical figure with the Sartain surname was William Sartain (1793-1858), a British soldier who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and later became a celebrated artist, known for his paintings of military scenes and landscapes.

Another noteworthy individual was Mary Sartain (1836-1920), an English-born author and philanthropist who wrote several books on social issues and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the poor and underprivileged.

While the Sartain name may have originated in England, it eventually spread to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, as families emigrated from their homeland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sartain families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sartain 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. Wiltshire leads with 94 Sartains recorded in 1881 and an index of 51.89x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 94 51.89x
Middlesex 43 2.10x
Somerset 31 9.40x
Surrey 13 1.30x
Sussex 10 2.90x
Staffordshire 6 0.87x
Devon 3 0.70x
Gloucestershire 2 0.50x
Kent 2 0.29x
Lincolnshire 2 0.61x
Northamptonshire 2 1.04x
Berkshire 1 0.65x
Hampshire 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bradford On Avon in Wiltshire leads with 27 Sartains recorded in 1881 and an index of 465.52x.

Place Total Index
Bradford On Avon 27 465.52x
Chippenham 20 526.32x
Trowbridge 15 187.27x
Walcot 13 74.03x
Shoreditch London 11 12.39x
St Pancras London 11 6.67x
Bromham 8 975.61x
Hilperton 8 1379.31x
Chelsea London 7 11.34x
Melksham 7 222.22x
Chew Stoke 6 1224.49x
St Marylebone London 6 5.49x
Walsall Foreign 6 16.80x
Newington 4 5.29x
Weston 4 157.48x
Brighton 3 4.31x
Camberwell 3 2.29x
Devizes St Mary 3 163.93x
Hastings St Mary In The 3 40.71x
Kensington London 3 2.63x
Lyncombe Widcombe 3 34.76x
South Bersted 3 102.04x
Bath St James 2 58.14x
Bathwick 2 54.79x
Broughton Gifford 2 465.12x
Crowland 2 97.56x
Devizes St James 2 82.99x
Enfield 2 14.88x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 6.09x
Southwark Christchurch 2 20.83x
Wellingborough 2 20.64x
Bath St Peter St Paul 1 68.49x
Bermondsey 1 1.64x
Bristol St George 1 5.38x
Devonport 1 20.41x
Fordingbridge 1 43.86x
Isleworth 1 10.98x
Nutfield 1 133.33x
Ore 1 38.91x
Paddington London 1 1.33x
Ramsgate 1 8.76x
Seend 1 277.78x
Semington 1 333.33x
Sutton 1 13.85x
Thatcham 1 42.19x
Tottenham 1 3.06x
Walmer 1 32.89x
Westbury On Trym 1 7.35x
Wimbledon 1 8.92x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 10
Mary 8
Elizabeth 6
Ann 5
Caroline 5
Eliza 5
Alice 4
Annie 4
Jane 4
Louisa 4
Emily 3
Emma 3
Harriet 3
Lucy 3
Susan 3
Elizth. 2
Florence 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Maria 2
Matilda 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Anna 1
Bertha 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Ellen 1
Fanny 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Ida 1
Jemima 1
Jermina 1
Keturah 1
Laura 1
Lavinia 1
Lenia 1
Lillean 1
Lillian 1
Lilly 1
Lydia 1
Margaret 1
Margt. 1
Martha 1
Mira 1
Rhoda 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 15
James 14
Thomas 9
Henry 8
John 7
Charles 5
Joseph 4
Alfred 3
Edward 3
George 3
Harry 3
Albert 2
Arthur 2
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Stephen 2
Alexander 1
Earnest 1
Edwin 1
Eli 1
Fred 1
Frederck. 1
Fredrick 1
Melbourne 1
Peter 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Thos. 1
Thos.G. 1
Walter 1
Wiliiam 1

FAQ

Sartain surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sartain surname in 1881?

In 1881, 212 people were recorded with the Sartain surname. That placed it at #12,373 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sartain surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 392 in 2016. That gives Sartain a modern rank of #12,052.

What does the Sartain surname mean?

Derived from a Middle English occupational name for a tailor, from the Old French "sartein" meaning "tailor."

What does the Sartain map show?

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