NameCensus.

UK surname

Treasure

A surname signifying great riches or valuable possessions.

In the 1881 census there were 429 people recorded with the Treasure surname, ranking it #7,578 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 786, ranked #7,024, up from #7,578 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Mynyddyslwyn, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Midsomer Norton, Paulton, Chilcompton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mendip, Dudley and Cheshire West and Chester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Treasure is 807 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 83.2%.

1881 census count

429

Ranked #7,578

Modern count

786

2016, ranked #7,024

Peak year

1999

807 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Treasure had 429 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,578 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 786 in 2016, ranked #7,024.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 654 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Treasure surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Treasure surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Treasure 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 327 #7,119
1861 historical 293 #8,589
1881 historical 429 #7,578
1891 historical 522 #7,170
1901 historical 610 #6,981
1911 historical 654 #6,416
1997 modern 786 #6,637
1998 modern 787 #6,846
1999 modern 807 #6,741
2000 modern 802 #6,757
2001 modern 779 #6,782
2002 modern 785 #6,883
2003 modern 779 #6,805
2004 modern 781 #6,803
2005 modern 748 #6,975
2006 modern 743 #7,038
2007 modern 755 #7,015
2008 modern 752 #7,089
2009 modern 774 #7,071
2010 modern 777 #7,183
2011 modern 800 #6,952
2012 modern 772 #7,066
2013 modern 799 #6,961
2014 modern 805 #6,965
2015 modern 795 #6,969
2016 modern 786 #7,024

Geography

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Where Treasures are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Mynyddyslwyn, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Midsomer Norton, Paulton, Chilcompton, Preston and Kilmersdon, Holcombe, Stratton-on-the-Fosse. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mendip, Dudley, Cheshire West and Chester, King's Lynn and West Norfolk and Swansea. 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 Mynyddyslwyn Monmouthshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Midsomer Norton, Paulton, Chilcompton Somerset
4 Preston Lancashire
5 Kilmersdon, Holcombe, Stratton-on-the-Fosse Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mendip 002 Mendip
2 Dudley 015 Dudley
3 Cheshire West and Chester 020 Cheshire West and Chester
4 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 016 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
5 Swansea 021 Swansea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Treasure

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Treasure

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Treasure surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Treasure household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Treasure is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Treasure 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

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

Meaning and origin of Treasure

The surname Treasure is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "tresor," which means a hoard of valuables or wealth. This name likely originated in the 12th or 13th century, when it was used as an occupational surname for someone who guarded or oversaw a treasure or valuables.

The earliest recorded mention of the surname Treasure can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "le Tresorer." This record suggests that the name was already established by the late 13th century in England.

In the 14th century, the surname Treasure appeared in various forms, such as "Tresorer," "Tresur," and "Tresure," reflecting the evolving spelling and pronunciation of the name over time.

One notable historical figure with the surname Treasure was Sir William Treasure, a prominent English merchant and ambassador who lived in the 15th century. He served as an envoy to the court of the Holy Roman Emperor and was knighted for his services.

Another individual of note was Thomas Treasure, a 16th-century English explorer and navigator who accompanied Sir Francis Drake on his famous voyages around the world. Treasure played a crucial role in mapping and charting new territories during these expeditions.

In the 17th century, the surname Treasure was associated with the town of Treasure in Derbyshire, England, which may have been named after a person bearing the surname or vice versa.

John Treasure, born in 1701, was a renowned English clockmaker who established a successful business in London. His clocks and timepieces were highly sought after by the aristocracy and wealthy merchants of the time.

During the 18th century, the Treasure surname was found in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Gloucestershire, indicating its widespread distribution across the country.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname Treasure was the English artist and engraver William Treasure, born in 1796. He is renowned for his intricate engravings and etchings, many of which depicted landscapes and architectural subjects.

Throughout its history, the surname Treasure has maintained a strong connection to its etymological roots, reflecting the notion of wealth, value, and guardianship over precious possessions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Treasure families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Treasure 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. Somerset leads with 188 Treasures recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.65x.

