NameCensus.

UK surname

Topping

An English occupational surname referring to someone who lived on or near the top of a hill.

In the 1881 census there were 2,060 people recorded with the Topping surname, ranking it #2,139 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,303, ranked #2,059, up from #2,139 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wigan, Dean and Preston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wigan, St. Helens and Shotts.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Topping is 3,460 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 60.3%.

1881 census count

2,060

Ranked #2,139

Modern count

3,303

2016, ranked #2,059

Peak year

1999

3,460 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Topping had 2,060 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,139 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,303 in 2016, ranked #2,059.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,859 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Topping surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Topping surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Topping 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 1,034 #2,708
1861 historical 1,185 #2,391
1881 historical 2,060 #2,139
1891 historical 2,174 #2,148
1901 historical 2,748 #2,020
1911 historical 2,859 #1,823
1997 modern 3,341 #1,935
1998 modern 3,390 #1,976
1999 modern 3,460 #1,962
2000 modern 3,417 #1,975
2001 modern 3,384 #1,953
2002 modern 3,417 #1,985
2003 modern 3,308 #1,998
2004 modern 3,280 #2,011
2005 modern 3,213 #2,025
2006 modern 3,242 #2,018
2007 modern 3,268 #2,028
2008 modern 3,290 #2,030
2009 modern 3,398 #2,016
2010 modern 3,437 #2,033
2011 modern 3,364 #2,042
2012 modern 3,281 #2,051
2013 modern 3,350 #2,050
2014 modern 3,359 #2,054
2015 modern 3,335 #2,045
2016 modern 3,303 #2,059

Geography

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Where Toppings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wigan, Dean, Preston, Blackburn and Bolton-le-Moors. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wigan, St. Helens, Shotts and Fauldhouse. 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 Wigan Lancashire
2 Dean Lancashire
3 Preston Lancashire
4 Blackburn Lancashire
5 Bolton-le-Moors Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wigan 018 Wigan
2 St. Helens 004 St. Helens
3 Shotts North Lanarkshire
4 Wigan 012 Wigan
5 Fauldhouse West Lothian

Forenames

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First names often paired with Topping

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Topping

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Topping surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Topping household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Topping is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Topping 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

Topping falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Topping

The surname Topping has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "topping," which referred to a person who lived at the top of a hill or a high point. This occupational surname would have initially been used to identify someone's place of residence or work.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Topping surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the late 12th century, where a person named William Topping is mentioned. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also contain references to individuals with the surname Topping in various counties across England.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name appeared in various forms, including Toppinge, Toppyng, and Toppynge, reflecting the variations in spelling common during that time. These variations often corresponded to regional dialects and local pronunciations.

The Topping surname has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One such individual was John Topping, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of York during the late 16th century. Another notable bearer of the name was Robert Topping, a renowned painter born in 1625 who was known for his portraits and landscapes.

In the 18th century, the Topping family gained prominence in the county of Lancashire. Sir Samuel Topping, born in 1742, was a successful businessman and landowner who served as the High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1793. His son, also named Samuel Topping, continued the family's legacy and became a respected member of the local gentry.

Another individual of note was William Topping, who was born in 1793 and became a prominent figure in the field of mathematics and astronomy. He served as the Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy at the University of Cambridge from 1848 until his death in 1876.

While the Topping surname is predominantly English in origin, it has also been found in other parts of the British Isles and has spread to various regions through migration and settlement. The name has maintained its presence over the centuries, with various branches of the Topping family contributing to the rich tapestry of history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Topping families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Topping 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. Lancashire leads with 1,225 Toppings recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.13x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 1,225 5.13x
Middlesex 130 0.65x
Cumberland 125 7.22x
Lanarkshire 124 1.91x
Durham 58 0.97x
Surrey 46 0.47x
Northumberland 37 1.24x
Cambridgeshire 34 2.67x
Yorkshire 31 0.16x
Cheshire 28 0.63x
Kent 19 0.28x
Midlothian 18 0.67x
Monmouthshire 16 1.10x
Westmorland 14 3.17x
Ayrshire 13 0.86x
Stirlingshire 13 1.75x
Leicestershire 12 0.54x
Buckinghamshire 11 0.91x
West Lothian 11 3.63x
Hampshire 9 0.22x
Angus 8 0.43x
Dumfriesshire 8 1.80x
Northamptonshire 8 0.42x
Pembrokeshire 7 1.10x
Staffordshire 7 0.10x
Aberdeenshire 5 0.27x
Somerset 5 0.15x
Suffolk 4 0.16x
Worcestershire 4 0.15x
Argyllshire 3 0.54x
Essex 3 0.08x
Hertfordshire 3 0.22x
Norfolk 3 0.10x
Sussex 3 0.09x
Wigtownshire 3 1.12x
Gloucestershire 2 0.05x
Kirkcudbrightshire 2 0.69x
Bedfordshire 1 0.10x
Devon 1 0.02x
Glamorgan 1 0.03x
Lincolnshire 1 0.03x
Oxfordshire 1 0.08x
Renfrewshire 1 0.06x
Royal Navy 1 0.42x
Warwickshire 1 0.02x
Wiltshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Preston in Lancashire leads with 134 Toppings recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.99x.

