NameCensus.

UK surname

Sinton

An English locational surname derived from the place name "Sinton" in Monkton, Ayrshire, Scotland.

In the 1881 census there were 397 people recorded with the Sinton surname, ranking it #8,010 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 599, ranked #8,731, down from #8,010 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Wigton and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Jedburgh, Northumberland and Pembrokeshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sinton is 635 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 50.9%.

1881 census count

397

Ranked #8,010

Modern count

599

2016, ranked #8,731

Peak year

2010

635 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sinton had 397 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,010 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 599 in 2016, ranked #8,731.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 587 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Sinton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sinton surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sinton 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 354 #6,678
1861 historical 392 #6,536
1881 historical 397 #8,010
1891 historical 549 #6,892
1901 historical 587 #7,189
1911 historical 426 #8,856
1997 modern 605 #8,094
1998 modern 632 #8,086
1999 modern 630 #8,160
2000 modern 625 #8,191
2001 modern 607 #8,230
2002 modern 603 #8,436
2003 modern 566 #8,652
2004 modern 576 #8,575
2005 modern 559 #8,693
2006 modern 563 #8,677
2007 modern 578 #8,595
2008 modern 589 #8,539
2009 modern 601 #8,591
2010 modern 635 #8,398
2011 modern 607 #8,613
2012 modern 588 #8,735
2013 modern 586 #8,883
2014 modern 595 #8,857
2015 modern 596 #8,782
2016 modern 599 #8,731

Geography

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Where Sintons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Wigton, Gateshead, Selkirk and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Jedburgh, Northumberland, Pembrokeshire, Newcastle upon Tyne and East Riding of Yorkshire. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Wigton Cumberland
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Selkirk Selkirk
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Jedburgh Scottish Borders
2 Northumberland 003 Northumberland
3 Pembrokeshire 008 Pembrokeshire
4 Newcastle upon Tyne 019 Newcastle upon Tyne
5 East Riding of Yorkshire 045 East Riding of Yorkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sinton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sinton

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Sinton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Sinton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Sinton 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

Sinton 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

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

Meaning and origin of Sinton

The surname Sinton has its origins in England, arising during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "sinton," which means "saint's town" or "holy place." This suggests that the name was originally a place name referring to a settlement near a church or monastery.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Roger de Sinton, who was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1285. This record suggests that the name may have originated from a place called Sinton, which was likely a small village or hamlet in Yorkshire.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as Seinton, Seynton, and Seintone. These variations reflect the phonetic spelling practices of the time. One notable individual bearing the name during this period was John Sinton, who was mentioned in the Patent Rolls of 1348 as a merchant from the city of York.

The name Sinton may also be connected to the place name Sinton Green, a small hamlet located in the county of Staffordshire. This place name is recorded as early as the 16th century and may have contributed to the spread of the surname in that region.

Throughout history, several individuals with the surname Sinton have achieved prominence. One such figure was Sir John Sinton (1592-1666), a renowned English lawyer and politician who served as Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench during the reign of Charles I. Another notable bearer of the name was William Sinton (1718-1793), a Scottish merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the development of the city of Glasgow.

In the 19th century, the name Sinton gained recognition through the works of Charles Sinton (1808-1876), an English author and educator who wrote extensively on topics related to education and theology. Additionally, James Sinton (1845-1923), a British engineer and inventor, made significant contributions to the field of naval engineering and held several patents for his innovations.

Another prominent figure with the surname Sinton was Sir Robert Sinton (1880-1961), a British Army officer who served in both World Wars and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his bravery and leadership during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sinton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sinton 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. Northumberland leads with 90 Sintons recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.50x.

County Total Index
Northumberland 90 15.50x
Roxburghshire 64 90.56x
Cumberland 42 12.50x
Durham 32 2.76x
Selkirkshire 29 82.15x
Midlothian 22 4.21x
Yorkshire 18 0.47x
Lanarkshire 16 1.27x
Middlesex 16 0.41x
Wiltshire 10 2.90x
Somerset 9 1.43x
Cheshire 6 0.70x
Essex 5 0.65x
Gloucestershire 5 0.65x
Inverness-shire 5 4.29x
Perthshire 4 2.28x
Derbyshire 3 0.49x
Lancashire 3 0.06x
Nairnshire 3 25.19x
Berwickshire 2 4.23x
Kent 2 0.15x
Ross-shire 2 1.87x
Sutherland 2 6.67x
Westmorland 2 2.33x
Worcestershire 2 0.39x
Argyllshire 1 0.92x
Banffshire 1 1.24x
Cornwall 1 0.23x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.95x
Renfrewshire 1 0.33x
Suffolk 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Jedburgh in Roxburghshire leads with 28 Sintons recorded in 1881 and an index of 404.04x.

