UK surname
A surname derived from a medieval nickname for someone with matted or tangled hair.
In the 1881 census there were 70 people recorded with the Tatterson surname, ranking it #23,670 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 36, ranked #35,648, down from #23,670 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Kirkheaton, Windermere and Thornhill. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tatterson is 115 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 48.6%.
1881 census count
70
Ranked #23,670
Modern count
36
2016, ranked #35,648
Peak year
1891
115 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Tatterson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Tatterson surname density by area, 1891 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 | 90 | #18,317 |
| 1861 | historical | 105 | #20,298 |
| 1881 | historical | 70 | #23,670 |
| 1891 | historical | 115 | #21,878 |
| 1901 | historical | 62 | #27,252 |
| 1911 | historical | 67 | #26,152 |
| 1997 | modern | 35 | #34,174 |
| 1998 | modern | 39 | #33,967 |
| 1999 | modern | 40 | #33,967 |
| 2000 | modern | 35 | #34,420 |
| 2001 | modern | 34 | #34,356 |
| 2002 | modern | 38 | #34,307 |
| 2003 | modern | 36 | #34,522 |
| 2004 | modern | 38 | #34,555 |
| 2005 | modern | 36 | #34,894 |
| 2006 | modern | 35 | #35,191 |
| 2007 | modern | 37 | #35,215 |
| 2008 | modern | 41 | #35,067 |
| 2009 | modern | 43 | #35,088 |
| 2010 | modern | 39 | #35,451 |
| 2011 | modern | 36 | #35,613 |
| 2012 | modern | 37 | #35,531 |
| 2013 | modern | 36 | #35,643 |
| 2014 | modern | 35 | #35,722 |
| 2015 | modern | 36 | #35,654 |
| 2016 | modern | 36 | #35,648 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Kirkheaton, Windermere, Thornhill, Mottram-in-Longdendale 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 | Kirkheaton | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 2 | Windermere | Westmorland |
| 3 | Thornhill | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 4 | Mottram-in-Longdendale | Lancashire |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Tatterson 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 Tatterson, 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 Tatterson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Tatterson 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, Tatterson 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 Tatterson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Tatterson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topTatterson is an English surname that originated in the northern regions of England, particularly in Northumberland and Yorkshire, during the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English personal name "Tata," which was a diminutive form of the name Taddea or Taddeus.
The earliest known record of the Tatterson surname can be traced back to the 13th century, when it appeared in the Hundred Rolls of Yorkshire as "Tatresone" in 1273. This early spelling variation highlights the evolving nature of surnames during that era.
In the 14th century, the name Tatterson appeared in various historical records, such as the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, where it was recorded as "Tatersone." This suggests that the surname had become more established and widespread by that time.
One notable historical figure bearing the Tatterson surname was Sir William Tatterson (c. 1450-1515), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for Northumberland during the reign of Henry VIII. His descendants continued to hold significant influence in the region for several generations.
Another prominent individual with this surname was John Tatterson (1776-1842), an English poet and writer who gained recognition for his works in the early 19th century. His most celebrated work was a collection of poems titled "The Poetical Recreations of a Tradesman," published in 1801.
In the 18th century, the Tatterson name was associated with several place names in Northumberland, such as Tatterson's Cross and Tatterson's Lough, further cementing its ties to the region.
The surname Tatterson also has connections to Scotland, where it is believed to have been introduced by English settlers in the Borders region. One notable Scottish bearer of the name was James Tatterson (1725-1804), a prominent merchant and landowner in Dumfriesshire.
Throughout its history, the Tatterson surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Tatersone, Tattersone, Tattershall, and Tattershale, reflecting the fluidity of surname spellings during earlier centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tatterson 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. Yorkshire leads with 30 Tattersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.37x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 30 | 4.37x |
| Lancashire | 14 | 1.70x |
| Cheshire | 9 | 5.89x |
| Westmorland | 8 | 52.56x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.43x |
| Cumberland | 2 | 3.36x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 2.14x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.97x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 12.12x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.57x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Flockton in Yorkshire leads with 11 Tattersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3928.57x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Flockton | 11 | 3928.57x |
| Almondbury | 8 | 240.96x |
| Huddersfield | 6 | 60.00x |
| Kendal | 5 | 179.21x |
| Manchester | 5 | 13.53x |
| Stayley | 5 | 285.71x |
| Dalton In Furness | 4 | 126.18x |
| Dukinfield | 4 | 56.66x |
| Walton Le Dale | 4 | 181.00x |
| Hammersmith London | 3 | 17.59x |
| Hugill | 3 | 3333.33x |
| Whitehaven | 2 | 62.89x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 1 | 5.57x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 1.72x |
| Halifax | 1 | 9.93x |
| Leeds | 1 | 2.58x |
| Lepton | 1 | 138.89x |
| Manningham | 1 | 11.83x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 1 | 4.14x |
| Radford | 1 | 21.10x |
| Riding | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 14.18x |
| Silsden | 1 | 500.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Tatterson 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 Tatterson 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 Tatterson households.
FAQ
In 1881, 70 people were recorded with the Tatterson surname. That placed it at #23,670 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 36 in 2016. That gives Tatterson a modern rank of #35,648.
A surname derived from a medieval nickname for someone with matted or tangled hair.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Tatterson 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.