UK surname
A surname indicating deep red or bright crimson.
In the 1881 census there were 160 people recorded with the Scarlet surname, ranking it #14,860 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 46, ranked #35,126, down from #14,860 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Hull Holy Trinity, Paddington and Nacton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Scarlet is 230 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 71.3%.
1881 census count
160
Ranked #14,860
Modern count
46
2016, ranked #35,126
Peak year
1851
230 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Scarlet surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Scarlet surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 230 | #9,368 |
| 1861 | historical | 148 | #15,452 |
| 1881 | historical | 160 | #14,860 |
| 1891 | historical | 103 | #23,558 |
| 1901 | historical | 85 | #24,636 |
| 1911 | historical | 36 | #29,370 |
| 1997 | modern | 33 | #34,377 |
| 1998 | modern | 26 | #35,254 |
| 1999 | modern | 21 | #35,810 |
| 2000 | modern | 24 | #35,498 |
| 2001 | modern | 24 | #35,357 |
| 2002 | modern | 29 | #35,030 |
| 2003 | modern | 24 | #35,552 |
| 2004 | modern | 24 | #35,697 |
| 2005 | modern | 21 | #36,083 |
| 2006 | modern | 23 | #36,054 |
| 2007 | modern | 28 | #35,801 |
| 2008 | modern | 29 | #35,808 |
| 2009 | modern | 37 | #35,434 |
| 2010 | modern | 40 | #35,403 |
| 2011 | modern | 39 | #35,444 |
| 2012 | modern | 36 | #35,595 |
| 2013 | modern | 34 | #35,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 35 | #35,722 |
| 2015 | modern | 38 | #35,526 |
| 2016 | modern | 46 | #35,126 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Hull Holy Trinity, Paddington, Nacton, Eye and Farnham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hull Holy Trinity | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 2 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 3 | Nacton | Suffolk |
| 4 | Eye | Herefordshire |
| 5 | Farnham | Suffolk |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Scarlet surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Scarlet, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Scarlet surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Scarlet household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Scarlet is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Scarlet is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Scarlet, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Scarlet originated in England, with its roots dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "escarlate," which means "scarlet" or a vivid red color. This term traces its lineage to the Persian word "siqlat," a reference to the brilliant crimson dye extracted from the qirmiz insect.
The name Scarlet gained prominence during the medieval period, when it was commonly associated with the vibrant scarlet robes worn by wealthy individuals and members of the nobility. It is believed that the surname was initially bestowed upon those involved in the production or trade of scarlet dye or fabrics.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Scarlet can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire, dated 1195, where a certain William Scarlet is mentioned. Another notable early reference is in the Patent Rolls of 1275, which document a John Scarlet from Lincolnshire.
Throughout history, the surname Scarlet has been associated with several notable figures. One of the earliest was Sir Walter Scarlet (c. 1300-1376), a prominent English judge who served as Chief Justice of the King's Bench under Edward III. Another notable bearer of the name was John Scarlet (c. 1495-1553), a renowned English clergyman and theologian who played a significant role in the English Reformation.
During the 16th century, the surname Scarlet gained prominence in the literary world with the publication of "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850. This iconic novel introduced the character of Hester Prynne, whose scarlet "A" embroidered on her dress became a symbol of adultery and social stigma.
Other notable individuals who carried the surname Scarlet include William Scarlet (c. 1665-1726), a British pirate who operated in the Indian Ocean, and John Scarlet (1651-1727), an English physician and author who wrote on various medical topics.
In the 19th century, the name was associated with Sir James Yorke Scarlett (1799-1871), a distinguished British army officer who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and the Crimean War, earning numerous military honors.
