NameCensus.

UK surname

Smithson

Derived from an Old English surname meaning "son of the smith" or "son of the metalworker."

In the 1881 census there were 2,873 people recorded with the Smithson surname, ranking it #1,563 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,699, ranked #1,845, down from #1,563 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Hull Holy Trinity and Batley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Scarborough, Sunderland and County Durham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Smithson is 3,886 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 28.8%.

1881 census count

2,873

Ranked #1,563

Modern count

3,699

2016, ranked #1,845

Peak year

1911

3,886 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Smithson had 2,873 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,563 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,699 in 2016, ranked #1,845.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,886 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Smithson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Smithson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Smithson 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 1,877 #1,537
1861 historical 1,962 #1,487
1881 historical 2,873 #1,563
1891 historical 3,172 #1,491
1901 historical 3,603 #1,555
1911 historical 3,886 #1,326
1997 modern 3,631 #1,787
1998 modern 3,806 #1,774
1999 modern 3,815 #1,778
2000 modern 3,818 #1,770
2001 modern 3,703 #1,784
2002 modern 3,776 #1,796
2003 modern 3,683 #1,801
2004 modern 3,661 #1,808
2005 modern 3,565 #1,836
2006 modern 3,590 #1,820
2007 modern 3,614 #1,823
2008 modern 3,621 #1,829
2009 modern 3,692 #1,840
2010 modern 3,757 #1,852
2011 modern 3,729 #1,843
2012 modern 3,646 #1,850
2013 modern 3,722 #1,844
2014 modern 3,774 #1,830
2015 modern 3,712 #1,842
2016 modern 3,699 #1,845

Geography

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Where Smithsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Hull Holy Trinity, Batley and Sculcoates. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Scarborough, Sunderland, County Durham and Rossendale. 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 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
3 London parishes London 3
4 Batley Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Sculcoates Yorkshire, East Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Scarborough 014 Scarborough
2 Sunderland 035 Sunderland
3 Sunderland 036 Sunderland
4 County Durham 039 County Durham
5 Rossendale 002 Rossendale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Smithson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Smithson

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Smithson is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Smithson is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Smithson falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Smithson

The surname Smithson is of English origin, derived from the Anglo-Saxon occupational name "Smith" and the suffix "-son" meaning "son of." The name first emerged in the regions of Yorkshire and Lancashire in the 13th century.

The name Smithson is thought to have originated from the Old English word "smitan," which means "to strike" or "to forge." It was a common occupational surname given to blacksmiths, metalworkers, and those involved in the forging and shaping of metal objects.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Smithson can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which listed a William Smytheson in Lincolnshire. The name also appeared in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379, where a John Smytheson was listed.

In the 15th century, the Smithson family was well-established in Yorkshire, particularly in the area around Wakefield. Notable members of the family during this time include Richard Smithson (b. 1470 - d. 1535), who served as a magistrate and sheriff of Yorkshire.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Smithson family gained prominence and landholdings in various parts of England. Hugh Smithson (b. 1598 - d. 1670) was a wealthy landowner in Yorkshire and served as a Member of Parliament for Boroughbridge.

Perhaps the most famous bearer of the Smithson name was James Smithson (b. 1765 - d. 1829), an English chemist and mineralogist. He is best known for his bequest to the United States, which ultimately led to the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Other notable individuals with the surname Smithson include Sir Hugh Smithson, 4th Duke of Northumberland (b. 1715 - d. 1786), a prominent aristocrat and landowner, and Alison Smithson (b. 1928 - d. 1993), a renowned English architect and writer.

The name Smithson has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Smithson in Yorkshire and Smithson's Yard in London, which further reflects the historical significance and widespread use of this surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Smithson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Smithson 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. Yorkshire leads with 1,333 Smithsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.80x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 1,333 4.80x
Lancashire 296 0.89x
Lincolnshire 219 4.89x
Durham 196 2.35x
Middlesex 177 0.63x
Norfolk 110 2.55x
Nottinghamshire 80 2.12x
Kent 78 0.82x
Surrey 73 0.53x
Cumberland 60 2.49x
Northumberland 58 1.39x
Essex 26 0.47x
Staffordshire 24 0.25x
Cheshire 22 0.36x
Derbyshire 21 0.48x
Warwickshire 18 0.25x
Hampshire 12 0.21x
Ayrshire 10 0.48x
Glamorgan 9 0.18x
Sussex 8 0.17x
Leicestershire 5 0.16x
Hertfordshire 4 0.21x
Midlothian 4 0.11x
Somerset 4 0.09x
Suffolk 4 0.12x
Shropshire 3 0.12x
Westmorland 3 0.49x
Devon 2 0.03x
Gloucestershire 2 0.04x
Lanarkshire 2 0.02x
Roxburghshire 2 0.39x
Worcestershire 2 0.05x
Bedfordshire 1 0.07x
Berkshire 1 0.05x
Rutland 1 0.49x
Wiltshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dewsbury in Yorkshire leads with 106 Smithsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.24x.