Place Total Index
Preston 134 20.99x
Wigan 122 36.59x
Little Hulton 66 167.09x
Windle 63 46.93x
Pemberton 47 49.41x
Blackburn 43 6.77x
Hindley 41 40.31x
St Pancras London 35 2.16x
Layton With Warbreck 34 38.84x
Barony 31 1.88x
Bradford 31 27.76x
Ince In Makerfield 30 27.02x
Salford 29 4.13x
Govan 28 1.74x
Westleigh 26 47.99x
Cambusnethan 25 17.31x
Caldewgate 24 25.31x
Parr 24 28.12x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 22 39.62x
Bury 21 7.71x
Great Bolton 21 6.65x
West Derby 20 2.87x
Orrell 19 64.06x
Warrington 19 6.72x
Hesketh Cum Becconsall 18 301.51x
Bowness 17 253.73x
Cheetham 17 9.55x
Bedwellty 16 6.24x
Whitehaven 15 16.26x
Ashton In Makerfield 14 20.61x
Atherton 14 16.12x
Lytham 14 38.44x
Worsley 14 9.52x
Birkenhead 13 3.67x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 13 1.20x
Gateshead 13 2.90x
Hulme 13 2.61x
Slamannan 13 32.02x
Islington London 12 0.62x
Lancaster 12 8.45x
Alston 11 99.01x
Dufton 11 385.96x
Gorton 11 4.91x
Much Hoole 11 275.00x
Whitburn 11 25.15x
Crosscanonby 10 17.47x
Longbenton 10 7.89x
Middle Hulton 10 70.77x
Paddington London 10 1.35x
Rainford 10 38.76x
St Cuthbert Within 10 49.88x
Aikton 9 164.84x
Bishopwearmouth 9 1.75x
Hammersmith London 9 1.82x
Kearsley 9 17.93x
Lambeth 9 0.51x
Little Bolton 9 2.93x
Liverpool 9 0.62x
Nether Wyresdale 9 215.83x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 9 5.04x
Over Darwen 9 4.72x
Radcliffe 9 7.83x
Selby 9 21.61x
Shotts 9 11.57x
Sutton 9 11.25x
Twickenham 9 10.44x
Ardrossan 8 15.36x
Barrow In Furness 8 2.47x
Burgh By Sands 8 142.86x
Dundee 8 1.15x
East Kilbride 8 28.74x
Everton 8 1.05x
Farnworth 8 5.60x
Livesey 8 19.11x
Longton 8 79.76x
Mottram 8 39.80x
St Andrewthe Less 8 5.50x
Standish With Langtree 8 27.23x
Weedon Beck 8 59.04x
Witton Gilbert 8 33.88x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 160
Elizabeth 87
Sarah 61
Ann 58
Jane 55
Margaret 49
Ellen 43
Alice 41
Hannah 20
Eliza 19
Annie 18
Catherine 16
Emma 14
Martha 14
Maria 13
Isabella 12
Emily 10
Agnes 9
Edith 8
Eleanor 8
Harriet 8
Elizth. 7
Louisa 7
Clara 6
Esther 6
Grace 6
Lucy 6
Anne 5
Florence 5
Kate 5
Nancy 5
Rachel 5
Ruth 5
Ada 4
Bertha 4
Caroline 4
Frances 4
Harriett 4
Betty 3
Fanny 3
Jessie 3
Julia 3
Maggie 3
Matilda 3
Susan 3
Adeliza 2
Allice 2
Anna 2
Leah 2
Lilly 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 134
William 108
James 102
Thomas 99
Joseph 51
Robert 41
Henry 39
George 36
Richard 25
Peter 24
Charles 17
Edward 16
Samuel 16
Arthur 11
Alfred 9
Thos. 9
Walter 8
Alexander 7
Albert 6
Daniel 6
Ernest 6
Harry 5
Herbert 5
Isaac 5
David 4
Francis 4
Frederick 4
Hugh 4
Jas. 4
Ralph 4
Aaron 3
Adam 3
Christopher 3
Edwin 3
Frank 3
Fredrick 3
Nicholas 3
Wm. 3
Amos 2
Anthony 2
Archibald 2
Edmond 2
Elias 2
Enoch 2
Fredk. 2
Geo. 2
Mathew 2
Robt. 2
Roger 2
Thos 2

FAQ

Topping surname: questions and answers

How common was the Topping surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,060 people were recorded with the Topping surname. That placed it at #2,139 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Topping surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,303 in 2016. That gives Topping a modern rank of #2,059.

What does the Topping surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to someone who lived on or near the top of a hill.

What does the Topping map show?

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