NameCensus.

UK surname

Toulson

An English surname derived from a pet form of the medieval name Tolomer.

In the 1881 census there were 413 people recorded with the Toulson surname, ranking it #7,794 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 872, ranked #6,447, up from #7,794 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hough-on-the-Hill, with Brandon and Gelston, Batley and Bradford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Lindsey, Leeds and North Kesteven.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Toulson is 902 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 111.1%.

1881 census count

413

Ranked #7,794

Modern count

872

2016, ranked #6,447

Peak year

2000

902 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Toulson had 413 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,794 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 872 in 2016, ranked #6,447.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 571 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Toulson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Toulson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Toulson 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 220 #9,671
1861 historical 211 #11,508
1881 historical 413 #7,794
1891 historical 402 #8,842
1901 historical 522 #7,802
1911 historical 571 #7,092
1997 modern 856 #6,211
1998 modern 888 #6,222
1999 modern 889 #6,268
2000 modern 902 #6,167
2001 modern 886 #6,143
2002 modern 889 #6,238
2003 modern 862 #6,286
2004 modern 860 #6,293
2005 modern 859 #6,259
2006 modern 849 #6,327
2007 modern 858 #6,331
2008 modern 850 #6,424
2009 modern 874 #6,424
2010 modern 890 #6,446
2011 modern 867 #6,516
2012 modern 880 #6,349
2013 modern 881 #6,454
2014 modern 885 #6,463
2015 modern 872 #6,467
2016 modern 872 #6,447

Geography

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Where Toulsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hough-on-the-Hill, with Brandon and Gelston, Batley, Bradford, Sheffield and Gravesend, Milton next Gravesend. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Lindsey, Leeds, North Kesteven, Gravesham and Bassetlaw. 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 Hough-on-the-Hill, with Brandon and Gelston Lincolnshire
2 Batley Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Gravesend, Milton next Gravesend Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Lindsey 016 East Lindsey
2 Leeds 060 Leeds
3 North Kesteven 007 North Kesteven
4 Gravesham 011 Gravesham
5 Bassetlaw 008 Bassetlaw

Forenames

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First names often paired with Toulson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Toulson

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Toulson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Toulson 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Toulson is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Toulson is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Toulson 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 Toulson 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 Toulson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Toulson

The surname Toulson is of English origin and dates back to the late medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from a place name referring to a homestead or farmstead.

One theory suggests that Toulson may be a variant of the Old English word "tun," meaning an enclosure or homestead, combined with the suffix "-son," indicating "son of." This would make Toulson a name meaning "son of the one from the farmstead."

Another possibility is that Toulson derives from a specific place name, such as Toulston or Toulston Hill, which were small settlements in various parts of England. The surname may have been adopted by families who lived in or came from these places.

The earliest known record of the Toulson surname dates back to the 16th century. In 1562, a Thomas Toulson was mentioned in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Warwick, Warwickshire.

During the 17th century, the name appears in various records across England. In 1632, a John Toulson was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire. Another notable early bearer was William Toulson, who was born in 1685 in Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales.

One of the earliest references to the Toulson surname can be found in the Hearth Tax Rolls of 1673, which list a Richard Toulson as a householder in the village of Wilmslow, Cheshire.

In the 18th century, the name spread to other parts of England and beyond. John Toulson (1727-1806), a notable figure, was a clergyman and author from Yorkshire who published several religious works.

Another prominent individual was James Toulson (1766-1840), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and rose to the rank of Captain in the Royal Navy.

In the 19th century, the Toulson family produced several notable figures, including Samuel Toulson (1807-1868), a renowned architect from Manchester who designed numerous buildings in the city and surrounding areas.

William Toulson (1818-1889), another notable bearer, was a prominent businessman and philanthropist from Bolton, Lancashire, who made significant contributions to the local community.

Throughout its history, the Toulson surname has maintained a strong presence in various parts of England, particularly in the Northwest and Midlands regions, as well as in Wales.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Toulson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Toulson 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. Yorkshire leads with 145 Toulsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.66x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 145 3.66x
Lincolnshire 91 14.23x
Lancashire 33 0.70x
Kent 32 2.35x
Middlesex 24 0.60x
Nottinghamshire 23 4.27x
Derbyshire 18 2.87x
Durham 15 1.26x
Essex 6 0.76x
Surrey 6 0.31x
Hampshire 4 0.49x
Northamptonshire 4 1.06x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.79x
Leicestershire 2 0.45x
Sussex 2 0.30x
Berkshire 1 0.33x
Royal Navy 1 2.10x
Staffordshire 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 26 Toulsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.62x.

