UK surname
A Vietnamese surname derived from the Chinese surname Duan, referring to the paulownia tree or an official's ceremonial scepter.
In the 1881 census there were 53 people recorded with the Ton surname, ranking it #26,134 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 88, ranked #32,396, down from #26,134 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Basford, Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) and Newcastle All Saints. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ton is 116 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 66.0%.
1881 census count
53
Ranked #26,134
Modern count
88
2016, ranked #32,396
Peak year
1851
116 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Ton surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Ton surname density by area, 1851 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 | 116 | #15,545 |
| 1881 | historical | 53 | #26,134 |
| 1891 | historical | 1 | #34,674 |
| 1901 | historical | 46 | #29,047 |
| 1997 | modern | 30 | #34,701 |
| 1998 | modern | 34 | #34,433 |
| 1999 | modern | 34 | #34,528 |
| 2000 | modern | 34 | #34,517 |
| 2001 | modern | 34 | #34,356 |
| 2002 | modern | 42 | #33,951 |
| 2003 | modern | 41 | #34,113 |
| 2004 | modern | 41 | #34,306 |
| 2005 | modern | 49 | #33,859 |
| 2006 | modern | 51 | #33,992 |
| 2007 | modern | 53 | #34,115 |
| 2008 | modern | 59 | #33,827 |
| 2009 | modern | 56 | #34,278 |
| 2010 | modern | 55 | #34,536 |
| 2011 | modern | 56 | #34,450 |
| 2012 | modern | 61 | #34,228 |
| 2013 | modern | 67 | #33,939 |
| 2014 | modern | 83 | #32,910 |
| 2015 | modern | 84 | #32,782 |
| 2016 | modern | 88 | #32,396 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Basford, Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Newcastle All Saints, Manchester and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. 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 | Basford | Nottinghamshire |
| 2 | Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) | Devon |
| 3 | Newcastle All Saints | Northumberland |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Ton 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 Ton, 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 Ton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Ton 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, Ton 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 Ton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Ton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname TON has its origins in England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "tun," which referred to an enclosed area or a settlement, often surrounded by a fence or fortification. Many place names in England were derived from this word, such as Tonton, Tunstall, and Tunbridge.
The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and resources commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, contains several references to individuals bearing the surname TON or variations thereof. One notable entry is that of Wulfric Tun, a landowner from Hertfordshire.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname TON was John de Tun, who lived in Oxfordshire during the early 13th century. Another early example is Walter atte Ton, a resident of Essex mentioned in court records from 1273.
Over the centuries, the surname TON has been associated with several notable individuals. Sir John Tonne (c. 1480-1548) was a prominent English diplomat and courtier during the reign of Henry VIII. He served as the Ambassador to the Holy Roman Empire and played a crucial role in negotiations with European powers.
Thomas Ton (1529-1599) was an English clergyman and academic who served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1593 to 1595.
In the 18th century, John Tun (1720-1792) was a respected surgeon and anatomist who made significant contributions to the study of human anatomy.
Mary Tun (1776-1845) was a celebrated English novelist and poet, known for her works that explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition.
Sir Edward Ton (1810-1885) was a prominent British politician and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1868 to 1874.
Throughout history, the surname TON has undergone various spelling variations, such as Tonne, Tun, Tune, and Toon. These variations often reflected regional dialects and differences in pronunciation. Additionally, some place names like Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells may have influenced the spelling of the surname in certain areas.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ton 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. Nottinghamshire leads with 9 Tons recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.27x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Nottinghamshire | 9 | 34.27x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 1.54x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.87x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 3.28x |
| Devon | 1 | 2.47x |
| Durham | 1 | 1.73x |
| Kent | 1 | 1.50x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 1.59x |
| Surrey | 1 | 1.05x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Basford in Nottinghamshire leads with 9 Tons recorded in 1881 and an index of 743.80x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Basford | 9 | 743.80x |
| St Pancras London | 3 | 19.13x |
| Barony | 1 | 6.27x |
| Barrowford Booth | 1 | 384.62x |
| Dover St James | 1 | 344.83x |
| Idridgehay Alton | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 5.89x |
| Plymouth Charles The | 1 | 55.87x |
| Sharples | 1 | 400.00x |
| St Giles | 1 | 277.78x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Ton 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 Ton 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 Ton households.
FAQ
In 1881, 53 people were recorded with the Ton surname. That placed it at #26,134 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 88 in 2016. That gives Ton a modern rank of #32,396.
A Vietnamese surname derived from the Chinese surname Duan, referring to the paulownia tree or an official's ceremonial scepter.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Ton 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.