NameCensus.

UK surname

Suttle

A variant of the English surname Suttle, derived from the Old English word "subtil," meaning cunning or shrewd.

In the 1881 census there were 376 people recorded with the Suttle surname, ranking it #8,326 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 451, ranked #10,791, down from #8,326 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Calverley, Clare and Otley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Purbeck, Calderdale and Epping Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Suttle is 508 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.9%.

1881 census count

376

Ranked #8,326

Modern count

451

2016, ranked #10,791

Peak year

1911

508 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Suttle had 376 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,326 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 451 in 2016, ranked #10,791.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 508 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Suttle surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Suttle surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Suttle 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 347 #6,781
1861 historical 345 #7,398
1881 historical 376 #8,326
1891 historical 470 #7,798
1901 historical 431 #8,982
1911 historical 508 #7,747
1997 modern 461 #9,886
1998 modern 459 #10,250
1999 modern 459 #10,310
2000 modern 461 #10,231
2001 modern 445 #10,327
2002 modern 441 #10,618
2003 modern 443 #10,413
2004 modern 436 #10,581
2005 modern 436 #10,457
2006 modern 428 #10,659
2007 modern 431 #10,703
2008 modern 440 #10,622
2009 modern 457 #10,532
2010 modern 467 #10,570
2011 modern 440 #10,977
2012 modern 435 #10,959
2013 modern 452 #10,795
2014 modern 458 #10,749
2015 modern 451 #10,801
2016 modern 451 #10,791

Geography

Back to top

Where Suttles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Calverley, Clare, Otley, Stowmarket 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 Purbeck, Calderdale, Epping Forest and Leeds. 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 Calverley Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Clare Suffolk
3 Otley Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Stowmarket Suffolk
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Purbeck 006 Purbeck
2 Purbeck 005 Purbeck
3 Calderdale 024 Calderdale
4 Epping Forest 015 Epping Forest
5 Leeds 002 Leeds

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Suttle

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Suttle

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Suttle is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Suttle is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Suttle falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Suttle

The surname Suttle is believed to have originated in the British Isles, specifically in England and Scotland, during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "sutol," meaning "crafty" or "cunning." This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname given to someone perceived as particularly clever or resourceful.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Sudele" in various spellings, referring to individuals residing in various regions of England at the time. The name's evolution from "Sudele" to its modern form of "Suttle" is believed to have occurred gradually over the centuries through variations in pronunciation and spelling.

In Scotland, the Suttle surname can be traced back to the 13th century, with records indicating its presence in the Borders region. It is possible that the name may have originated independently in Scotland, potentially derived from a different source, such as a place name or a descriptive term related to a particular occupation or characteristic.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Suttle surname. One example is John Suttle, a prominent English merchant and politician who lived in the 16th century (c. 1530-1595). He served as a Member of Parliament and played a significant role in the expansion of English trade and commerce during the Elizabethan era.

Another historical figure was William Suttle (1770-1836), a British naval officer who distinguished himself during the Napoleonic Wars. He achieved the rank of Rear Admiral and was commended for his bravery and leadership in several naval engagements.

In the realm of literature, one notable bearer of the Suttle surname was Thomas Suttle (1820-1894), an English poet and essayist known for his works exploring themes of nature and spirituality. His poetic works, such as "Lyrics of the Dawn," gained critical acclaim during the Victorian era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Suttle surname in North America dates back to the 17th century, with records indicating the arrival of James Suttle, an English immigrant who settled in Virginia in 1635. This early presence of the name in the American colonies suggests that the Suttle family lineage has deep roots in the United States.

Another figure of historical significance was Sarah Suttle (1832-1911), an American educator and activist from New York. She was a prominent advocate for women's rights and played a pivotal role in the establishment of educational institutions for women during the late 19th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Suttle families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Suttle 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. Suffolk leads with 118 Suttles recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.63x.

