NameCensus.

UK surname

Tanton

A locational surname derived from places named Taunton in England.

In the 1881 census there were 314 people recorded with the Tanton surname, ranking it #9,417 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 649, ranked #8,190, up from #9,417 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Dover St James, Dover St Mary and St Giles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torridge, North Devon and Taunton Deane.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tanton is 649 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 106.7%.

1881 census count

314

Ranked #9,417

Modern count

649

2016, ranked #8,190

Peak year

2016

649 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tanton had 314 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,417 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 649 in 2016, ranked #8,190.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 513 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Tanton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tanton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tanton 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 271 #8,257
1861 historical 307 #8,262
1881 historical 314 #9,417
1891 historical 361 #9,589
1901 historical 483 #8,256
1911 historical 513 #7,687
1997 modern 576 #8,378
1998 modern 594 #8,456
1999 modern 572 #8,712
2000 modern 578 #8,625
2001 modern 568 #8,602
2002 modern 569 #8,751
2003 modern 534 #9,035
2004 modern 539 #8,991
2005 modern 542 #8,887
2006 modern 534 #9,026
2007 modern 531 #9,131
2008 modern 535 #9,155
2009 modern 576 #8,851
2010 modern 606 #8,723
2011 modern 592 #8,782
2012 modern 589 #8,726
2013 modern 622 #8,501
2014 modern 631 #8,442
2015 modern 628 #8,417
2016 modern 649 #8,190

Geography

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Where Tantons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Dover St James, Dover St Mary, St Giles, Bideford and Bethersden. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torridge, North Devon, Taunton Deane and Flintshire. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Dover St James, Dover St Mary Kent
3 St Giles Devon
4 Bideford Devon
5 Bethersden Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torridge 004 Torridge
2 North Devon 007 North Devon
3 Taunton Deane 012 Taunton Deane
4 North Devon 008 North Devon
5 Flintshire 019 Flintshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tanton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tanton

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

Tanton 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

Tanton falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Tanton

The surname Tanton is of English origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the county of Somerset, England, where it was derived from the Old English words "tun" and "tun," meaning a farmstead or enclosure.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tanton can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and properties across England commissioned by William the Conqueror. In this historical document, the name appeared in various spellings, such as Tantone and Taunton, suggesting its connection to the town of Taunton, Somerset.

Throughout the centuries, the Tanton surname has been associated with several notable individuals. In the 16th century, Sir John Tanton (1531-1594) was a prominent English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Somerset during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another distinguished individual bearing the Tanton name was Robert Tanton (1642-1718), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Therfield in Hertfordshire. He is best known for his work "Theologicum Theoriæ Sacræ" (1701), a comprehensive treatise on theology.

During the 18th century, the Tanton family established roots in various parts of England, including Gloucestershire and Warwickshire. One notable figure from this period was William Tanton (1719-1789), a successful merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of his local community in Warwickshire.

In the 19th century, the Tanton surname gained prominence in the field of literature. John Tanton (1805-1878) was an English author and poet who published several works, including "Poems and Songs" (1842) and "The Village Green" (1856).

Moreover, the Tanton name has been associated with various place names and geographical locations throughout England. For example, the village of Tanton in Wiltshire, as well as the hamlet of Tanton Green in Staffordshire, both likely derived their names from individuals bearing the Tanton surname who once resided or held lands in those areas.

Overall, the surname Tanton has a rich history that can be traced back to medieval England, with its origins rooted in the county of Somerset. Throughout the centuries, individuals bearing this surname have made significant contributions across various fields, from politics and religion to literature and commerce, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural tapestry of England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tanton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tanton 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. Devon leads with 116 Tantons recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.37x.

County Total Index
Devon 116 18.37x
Kent 98 9.47x
Yorkshire 52 1.73x
Surrey 18 1.22x
Lincolnshire 6 1.24x
Worcestershire 6 1.51x
Sussex 5 0.98x
Staffordshire 3 0.29x
Lancashire 2 0.06x
Monmouthshire 2 0.91x
Cornwall 1 0.29x
Gloucestershire 1 0.17x
Leicestershire 1 0.30x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Giles In The Wood in Devon leads with 22 Tantons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2340.43x.

