NameCensus.

UK surname

Shelton

A locational surname referring to someone from any of the places in England named Shelton, meaning "shelf town."

In the 1881 census there were 3,532 people recorded with the Shelton surname, ranking it #1,282 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,582, ranked #1,484, down from #1,282 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wellingborough, Rutland and Gedling.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shelton is 5,000 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 29.7%.

1881 census count

3,532

Ranked #1,282

Modern count

4,582

2016, ranked #1,484

Peak year

1911

5,000 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Shelton had 3,532 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,282 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,582 in 2016, ranked #1,484.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5,000 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Shelton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shelton surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Shelton 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 2,469 #1,204
1861 historical 2,660 #1,103
1881 historical 3,532 #1,282
1891 historical 4,104 #1,171
1901 historical 4,500 #1,268
1911 historical 5,000 #1,047
1997 modern 4,664 #1,402
1998 modern 4,792 #1,416
1999 modern 4,795 #1,427
2000 modern 4,752 #1,430
2001 modern 4,664 #1,423
2002 modern 4,687 #1,455
2003 modern 4,595 #1,448
2004 modern 4,572 #1,453
2005 modern 4,471 #1,466
2006 modern 4,455 #1,474
2007 modern 4,512 #1,464
2008 modern 4,560 #1,458
2009 modern 4,669 #1,461
2010 modern 4,752 #1,467
2011 modern 4,668 #1,473
2012 modern 4,606 #1,456
2013 modern 4,722 #1,455
2014 modern 4,726 #1,461
2015 modern 4,653 #1,468
2016 modern 4,582 #1,484

Geography

Back to top

Where Sheltons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Gedling and Nottingham St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wellingborough, Rutland, Gedling, Ashfield and County Durham. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Gedling Nottinghamshire
5 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wellingborough 010 Wellingborough
2 Rutland 005 Rutland
3 Gedling 002 Gedling
4 Ashfield 014 Ashfield
5 County Durham 024 County Durham

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Shelton

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Shelton

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Shelton is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Shelton is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Shelton 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 Shelton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Shelton

The surname Shelton has its origins in England, and it is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, specifically around the 12th or 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English words "scylf" or "scelf," meaning "shelf" or "ledge," and "tun," meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a settlement or dwelling located on a ledge or shelf-like area.

One of the earliest known references to the name Shelton can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is recorded as "Scelftuun" in Bedfordshire. This historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the distribution of land and the names of landowners and tenants at the time.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various records with different spellings, such as "Scheltun," "Sheltone," and "Sheltun." These variations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions during that period.

Shelton is also associated with several place names in England, such as Shelton in Bedfordshire, Shelton in Staffordshire, and Shelton in Nottinghamshire. These place names likely influenced the development and spread of the surname.

One notable individual bearing the surname Shelton was John Shelton (c. 1472-1539), an English courtier and landowner during the Tudor period. He served as a member of the Privy Council under King Henry VIII and played a significant role in the religious and political affairs of the time.

Another prominent figure was Richard Shelton (c. 1578-1642), an English poet and translator known for his works such as "A Remonstrance Against Romish Ceremonies." He is considered one of the metaphysical poets of the 17th century.

In the 18th century, Samuel Shelton (1753-1808) was a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary Wars. He achieved the rank of Vice Admiral and was renowned for his bravery and leadership.

The 19th century saw the emergence of Sarah Shelton (1839-1919), an American artist and author who gained recognition for her illustrations and writings about Native American life and culture.

Additionally, Willard Shelton (1900-1985) was an American football player and coach who played for the University of Michigan and later coached at several universities, including Ohio State and Northwestern.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the surname Shelton throughout history, demonstrating its deep roots and widespread recognition across various fields and time periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Shelton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shelton 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. Nottinghamshire leads with 603 Sheltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.02x.

County Total Index
Nottinghamshire 603 13.02x
Middlesex 344 1.00x
Yorkshire 306 0.90x
Derbyshire 270 5.02x
Leicestershire 225 5.91x
Warwickshire 204 2.36x
Staffordshire 186 1.60x
Northamptonshire 161 4.98x
Huntingdonshire 139 20.38x
Surrey 128 0.76x
Lincolnshire 112 2.04x
Lancashire 108 0.27x
Rutland 60 23.79x
Kent 58 0.49x
Worcestershire 58 1.29x
Gloucestershire 53 0.79x
Buckinghamshire 50 2.41x
Bedfordshire 47 2.64x
Essex 43 0.63x
Hampshire 33 0.47x
Cambridgeshire 31 1.43x
Shropshire 31 1.04x
Somerset 24 0.43x
Berkshire 22 0.85x
Norfolk 21 0.40x
Oxfordshire 19 0.90x
Hertfordshire 18 0.76x
Sussex 18 0.31x
Cheshire 16 0.21x
Cornwall 15 0.39x
Westmorland 14 1.85x
Durham 13 0.13x
Dorset 9 0.40x
Monmouthshire 8 0.32x
Montgomeryshire 8 1.02x
Northumberland 8 0.16x
Suffolk 7 0.17x
Cumberland 6 0.20x
Glamorgan 6 0.10x
Denbighshire 5 0.39x
Dunbartonshire 5 0.54x
Lanarkshire 5 0.05x
Midlothian 5 0.11x
Wiltshire 4 0.13x
Caernarfonshire 3 0.22x
Ayrshire 2 0.08x
Devon 2 0.03x
Herefordshire 2 0.14x
Channel Islands 1 0.10x
Flintshire 1 0.11x
Inverness-shire 1 0.10x
Kincardineshire 1 0.24x
Royal Navy 1 0.24x
Stirlingshire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nottingham St Mary in Nottinghamshire leads with 116 Sheltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.69x.

