NameCensus.

UK surname

Stones

An English surname derived from the Old English "stan" meaning stone, possibly denoting an association with stone quarrying or masonry.

In the 1881 census there were 3,561 people recorded with the Stones surname, ranking it #1,268 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,441, ranked #1,533, down from #1,268 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Nottingham St Mary and Dean. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Lincolnshire, East Lindsey and Bolton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stones is 4,806 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 24.7%.

1881 census count

3,561

Ranked #1,268

Modern count

4,441

2016, ranked #1,533

Peak year

1911

4,806 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Stones had 3,561 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,268 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,441 in 2016, ranked #1,533.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4,806 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Stones surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Stones surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Stones 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 2,528 #1,175
1861 historical 2,902 #994
1881 historical 3,561 #1,268
1891 historical 3,980 #1,203
1901 historical 4,426 #1,287
1911 historical 4,806 #1,082
1997 modern 4,308 #1,516
1998 modern 4,440 #1,525
1999 modern 4,483 #1,522
2000 modern 4,475 #1,517
2001 modern 4,385 #1,511
2002 modern 4,421 #1,527
2003 modern 4,325 #1,526
2004 modern 4,272 #1,549
2005 modern 4,221 #1,542
2006 modern 4,240 #1,542
2007 modern 4,268 #1,545
2008 modern 4,280 #1,549
2009 modern 4,391 #1,550
2010 modern 4,500 #1,550
2011 modern 4,492 #1,530
2012 modern 4,348 #1,552
2013 modern 4,381 #1,567
2014 modern 4,436 #1,560
2015 modern 4,408 #1,551
2016 modern 4,441 #1,533

Geography

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Where Stones' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Nottingham St Mary, Dean, Sheffield and Blackburn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Lincolnshire, East Lindsey, Bolton, Selby and Barnsley. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire
3 Dean Lancashire
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Blackburn Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Lincolnshire 006 North Lincolnshire
2 East Lindsey 002 East Lindsey
3 Bolton 034 Bolton
4 Selby 008 Selby
5 Barnsley 014 Barnsley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Stones

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Stones

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

Stones is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Stones falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Stones

The surname Stones is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "stan" or "ston", meaning stone or rock. This was likely an occupational name for someone who worked with stone, such as a stonemason or quarryman.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, there are several entries for people with the surname Stones, such as Robertus de la Stane in Oxfordshire and Willelmus de Stanes in Norfolk. These early spellings suggest that the name may have originated from various place names containing the word "stone" or "stones".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Stones is that of William de la Stone, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1208. Another early record is of John atte Stone, listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327.

Some notable individuals with the surname Stones throughout history include John Stones (1594-1647), an English clergyman and writer who served as the Rector of Wickham in Berkshire. Another notable figure was Sir John Stones (1672-1743), an English merchant and Member of Parliament for Hastings.

In the 17th century, the Stones family was prominent in the town of Streethay, Staffordshire. One member, William Stones (1661-1753), was a wealthy landowner and benefactor who left a substantial endowment for the education of children in the town.

During the 18th century, the surname Stones was also found in Scotland, where John Stones (1715-1788) was a renowned architect and builder who designed several notable buildings in Edinburgh.

Another notable bearer of the surname was George Stones (1786-1863), an English engraver and artist who was renowned for his intricate illustrations of architectural subjects.

Overall, the surname Stones has a long and rich history, with its roots firmly planted in the English language and various occupations and places associated with the word "stone".

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Stones families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stones 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 1,188 Stones' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.45x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 1,188 3.45x
Lancashire 954 2.31x
Lincolnshire 349 6.28x
Nottinghamshire 187 3.99x
Durham 172 1.66x
Staffordshire 158 1.35x
Derbyshire 101 1.86x
Cheshire 71 0.93x
Middlesex 67 0.19x
Essex 52 0.76x
Buckinghamshire 50 2.38x
Leicestershire 34 0.88x
Surrey 30 0.18x
Lanarkshire 20 0.18x
Northumberland 20 0.39x
Shropshire 15 0.50x
Northamptonshire 14 0.43x
Kent 10 0.08x
Renfrewshire 10 0.37x
Warwickshire 10 0.11x
Herefordshire 6 0.42x
Norfolk 6 0.11x
Cambridgeshire 5 0.23x
Gloucestershire 4 0.06x
Westmorland 4 0.52x
Cumberland 3 0.10x
Rutland 3 1.18x
Sussex 3 0.05x
Hampshire 2 0.03x
Suffolk 2 0.05x
Angus 1 0.03x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.07x
Dorset 1 0.04x
Flintshire 1 0.11x
Hertfordshire 1 0.04x
Isle of Man 1 0.16x
Midlothian 1 0.02x
Monmouthshire 1 0.04x
Royal Navy 1 0.24x
Worcestershire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Farnworth in Lancashire leads with 156 Stones' recorded in 1881 and an index of 63.15x.