County Total Index
Somerset 188 27.65x
Monmouthshire 49 16.05x
Gloucestershire 34 4.10x
Middlesex 29 0.69x
Lancashire 25 0.50x
Dorset 19 6.85x
Glamorgan 15 2.04x
Hampshire 14 1.62x
Kent 10 0.69x
Shropshire 9 2.47x
Surrey 8 0.39x
Yorkshire 7 0.17x
Essex 5 0.60x
Devon 4 0.45x
Herefordshire 4 2.31x
Channel Islands 3 2.40x
Sussex 3 0.42x
Bedfordshire 2 0.91x
Wiltshire 2 0.54x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.37x
Oxfordshire 1 0.38x
Royal Navy 1 1.99x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Lane in Somerset leads with 33 Treasures recorded in 1881 and an index of 3402.06x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Lane 33 3402.06x
Mynyddyslwyn 30 249.17x
Holcombe 27 3461.54x
Preston 22 16.41x
Portishead 19 376.24x
Kilmersdon 17 505.95x
Chew Magna 13 546.22x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 11 14.10x
Portsea 11 6.48x
Bedwellty 9 16.69x
Bristol St James St Paul 9 32.59x
Cheddar 9 263.16x
Radstock 9 201.34x
Sherborne 9 110.29x
Shrewsbury St Mary 9 62.50x
Ealing 8 21.19x
Ystradyfodwg 8 12.40x
Wanstrow 7 1458.33x
Yeovil 7 50.69x
Gillingham 6 126.05x
Hackney London 6 2.53x
Midsomer Norton 6 93.75x
Yalding 6 164.84x
Batcombe 5 555.56x
Edmonton 5 14.69x
Great Clacton 5 176.06x
North Brewham 5 1515.15x
Pylle 5 1282.05x
Chard 4 48.54x
Ross 4 58.06x
Tewkesbury 4 54.13x
Bedminster 3 4.70x
Cardiff St Mary 3 7.41x
Islington London 3 0.73x
Liverpool 3 0.99x
Lower Llanvrechva 3 100.00x
Mywyddyslwyn 3 405.41x
Newington 3 1.92x
St Helier 3 7.36x
Staverton 3 857.14x
Stoke Damerel 3 4.88x
Trevethin 3 10.40x
Walcot 3 8.29x
Wells St Cuthbert 3 64.66x
Camberwell 2 0.74x
Cheltenham 2 3.13x
Clifton 2 4.78x
Ditchling 2 103.09x
Doulting 2 229.89x
Leigh On Mendip 2 298.51x
Luton 2 5.28x
Nether Compton 2 357.14x
Provost Stour 2 357.14x
Rastrick 2 17.20x
Southampton St Mary 2 3.67x
Sowerby In Halifax 2 14.61x
St Pancras London 2 0.59x
Twickenham 2 11.04x
Westbury 2 229.89x
Aberford 1 106.38x
Battersea 1 0.64x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 1 13.25x
Chislehurst 1 12.94x
East Harptree 1 105.26x
Gamlingay 1 35.84x
Holdenhurst 1 4.40x
Keinton Mandeville 1 128.21x
Llangeinor 1 23.09x
Llanwonno 1 3.79x
Mexborough 1 12.03x
Oxford St Giles 1 8.04x
Paulton 1 32.15x
Richmond 1 3.47x
Royal Navy 1 2.32x
Shepton Mallet 1 13.11x
St Luke London 1 1.48x
St Martin In Fields 1 3.95x
Steeple Ashton 1 99.01x
Timsbury 1 48.54x
Wincanton 1 28.57x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Treasure surname: questions and answers

How common was the Treasure surname in 1881?

In 1881, 429 people were recorded with the Treasure surname. That placed it at #7,578 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Treasure surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 786 in 2016. That gives Treasure a modern rank of #7,024.

What does the Treasure surname mean?

A surname signifying great riches or valuable possessions.

What does the Treasure map show?

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