Place Total Index
St Giles In The Wood 22 2340.43x
Great Torrington 18 502.79x
Marland Peters 16 5925.93x
Chatham 14 49.17x
Bethersden 13 1238.10x
Great Little Hatfield 11 5500.00x
Rise 11 5238.10x
Woodchurch 11 852.71x
Westleigh 9 1730.77x
Ashford 7 69.44x
Camberwell 7 3.61x
Merton 7 1147.54x
Charing 6 428.57x
Frithelstock 6 1016.95x
Great Chart 6 779.22x
Hougham 6 97.56x
Upton On Severn 6 231.66x
Bessingby 5 3333.33x
Brabourne 5 641.03x
Fremington 5 390.63x
Holy Trinity 5 6.92x
Lambeth 5 1.89x
Leeds 5 2.95x
Whimple 5 714.29x
Wolborough 5 62.66x
Bermondsey 4 4.43x
Brenzett 4 1250.00x
Coniston 4 3636.36x
Exeter St Sidwell 4 27.66x
Lyminge 4 449.44x
Northam 4 86.96x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 8.22x
Ramsgate 4 23.68x
Sutton Stoneferry 4 46.51x
Barrow On Humber 3 106.38x
Glanford Brigg 3 173.41x
Leek Lowe 3 22.03x
Mirfield 3 18.18x
Bideford 2 29.59x
Charlton 2 29.11x
Faversham 2 20.26x
Milton In Milton 2 45.45x
Newport 2 19.12x
Northiam 2 160.00x
Pilkington 2 14.63x
Sculcoates 2 4.20x
Woolwich 2 5.23x
Yarnscombe 2 714.29x
Beckenham 1 7.39x
Bingley 1 5.22x
Brampton Bierlow 1 25.97x
Exeter St Leonard 1 57.80x
Folkestone 1 4.98x
Frittenden 1 103.09x
Germansweek 1 357.14x
Gillingham 1 4.69x
Hernhill 1 128.21x
Hollington 1 54.95x
Hove 1 4.46x
Ifield 1 1428.57x
Iwade 1 416.67x
Kingston On Thames 1 2.82x
Littleton On Severn 1 476.19x
Loddington 1 666.67x
Maidstone 1 3.24x
Newchurch 1 294.12x
Plymouth Charles The 1 3.59x
Rockbeare 1 204.08x
Rye 1 20.58x
Sidmouth 1 27.70x
St Budeaux 1 50.76x
Stoke Damerel 1 2.26x
Stratton 1 53.76x
Tenterden 1 27.40x
Wimbledon 1 6.02x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 18
Mary 17
Ann 12
Sarah 10
Jane 5
Alice 4
Eliza 4
Ellen 4
Emily 4
Emma 4
Harriet 4
Louisa 4
Annie 3
Charlotte 3
Hannah 3
Lucy 3
Susan 3
Bertha 2
Clara 2
Fanny 2
Kate 2
Matilda 2
Philadelphia 2
Amelia 1
Augusta 1
Bessey 1
Bessie 1
Betsey 1
Betsy 1
Bettie 1
Catherine 1
Dorothy 1
Eleanor 1
Eliz. 1
Eva 1
Florance 1
Grace 1
H. 1
Hanna 1
Isabella 1
Jessie 1
Lilly 1
Lily 1
Margaret 1
Marian 1
Martha 1
Maud 1
Minnie 1
Priscilla 1
Rhoda 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 27
William 19
George 17
Thomas 14
James 9
Charles 6
Richard 6
Arthur 5
Joseph 5
Albert 4
Robert 4
Edward 3
Edwin 3
Ernest 3
Henry 3
Peter 3
Alfred 2
Francis 2
Frederick 2
Nathaniel 2
Samuel 2
Stephen 2
Caleb 1
Edgar 1
Edmund 1
Frank 1
Geo. 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Jabez 1
Jos. 1
Maxine 1
Sidney 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1
Walter 1
Wm.Burnett 1

FAQ

Tanton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tanton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 314 people were recorded with the Tanton surname. That placed it at #9,417 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tanton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 649 in 2016. That gives Tanton a modern rank of #8,190.

What does the Tanton surname mean?

A locational surname derived from places named Taunton in England.

What does the Tanton map show?

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