NameCensus.

UK surname

Toby

A variant of the Middle English surname Tob derived from the Old German name Tobias.

In the 1881 census there were 213 people recorded with the Toby surname, ranking it #12,328 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 209, ranked #19,009, down from #12,328 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Marylebone and Devonport Stoke Damerel. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rother, North Tyneside and Cardiff.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Toby is 238 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.9%.

1881 census count

213

Ranked #12,328

Modern count

209

2016, ranked #19,009

Peak year

1851

238 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Toby had 213 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,328 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 209 in 2016, ranked #19,009.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 238 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Toby surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Toby surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Toby 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 238 #9,120
1861 historical 193 #12,371
1881 historical 213 #12,328
1891 historical 211 #14,366
1901 historical 189 #15,684
1911 historical 208 #14,594
1997 modern 142 #21,856
1998 modern 138 #22,814
1999 modern 135 #23,279
2000 modern 139 #22,855
2001 modern 136 #22,855
2002 modern 148 #22,087
2003 modern 139 #22,734
2004 modern 146 #22,202
2005 modern 145 #22,253
2006 modern 148 #22,111
2007 modern 159 #21,387
2008 modern 150 #22,429
2009 modern 146 #23,352
2010 modern 150 #23,482
2011 modern 161 #22,187
2012 modern 181 #20,531
2013 modern 195 #19,857
2014 modern 202 #19,575
2015 modern 197 #19,774
2016 modern 209 #19,009

Geography

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Where Tobys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Marylebone, Devonport Stoke Damerel and Littleham (including pt Exmouth). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rother, North Tyneside, Cardiff, Bromley and North Hertfordshire. 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 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Marylebone London (North Districts)
4 Devonport Stoke Damerel Devon
5 Littleham (including pt Exmouth) Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rother 004 Rother
2 North Tyneside 027 North Tyneside
3 Cardiff 017 Cardiff
4 Bromley 006 Bromley
5 North Hertfordshire 002 North Hertfordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Toby

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Toby

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Toby, 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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Toby surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Toby 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Toby is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Toby is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Toby falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Toby is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Toby, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Toby

The surname Toby is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "topig" which means "at the top or highest hill." It is believed to have originated as a topographic name, referring to someone who lived at a prominent or elevated location.

The earliest recorded use of the surname Toby can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Tobi" and "Tobie." This suggests that the name was already present in England before the Norman Conquest.

During the Middle Ages, the name Toby was primarily concentrated in the counties of Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Yorkshire, where it was often associated with place names such as Toby Hill and Toby Priory.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Toby was John Toby, born around 1430 in Lincolnshire. He was a renowned scholar and theologian who served as the Bishop of Winchester from 1487 until his death in 1492.

Another notable figure was Sir William Toby, a military commander who fought alongside King Edward IV during the Wars of the Roses. He was born in Yorkshire around 1440 and played a crucial role in several battles, including the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471.

In the 16th century, the Toby family gained prominence in Nottinghamshire, with several members holding influential positions. One such individual was Robert Toby, born in 1543, who served as the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire in 1582.

During the English Civil War, Captain James Toby, born in 1610 in Lincolnshire, fought for the Parliamentarian forces and was known for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

In the literary world, the surname Toby is associated with John Toby, born in 1670 in Yorkshire, who was a renowned poet and playwright. His most famous work, "The Rival Milkmaids," was a popular comedy of its time.

Throughout history, the Toby surname has been subject to various spellings, including Tobie, Tobey, and Tobbie, reflecting regional differences and evolving linguistic trends.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Toby families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Toby 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 73 Tobys recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.64x.

County Total Index
Devon 73 16.64x
Middlesex 60 2.85x
Bedfordshire 13 11.92x
Surrey 12 1.17x
Hampshire 10 2.32x
Lancashire 8 0.32x
Derbyshire 6 1.82x
Yorkshire 6 0.29x
Cheshire 5 1.08x
Flintshire 5 8.83x
East Lothian 4 14.33x
Berkshire 3 1.90x
Royal Navy 3 11.95x
Suffolk 3 1.17x
Worcestershire 2 0.73x
Essex 1 0.24x
Hertfordshire 1 0.69x
Kent 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kensington London in Middlesex leads with 18 Tobys recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.37x.

