UK surname
A variant spelling of the German surname Sesser, referring to a sieve-maker.
In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Sester surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,061, down from #32,765 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Harborne, London parishes and Letcomb Regis, Childrey. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sester is 170 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 85.7%.
1881 census count
7
Ranked #32,765
Modern count
1
2016, ranked #39,061
Peak year
1861
170 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Sester surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Sester surname density by area, 1891 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 | 4 | #32,658 |
| 1861 | historical | 170 | #13,763 |
| 1881 | historical | 7 | #32,765 |
| 1891 | historical | 112 | #22,291 |
| 1901 | historical | 13 | #32,633 |
| 1911 | historical | 45 | #28,332 |
| 1999 | modern | 1 | #38,820 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 1 | #38,949 |
| 2009 | modern | 2 | #38,725 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2012 | modern | 2 | #38,754 |
| 2013 | modern | 2 | #38,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2015 | modern | 1 | #39,021 |
| 2016 | modern | 1 | #39,061 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Harborne, London parishes, Letcomb Regis, Childrey, St Leonard Bromley and St Giles Camberwell. 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 | Harborne | Worcestershire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | Letcomb Regis, Childrey | Berkshire |
| 4 | St Leonard Bromley | London (East Districts) |
| 5 | St Giles Camberwell | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Sester 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 Sester, 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 Sester surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Sester 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, Sester 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 Sester is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Sester, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Sester has its origins in England, dating back to the late medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "sæster," which referred to a dry measure or container used for holding grains or other commodities. Variations of the spelling include Sester, Sestre, and Seester.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sester can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1176, where a Robert Sester is mentioned as a landowner. The name also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279, indicating its presence in various parts of England during the 13th century.
In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the name Sester was John Sester, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London. He was actively involved in the city's trade and governance, serving as the Mayor of London in 1368.
During the 15th century, the name Sester was associated with several individuals of prominence. One such person was William Sester, who held the position of Sergeant-at-Arms for King Henry VI in the 1440s. Another notable figure was Thomas Sester, a wealthy landowner and benefactor who contributed to the construction of St. Mary's Church in the village of Kirtlington, Oxfordshire, in the late 1400s.
In the 16th century, the Sester surname was recorded in various parts of England, including Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. One individual of note was Richard Sester, a scholar and fellow of Merton College, Oxford, who lived from 1520 to 1588.
As the surname spread to different regions, it often took on variations in spelling and pronunciation, reflecting local dialects and customs. For instance, in some areas, the name was spelled as Sestre or Seester, while in others, it was pronounced with a more distinct "s" sound or with a softer "z" sound.
While the Sester surname has its roots in England, it has since been carried to various parts of the world through migration and dispersal of families over the centuries. However, its origins can be traced back to the late medieval period and the Old English word "sæster," which reflects its connection to the agricultural and commercial activities of that era.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sester 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. Middlesex leads with 5 Sesters recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.35x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 5 | 7.35x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 21.81x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westminster St in Middlesex leads with 5 Sesters recorded in 1881 and an index of 2000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Westminster St | 5 | 2000.00x |
| Newark Upon Trent | 1 | 303.03x |
| Snenton | 1 | 277.78x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Sester 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 Sester 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 Sester households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 2 |
| Gen Serv | 1 |
| Mantle Maker | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Stone Mason | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Sester surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2016. That gives Sester a modern rank of #39,061.
A variant spelling of the German surname Sesser, referring to a sieve-maker.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Sester 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.