NameCensus.

UK surname

Star

An occupational surname for a person who worked as an astronomer, astrologer, or someone who studied the stars.

In the 1881 census there were 260 people recorded with the Star surname, ranking it #10,781 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 327, ranked #13,868, down from #10,781 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Eversden, Little, London parishes and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barnet, Cornwall and Merthyr Tydfil.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Star is 468 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.8%.

1881 census count

260

Ranked #10,781

Modern count

327

2016, ranked #13,868

Peak year

1851

468 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Star had 260 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,781 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 327 in 2016, ranked #13,868.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 468 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Star surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Star surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Star 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 468 #5,304
1861 historical 366 #6,987
1881 historical 260 #10,781
1891 historical 210 #14,412
1901 historical 171 #16,689
1911 historical 127 #19,749
1997 modern 89 #28,490
1998 modern 87 #29,240
1999 modern 92 #28,833
2000 modern 96 #28,299
2001 modern 91 #28,670
2002 modern 99 #28,082
2003 modern 93 #28,829
2004 modern 98 #28,297
2005 modern 101 #27,854
2006 modern 111 #26,565
2007 modern 105 #27,868
2008 modern 117 #26,351
2009 modern 142 #23,791
2010 modern 169 #21,652
2011 modern 175 #21,035
2012 modern 225 #17,733
2013 modern 250 #16,778
2014 modern 268 #16,111
2015 modern 289 #15,153
2016 modern 327 #13,868

Geography

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Where Stars are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Eversden, Little, London parishes, Lambeth, Wedmore and Littleham (including pt Exmouth). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Barnet, Cornwall, Merthyr Tydfil and Hackney. 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 Eversden, Little Cambridgeshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 Wedmore Somerset
5 Littleham (including pt Exmouth) Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Barnet 015 Barnet
2 Cornwall 068 Cornwall
3 Merthyr Tydfil 004 Merthyr Tydfil
4 Barnet 004 Barnet
5 Hackney 003 Hackney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Star

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Star

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Star surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Star 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Star is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Star is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Star falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Star is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Star

The surname STAR is of English origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have evolved from the Old English word "steorra," which means "star" or "celestial body." This name likely referred to either a person who lived near a specific star-shaped landmark or one who was particularly skilled in astrology or celestial navigation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the STAR surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, which mentions a person named Richard Sterre. This version of the name, with an additional "e" at the end, was a common spelling variation during that era.

In the 14th century, the STAR surname appeared in various medieval records, including the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, which listed a John Sterre. The spelling had not yet been standardized, leading to variations such as Starre, Ster, and Stera.

During the 16th century, the STAR surname became more prevalent and appeared in several notable historical documents. For instance, the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1524 recorded a William Starr, while the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1558 mentioned a John Starr.

One of the earliest known individuals with the STAR surname was John Star, a prominent English merchant and Member of Parliament for Bristol in the late 16th century (c. 1547-1605). Another notable figure was John Starr, a Puritan minister and one of the founders of the New Haven Colony in Connecticut, born around 1585.

In the 17th century, the STAR surname gained further recognition with individuals like Samuel Starr (1594-1669), an English minister and author who published several religious works. Additionally, Comfort Starr (c. 1617-1659) was one of the earliest settlers in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and became a prominent figure in the early colonial history of New England.

The 18th century saw the rise of several notable individuals with the STAR surname, including Ebenezer Starr (1719-1799), a Revolutionary War soldier from Connecticut. Another figure was John Starr (1728-1804), an American silversmith and engraver who worked in Philadelphia and is known for his intricate designs on silverware and other objects.

As the surname spread across different regions, it also became associated with various place names. For example, the village of Starr in Bedfordshire, England, is believed to have derived its name from the STAR surname, reflecting the influence of local families bearing this name in the area.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Star families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Star 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. Somerset leads with 65 Stars recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.11x.

County Total Index
Somerset 65 16.11x
Yorkshire 19 0.76x
Glamorgan 18 4.12x
Middlesex 14 0.56x
Surrey 14 1.15x
Lincolnshire 12 2.99x
Devon 11 2.11x
Dorset 11 6.69x
Lancashire 10 0.34x
Monmouthshire 10 5.52x
Nottinghamshire 10 2.96x
Essex 9 1.82x
Kent 8 0.94x
Norfolk 8 2.08x
Gloucestershire 6 1.22x
Warwickshire 5 0.79x
Wiltshire 5 2.26x
Cornwall 3 1.06x
Lanarkshire 3 0.37x
Buckinghamshire 2 1.32x
Cumberland 2 0.93x
Hampshire 2 0.39x
Leicestershire 2 0.72x
Sussex 2 0.47x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.63x
Cheshire 1 0.18x
Derbyshire 1 0.25x
Durham 1 0.13x
Flintshire 1 1.48x
Shropshire 1 0.46x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cheddar in Somerset leads with 33 Stars recorded in 1881 and an index of 1625.62x.