Place Total Index
Kensington London 18 15.37x
Exeter St Sidwell 10 99.60x
Littleham 10 311.53x
St Mary Extra 9 258.62x
Islington London 8 3.92x
Ottery St Mary 8 277.78x
Stoke Damerel 8 26.07x
Bermondsey 7 11.16x
Woodbury 7 538.46x
Colaton Raleigh 6 1111.11x
Derby St Werburgh 6 31.50x
Exeter Holy Trinity 6 348.84x
Luton 6 31.76x
Toxteth Park 6 7.09x
Enfield 5 36.18x
Exeter St Thomas The 5 111.86x
Flitwick 5 847.46x
St George Hanover 5 18.18x
Tranmere 5 29.26x
Berwick North 4 205.13x
Newington 4 5.14x
St Marylebone London 4 3.56x
Chelsea London 3 4.73x
Leeds 3 2.54x
Lowestoft 3 24.75x
Northop Golftyn 3 454.55x
Paddington London 3 3.87x
Ratcliffe London 3 25.77x
Royal Navy 3 13.98x
Ampthill 2 122.70x
Bow London 2 7.46x
Chiswick 2 17.38x
East Budleigh 2 96.62x
Exeter St David 2 53.33x
Hampstead London 2 6.10x
Hawarden 2 44.94x
Plymouth Charles The 2 10.35x
Tormoham 2 10.78x
Westminster St John 2 7.79x
Withycombe Rawleigh 2 87.72x
Alverstoke 1 6.40x
Cottingham 1 22.22x
Dodderhill 1 85.47x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 2.35x
Exeter St Mary Major 1 37.88x
Fulham London 1 3.27x
Holbeton 1 125.00x
Ide 1 208.33x
Milton In Gravesend 1 9.28x
Mortimer 1 131.58x
Pendleton In Salford 1 3.36x
Reading St Giles 1 6.44x
Southwark St Saviour 1 9.23x
St Pancras London 1 0.59x
Sunninghill 1 45.66x
Thirsk 1 41.49x
Watford 1 8.88x
West Ham 1 1.09x
Wigan 1 2.86x
Willesden 1 5.04x
Worcester All Sts 1 62.89x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 21
Sarah 6
Elizabeth 5
Jane 5
Ann 4
Caroline 4
Anna 3
Eliza 3
Florence 3
Frances 3
Susan 3
Alice 2
Annie 2
Bessie 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Harriet 2
Harriett 2
Louisa 2
M.A. 2
Matilda 2
Adela 1
Catharine 1
Catherine 1
Christine 1
Clemintine 1
Daisy 1
E. 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Esther 1
Hannah 1
Hariett 1
Helen 1
Henriette 1
Hermina 1
Honora 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Lydia 1
M. 1
Margaret 1
Miriam 1
Nelly 1
Rosa 1
Rose 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 13
John 12
Thomas 9
George 6
Charles 5
James 4
Abraham 3
Frederick 3
Henry 3
Joseph 3
Samuel 3
Tom 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Benjamin 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Herman 2
Leonard 2
Walter 2
Arthur 1
C. 1
E. 1
Edwd. 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
H. 1
Harold 1
Herbert 1
Huley 1
J. 1
Maude 1
Raphael 1
Ross 1
Sidney 1
Stephen 1
Sydney 1

FAQ

Toby surname: questions and answers

How common was the Toby surname in 1881?

In 1881, 213 people were recorded with the Toby surname. That placed it at #12,328 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Toby surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 209 in 2016. That gives Toby a modern rank of #19,009.

What does the Toby surname mean?

A variant of the Middle English surname Tob derived from the Old German name Tobias.

What does the Toby map show?

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