NameCensus.

UK surname

State

An English surname derived from the word for a region, territory, or condition.

In the 1881 census there were 139 people recorded with the State surname, ranking it #16,228 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 231, ranked #17,764, down from #16,228 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Godalming, Ensham and Snodland with Paddleworth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North East Derbyshire, Bolsover and Sedgemoor.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for State is 256 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 66.2%.

1881 census count

139

Ranked #16,228

Modern count

231

2016, ranked #17,764

Peak year

2011

256 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • State had 139 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,228 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 231 in 2016, ranked #17,764.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 205 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

State surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

State surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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State 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 122 #14,966
1861 historical 135 #16,651
1881 historical 139 #16,228
1891 historical 149 #18,420
1901 historical 135 #19,203
1911 historical 205 #14,733
1997 modern 197 #17,792
1998 modern 208 #17,693
1999 modern 216 #17,364
2000 modern 213 #17,503
2001 modern 206 #17,624
2002 modern 227 #16,877
2003 modern 228 #16,663
2004 modern 222 #17,020
2005 modern 216 #17,283
2006 modern 220 #17,204
2007 modern 222 #17,288
2008 modern 230 #17,033
2009 modern 244 #16,706
2010 modern 253 #16,652
2011 modern 256 #16,383
2012 modern 243 #16,839
2013 modern 242 #17,158
2014 modern 240 #17,387
2015 modern 232 #17,689
2016 modern 231 #17,764

Geography

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Where States are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Godalming, Ensham, Snodland with Paddleworth and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North East Derbyshire, Bolsover and Sedgemoor. 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 Godalming Surrey
2 Ensham Oxfordshire
3 Snodland with Paddleworth Kent
4 London parishes London 3
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North East Derbyshire 014 North East Derbyshire
2 Bolsover 006 Bolsover
3 Bolsover 007 Bolsover
4 North East Derbyshire 002 North East Derbyshire
5 Sedgemoor 005 Sedgemoor

Forenames

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First names often paired with State

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for State

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the State surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every State household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, State is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

State is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

State 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 State is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of State

The surname State originates from England and dates back to the late 12th century. It is a locational name derived from the Old English word 'stæth', meaning a landing place or river bank. The name was likely adopted by individuals who lived near a prominent river or stream.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1195, where a Walter de la State is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in certain regions of England by the late 12th century.

In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, there are references to individuals with the name State residing in various counties, including Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Suffolk. This indicates that the name had spread to different parts of the country by the 13th century.

The State surname is also linked to several place names in England, such as State Moor in Staffordshire and State Street in London. These place names likely originated from the Old English word 'stæth' and may have influenced the adoption of the surname in those areas.

Notable individuals with the surname State throughout history include:

1. John State (c. 1540-1604), an English composer and organist during the Renaissance period. 2. Thomas State (1615-1689), an English Puritan minister and author who published several religious works. 3. William State (1702-1776), a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Colchester from 1741 to 1761. 4. Margaret State (1778-1835), an English novelist and poet known for her romantic novels and poetry collections. 5. Charles State (1854-1928), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Whitechapel Art Gallery.

While the State surname has maintained a presence throughout the centuries, it is important to note that historical records may not always provide a comprehensive account of its origins and evolution. However, the available evidence suggests that the name has deep roots in England, dating back to the medieval period, and has been associated with various locations and notable individuals over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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State families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the State 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. Surrey leads with 32 States recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.99x.

County Total Index
Surrey 32 4.99x
Oxfordshire 31 38.13x
Berkshire 16 16.19x
Middlesex 12 0.91x
Staffordshire 12 2.70x
Hampshire 10 3.71x
Worcestershire 6 3.49x
Warwickshire 4 1.20x
Ayrshire 3 3.04x
Buckinghamshire 3 3.77x
Yorkshire 2 0.15x
Cumberland 1 0.88x
Herefordshire 1 1.85x
Lancashire 1 0.06x
Suffolk 1 0.62x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bermondsey in Surrey leads with 13 States recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.16x.

Place Total Index
Bermondsey 13 33.16x
Charlbury 12 1318.68x
Newington 12 24.67x
Fyfield 11 7333.33x
Eynsham 10 1960.78x
Southampton St Mary 10 58.93x
Walsall Foreign 8 34.84x
Godalming 6 148.51x
Worcester St Helen 6 1090.91x
Wallingford St Leonard 5 1086.96x
Spelsbury 4 1600.00x
Cowley 3 118.11x
Hampton Wick London 3 312.50x
Kensington London 3 4.10x
Riccarton Hurlford 3 173.41x
St Marylebone London 3 4.27x
Birmingham 2 1.81x
Horton 2 512.82x
Sheffield 2 4.81x
Tettenhall 2 73.53x
Toot Baldon 2 2000.00x
Walsall Borough 2 57.97x
Aston 1 1.09x
Clapham 1 6.08x
Formby 1 56.50x
Ipswich St Clement 1 24.51x
Islington London 1 0.78x
Leamington Priors 1 12.24x
Moresby 1 232.56x
Paddington London 1 2.07x
Pipe Lyde 1 909.09x
Westminster St James 1 7.39x
Wycombe 1 16.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 11
Mary 8
Eliza 5
Jane 4
Sarah 4
Fanny 3
Hannah 3
Ann 2
Annie 2
Caroline 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Lizzie 2
Maria 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Ellen 1
Flora 1
Francis 1
H.A. 1
Harriett 1
L. 1
Letty 1
Louisa 1
Nellie 1
Rosa 1
Selina 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 10
George 7
Henry 5
James 4
Alfred 3
Edward 3
John 3
Joseph 3
Philip 3
Charles 2
Richard 2
Thomas 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Chas. 1
Edwin 1
Enoch 1
Evan 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Parker 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
W.F. 1

FAQ

State surname: questions and answers

How common was the State surname in 1881?

In 1881, 139 people were recorded with the State surname. That placed it at #16,228 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the State surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 231 in 2016. That gives State a modern rank of #17,764.

What does the State surname mean?

An English surname derived from the word for a region, territory, or condition.

What does the State map show?

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