NameCensus.

UK surname

Seth

A surname of English origin, derived from the given name Seth, referring to the third son of Adam.

In the 1881 census there were 228 people recorded with the Seth surname, ranking it #11,826 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 754, ranked #7,258, up from #11,826 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Falkland, Borrowstounness and Carriden and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Holland, Barking and Dagenham and Three Rivers.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Seth is 755 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 230.7%.

1881 census count

228

Ranked #11,826

Modern count

754

2016, ranked #7,258

Peak year

2010

755 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Seth had 228 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,826 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 754 in 2016, ranked #7,258.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 243 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Seth surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Seth surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Seth 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 119 #15,247
1861 historical 140 #16,169
1881 historical 228 #11,826
1891 historical 228 #13,582
1901 historical 243 #13,358
1911 historical 177 #16,129
1997 modern 532 #8,887
1998 modern 562 #8,765
1999 modern 563 #8,812
2000 modern 590 #8,514
2001 modern 572 #8,561
2002 modern 587 #8,571
2003 modern 615 #8,169
2004 modern 608 #8,270
2005 modern 619 #8,074
2006 modern 654 #7,766
2007 modern 674 #7,666
2008 modern 688 #7,586
2009 modern 709 #7,568
2010 modern 755 #7,348
2011 modern 741 #7,381
2012 modern 703 #7,580
2013 modern 745 #7,388
2014 modern 735 #7,504
2015 modern 743 #7,354
2016 modern 754 #7,258

Geography

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Where Seths are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Falkland, Borrowstounness and Carriden, London parishes, St Pancras and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Holland, Barking and Dagenham, Three Rivers and Manchester. 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 Falkland Fife
2 Borrowstounness and Carriden Linlithgow
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Holland 010 South Holland
2 Barking and Dagenham 015 Barking and Dagenham
3 Three Rivers 010 Three Rivers
4 Barking and Dagenham 016 Barking and Dagenham
5 Manchester 044 Manchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Seth

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Seth

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Seth surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Seth 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Seth is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Seth is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Seth falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Seth is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Seth

The surname Seth is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "sæd," meaning "seed" or "sowing," suggesting that the name may have originally referred to someone who worked as a sower or planter.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Seth can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which contains records of land holdings and landowners in England at the time of the Norman Conquest. The name is listed as "Sede" and is believed to have been a variant spelling of Seth.

During the Middle Ages, the surname Seth was often associated with families who lived in rural areas and worked as farmers or agricultural laborers. The name may have also been adopted by individuals who lived near a place called "Seth" or a variation of that name.

In the 14th century, records show a John Seth being mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379. Another notable individual bearing the surname was Robert Seth, who was born in Yorkshire in the late 15th century and served as a member of the English Parliament in 1554.

As the surname spread throughout England, it also appeared in various place names and locations. For instance, there is a village called Sethbury in the county of Somerset, which may have derived its name from the Seth surname or vice versa.

Other notable individuals with the surname Seth throughout history include:

1. Sir Andrew Seth (1784-1856), a Scottish merchant and politician who served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1833 to 1838. 2. James Seth (1860-1924), a Scottish philosopher and academic who taught at the University of Edinburgh and wrote extensively on moral philosophy and idealism. 3. John Seth (1907-1975), a British writer and journalist who worked for various publications, including The Times and The Observer. 4. Vikram Seth (born 1952), an Indian novelist and poet best known for his novel "A Suitable Boy" and his poetry collection "The Golden Gate." 5. Govind Seth (1936-2022), an Indian businessman and philanthropist who founded the Govind Group and established several educational institutions in India.

While the surname Seth has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, including India, where it is also a common surname among certain communities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Seth families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Seth 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. Fife leads with 33 Seths recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.06x.

County Total Index
Fife 33 25.06x
Yorkshire 32 1.45x
Surrey 24 2.21x
Midlothian 19 6.38x
Lincolnshire 18 5.06x
Middlesex 18 0.81x
Lanarkshire 14 1.95x
Northamptonshire 14 6.69x
West Lothian 13 38.82x
Dunbartonshire 11 18.40x
Leicestershire 7 2.84x
Lancashire 4 0.15x
Sussex 4 1.07x
Ayrshire 3 1.80x
Hampshire 3 0.66x
Kent 3 0.40x
Angus 2 0.97x
Perthshire 2 2.00x
Hertfordshire 1 0.65x
Huntingdonshire 1 2.26x
Northumberland 1 0.30x
Staffordshire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 14 Seths recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.68x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 14 11.68x
Govan 13 7.31x
Lambeth 13 6.70x
Dumbarton 11 132.21x
Eston 9 187.50x
Croydon 8 13.30x
Kimberworth 8 65.41x
Boness 7 151.52x
Butterwick 7 1707.32x
Melton Mowbray 7 158.01x
Twickenham 7 73.38x
Creich 6 2068.97x
Falkland 6 289.86x
Fleet 6 594.06x
Carriden 5 328.95x
Collessie 5 328.95x
Flisk 5 2500.00x
Skelton In Guisbrough 5 83.89x
South Leith 5 14.91x
Ceres 4 253.16x
Hove 4 24.32x
Liverpool 4 2.50x
Peterborough 4 26.40x
Soothill 4 50.25x
St George Hanover 4 13.78x
Dunlop 3 288.46x
Lilford Cum Wigsthorpe 3 2500.00x
Monimail 3 468.75x
St Pancras London 3 1.68x
Barry 2 80.97x
Kilconquhar 2 127.39x
Langtoft 2 454.55x
Oundle 2 85.47x
Richmond 2 13.17x
Sutton 2 79.68x
Tansor 2 1052.63x
Thornhaugh 2 1052.63x
West Tytherley 2 625.00x
Westminster St John 2 7.39x
Auchtergaven 1 59.88x
Barony 1 0.55x
Billinghay 1 90.91x
Bow London 1 3.53x
Carnbee 1 125.00x
Clee With Weelsby 1 12.84x
Crondall 1 40.82x
Deal 1 15.46x
Deptford St Nicholas 1 16.61x
Forgan 1 39.68x
Fowlis Wester 1 117.65x
Frieston 1 119.05x
Great Staughton 1 116.28x
Hendon 1 12.50x
Holy Trinity 1 1.89x
Leeds 1 0.80x
Linlithgow 1 23.26x
Little Weldon 1 285.71x
Middlesbrough 1 3.48x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 5.83x
Patrixbourne 1 526.32x
Royston 1 76.34x
Streatham 1 6.06x
Thornaby 1 12.15x
Wolverhampton 1 1.73x

Top female names

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

Name Count
George 8
John 8
William 6
Robert 4
Thomas 4
Alfred 3
Benjamin 2
Jonathan 2
Joseph 2
Richard 2
Wm. 2
Albert 1
Alexander 1
Algernon 1
Charles 1
Dave 1
Edward 1
Francis 1
Fredc. 1
Frederick 1
Gustav 1
Henry 1
Jules 1
Owen 1
Percival 1
Sidney 1
Thos. 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Seth surname: questions and answers

How common was the Seth surname in 1881?

In 1881, 228 people were recorded with the Seth surname. That placed it at #11,826 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Seth surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 754 in 2016. That gives Seth a modern rank of #7,258.

What does the Seth surname mean?

A surname of English origin, derived from the given name Seth, referring to the third son of Adam.

What does the Seth map show?

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