Place Total Index
Dewsbury 106 37.24x
Leeds 99 6.32x
Hunslet 43 9.94x
Holy Trinity 40 5.99x
St Pancras London 38 1.69x
Batley 34 12.89x
Mirfield 33 21.66x
Blackburn 31 3.51x
Elswick 31 9.32x
Habergham Eaves 29 9.55x
Sheffield 29 3.28x
Islington London 28 1.03x
Balderton 27 261.63x
Whitby 27 28.87x
Low Ireby 25 836.12x
Southwick 25 31.68x
Gainsborough 24 22.73x
Aylsham 23 89.74x
Helperby 23 375.20x
Hetton Le Hole 23 21.78x
Bardney 22 164.79x
Heckmondwike 22 24.65x
Stockton On Tees 22 5.48x
Corringham 21 294.53x
Ecclesall Bierlow 21 3.72x
Owston 21 165.22x
Ripon 21 32.62x
Sculcoates 19 4.32x
Blyton 18 265.88x
Brightside Bierlow 18 3.31x
Rawdon 18 55.08x
Sutton Stoneferry 18 22.67x
Huddersfield 17 4.20x
Liverpool 17 0.84x
Northallerton 17 48.00x
Stranton 17 6.06x
Bishopwearmouth 16 2.24x
Liversedge 16 12.95x
Rotherhithe 16 4.62x
Whalley 16 33.04x
Burnley 15 5.36x
Stratton Strawless 15 837.99x
Canterbury St Mildred 14 61.76x
Cundall Cum Leckby 14 823.53x
Denby 14 93.52x
Folkestone 14 7.55x
Great Harwood 14 23.31x
Middlesbrough 14 3.87x
Buxton 13 242.54x
Dawdon 13 12.69x
Eccleshill 13 19.25x
Gorton 13 4.16x
Headingley Cum Burley 13 7.28x
Hipperholme Cum 13 10.66x
Linthorpe 13 7.85x
Lofthouse Cum Carlton 13 38.44x
Spofforth Cum Stockeld 13 295.45x
St Marylebone London 13 0.87x
Wortley In Bramley 13 5.91x
Birmingham 12 0.51x
Grays Thurrock 12 23.36x
Hackney London 12 0.76x
Westminster St James 12 4.17x
Westoe 12 2.54x
Bury 11 2.90x
Great Driffield 11 19.32x
Greenwich 11 2.47x
Norton In Malton 11 32.70x
Potter Newton 11 22.47x
Rothwell 11 19.63x
St Mary Within 11 36.52x
Tunstall 11 26.52x
West Witton 11 229.65x
York St Helen Stonegate 11 258.82x
Bridlington 10 15.74x
Keighley 10 3.38x
Lambeth 10 0.41x
Lindley Cum Quarmby 10 14.29x
Nether Hallam 10 2.66x
Scarborough 10 3.97x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 205
Elizabeth 112
Sarah 112
Jane 75
Ann 71
Emma 46
Alice 42
Eliza 42
Annie 41
Margaret 41
Martha 41
Hannah 30
Ellen 25
Emily 25
Harriet 21
Ada 19
Anne 18
Isabella 16
Maria 16
Louisa 15
Susan 15
Catherine 14
Clara 14
Edith 13
Florence 13
Charlotte 12
Fanny 11
Amelia 10
Kate 10
Rebecca 10
Agnes 9
Frances 9
Ruth 9
Lucy 8
Rose 8
Caroline 7
Harriett 7
Julia 7
Bertha 6
Ethel 6
Selina 6
Sophia 6
Susannah 6
Elizth. 5
Helen 5
Lydia 5
Margt. 5
Matilda 5
Maud 5
Rachel 5

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 173
William 169
Thomas 129
George 98
James 81
Robert 77
Joseph 50
Charles 44
Henry 44
Richard 32
Arthur 31
Alfred 24
Samuel 23
Edward 22
Walter 21
Frederick 19
Albert 15
Herbert 14
Frank 11
Benjamin 10
Harry 10
Christopher 9
Ernest 9
Francis 9
Geo. 7
Stephen 7
Wm. 7
David 6
Ralph 6
Robt. 6
Chas. 5
Fred 5
Fredrick 5
Percy 5
Sam 5
Charley 4
Enos 4
Joshua 4
Thos. 4
Tom 4
Daniel 3
Edwin 3
Fred. 3
Fredk. 3
Isaac 3
Joe 3
Mark 3
Martin 3
Matthew 3
Josh. 2

FAQ

Smithson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Smithson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,873 people were recorded with the Smithson surname. That placed it at #1,563 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Smithson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,699 in 2016. That gives Smithson a modern rank of #1,845.

What does the Smithson surname mean?

Derived from an Old English surname meaning "son of the smith" or "son of the metalworker."

What does the Smithson map show?

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