UK surname
A medieval English surname referring to a member of the clergy, specifically a priest or parson.
In the 1881 census there were 42 people recorded with the Septon surname, ranking it #27,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6, ranked #38,110, down from #27,721 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Durham St Oswald, Tarleton and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Septon is 170 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 85.7%.
1881 census count
42
Ranked #27,721
Modern count
6
2016, ranked #38,110
Peak year
1861
170 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Septon surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Septon surname density by area, 1861 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 | 80 | #19,558 |
| 1861 | historical | 170 | #13,763 |
| 1881 | historical | 42 | #27,721 |
| 1891 | historical | 49 | #30,349 |
| 1901 | historical | 47 | #28,929 |
| 1911 | historical | 41 | #28,802 |
| 1997 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1998 | modern | 8 | #37,334 |
| 1999 | modern | 8 | #37,367 |
| 2000 | modern | 6 | #37,624 |
| 2001 | modern | 5 | #37,652 |
| 2002 | modern | 7 | #37,379 |
| 2003 | modern | 8 | #37,248 |
| 2004 | modern | 8 | #37,346 |
| 2005 | modern | 8 | #37,422 |
| 2006 | modern | 12 | #37,014 |
| 2007 | modern | 11 | #37,217 |
| 2008 | modern | 11 | #37,270 |
| 2009 | modern | 10 | #37,446 |
| 2010 | modern | 13 | #37,215 |
| 2011 | modern | 10 | #37,504 |
| 2012 | modern | 8 | #37,740 |
| 2013 | modern | 7 | #37,909 |
| 2014 | modern | 5 | #38,228 |
| 2015 | modern | 6 | #38,076 |
| 2016 | modern | 6 | #38,110 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Durham St Oswald, Tarleton, Manchester, Prescot and Liverpool. 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 | Durham St Oswald | Durham |
| 2 | Tarleton | Lancashire |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Prescot | Lancashire |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Septon 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 Septon, 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 Septon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Septon 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, Septon 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 Septon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Septon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Septon has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 11th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English word "septon," meaning a member of the clergy or a sexton. It was initially used as an occupational name for those who served in churches or monasteries.
In the Domesday Book, compiled in 1086 for William the Conqueror, there are several references to individuals with the surname Septon or variations such as Septun and Septen. These individuals were likely employed in religious institutions or had responsibilities related to church administration.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Septon can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1197, which mention a Richard Septon. Another early record is from the Curia Regis Rolls of Buckinghamshire in 1220, where a Walter Septon is listed.
The surname Septon has also been associated with various place names in England. For instance, there is a village called Septon in Somerset, which may have contributed to the surname's development. Additionally, the name Septon is believed to be related to the place name Sapperton in Gloucestershire, derived from the Old English words "sæppe" (aspen tree) and "tun" (enclosure or settlement).
Notable individuals with the surname Septon throughout history include:
1. William Septon (c. 1330 - c. 1400), an English clergyman and ecclesiastical administrator who served as the Chancellor of the University of Oxford from 1390 to 1392.
2. John Septon (c. 1480 - 1535), an English priest and theologian who actively participated in the theological debates during the Reformation.
3. Elizabeth Septon (c. 1570 - 1630), a renowned herbalist and apothecary in London, known for her extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and their applications.
4. Thomas Septon (1688 - 1759), an English mathematician and astronomer who contributed to the development of celestial mechanics and the calculation of planetary orbits.
5. Mary Septon (1789 - 1865), a British philanthropist and social reformer who established several schools and orphanages in London and advocated for the education of underprivileged children.
While the surname Septon has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora. However, the historical records and examples mentioned above provide insight into the surname's origins, evolution, and notable bearers from its early beginnings.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Septon 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. Lancashire leads with 21 Septons recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.43x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 21 | 4.43x |
| Yorkshire | 13 | 3.28x |
| Durham | 4 | 3.36x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.77x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.25x |
| Peeblesshire | 1 | 53.19x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Preston in Lancashire leads with 8 Septons recorded in 1881 and an index of 62.99x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Preston | 8 | 62.99x |
| Chorley | 6 | 225.56x |
| Horton In Bradford | 5 | 80.78x |
| Leeds | 5 | 22.34x |
| Gateshead | 4 | 44.89x |
| Blackburn | 3 | 23.75x |
| Kirkdale | 3 | 37.59x |
| Templenewsam | 2 | 689.66x |
| All Hallows Barking | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Bilbrough | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Govan | 1 | 3.13x |
| Innerleithen | 1 | 200.00x |
| Manchester | 1 | 4.69x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Septon 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 Septon 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 Septon households.
FAQ
In 1881, 42 people were recorded with the Septon surname. That placed it at #27,721 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 6 in 2016. That gives Septon a modern rank of #38,110.
A medieval English surname referring to a member of the clergy, specifically a priest or parson.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Septon 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.