NameCensus.

UK surname

Slawson

An English occupational surname referring to a person who works with or sells a type of woolen cloth.

In the 1881 census there were 178 people recorded with the Slawson surname, ranking it #13,840 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 396, ranked #11,967, up from #13,840 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Whitchurch, Wrexham and Kingston-on-Thames. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Lindsey, Wrexham and Shropshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Slawson is 400 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 122.5%.

1881 census count

178

Ranked #13,840

Modern count

396

2016, ranked #11,967

Peak year

1998

400 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Slawson had 178 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,840 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 396 in 2016, ranked #11,967.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 305 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Slawson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Slawson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Slawson 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 110 #16,093
1861 historical 121 #18,148
1881 historical 178 #13,840
1891 historical 224 #13,760
1901 historical 275 #12,332
1911 historical 305 #11,307
1997 modern 386 #11,295
1998 modern 400 #11,335
1999 modern 396 #11,527
2000 modern 384 #11,759
2001 modern 377 #11,723
2002 modern 394 #11,561
2003 modern 374 #11,828
2004 modern 369 #11,967
2005 modern 362 #12,066
2006 modern 362 #12,151
2007 modern 375 #11,955
2008 modern 383 #11,876
2009 modern 393 #11,886
2010 modern 393 #12,157
2011 modern 392 #12,038
2012 modern 390 #11,946
2013 modern 391 #12,123
2014 modern 391 #12,214
2015 modern 385 #12,256
2016 modern 396 #11,967

Geography

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Where Slawsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Whitchurch, Wrexham, Kingston-on-Thames, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard 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 West Lindsey, Wrexham and Shropshire. 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 Whitchurch Shropshire
2 Wrexham Denbighshire
3 Kingston-on-Thames Surrey
4 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
5 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Lindsey 003 West Lindsey
2 Wrexham 005 Wrexham
3 Shropshire 004 Shropshire
4 Wrexham 010 Wrexham
5 Wrexham 012 Wrexham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Slawson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Slawson

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Slawson is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Slawson 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

Slawson falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Slawson

The surname Slawson is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English words "slaefer" or "slaefre," which mean a slaughterer or butcher, and the suffix "-son," meaning son of. This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname were likely the sons of individuals who worked as slaughterers or butchers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Slawson can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Slauesune." This entry provides valuable insight into the name's early spelling and its presence in England during the 11th century.

Over the centuries, the name has undergone various spelling variations, including Slawsone, Slaueson, and Slauson, reflecting the fluid nature of surnames in the Middle Ages. Some of these variations may have also been influenced by different regional dialects or scribal errors.

Notably, the Slawson name has been linked to several place names in England, particularly in the counties of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. For instance, the village of Slawston in Leicestershire may have derived its name from the Slawson surname or vice versa.

Among the notable historical figures bearing the Slawson surname, John Slawson (c. 1590-1670) was a prominent English settler in America. He arrived in Massachusetts in the early 17th century and went on to establish a successful farm in Stamford, Connecticut.

Another individual of note was Sir Thomas Slawson (1621-1688), an English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London from 1684 to 1685. He played a significant role in the city's governance during a tumultuous period in English history.

In the literary realm, the name Slawson is associated with the English poet and playwright Robert Slawson (1633-1704), known for his satirical works and contributions to the Restoration-era theater.

Moving forward in time, George Slawson (1769-1831) was a British naval officer who distinguished himself during the Napoleonic Wars, serving under Lord Nelson and participating in several notable battles.

Lastly, the 19th century saw the emergence of the American industrialist and philanthropist Hiram Slawson (1827-1912), who amassed a considerable fortune through his successful business ventures and later donated generously to educational institutions and charitable causes.

These examples, spanning several centuries, illustrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds of individuals who have borne the Slawson surname, providing a glimpse into the name's enduring legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Slawson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Slawson 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. Northamptonshire leads with 23 Slawsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.16x.

County Total Index
Northamptonshire 23 14.16x
Denbighshire 20 30.67x
Leicestershire 20 10.45x
Nottinghamshire 18 7.73x
Middlesex 17 0.98x
Surrey 16 1.90x
Shropshire 14 9.39x
Cornwall 13 6.65x
Yorkshire 10 0.58x
Cheshire 7 1.84x
Staffordshire 5 0.86x
Sussex 5 1.72x
Montgomeryshire 3 7.58x
Devon 2 0.56x
Essex 1 0.29x
Lincolnshire 1 0.36x
Pembrokeshire 1 1.82x
Rutland 1 7.89x

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 14 Slawsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.26x.

Place Total Index
Nottingham St Mary 14 23.26x
Whitchurch 14 484.43x
Wrexham Regis 14 289.26x
Brigstock 12 1935.48x
Irthlingborough 10 628.93x
Leicester All Sts 9 239.36x
Richmond 9 76.34x
Rotherham 8 82.90x
Clerkenwell London 7 17.18x
Billesdon 6 1200.00x
Liscard 6 87.34x
Brighton 5 8.51x
Camberwell 5 4.53x
Hackney London 5 5.17x
Leicester St Margaret 5 10.71x
Llangollen Llangollen 5 675.68x
Padstow 5 384.62x
Stafford St Mary 5 60.61x
Egloshayle 4 434.78x
Granby Sutton 4 1739.13x
St Merryn 4 1250.00x
Llanfyllin 3 288.46x
Kingston On Thames 2 9.90x
Lidford 2 124.22x
Shoreditch London 2 2.67x
Westminster St John 2 9.51x
Belton 1 454.55x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 1 17.09x
Kensington London 1 1.04x
Leeds 1 1.04x
Milford Haven 1 222.22x
Ruthin 1 149.25x
Spalding 1 18.25x
Tarporley 1 125.00x
Wellingborough 1 12.24x
West Ham 1 1.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Elizabeth 8
Sarah 8
Alice 6
Emma 5
Annie 4
Jane 4
Ann 3
Bessie 3
Ellen 3
Martha 3
Ada 2
Edith 2
Janet 2
Lucy 2
Rosetta 2
Anne 1
Bertha 1
Catherine 1
Charlotte 1
Eliza 1
Elizebth 1
Emily 1
Esther 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Hilda 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Lilly 1
Lily 1
Louisa 1
R. 1
Rose 1
Ruth 1
S. 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 17
George 9
Thomas 9
John 8
Joseph 7
Charles 4
Ernest 3
Henry 3
Arthur 2
David 2
Edward 2
Geo. 2
James 2
Richard 2
Alfred 1
Andrew 1
Daniel 1
E. 1
Ephream 1
Frederick 1
Herbert 1
L. 1
Moses 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Slawson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Slawson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 178 people were recorded with the Slawson surname. That placed it at #13,840 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Slawson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 396 in 2016. That gives Slawson a modern rank of #11,967.

What does the Slawson surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a person who works with or sells a type of woolen cloth.

What does the Slawson map show?

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