UK surname
A surname derived from the title "Sultan", referring to authority or royalty.
In the 1881 census there were 33 people recorded with the Sulton surname, ranking it #28,965 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 11, ranked #37,501, down from #28,965 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Prestbury, Hull Holy Trinity and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sulton is 392 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 66.7%.
1881 census count
33
Ranked #28,965
Modern count
11
2016, ranked #37,501
Peak year
1891
392 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Sulton surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Sulton surname density by area, 1911 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 | 134 | #14,033 |
| 1861 | historical | 324 | #7,860 |
| 1881 | historical | 33 | #28,965 |
| 1891 | historical | 392 | #9,019 |
| 1901 | historical | 82 | #25,019 |
| 1911 | historical | 180 | #15,961 |
| 1997 | modern | 5 | #37,891 |
| 1998 | modern | 14 | #36,565 |
| 1999 | modern | 7 | #37,513 |
| 2000 | modern | 4 | #38,004 |
| 2001 | modern | 5 | #37,652 |
| 2002 | modern | 6 | #37,532 |
| 2003 | modern | 8 | #37,248 |
| 2004 | modern | 6 | #37,655 |
| 2005 | modern | 7 | #37,581 |
| 2006 | modern | 8 | #37,481 |
| 2007 | modern | 11 | #37,217 |
| 2008 | modern | 10 | #37,371 |
| 2009 | modern | 12 | #37,230 |
| 2010 | modern | 12 | #37,307 |
| 2011 | modern | 10 | #37,504 |
| 2012 | modern | 9 | #37,614 |
| 2013 | modern | 10 | #37,539 |
| 2014 | modern | 10 | #37,567 |
| 2015 | modern | 11 | #37,467 |
| 2016 | modern | 11 | #37,501 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Prestbury, Hull Holy Trinity, London parishes, St Pancras and Manchester. 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 | Prestbury | Cheshire |
| 2 | Hull Holy Trinity | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Sulton 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 Sulton, 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 Sulton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Sulton 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, Sulton 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 Sulton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Sulton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Sulton is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be a variant spelling of the Old English word "sultan," which means "ruler" or "sovereign." This name likely referred to someone who held a position of authority or leadership within a community.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sulton can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. In this document, a landowner named Sulton is listed as holding property in the county of Lincolnshire.
Throughout the centuries, the name Sulton has been spelled in various ways, including Sultone, Sultoun, and Soulton. These variations often reflect regional dialects and the evolution of the English language over time.
Notably, in the 13th century, a prominent figure named Sir John Sulton served as the Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire under King Edward I. He is mentioned in several historical records from that era, highlighting the name's presence among the nobility and gentry of medieval England.
Another individual of note was William Sulton, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in the city of Bristol during the 15th century. Records show that he owned several properties and businesses within the city and was a respected member of the local community.
In the 16th century, a family by the name of Sulton resided in the village of Broughton, Oxfordshire. They were prominent landowners and played an active role in the affairs of the local parish church, as evidenced by their names appearing in church records and documents from that time.
During the 17th century, a clergyman named Thomas Sulton served as the vicar of St. Mary's Church in the town of Warwick. He was known for his scholarly pursuits and published several theological works during his lifetime.
In the 18th century, a notable figure named Edward Sulton was a successful businessman and entrepreneur in the city of London. He was involved in various commercial ventures and was recognized for his contributions to the city's economic growth.
Throughout its history, the surname Sulton has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, merchants, clergymen, and entrepreneurs. While the exact origins of the name remain shrouded in the mists of time, its presence in historical records and its association with notable figures serve as a testament to its enduring legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sulton 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 13 Sultons recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.55x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 13 | 8.55x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 1.08x |
| Leicestershire | 4 | 11.56x |
| Kent | 3 | 2.82x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.96x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.65x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.99x |
| Somerset | 1 | 1.99x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 1.27x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 9 Sultons recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.08x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lambeth | 9 | 33.08x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 4 | 49.44x |
| Hinckley | 4 | 487.80x |
| Epsom | 3 | 405.41x |
| Speldhurst | 2 | 370.37x |
| Westminster St | 2 | 173.91x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 5.02x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 5.58x |
| Holy Trinity | 1 | 13.44x |
| Rugby | 1 | 94.34x |
| Sculcoates | 1 | 20.41x |
| Selworthy | 1 | 2500.00x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 6.00x |
| Walmer | 1 | 217.39x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Sulton 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 Sulton 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 Sulton households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Assistant Housekeeper | 1 |
| Barmaid | 1 |
| Booksellers Assist | 1 |
| Carpenter & Joiner | 1 |
| Char Woman | 1 |
| Coachmans Wife | 1 |
| Draper | 1 |
| Engnrs Clerk | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Farm Servant (Indoor) | 1 |
| Gen Labourer | 1 |
| Genl Servt Domestic | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Railway Porter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 33 people were recorded with the Sulton surname. That placed it at #28,965 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 11 in 2016. That gives Sulton a modern rank of #37,501.
A surname derived from the title "Sultan", referring to authority or royalty.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Sulton 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.