UK surname
A locational surname referring to someone from a region with this name.
In the 1881 census there were 23 people recorded with the Sott surname, ranking it #30,339 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #30,339 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Thames Ditton, Rochester and Walthamstow, Low Leyton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sott is 160 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 65.2%.
1881 census count
23
Ranked #30,339
Modern count
8
2016, ranked #37,829
Peak year
1861
160 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Sott surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Sott surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 75 | #20,268 |
| 1861 | historical | 160 | #14,468 |
| 1881 | historical | 23 | #30,339 |
| 1891 | historical | 116 | #21,766 |
| 1901 | historical | 21 | #31,686 |
| 1911 | historical | 61 | #26,724 |
| 1997 | modern | 48 | #32,878 |
| 1998 | modern | 29 | #34,948 |
| 1999 | modern | 24 | #35,514 |
| 2000 | modern | 16 | #36,316 |
| 2001 | modern | 7 | #37,293 |
| 2002 | modern | 7 | #37,379 |
| 2003 | modern | 6 | #37,586 |
| 2004 | modern | 6 | #37,655 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 7 | #37,634 |
| 2007 | modern | 8 | #37,572 |
| 2008 | modern | 8 | #37,597 |
| 2009 | modern | 8 | #37,689 |
| 2010 | modern | 8 | #37,769 |
| 2011 | modern | 10 | #37,504 |
| 2012 | modern | 7 | #37,854 |
| 2013 | modern | 8 | #37,767 |
| 2014 | modern | 8 | #37,806 |
| 2015 | modern | 9 | #37,684 |
| 2016 | modern | 8 | #37,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Thames Ditton, Rochester, Walthamstow, Low Leyton, Everton and Christchurch. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thames Ditton | Surrey |
| 2 | Rochester | Kent |
| 3 | Walthamstow, Low Leyton | Essex |
| 4 | Everton | Huntingdonshire |
| 5 | Christchurch | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Sott surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Sott, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Sott surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Sott household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Sott is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Sott is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Sott, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname SOTT has its origins in England, first emerging in the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "sott," meaning a foolish or silly person. This nickname likely arose as a way to distinguish individuals who were perceived as dimwitted or lacking in intelligence.
The earliest recorded instance of the SOTT surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1194, where a certain Robert Sott is mentioned. This indicates that the name was already established in parts of northern England by the late 12th century.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the SOTT surname appeared in various medieval records and documents, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which listed individuals with the name in counties like Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire. The surname also appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327, further solidifying its presence across different regions of England.
One notable historical figure bearing the SOTT surname was Sir John Sott, a knight who served under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War. He participated in several battles, including the Battle of Crécy in 1346, and was awarded lands in Kent for his military service.
In the 16th century, the SOTT surname saw variations in spelling, with forms like "Sotte" and "Soote" appearing in parish records and other documents. This was likely due to the inconsistent spelling conventions of the time and regional differences in pronunciation.
Another individual of note was William Sott, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London during the latter half of the 16th century. He was involved in the lucrative wool trade and served as a member of the Court of Aldermen from 1582 until his death in 1597.
During the 17th century, the SOTT surname continued to be found across various parts of England, with records indicating individuals bearing the name in counties such as Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. One notable example is Thomas Sott, a farmer and landowner from Gloucestershire who lived during the latter half of the 1600s.
As the centuries progressed, the SOTT surname dispersed further across the British Isles and eventually to other parts of the world through migration and colonization. Despite its relatively uncommon nature, the name has persisted throughout history, with individuals bearing the SOTT surname leaving their mark in various fields and professions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sott surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 5 Sotts recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.39x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 5 | 4.39x |
| Banffshire | 4 | 82.47x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 1.08x |
| Perthshire | 3 | 28.57x |
| Kent | 2 | 2.51x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.86x |
| Devon | 1 | 2.05x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 4.54x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 2.87x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 5.52x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 35.84x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Frimley in Surrey leads with 4 Sotts recorded in 1881 and an index of 1250.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Frimley | 4 | 1250.00x |
| Rathven | 4 | 439.56x |
| Culross | 3 | 3333.33x |
| Great Bolton | 3 | 81.52x |
| Chatham | 2 | 90.91x |
| Castleford | 1 | 119.05x |
| Crediton | 1 | 217.39x |
| Eastwood | 1 | 89.29x |
| Ecton | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 4.90x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 33.11x |
| Westgate | 1 | 46.30x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Sott surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Sott surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Sott households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| None | 2 |
| (No Occ) | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Chief Engineer | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Engine Smith | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Physician Member King & Queens College | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
| Wife Of Doctor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 23 people were recorded with the Sott surname. That placed it at #30,339 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Sott a modern rank of #37,829.
A locational surname referring to someone from a region with this name.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Sott bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.