NameCensus.

UK surname

Sloss

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "muddy area" or "muddy hollow".

In the 1881 census there were 237 people recorded with the Sloss surname, ranking it #11,509 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 369, ranked #12,617, down from #11,509 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kirkmichael, Govan Combination and Glasgow. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Benderloch Trail, IZ18 and Summerston Central and West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sloss is 369 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 55.7%.

1881 census count

237

Ranked #11,509

Modern count

369

2016, ranked #12,617

Peak year

2016

369 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sloss had 237 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,509 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 369 in 2016, ranked #12,617.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 279 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Sloss surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sloss surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sloss 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 167 #11,936
1861 historical 146 #15,628
1881 historical 237 #11,509
1891 historical 211 #14,366
1901 historical 279 #12,225
1911 historical 74 #25,423
1997 modern 353 #12,096
1998 modern 361 #12,280
1999 modern 357 #12,433
2000 modern 363 #12,237
2001 modern 345 #12,504
2002 modern 343 #12,803
2003 modern 346 #12,511
2004 modern 340 #12,707
2005 modern 347 #12,436
2006 modern 362 #12,151
2007 modern 362 #12,271
2008 modern 355 #12,565
2009 modern 360 #12,688
2010 modern 366 #12,800
2011 modern 367 #12,647
2012 modern 356 #12,784
2013 modern 359 #12,917
2014 modern 358 #13,045
2015 modern 365 #12,743
2016 modern 369 #12,617

Geography

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Where Sloss' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kirkmichael, Govan Combination, Glasgow, Dalmellington and Colmonell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Benderloch Trail, IZ18, Summerston Central and West, Arran and IZ09. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Kirkmichael Ayr
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Glasgow Lanark
4 Dalmellington Ayr
5 Colmonell Ayr

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Benderloch Trail Argyll and Bute
2 IZ18 West Dunbartonshire
3 Summerston Central and West Glasgow City
4 Arran North Ayrshire
5 IZ09 West Dunbartonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sloss

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sloss

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Sloss surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Sloss household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Sloss is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Sloss is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Sloss falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Sloss is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Sloss

The surname SLOSS has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word 'sloh', which means a slough or muddy place, suggesting that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a marshy area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'Slos'. This entry refers to a landowner named Alwinus Slos, who held estates in Wiltshire.

In the 13th century, the name took on various spellings, including Slosse, Sloss, and Slose, reflecting the regional dialectal variations of the time. The earliest known bearer of the surname was John de Slosse, who was documented in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1272.

During the 14th century, the name became associated with several notable figures. Sir Robert Sloss, born around 1320, was a prominent knight who served under King Edward III and fought in the Hundred Years' War against the French.

In the 15th century, the Sloss family established themselves in the county of Derbyshire, where they owned lands and properties. One of the most prominent members of this branch was Thomas Sloss, born in 1462, who served as a respected magistrate and justice of the peace.

The 16th century saw the emergence of a renowned author and scholar named William Sloss, born in 1523. He was a prolific writer and translator, best known for his English translation of the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus.

In the 17th century, the name was linked to John Sloss, born in 1634, a successful merchant and landowner in the city of London. His descendants continued to play influential roles in the city's trade and commerce for several generations.

Another notable figure bearing the SLOSS surname was Sir James Sloss, born in 1712, who was a distinguished lawyer and judge. He served as the Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench in England from 1766 until his death in 1786.

Throughout its history, the surname SLOSS has been associated with various locations in England, including Derbyshire, Wiltshire, and London, where families bearing the name have lived and thrived over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sloss families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sloss 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. Ayrshire leads with 73 Sloss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 42.55x.

County Total Index
Ayrshire 73 42.55x
Lanarkshire 65 8.77x
Stirlingshire 18 21.29x
Durham 16 2.35x
Dunbartonshire 12 19.48x
Kent 11 1.41x
Lancashire 8 0.29x
Wigtownshire 8 26.28x
Derbyshire 6 1.67x
Middlesex 6 0.26x
Surrey 4 0.36x
Hampshire 2 0.43x
Renfrewshire 2 1.13x
Argyllshire 1 1.57x
Cumberland 1 0.51x
Midlothian 1 0.33x
Roxburghshire 1 2.41x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 32 Sloss' recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.05x.

Place Total Index
Barony 32 17.05x
Dalmellington 24 476.19x
Campsie 18 387.93x
Old Monkland 16 54.38x
Esh 12 241.94x
Old Kilpatrick 12 164.84x
Ayr 9 111.11x
Colmonell 9 523.26x
Dartford 9 112.50x
Glasgow 9 6.84x
Kirkoswald 9 642.86x
Stranraer 8 287.77x
Toxteth Park 8 8.69x
Maybole 7 134.10x
New Cumnock 7 235.69x
Etwall 6 1463.41x
Paddington London 5 5.93x
Kilmarnock 4 19.59x
Merstham 4 563.38x
Hetton Le Hole 3 34.72x
Barr 2 425.53x
Govan 2 1.09x
Lesmahagow 2 25.51x
Maryhill 2 13.78x
Abbey 1 3.69x
Bishopwearmouth 1 1.71x
Blantyre 1 12.95x
Campbeltown 1 12.99x
Chelsea London 1 1.45x
Dalkeith 1 16.50x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.66x
Farnborough 1 20.28x
Foots Cray 1 66.67x
Gorbals 1 22.73x
Jedburgh 1 24.57x
Mauchline 1 50.76x
Paisley High Church 1 7.07x
Portsmouth 1 9.24x
St Cuthbert W O 1 10.40x
Straiton 1 102.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 4
Jane 3
Margaret 3
Mary 3
Alice 2
Anne 2
Eliza 2
Elizabeth 2
Caroline 1
Emily 1
Graham 1
Isabell 1
Isabella 1
Martha 1
Philadelphia 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 4
John 4
William 4
George 2
Richard 2
Albert 1
Andrew 1
Charles 1
David 1
Duncan 1
Ebenezer 1
Edwin 1
Thomas 1
W. 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Sloss households.

FAQ

Sloss surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sloss surname in 1881?

In 1881, 237 people were recorded with the Sloss surname. That placed it at #11,509 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sloss surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 369 in 2016. That gives Sloss a modern rank of #12,617.

What does the Sloss surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "muddy area" or "muddy hollow".

What does the Sloss map show?

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