NameCensus.

UK surname

Shovelton

In the 1881 census there were 110 people recorded with the Shovelton surname, ranking it #18,695 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 174, ranked #21,466, down from #18,695 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wigan, Leigh and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wigan and Sedgemoor.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shovelton is 200 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 58.2%.

1881 census count

110

Ranked #18,695

Modern count

174

2016, ranked #21,466

Peak year

2000

200 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Shovelton had 110 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,695 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 174 in 2016, ranked #21,466.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 183 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Shovelton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shovelton surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Shovelton 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 64 #21,914
1861 historical 61 #26,170
1881 historical 110 #18,695
1891 historical 155 #17,920
1901 historical 167 #16,943
1911 historical 183 #15,811
1997 modern 184 #18,580
1998 modern 183 #19,106
1999 modern 178 #19,592
2000 modern 200 #18,209
2001 modern 187 #18,708
2002 modern 194 #18,651
2003 modern 181 #19,277
2004 modern 175 #19,805
2005 modern 175 #19,727
2006 modern 169 #20,294
2007 modern 178 #19,887
2008 modern 179 #20,015
2009 modern 174 #20,782
2010 modern 179 #20,886
2011 modern 174 #21,096
2012 modern 180 #20,606
2013 modern 182 #20,795
2014 modern 178 #21,259
2015 modern 177 #21,220
2016 modern 174 #21,466

Geography

Back to top

Where Shoveltons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wigan, Leigh, Manchester and Standish. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wigan 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 Wigan Lancashire
2 Leigh Lancashire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Standish Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wigan 031 Wigan
2 Wigan 034 Wigan
3 Wigan 008 Wigan
4 Wigan 033 Wigan
5 Sedgemoor 001 Sedgemoor

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Shovelton

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Shovelton

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

Shovelton 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

Shovelton falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Shovelton 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 Shovelton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Shovelton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shovelton 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. Lancashire leads with 103 Shoveltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.09x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 103 8.09x
Lanarkshire 4 1.15x
Northumberland 2 1.25x
Kent 1 0.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bedford in Lancashire leads with 20 Shoveltons recorded in 1881 and an index of 751.88x.

Place Total Index
Bedford 20 751.88x
Pennington In Leigh 17 696.72x
Cheetham 13 136.84x
Shevington 8 1379.31x
Stretford 6 85.59x
North Meols 5 40.13x
Standish With Langtree 5 318.47x
Warrington 5 33.13x
Westleigh 5 173.01x
Atherton 4 86.39x
Pendlebury 4 148.70x
Glasgow 3 4.87x
Ardwick 2 17.42x
Hindley 2 36.83x
Pendleton In Salford 2 13.18x
Salford 2 5.34x
Whitley 2 384.62x
Barony 1 1.14x
Canterbury St Gregory 1 208.33x
Hulme 1 3.76x
Rainford 1 72.46x
Wardleworth 1 13.74x

Top female names

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

Name Count
James 8
Joseph 8
Thomas 8
John 4
William 3
Wright 3
Paul 2
Peter 2
Adam 1
Allan 1
Arthur 1
Barnett 1
Emanuel 1
Emmanuel 1
Fredk. 1
George 1
Harry 1
Henry 1
Leanard 1
Richd. 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Shovelton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Shovelton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 110 people were recorded with the Shovelton surname. That placed it at #18,695 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Shovelton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 174 in 2016. That gives Shovelton a modern rank of #21,466.

What does the Shovelton map show?

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