NameCensus.

UK surname

Top

A Turkish surname deriving from the word meaning "cannon" or "ball".

In the 1881 census there were 29 people recorded with the Top surname, ranking it #29,484 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 128, ranked #26,401, up from #29,484 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Enfield, Hackney and Mid Sussex.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Top is 128 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 341.4%.

1881 census count

29

Ranked #29,484

Modern count

128

2016, ranked #26,401

Peak year

2016

128 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Top had 29 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,484 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 128 in 2016, ranked #26,401.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 62 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Top surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Top surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Top 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 62 #22,232
1881 historical 29 #29,484
1891 historical 9 #33,451
1901 historical 14 #32,506
1997 modern 10 #37,060
1998 modern 10 #37,048
1999 modern 14 #36,595
2000 modern 11 #36,879
2001 modern 9 #36,980
2002 modern 11 #36,780
2003 modern 13 #36,620
2004 modern 16 #36,439
2005 modern 24 #35,827
2006 modern 40 #34,854
2007 modern 43 #34,845
2008 modern 46 #34,759
2009 modern 52 #34,544
2010 modern 67 #33,713
2011 modern 75 #33,071
2012 modern 88 #32,064
2013 modern 104 #30,076
2014 modern 113 #28,779
2015 modern 115 #28,319
2016 modern 128 #26,401

Geography

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Where Tops are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Enfield, Hackney, Mid Sussex and Haringey. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Enfield 012 Enfield
2 Enfield 018 Enfield
3 Hackney 011 Hackney
4 Mid Sussex 010 Mid Sussex
5 Haringey 001 Haringey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Top

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Top

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

Top 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

Top falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Top 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Top

The surname "Top" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "topp," which means "hill" or "summit." The name likely referred to someone who lived on or near a hilltop.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "Top" can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Toppa" in this historical record.

In the 13th century, the name "Top" was associated with various place names in England, such as Toppesfield in Essex and Topcliffe in Yorkshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname.

One notable bearer of the surname "Top" was John Top, who was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1518. He was a prominent figure in the wool trade and served as the mayor of his hometown.

Another individual with the surname "Top" was Sir William Top, who lived in the 16th century. He was a member of the English gentry and owned lands in Gloucestershire.

In the 17th century, the name "Top" appeared in various records, including parish registers and court documents. One example is Thomas Top, who was born in 1625 in Oxfordshire and served as a justice of the peace.

The surname "Top" also had variations in spelling, such as "Topp" and "Toppe." One notable bearer of these variations was Nicholas Toppe, who was born in 1585 in Gloucestershire and became a renowned clergyman and author.

Another individual with this surname was Sir Benjamin Toppan, who was born in 1637 in Yorkshire. He was a successful merchant and served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1693.

Throughout history, the surname "Top" has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including tradesmen, gentry, clergymen, and merchants. While the name may have originated from humble beginnings, referring to those who lived on hilltops, it has since been associated with notable figures and historical events.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Top families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Top 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. Middlesex leads with 8 Tops recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.83x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 8 2.83x
Northamptonshire 5 18.80x
Leicestershire 4 12.76x
Aberdeenshire 2 7.64x
Surrey 2 1.45x
Caernarfonshire 1 8.75x
Hampshire 1 1.73x
Kent 1 1.04x
Lancashire 1 0.30x
Lincolnshire 1 2.21x
Renfrewshire 1 4.56x
Somerset 1 2.20x
Wiltshire 1 4.00x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Woodnewton in Northamptonshire leads with 5 Tops recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Woodnewton 5 10000.00x
Islington London 4 14.59x
Leicester St Margaret 4 52.29x
Kensington London 2 12.72x
Lambeth 2 8.11x
Aberdeen Old Machar 1 18.28x
Bangor 1 90.91x
Bishops Fonthill 1 5000.00x
Horncastle 1 212.77x
Kings Somborne 1 833.33x
Lee 1 71.43x
Penselwood 1 2500.00x
Poplar London 1 18.73x
Renfrew 1 138.89x
Tonge 1 142.86x
Tottenham 1 22.22x
Tyrie 1 303.03x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 2
Alfred 1
Ernest 1
J. 1
James 1
Jerry 1
John 1
Robard 1
Wallis 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Top households.

FAQ

Top surname: questions and answers

How common was the Top surname in 1881?

In 1881, 29 people were recorded with the Top surname. That placed it at #29,484 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Top surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 128 in 2016. That gives Top a modern rank of #26,401.

What does the Top surname mean?

A Turkish surname deriving from the word meaning "cannon" or "ball".

What does the Top map show?

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