Place Total Index
Jedburgh 28 404.04x
Govan 16 5.13x
Gateshead 13 14.96x
Kyloe 13 970.15x
Selkirk 13 130.78x
Galashiels 12 91.95x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 12 34.61x
Rickergate 10 140.65x
Hownam 9 2571.43x
Longbenton 9 36.60x
Oxnam 9 989.01x
Bamburgh 8 1739.13x
Hesket In Forest 8 305.34x
Stourton 8 1081.08x
Heaton 7 362.69x
Southwick 7 63.69x
Wigton 7 138.89x
Ealing 6 17.21x
Elswick 6 12.95x
Hawick 6 37.93x
Hayton 6 315.79x
Kelso 6 85.23x
Melrose 6 98.20x
Tranmere 6 18.96x
Woodside Quarter 6 759.49x
York St Mary 6 37.48x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 5 2.38x
Kingussie Insh 5 187.27x
Kirkleatham 5 95.79x
Prestbury 5 263.16x
Stone Easton 5 1041.67x
Walthamstow 5 18.04x
Westgate 5 13.91x
Coundon 4 84.93x
Melrose 4 45.05x
Morpeth 4 58.57x
Newcastle On Tyne St 4 13.29x
Newton 4 227.27x
Perth East Church 4 24.23x
Rothbury 4 239.52x
Tweedmouth 4 55.25x
Ardclach 3 201.34x
Benfieldside 3 39.32x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 3 24.27x
Edinburgh Greenside 3 43.42x
Harton 3 65.36x
Holy Trinity 3 3.23x
Inveresk 3 21.20x
Litchurch 3 12.21x
Alnmouth 2 281.69x
Bassenthwaite 2 294.12x
Bedlington 2 10.32x
Burbage 2 113.64x
Byker 2 6.97x
Caldewgate 2 10.86x
Creich 2 66.89x
Hampstead London 2 3.29x
Kiltearn 2 126.58x
Kirkby Thore 2 289.86x
Mertoun 2 217.39x
Milborne Port 2 79.68x
North Sunderland 2 150.38x
Tonge With Haulgh 2 22.20x
Westminster St 2 13.91x
Alnwick 1 10.02x
Berwick Upon Tweed 1 8.13x
Bonhill 1 5.94x
Bowness Drumburg 1 185.19x
Cathcart 1 6.11x
Colinton 1 17.15x
Edinburgh St Johns 1 30.30x
Edinburgh St Marys 1 9.84x
Heworth 1 4.37x
Horton 1 34.84x
Liverpool 1 0.36x
Riding 1 357.14x
South Leith 1 1.70x
St Andrew Holborn 1 7.56x
Taunton St James 1 10.92x
Weston Super Mare 1 6.31x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 22
Jane 17
Elizabeth 12
Isabella 7
Margaret 6
Sarah 5
Annie 4
Hannah 3
Agnes 2
Alice 2
Ann 2
Anne 2
Barbara 2
Dinah 2
Eleanor 2
Eliza 2
Ellenor 2
Emily 2
Euphemia 2
Jessie 2
Ada 1
Alison 1
Amelia 1
Catherine 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Elisabeth 1
Eliz. 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Ethel 1
Evelyn 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Harriet 1
Ida 1
Isabel 1
Janet 1
Margret 1
Margt. 1
Margt.E. 1
Maria 1
Maud 1
Norah 1
Thirza 1
Violet 1
Williemina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 28
James 19
George 13
Thomas 11
William 10
Robert 8
Joseph 5
David 4
Charles 2
Frederick 2
A.J. 1
Alexdr. 1
Archd.N. 1
Arthur 1
Earnest 1
Edmund 1
Edward 1
Ernst.E. 1
Francis 1
Henry 1
J.B. 1
Kenneth 1
Louis 1
Peter 1
Robt. 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Sinton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sinton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 397 people were recorded with the Sinton surname. That placed it at #8,010 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sinton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 599 in 2016. That gives Sinton a modern rank of #8,731.

What does the Sinton surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from the place name "Sinton" in Monkton, Ayrshire, Scotland.

What does the Sinton map show?

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