Place Total Index
Farnworth 156 63.15x
Blackburn 103 9.39x
Nottingham St Mary 92 7.59x
Sheffield 76 6.93x
Brightside Bierlow 57 8.44x
Leeds 43 2.21x
Wortley In Bramley 42 15.40x
Little Hulton 40 58.59x
Holy Trinity 38 4.59x
Arkengarthdale 37 309.11x
Ashton Under Lyne 37 4.11x
Hanslope 37 195.97x
Ecclesall Bierlow 35 5.00x
Silkstone 31 181.92x
Belton 30 132.98x
Cheadle 30 53.26x
Great Bolton 30 5.49x
Worsley 30 11.80x
Little Bolton 29 5.47x
Great Lever 27 61.71x
Kearsley 27 31.12x
Snaith Cowick 24 116.56x
Nether Hallam 23 4.94x
Shildon 23 27.69x
Leicester St Margaret 22 2.34x
Heeley 21 20.07x
Hucknall Under 21 86.92x
Rawcliffe In Goole 21 107.14x
Salford 21 1.73x
Wigan 19 3.30x
Cheetham 18 5.85x
Toxteth Park 18 1.29x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 17 5.30x
Bingley 17 7.75x
Horwich 17 37.80x
Manchester 17 0.92x
Ulverston 17 14.16x
Barnsley 16 4.51x
Drax 16 362.81x
Rotherham 16 8.24x
Alford 15 43.57x
Clowne 15 69.38x
Hackney London 15 0.77x
Islington London 15 0.45x
Stretford 15 6.61x
Wolverhampton 15 1.66x
Crumpsall 14 14.41x
Doncaster 14 5.57x
Holbeck 14 6.14x
Pendlebury 14 16.08x
St Pancras London 14 0.50x
Turton 14 20.74x
West Butterwick With 14 163.17x
Ecclesfield 13 5.15x
Hatfield Broad Oak 13 56.16x
Hulme 13 1.51x
Long Riston 13 296.80x
Moss Side 13 5.99x
Theddlethorpe All Sts 13 332.48x
Wombwell 13 12.95x
Brayton 12 190.78x
Hatfield In Thorne 12 55.87x
Heaton Norris 12 5.11x
Horbury 12 19.92x
Killamarsh 12 35.46x
Manningham 12 2.83x
Newland 12 359.28x
Pontefract 12 16.18x
Sedgley 12 2.75x
Swinton In Rotherham 12 13.18x
Basford 11 5.10x
Blackmore 11 162.00x
Esh 11 14.62x
Govan 11 0.40x
Mexborough 11 16.10x
Pendleton In Salford 11 2.24x
Pilkington 11 7.02x
Pleasington 11 198.92x
Staveley 11 11.39x
Stone 11 7.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 246
Elizabeth 131
Sarah 131
Ann 99
Jane 89
Alice 79
Annie 63
Ellen 60
Emma 56
Hannah 50
Margaret 43
Harriet 36
Martha 35
Eliza 31
Ada 26
Emily 23
Kate 21
Betsy 18
Clara 18
Fanny 16
Maria 16
Edith 15
Lucy 15
Rebecca 15
Frances 14
Agnes 13
Charlotte 12
Bertha 11
Louisa 11
Matilda 11
Susan 11
Harriett 10
Susannah 10
Anne 9
Catherine 9
Esther 9
Isabella 9
Amelia 8
Amy 7
Elizth. 7
Lizzie 7
Nancy 7
Dorothy 6
Ethel 6
Florence 6
Ruth 6
Gertrude 5
Jessie 5
Lydia 5
Minnie 5

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 239
William 220
Thomas 157
George 134
James 130
Joseph 70
Edward 57
Henry 56
Charles 49
Robert 47
Samuel 44
Arthur 31
Alfred 26
Walter 25
Frederick 22
Albert 20
Harry 17
Wm. 17
Daniel 16
David 15
Fred 14
Francis 13
Richard 13
Thos. 12
Ernest 11
Herbert 11
Benjamin 8
Isaac 8
Edwin 7
Frank 6
Matthew 6
Peter 6
Jacob 5
Jno. 5
Adam 4
Henery 4
Joshua 4
Mathew 4
Simon 4
Tom 4
Willie 4
Abraham 3
Allen 3
Christopher 3
Elijah 3
Geo. 3
Harold 3
Hugh 3
Jas. 3
W. 3

FAQ

Stones surname: questions and answers

How common was the Stones surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,561 people were recorded with the Stones surname. That placed it at #1,268 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Stones surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,441 in 2016. That gives Stones a modern rank of #1,533.

What does the Stones surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old English "stan" meaning stone, possibly denoting an association with stone quarrying or masonry.

What does the Stones map show?

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