Place Total Index
Cheddar 33 1625.62x
Wedmore 12 456.27x
Bedwellty 10 31.25x
Wimborne Minster 10 375.94x
Mansfield 9 76.99x
Bootle Cum Linacre 8 33.87x
Eglwysilan 8 105.68x
New Sleaford 8 311.28x
Ystradyfodwg 8 20.89x
Greenwich 7 17.54x
Littleham 7 183.25x
Stutton Cum Hazelwood 7 2333.33x
Birmingham 5 2.37x
Croydon 5 7.37x
Frome 5 51.81x
Lambeth 5 2.29x
Watlington 5 943.40x
Ashburton 4 160.64x
Grantham 4 76.63x
Sheffield 4 5.06x
Westbury On Trym 4 24.01x
Bradford On Avon 3 42.25x
Falmouth 3 29.85x
Glasgow 3 2.08x
Great Dunmow 3 116.28x
Nailsea 3 188.68x
Weston Super Mare 3 29.44x
Bethnal Green London 2 1.84x
Bingley 2 12.64x
Castle Donnington 2 86.96x
Corsley 2 229.89x
Crosscanonby 2 28.01x
Great Ryburgh 2 338.98x
Newington 2 2.16x
Southchurch 2 434.78x
St Mary 2 120.48x
Thorne Falcon 2 1250.00x
Witham Friary 2 476.19x
Abbotsbury 1 119.05x
Ashborne 1 37.45x
Barmer 1 2500.00x
Baschurch 1 67.57x
Birkenhead 1 2.27x
Bitton 1 23.36x
Bromley London 1 1.81x
Cardiff St John 1 7.01x
Clerkenwell London 1 1.69x
Conside Knitsley 1 17.24x
Cromhall Cromhall Lygon 1 384.62x
Dringhouses 1 250.00x
Grantchester 1 101.01x
Ham 1 185.19x
Holy Trinity 1 1.67x
Holywell 1 11.82x
Hove 1 5.39x
Huddersfield 1 2.76x
Islington London 1 0.41x
Kensington London 1 0.72x
Leyton 1 11.74x
Loughton 1 40.82x
Nether Poppleton 1 400.00x
Nottingham St Mary 1 1.14x
Oare 1 2000.00x
Pett 1 416.67x
Radwinter 1 138.89x
Roath 1 5.04x
Salford 1 1.14x
Shalstone 1 625.00x
South Mimms 1 29.07x
Southampton St Mary 1 3.10x
Spotland 1 3.02x
St George Hanover 1 3.06x
St Giles In Fields 1 11.56x
St Gilesin Fields 1 68.49x
St Mary Woolnoth 1 769.23x
St Marylebone London 1 0.75x
Upton Cum Chalvey 1 16.56x
Wellington 1 18.28x
West Ham 1 0.92x
Yatton 1 63.69x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 21
Elizabeth 14
Sarah 11
Ann 5
Annie 4
Ellen 4
Agnes 3
Alice 3
Clara 3
Edith 3
Isabella 3
Jane 3
Maria 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Fanny 2
Hannah 2
Helen 2
Rose 2
Susan 2
Amy 1
Anna 1
Charlatte 1
Elizth 1
Elizth. 1
Ethel 1
Eveline 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Francies 1
Francis 1
Georgina 1
Gertrude 1
Gertude 1
Harriett 1
Honora 1
Jessie 1
Lidia 1
Lilly 1
Louisa 1
Lucinia 1
M. 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
Ruth 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 15
John 14
George 12
Henry 8
James 7
Albert 4
Charles 4
Edward 4
Richard 4
Edwin 3
Joseph 3
Samuel 3
Thomas 3
Francis 2
Fred 2
Frederick 2
Ralph 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Arthur 1
Cecil 1
Cyril 1
David 1
Edmond 1
Edmund 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Fred. 1
Frederic 1
Herbert 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1
Jno. 1
Leonard 1
Levi 1
Lott 1
Oliver 1
Paul 1
Peter 1
Rich. 1
Robert 1
Sam 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Star surname: questions and answers

How common was the Star surname in 1881?

In 1881, 260 people were recorded with the Star surname. That placed it at #10,781 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Star surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 327 in 2016. That gives Star a modern rank of #13,868.

What does the Star surname mean?

An occupational surname for a person who worked as an astronomer, astrologer, or someone who studied the stars.

What does the Star map show?

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