NameCensus.

UK surname

Setter

English occupational surname for one who planted seeds or set traps.

In the 1881 census there were 202 people recorded with the Setter surname, ranking it #12,753 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 248, ranked #16,910, down from #12,753 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Exeter St David (including Castle Yard). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Gloucestershire, South Hams and Wiltshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Setter is 281 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22.8%.

1881 census count

202

Ranked #12,753

Modern count

248

2016, ranked #16,910

Peak year

1911

281 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Setter had 202 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,753 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 248 in 2016, ranked #16,910.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 281 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Setter surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Setter surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Setter 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 149 #12,967
1861 historical 143 #15,906
1881 historical 202 #12,753
1891 historical 186 #15,740
1901 historical 265 #12,652
1911 historical 281 #11,953
1997 modern 262 #14,814
1998 modern 258 #15,354
1999 modern 266 #15,150
2000 modern 261 #15,314
2001 modern 253 #15,403
2002 modern 267 #15,123
2003 modern 266 #14,987
2004 modern 262 #15,233
2005 modern 235 #16,335
2006 modern 233 #16,560
2007 modern 231 #16,835
2008 modern 229 #17,092
2009 modern 241 #16,848
2010 modern 243 #17,100
2011 modern 235 #17,328
2012 modern 237 #17,132
2013 modern 240 #17,251
2014 modern 246 #17,079
2015 modern 251 #16,756
2016 modern 248 #16,910

Geography

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Where Setters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Tormoham with Torquay and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Gloucestershire, South Hams, Wiltshire and West Devon. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) Devon
4 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Gloucestershire 004 South Gloucestershire
2 South Hams 003 South Hams
3 South Hams 005 South Hams
4 Wiltshire 012 Wiltshire
5 West Devon 003 West Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Setter

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Setter

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Setter is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Setter 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

Setter falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Setter is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Setter

The surname Setter is believed to have originated in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "settor," which means "one who sets or places something." This name likely referred to an occupation or trade, possibly someone who set traps or arranged things in a particular order.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Setter surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and property commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name was found in various spellings, such as "Seter" and "Settur," indicating its presence in different regions of England.

Over the centuries, the Setter name has been associated with several notable individuals. In the 14th century, John Setter was a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of York. Records from 1379 mention his involvement in trade dealings and property acquisitions within the city.

Another notable figure was William Setter, born in 1612 in Lincolnshire. He was a Puritan minister known for his strong religious convictions and his participation in the English Civil War. Setter's writings and sermons from the mid-17th century reflect the religious and political tensions of that era.

In the 18th century, the name appeared in various parts of England, including the county of Devonshire, where a family of Setters owned land and properties. One member of this family, Thomas Setter (1735-1811), was a respected magistrate and landowner in the town of Tiverton.

The Setter name also has connections to Scotland, with records indicating its presence in the Borders region dating back to the 16th century. One notable Scottish Setter was John Setter (1570-1638), a scholar and philosopher who studied at the University of St. Andrews and later became a professor of philosophy at the University of Edinburgh.

While the name Setter has its origins in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and immigration. However, it remains most prevalent in the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Scotland, where it has a long-standing historical presence.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Setter families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Setter 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. Devon leads with 136 Setters recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.00x.

County Total Index
Devon 136 33.00x
Middlesex 27 1.36x
Glamorgan 9 2.61x
Yorkshire 9 0.46x
Kent 6 0.89x
Gloucestershire 5 1.29x
Orkney 3 13.77x
Lancashire 2 0.09x
Surrey 2 0.21x
Herefordshire 1 1.23x
Norfolk 1 0.33x
Northumberland 1 0.34x
Royal Navy 1 4.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Thorverton in Devon leads with 20 Setters recorded in 1881 and an index of 3174.60x.

Place Total Index
Thorverton 20 3174.60x
Crediton 16 409.21x
North Tawton 10 787.40x
Plymouth Charles The 10 55.07x
Throwleigh 10 4761.90x
Whitchurch 9 1250.00x
Exeter St Sidwell 7 74.15x
Stainbrough 7 1944.44x
Chagford 6 606.06x
Coffinswell 6 4615.38x
Poplar London 6 16.06x
Shoreditch London 6 6.99x
Ystradyfodwg 6 19.84x
East Teignmouth 5 295.86x
Ilsington 5 694.44x
Bethnal Green London 4 4.65x
Exeter St Edmund 4 449.44x
Poltimore 4 2000.00x
Westbury On Trym 4 30.40x
Combeinteignhead 3 1034.48x
Egg Buckland 3 428.57x
Swansea Town 3 10.61x
Tedburn St Mary 3 697.67x
Brightside Bierlow 2 5.20x
Dartmouth Townstall 2 119.05x
Lewisham 2 5.55x
Mamhead 2 1538.46x
St Marylebone London 2 1.89x
Stromness 2 122.70x
Teigngrace 2 1666.67x
Westminster St 2 27.40x
Westminster St James 2 9.82x
Abbots Kerswell 1 333.33x
Bondleigh 1 769.23x
Bristol St Michael 1 30.03x
Chelsea London 1 1.68x
Chiswick 1 9.24x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.92x
Edmonton 1 6.27x
Everton 1 1.34x
Exeter St Mary Major 1 40.32x
High Halden 1 232.56x
Kenninghall 1 119.05x
Kensington London 1 0.91x
Kingsteignton 1 86.96x
Nether Exe 1 2000.00x
Newington 1 1.37x
Newington In Milton 1 142.86x
Over Kellet 1 303.03x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 3.15x
Reigate Foreign 1 9.57x
Royal Navy 1 4.96x
Sevenoaks 1 18.25x
South Brent 1 112.36x
St Luke London 1 3.15x
Stronsay Eday 1 70.42x
Tormoham 1 5.73x
Totnes 1 41.49x
Tynemouth 1 6.34x
Winslow 1 357.14x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 19
Elizabeth 10
Emma 8
Alice 5
Ann 5
Louisa 4
Sarah 4
Annie 3
Eliza 3
Ellen 3
Hannah 3
Harriet 3
Susan 3
Amy 2
Catherine 2
Emily 2
Jane 2
Laura 2
Lucy 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Amelia 1
Anne 1
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
Blanche 1
Eileen 1
Eva 1
Fannie 1
Georgina 1
Grace 1
Hariett 1
Henrietta 1
Jessie 1
Louiza 1
Matilda 1
Prisalla 1
Rachel 1
Rhoda 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 16
George 11
John 10
James 8
Samuel 4
Thomas 4
Alfred 3
Charles 3
Henry 3
Richard 3
Edward 2
Eli 2
Joseph 2
Lewis 2
Robert 2
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
Daniel 1
Edwin 1
Emannuel 1
Enos 1
Ernest 1
Ethan 1
Frederic 1
Frederick 1
Frederocl 1
Geo.J. 1
Jno.Geo. 1
Sidney 1
Sydney 1
Tom 1
Willie 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Setter surname: questions and answers

How common was the Setter surname in 1881?

In 1881, 202 people were recorded with the Setter surname. That placed it at #12,753 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Setter surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 248 in 2016. That gives Setter a modern rank of #16,910.

What does the Setter surname mean?

English occupational surname for one who planted seeds or set traps.

What does the Setter map show?

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