Throughout its history, the surname Scarlet has undergone various spellings, including Scarlett, Scarlette, and Scarlatt, reflecting regional variations and linguistic influences over time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Scarlet surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 21 Scarlets recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.40x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 21 | 1.40x |
| Middlesex | 19 | 1.26x |
| Lancashire | 11 | 0.61x |
| Ayrshire | 10 | 8.84x |
| Herefordshire | 9 | 14.52x |
| Norfolk | 9 | 3.87x |
| Northamptonshire | 9 | 6.33x |
| Staffordshire | 8 | 1.57x |
| Suffolk | 7 | 3.80x |
| Cheshire | 6 | 1.80x |
| Durham | 5 | 1.11x |
| Oxfordshire | 5 | 5.36x |
| Cumberland | 4 | 3.07x |
| Sussex | 4 | 1.57x |
| Banffshire | 3 | 9.57x |
| Essex | 3 | 1.01x |
| Hampshire | 3 | 0.97x |
| Kent | 3 | 0.58x |
| Surrey | 3 | 0.41x |
| Angus | 2 | 1.43x |
| Kinross-shire | 2 | 52.36x |
| Shropshire | 2 | 1.53x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 1.09x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.32x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.20x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.41x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.49x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.26x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 0.75x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kilmarnock in Ayrshire leads with 10 Scarlets recorded in 1881 and an index of 74.24x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kilmarnock | 10 | 74.24x |
| Holy Trinity | 9 | 24.98x |
| Northampton All Sts | 9 | 186.34x |
| Paddington London | 9 | 16.19x |
| Southcoates | 8 | 96.15x |
| West Bromwich | 7 | 23.96x |
| Catfield | 6 | 1818.18x |
| Eye | 6 | 1666.67x |
| Brinnington | 5 | 160.26x |
| Penrith | 4 | 83.16x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 3 | 7.77x |
| Great Bolton | 3 | 12.63x |
| Islington London | 3 | 2.05x |
| Leominster | 3 | 116.73x |
| Longton | 3 | 400.00x |
| Rathven | 3 | 50.93x |
| Shottesham All Sts | 3 | 1500.00x |
| Uckfield | 3 | 270.27x |
| Aldeburgh | 2 | 183.49x |
| Bethnal Green London | 2 | 3.05x |
| Brightlingsea | 2 | 116.96x |
| Checkendon | 2 | 1000.00x |
| Dundee | 2 | 3.82x |
| Hackney London | 2 | 2.36x |
| Middlesbrough | 2 | 10.25x |
| Monxton | 2 | 1428.57x |
| Oldbury | 2 | 1538.46x |
| Portmoak | 2 | 370.37x |
| South Newington | 2 | 1176.47x |
| Waldringfield | 2 | 1428.57x |
| Barony | 1 | 0.81x |
| Bensington | 1 | 166.67x |
| Blundeston | 1 | 270.27x |
| Bramford | 1 | 144.93x |
| Broughton | 1 | 212.77x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 1.04x |
| Deal | 1 | 22.73x |
| Dukinfield | 1 | 6.49x |
| East Cliffe | 1 | 714.29x |
| Everleigh | 1 | 555.56x |
| Farnworth | 1 | 9.30x |
| Fenny Stratford | 1 | 116.28x |
| Gate Fulford | 1 | 28.57x |
| Gorton | 1 | 5.93x |
| Great Grimsby | 1 | 6.52x |
| High Ongar | 1 | 181.82x |
| Hulme | 1 | 2.67x |
| Hythe St Leonard | 1 | 54.95x |
| Inveresk | 1 | 18.25x |
| Kingsbury | 1 | 256.41x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 0.76x |
| Leeds | 1 | 1.18x |
| Monk Hesleden | 1 | 80.00x |
| Oldham | 1 | 1.73x |
| Otley | 1 | 303.03x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 1 | 4.13x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 3.51x |
| Rugby | 1 | 19.38x |
| Rugeley | 1 | 27.32x |
| St George In East | 1 | 9.73x |
| Waldron | 1 | 144.93x |
| Wandsworth | 1 | 6.87x |
| Whitworth | 1 | 30.40x |
| Withington | 1 | 17.30x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Scarlet surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Scarlet surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Scarlet households.
FAQ
In 1881, 160 people were recorded with the Scarlet surname. That placed it at #14,860 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 46 in 2016. That gives Scarlet a modern rank of #35,126.
A surname indicating deep red or bright crimson.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Scarlet bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.