Place Total Index
Leeds 26 11.62x
Milton In Gravesend 26 127.08x
Pendleton In Salford 19 33.60x
Ecclesall Bierlow 17 21.09x
Morley 16 77.67x
Syston 15 4838.71x
Poplar London 14 18.55x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 12 32.50x
Frampton 10 826.45x
Glossop Dale 10 34.11x
Caythorpe 9 731.71x
Cornforth 8 228.57x
Manningham 8 16.39x
North Kyme 8 842.11x
Beeston 7 113.09x
Fulbeck 7 795.45x
Hunslet 7 11.33x
Newark Upon Trent 7 36.12x
Worsbrough 7 60.29x
Bramley In Bramley 6 39.55x
Croydon 6 5.55x
Gravesend 6 51.95x
Horsforth 6 69.04x
Liverton 6 652.17x
Oldham 6 3.92x
Wakefield 6 19.72x
Doddinghurst 5 892.86x
Hough On Hill Brandon 5 1612.90x
Hulme 5 5.05x
Mablethorpe 5 568.18x
Welbourn 5 657.89x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 4 27.80x
Barkstone 4 588.24x
Billinghay 4 203.05x
Churwell 4 148.15x
Hartlepool 4 23.65x
Peterborough 4 14.69x
Ripley 4 51.68x
Skipwith 4 1052.63x
Southwick 4 439.56x
Wilsford 4 425.53x
Wortley In Bramley 4 12.74x
Armley 3 17.16x
Balderton 3 204.08x
Ealing 3 8.39x
Eckington 3 19.72x
Hammersmith London 3 3.05x
Hough On Hill 3 566.04x
Islington London 3 0.77x
Lenton 3 23.62x
Manchester 3 1.41x
St Giles 3 40.38x
Bayards Leap 2 298.51x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 2 14.76x
Castleford 2 13.86x
Leverington 2 119.76x
Manthorpe Cum Little 2 40.90x
Nottingham St Mary 2 1.43x
Rastrick 2 18.17x
Skillington 2 370.37x
Spittlegate 2 22.60x
Uckfield 2 68.03x
Basford 1 4.02x
Belton 1 38.46x
Claypole 1 107.53x
East Ham 1 6.83x
Glen Parva 1 96.15x
Grantham 1 12.00x
Limehouse London 1 2.28x
Metheringham 1 39.22x
Pannal 1 26.32x
Reading St Mary 1 4.16x
Scarborough 1 2.78x
Stapenhill 1 10.73x
Syston 1 24.10x
Thornaby 1 6.75x
Uttoxeter 1 14.47x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 31
Elizabeth 14
Sarah 13
Ann 12
Hannah 9
Annie 7
Eliza 7
Jane 6
Martha 6
Agnes 4
Alice 4
Ellen 4
Harriet 4
Ada 3
Edith 3
Emma 3
Fanny 3
Amy 2
Anne 2
Betsy 2
Charlotte 2
Deborah 2
Elizth. 2
Emily 2
Florence 2
Gertrude 2
Harriett 2
Kate 2
Margaret 2
Maud 2
Rachel 2
Rebecca 2
Selina 2
Sophia 2
Susannah 2
Adelaide 1
Allice 1
Daisey 1
Ethel 1
F. 1
Frances 1
Grace 1
Katie 1
Leticia 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Luisa 1
Maria 1
Maude 1
Millicent 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 31
William 31
George 19
James 13
Joseph 13
Thomas 8
Arthur 7
Charles 6
Harry 5
Walter 5
Albert 4
Alfred 4
Frederick 4
Richard 4
Benjamin 3
Edwin 3
Ernest 3
Henry 3
Edward 2
Elijah 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Herbert 2
Jacob 2
Stephen 2
Amos 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
Clement 1
Earnest 1
Ebenezer 1
Ephraim 1
Grimaldi 1
Haggai 1
J. 1
Jno.J. 1
Jno.Jas. 1
Jno.Wm. 1
Maical 1
Mark 1
Michael 1
Nicholson 1
Percy 1
Price 1
Reuben 1
Robert 1
Sam 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1
Sheridan 1

FAQ

Toulson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Toulson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 413 people were recorded with the Toulson surname. That placed it at #7,794 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Toulson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 872 in 2016. That gives Toulson a modern rank of #6,447.

What does the Toulson surname mean?

An English surname derived from a pet form of the medieval name Tolomer.

What does the Toulson map show?

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