Place Total Index
Nottingham St Mary 116 9.69x
Carlton 63 119.27x
Ilkeston 63 41.79x
Wolverhampton 60 6.73x
Aston 48 2.01x
Hucknall Torkard 47 40.04x
Birmingham 45 1.56x
St Pancras London 41 1.48x
Brightside Bierlow 35 5.24x
Radford 35 14.88x
Leicester St Margaret 34 3.66x
Bulwell 32 31.79x
Lambeth 32 1.07x
Nether Hallam 32 6.95x
Sutton In Ashfield 32 31.85x
Upwood 32 802.01x
Sheffield 31 2.86x
Wollaston 30 168.92x
Chesterfield 28 13.89x
Dudley 24 4.40x
Islington London 24 0.72x
Stoke Bardolph 24 1153.85x
Higham Ferrers 23 131.05x
Kensington London 23 1.20x
Heanor 21 26.11x
St Marylebone London 21 1.15x
Tettenhall 21 29.63x
Bilston 19 8.46x
Eaton 19 460.05x
Syston 19 53.30x
Arnold 18 26.64x
Loughborough 18 10.42x
Mile End Old Town 18 3.32x
Barrow Upon Soar 16 50.87x
Idle 16 10.14x
Long Eaton 16 22.54x
Snenton 16 8.80x
Spalding 16 14.68x
Ramsey 15 27.47x
Salford 15 1.25x
Applethwaite 14 62.19x
Bedford St Paul 14 11.48x
Gedling 14 183.49x
Leicester St Mary 14 4.55x
Northill 14 84.13x
Nottingham St Nicholas 14 22.20x
Paddington London 14 1.11x
Stoke Newington London 14 5.23x
Whittlesey St Mary St 14 18.42x
Ardwick 13 3.54x
Atherstone 13 29.39x
Broughton 13 377.91x
Leeds 13 0.68x
Mansfield 13 8.11x
Napton On Hill 13 124.76x
Oxford St Giles 13 12.85x
Ripley 13 19.56x
Shoreditch London 13 0.87x
Toddington 13 50.98x
Chiswick 12 6.39x
Chorlton On Medlock 12 1.85x
Ealing 12 3.91x
Glaston 12 463.32x
Great Stukeley 12 244.40x
Hoby 12 327.87x
Little Stukeley 12 345.82x
Cropwell Bishop 11 147.06x
Crowland 11 31.93x
Hackney London 11 0.57x
Hickling 11 189.00x
Northampton St Giles 11 8.94x
Nottingham St Peter 11 21.31x
Offord D Arcy 11 269.61x
Oxton 11 181.22x
Portsea 11 0.80x
Upton Cum Chalvey 11 13.29x
Wellington 11 6.60x
West Bromwich 11 1.66x
Northfleet 10 9.69x
Pillaton 10 251.89x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 254
Elizabeth 159
Sarah 150
Ann 87
Eliza 64
Annie 63
Jane 62
Emma 55
Ellen 52
Hannah 41
Emily 33
Alice 28
Kate 25
Lucy 25
Fanny 24
Charlotte 23
Florence 22
Louisa 22
Martha 22
Agnes 19
Harriet 18
Margaret 18
Harriett 17
Ada 16
Frances 16
Catherine 15
Clara 15
Anne 14
Edith 14
Maria 13
Caroline 12
Ethel 10
Julia 10
Rebecca 10
Ruth 10
Susan 10
Eleanor 9
Amy 7
Gertrude 7
Jessie 7
Matilda 7
Minnie 7
Amelia 6
Betsy 6
Isabella 6
Lizzie 6
Maud 6
Rachel 6
Rose 6
E. 5

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 250
John 225
George 136
Thomas 127
Joseph 71
Henry 69
James 67
Charles 61
Arthur 51
Samuel 48
Robert 45
Alfred 38
Edward 38
Richard 26
Albert 23
Frederick 23
Harry 19
Walter 19
Edwin 17
Benjamin 16
Herbert 14
Francis 13
Wm. 13
Ernest 12
Thos. 11
Frank 9
Isaac 9
Mark 7
Tom 7
Daniel 6
David 6
Fredrick 5
Abraham 4
Elijah 4
Fredk. 4
Henery 4
Jarvis 4
Martin 4
Sydney 4
Chas. 3
Christopher 3
Fred. 3
Frederic 3
Jacob 3
Jno. 3
Job 3
Michael 3
Norman 3
Reuben 3
Stephen 3

FAQ

Shelton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Shelton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,532 people were recorded with the Shelton surname. That placed it at #1,282 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Shelton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,582 in 2016. That gives Shelton a modern rank of #1,484.

What does the Shelton surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from any of the places in England named Shelton, meaning "shelf town."

What does the Shelton map show?

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