NameCensus.

UK surname

Shrimpton

Of English origin, referring to a fish merchant or seller of shrimp.

In the 1881 census there were 1,280 people recorded with the Shrimpton surname, ranking it #3,193 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,503, ranked #4,116, down from #3,193 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Thanet, Knowsley and Wycombe.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shrimpton is 1,767 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.4%.

1881 census count

1,280

Ranked #3,193

Modern count

1,503

2016, ranked #4,116

Peak year

1911

1,767 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Shrimpton had 1,280 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,193 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,503 in 2016, ranked #4,116.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,767 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Shrimpton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shrimpton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shrimpton 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 877 #3,115
1861 historical 679 #3,954
1881 historical 1,280 #3,193
1891 historical 1,254 #3,442
1901 historical 1,570 #3,287
1911 historical 1,767 #2,778
1997 modern 1,586 #3,724
1998 modern 1,672 #3,686
1999 modern 1,669 #3,718
2000 modern 1,666 #3,700
2001 modern 1,614 #3,742
2002 modern 1,638 #3,757
2003 modern 1,624 #3,716
2004 modern 1,607 #3,769
2005 modern 1,519 #3,913
2006 modern 1,497 #3,970
2007 modern 1,521 #3,947
2008 modern 1,521 #3,963
2009 modern 1,559 #3,972
2010 modern 1,586 #3,987
2011 modern 1,545 #4,043
2012 modern 1,516 #4,046
2013 modern 1,532 #4,079
2014 modern 1,536 #4,096
2015 modern 1,533 #4,053
2016 modern 1,503 #4,116

Geography

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Where Shrimptons are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Thanet, Knowsley, Wycombe, Bradford and North Lincolnshire. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Tardebigg Worcestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Thanet 013 Thanet
2 Knowsley 004 Knowsley
3 Wycombe 003 Wycombe
4 Bradford 005 Bradford
5 North Lincolnshire 018 North Lincolnshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shrimpton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Shrimpton

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Shrimpton 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

Shrimpton is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Shrimpton 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 Shrimpton 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 Shrimpton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Shrimpton

The surname Shrimpton originates from England and dates back to the late 12th century. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the Old English words "scrimman" meaning "to shrink or shrivel" and "tun" meaning "an enclosure or settlement." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who resided in a shrunken or shriveled settlement.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1195, where a Richard de Scrimpeton is listed. The spelling variations during this time included Scrimpeton, Scrimpton, and Shrimpton, reflecting the evolution of the name over time.

The Shrimpton name has been associated with various locations in Wiltshire, Somerset, and Gloucestershire, particularly the villages of Shrivenham and Shrimplin. These place names share a similar root to the surname, further reinforcing the locational origins.

In the 13th century, a Reginald de Scrimpeton is recorded as holding lands in Wiltshire, indicating the presence of the name among the landed gentry of the time. The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not appear to include any direct references to the Shrimpton name or its variants.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Shrimpton surname. One such figure was Sir Henry Shrimpton (1567-1642), an English merchant and politician who served as the Master of the Drapers' Company and was knighted by King James I in 1619.

Another prominent Shrimpton was Samuel Shrimpton (1638-1698), a wealthy merchant and influential figure in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He served as a member of the Governor's Council and played a significant role in the colony's economic and political affairs.

In the literary world, Henry Shrimpton (1609-1672) was an English poet and playwright known for his works such as "The Manly Knight" and "The Contented Cuckold." His contributions to the Restoration-era theater and poetry have been recognized by scholars.

Robert Shrimpton (1786-1858) was a notable English architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Hammersmith Bridge and the Church of St. Mary Abbots in Kensington.

Lastly, Edward Shrimpton (1856-1942) was a British Army officer who served in the Second Boer War and World War I, rising to the rank of Major-General and receiving the Distinguished Service Order for his military service.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Shrimpton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shrimpton 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. Middlesex leads with 343 Shrimptons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.74x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 343 2.74x
Surrey 194 3.18x
Buckinghamshire 129 17.05x
Hampshire 85 3.31x
Warwickshire 85 2.69x
Oxfordshire 81 10.48x
Worcestershire 75 4.59x
Kent 49 1.15x
Hertfordshire 48 5.56x
Berkshire 30 3.19x
Essex 24 0.97x
Staffordshire 19 0.45x
Gloucestershire 17 0.69x
Yorkshire 13 0.10x
Berwickshire 9 5.94x
Norfolk 9 0.47x
Northumberland 8 0.43x
Suffolk 8 0.52x
Lancashire 7 0.05x
Northamptonshire 6 0.51x
Bedfordshire 5 0.77x
Devon 5 0.19x
Glamorgan 5 0.23x
Durham 4 0.11x
Somerset 4 0.20x
Cumberland 3 0.28x
Leicestershire 3 0.22x
Sussex 3 0.14x
Derbyshire 2 0.10x
Wiltshire 2 0.18x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.13x
Cornwall 1 0.07x
Herefordshire 1 0.19x
Lanarkshire 1 0.02x
Lincolnshire 1 0.05x
Midlothian 1 0.06x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.06x
Royal Navy 1 0.67x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Long Crendon in Buckinghamshire leads with 47 Shrimptons recorded in 1881 and an index of 928.85x.

