NameCensus.

UK surname

Shapter

A surname likely derived from the Old English word "sceppere" meaning shepherd or sheep herder.

In the 1881 census there were 167 people recorded with the Shapter surname, ranking it #14,443 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 147, ranked #24,071, down from #14,443 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kenn, Ide, Ashton, Exminster, Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish and Littleham (including pt Exmouth). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Teignbridge, West Dorset and Mendip.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shapter is 233 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 12.0%.

1881 census count

167

Ranked #14,443

Modern count

147

2016, ranked #24,071

Peak year

1911

233 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Shapter had 167 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,443 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 147 in 2016, ranked #24,071.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 233 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Shapter surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shapter surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shapter 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 165 #12,053
1861 historical 158 #14,644
1881 historical 167 #14,443
1891 historical 216 #14,107
1901 historical 200 #15,120
1911 historical 233 #13,560
1997 modern 159 #20,339
1998 modern 154 #21,316
1999 modern 157 #21,201
2000 modern 148 #21,971
2001 modern 149 #21,568
2002 modern 155 #21,431
2003 modern 144 #22,270
2004 modern 148 #22,000
2005 modern 141 #22,688
2006 modern 142 #22,724
2007 modern 139 #23,377
2008 modern 141 #23,383
2009 modern 135 #24,594
2010 modern 146 #23,921
2011 modern 143 #24,056
2012 modern 135 #24,952
2013 modern 144 #24,323
2014 modern 148 #24,075
2015 modern 146 #24,148
2016 modern 147 #24,071

Geography

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Where Shapters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kenn, Ide, Ashton, Exminster, Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish, Littleham (including pt Exmouth), Bridgwater, Goathurst, Durleigh, Wembdon, Chilton Trinity and Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Teignbridge, West Dorset, Mendip and Sedgemoor. 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 Kenn, Ide, Ashton, Exminster Devon
2 Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish Devon
3 Littleham (including pt Exmouth) Devon
4 Bridgwater, Goathurst, Durleigh, Wembdon, Chilton Trinity Somerset
5 Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Teignbridge 006 Teignbridge
2 West Dorset 005 West Dorset
3 Mendip 014 Mendip
4 Teignbridge 005 Teignbridge
5 Sedgemoor 009 Sedgemoor

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shapter

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Shapter

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Shapter surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Shapter household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Shapter is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Shapter is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Shapter falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Shapter is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Shapter

The surname Shapter is of English origin and dates back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "sceap-hierde," which translates to "sheep herder." The name was initially associated with individuals who worked as shepherds or those who lived in areas known for sheep farming.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Shapter appears in the Hundredorum Rolls of Oxfordshire, dated around 1273. This document lists a Robert le Shaphurd, indicating the alternative spelling "Shaphurd" was used during that period. The name was also found in various medieval records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where it was written as "Shephurde."

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John Shapter, born around 1450 in Somerset, England. He was a prominent landowner and served as a local magistrate in his county. Another notable figure was William Shapter, born in 1555 in Dorset, who was a renowned scholar and author of several religious texts during the Elizabethan era.

In the 17th century, the Shapter family established roots in the county of Devon, where they owned estates and held positions of influence. Sir Thomas Shapter, born in 1620, was a respected lawyer and served as a Member of Parliament for Tavistock in 1673.

The name Shapter was also associated with the village of Shapter in Somerset, which derived its name from the Old English "sceap-tun," meaning "sheep farm." This connection further reinforces the link between the surname and its pastoral origins.

Other significant individuals with the surname Shapter include:

1. Robert Shapter (1705-1782), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in Bath, England. 2. Edward Shapter (1785-1859), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and rose to the rank of Rear Admiral. 3. Henry Shapter (1820-1892), an English clergyman and author who wrote extensively on religious and historical topics. 4. Winifred Shapter (1876-1958), a pioneering female architect known for her work on residential and educational buildings in the early 20th century. 5. Thomas Shapter (1809-1876), a prominent businessman and philanthropist who established several charitable foundations in Bristol.

Throughout its history, the surname Shapter has maintained its connection to its pastoral roots, reflecting the occupations and lifestyles of its earliest bearers. While the name has evolved over time, its enduring presence in various regions of England serves as a testament to its longevity and historical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Shapter families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shapter 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 135 Shapters recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.58x.

County Total Index
Devon 135 39.58x
Middlesex 13 0.79x
Somerset 10 3.79x
Lancashire 6 0.31x
Berkshire 1 0.81x
Channel Islands 1 2.06x
Cornwall 1 0.54x
Sussex 1 0.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dawlish in Devon leads with 19 Shapters recorded in 1881 and an index of 748.03x.

Place Total Index
Dawlish 19 748.03x
Plymouth St Andrew 18 68.52x
Littleham 16 642.57x
Kenn 8 1509.43x
St Marylebone London 8 9.14x
Ashcombe 7 6363.64x
East Teignmouth 7 500.00x
Exeter St Sidwell 7 89.63x
Plymouth Charles The 7 46.57x
Wolborough 7 162.41x
Livesey 6 175.95x
St Peter Tavy 6 3529.41x
West Teignmouth 6 229.89x
Bridgewater 4 55.87x
Burnham 4 199.01x
East Stonehouse 4 59.52x
Newton Abbot St Nicholas 4 571.43x
Paddington London 3 4.98x
Tavistock 3 77.12x
Teigngrace 3 3000.00x
Kenton 2 185.19x
Withycombe Rawleigh 2 112.36x
Bath St James 1 36.36x
Bishopsteignton 1 153.85x
Brighton 1 1.79x
Buckfastleigh 1 63.69x
Chagford 1 121.95x
Devonport 1 25.51x
Durleigh 1 833.33x
Exeter St Mary Major 1 48.54x
Hackney London 1 1.09x
Hampstead Norris 1 129.87x
Holsworthy 1 104.17x
Ideford 1 625.00x
Madron Penzance 1 14.81x
St Maryde Castro 1 84.03x
Tormoham 1 6.93x
Tottenham 1 3.83x
Uffculme 1 98.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 19
Thomas 13
John 10
Henry 6
George 4
Charles 2
Edward 2
Fredrick 2
Harry 2
James 2
Joseph 2
Lewis 2
Phillip 2
Robert 2
Edwin 1
Gorge 1
Herbert 1
Sydney 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Shapter surname: questions and answers

How common was the Shapter surname in 1881?

In 1881, 167 people were recorded with the Shapter surname. That placed it at #14,443 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Shapter surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 147 in 2016. That gives Shapter a modern rank of #24,071.

What does the Shapter surname mean?

A surname likely derived from the Old English word "sceppere" meaning shepherd or sheep herder.

What does the Shapter map show?

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