County Total Index
Suffolk 118 26.63x
Yorkshire 102 2.83x
Middlesex 53 1.46x
Surrey 20 1.13x
Cambridgeshire 18 7.81x
Essex 16 2.23x
Lancashire 16 0.37x
Hertfordshire 5 1.99x
Berkshire 4 1.46x
Norfolk 3 0.54x
Sussex 3 0.49x
Durham 2 0.18x
Huntingdonshire 2 2.77x
Kent 2 0.16x
Lincolnshire 2 0.34x
Royal Navy 2 4.61x
Cornwall 1 0.24x
Hampshire 1 0.13x
Herefordshire 1 0.67x
Northamptonshire 1 0.29x
Staffordshire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Idle in Yorkshire leads with 55 Suttles recorded in 1881 and an index of 328.95x.

Place Total Index
Idle 55 328.95x
Stowmarket 35 683.59x
Otley 32 365.71x
Glemsford 22 707.40x
Clare 16 754.72x
Stow Upland 12 821.92x
Ipswich St Mathew 11 88.57x
Great Bolton 10 17.49x
Shoreditch London 10 6.34x
Ashley Cum Silverley 8 1311.48x
South Mimms 8 160.32x
Acton 7 32.82x
Bromley London 7 8.74x
Camberwell 7 3.01x
Lambeth 7 2.21x
Pentlow 7 1891.89x
Clapham 6 13.19x
St Andrewthe Less 6 22.79x
Heptonstall 5 98.81x
Mountnessing 5 458.72x
Watford 5 25.72x
Clewer 4 35.75x
Combs 4 270.27x
Eccleshill 4 45.61x
St George Hanover 4 8.42x
Sudbury St Peter 4 164.61x
Westminster St John 4 9.03x
Bury St Edmunds St James 3 25.34x
Islington London 3 0.85x
West Ham 3 1.89x
Brighton 2 1.62x
Chevington 2 289.86x
Depden 2 714.29x
Finchley 2 14.34x
Kirtling 2 196.08x
Leeds 2 0.98x
Norwich St George Tombland 2 204.08x
Paddington London 2 1.49x
Poslingford 2 454.55x
Royal Navy 2 5.40x
Shipley 2 10.69x
St Marylebone London 2 1.03x
St Nicholas Lincoln 2 35.97x
Stradishall 2 416.67x
West Derby 2 1.58x
Wood Ditton 2 103.63x
Andover 1 14.18x
Antony 1 25.13x
Blackburn 1 0.87x
Bradford 1 1.15x
Burton Upon Trent 1 3.48x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 1 12.02x
Colchester St Botolph 1 16.37x
Darlington 1 2.39x
Ealing 1 3.08x
East Dereham 1 14.14x
Folkestone 1 4.15x
Gillingham 1 3.91x
Great Stukeley 1 192.31x
Hackney London 1 0.49x
Haverhill 1 25.38x
Lidgate 1 192.31x
Liverpool 1 0.38x
Middleton In Oldham 1 7.72x
Peterstow 1 217.39x
Shildon 1 11.49x
St Ives 1 26.67x
St Pancras London 1 0.34x
Stoke Newington London 1 3.53x
Toxteth Park 1 0.68x
Wadhurst 1 24.81x
Winwick In Oundle 1 270.27x
Wombwell 1 9.51x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 27
Hannah 13
Eliza 12
Ellen 10
Elizabeth 9
Sarah 8
Alice 5
Annie 5
Caroline 5
Charlotte 5
Maria 5
Ann 4
Emily 4
Kate 4
Louisa 4
Susannah 4
Amelia 3
Clara 3
Emma 3
Harriet 3
Martha 3
Matilda 3
Anna 2
Annabella 2
Edith 2
Fanny 2
Jane 2
Jessie 2
Laura 2
Lucy 2
Rebecca 2
Susan 2
Alethea 1
Amanda 1
Betty 1
Carrie 1
Charlott 1
Esther 1
Fannie 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Isabell 1
Isabella 1
Lilian 1
Lilly 1
Lizzie 1
Lois 1
Margaret 1
Marry 1
Thomasine 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Suttle surname: questions and answers

How common was the Suttle surname in 1881?

In 1881, 376 people were recorded with the Suttle surname. That placed it at #8,326 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Suttle surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 451 in 2016. That gives Suttle a modern rank of #10,791.

What does the Suttle surname mean?

A variant of the English surname Suttle, derived from the Old English word "subtil," meaning cunning or shrewd.

What does the Suttle map show?

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