Place Total Index
Long Crendon 47 928.85x
Camberwell 38 4.75x
Islington London 33 2.72x
Lambeth 29 2.66x
St Pancras London 28 2.78x
Feckenham 25 133.69x
Redditch 24 72.42x
Bermondsey 23 6.17x
Kensington London 23 3.31x
Birmingham 22 2.09x
Mile End Old Town 21 10.63x
Coleshill 17 790.70x
Ipsley 17 293.61x
Alcester 15 144.09x
Aston 15 1.73x
Maidstone 15 11.79x
Willesden 15 12.71x
Richmond 14 16.38x
Thame 14 99.57x
Croydon 13 3.84x
Hackney London 13 1.85x
Shoreditch London 13 2.40x
Amersham 12 111.84x
Mortlake 12 44.15x
West Bromwich 12 4.96x
Acton 11 14.99x
Andover 10 41.25x
Bromley London 10 3.63x
Claines 10 22.30x
Gt Haseley 10 341.30x
Hammersmith London 10 3.24x
Heston 10 24.06x
St George Hanover 10 6.12x
Watford 10 14.95x
West Ham 10 1.83x
Wycombe 10 17.73x
Bow London 9 5.65x
Chelsea London 9 2.39x
Clewer 9 23.39x
Gloucester St Catherine 9 130.25x
Halton 9 1071.43x
Leyton 9 21.15x
St Marylebone London 9 1.35x
Wandsworth 9 7.47x
Banbury 8 51.68x
Chipping Norton 8 44.77x
Hertford St John 8 62.21x
Oxford St Michael 8 250.00x
Portsea 8 1.59x
Studley 8 59.30x
Barrow In Furness 7 3.47x
Battersea 7 1.52x
Coldstream 7 63.81x
Hertford St Andrew 7 65.73x
Hoo 7 123.67x
Lee 7 11.29x
Middlesbrough 7 4.33x
Mile End New Town 7 40.96x
Newington 7 1.51x
Oxford St Giles 7 18.99x
Penn 7 148.62x
Romsey Infra 7 80.55x
Seale 7 179.03x
St Giles In Fields 7 16.22x
Tweedmouth 7 30.15x
Westminster St 7 15.17x
Chesham 6 21.51x
Fulham London 6 3.31x
Hertingfordbury 6 170.45x
Kidlington 6 100.33x
Limehouse London 6 4.37x
Norwich St Peter 6 47.51x
Ramsgate 6 8.61x
Wonston 6 201.34x
Brickendon 5 125.00x
Ewell 5 38.85x
Greenwich 5 2.51x
Ribbesford 5 36.76x
Tottenham 5 2.51x
Whitchurch 5 61.43x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 55
George 49
John 46
Henry 33
Charles 31
Thomas 27
James 24
Frederick 23
Alfred 20
Arthur 20
Albert 19
Edward 16
Joseph 14
Ernest 11
Richard 11
Frank 10
Walter 10
Samuel 7
David 5
Fredk. 5
Harry 5
Herbert 5
Robert 5
Solomon 5
Wm. 5
Edgar 4
Benjamin 3
Daniel 3
Darvill 3
Edwin 3
Francis 3
Harold 3
Sidney 3
W. 3
Aner 2
Caleb 2
Christopher 2
Ebenezer 2
Elijah 2
F. 2
Fred 2
Geo. 2
Hooper 2
Horace 2
Jessie 2
Leonard 2
Mark 2
Percival 2
Peter 2
Reginald 2

FAQ

Shrimpton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Shrimpton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,280 people were recorded with the Shrimpton surname. That placed it at #3,193 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Shrimpton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,503 in 2016. That gives Shrimpton a modern rank of #4,116.

What does the Shrimpton surname mean?

Of English origin, referring to a fish merchant or seller of shrimp.

What does the Shrimpton map show?

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