NameCensus.

UK surname

Unsted

In the 1881 census there were 85 people recorded with the Unsted surname, ranking it #21,573 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 104, ranked #30,317, down from #21,573 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, London parishes and Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Arun, Wealden and Spelthorne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Unsted is 177 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22.4%.

1881 census count

85

Ranked #21,573

Modern count

104

2016, ranked #30,317

Peak year

1911

177 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Unsted had 85 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,573 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016, ranked #30,317.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 177 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Unsted surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Unsted surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Unsted 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 32 #27,570
1861 historical 42 #28,691
1881 historical 85 #21,573
1891 historical 108 #22,828
1901 historical 128 #19,822
1911 historical 177 #16,129
1997 modern 126 #23,461
1998 modern 127 #23,940
1999 modern 121 #24,855
2000 modern 129 #23,901
2001 modern 126 #23,883
2002 modern 123 #24,735
2003 modern 118 #25,146
2004 modern 117 #25,448
2005 modern 114 #25,837
2006 modern 107 #27,179
2007 modern 110 #27,087
2008 modern 107 #27,844
2009 modern 112 #27,685
2010 modern 113 #28,162
2011 modern 109 #28,653
2012 modern 102 #29,902
2013 modern 107 #29,561
2014 modern 108 #29,658
2015 modern 104 #30,269
2016 modern 104 #30,317

Geography

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Where Unsteds are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, London parishes, Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner, Hurstmonceux, Wartling and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Arun, Wealden, Spelthorne, Adur and Gwynedd. 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 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
2 London parishes London 3
3 Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner Hampshire
4 Hurstmonceux, Wartling Sussex
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Arun 007 Arun
2 Wealden 017 Wealden
3 Spelthorne 011 Spelthorne
4 Adur 005 Adur
5 Gwynedd 002 Gwynedd

Forenames

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First names often paired with Unsted

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Unsted

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Unsted surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Unsted household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Unsted 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.

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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

Unsted is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Unsted falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

1881 census detail

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Unsted families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Unsted 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. Sussex leads with 63 Unsteds recorded in 1881 and an index of 45.07x.

County Total Index
Sussex 63 45.07x
Hampshire 12 7.06x
Middlesex 8 0.96x
Kent 1 0.35x
Surrey 1 0.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wartling in Sussex leads with 15 Unsteds recorded in 1881 and an index of 8823.53x.

Place Total Index
Wartling 15 8823.53x
West Firle 13 8125.00x
Brighton 9 31.91x
Lewes St John Southover 7 744.68x
Alverstoke 6 97.56x
Acton 5 102.88x
Alfriston 5 2941.18x
Falmer 5 3125.00x
Millbrook 5 116.82x
Worth 5 495.05x
Beddington 1 64.10x
Hammersmith London 1 4.90x
Hastings St Leonards 1 48.78x
Hastings St Mary In The 1 33.56x
Islington London 1 1.24x
Margate St John Baptist 1 19.31x
Paddington London 1 3.28x
Selmeston 1 2000.00x
Southampton 1 769.23x
Steyning 1 212.77x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Unsted surname: questions and answers

How common was the Unsted surname in 1881?

In 1881, 85 people were recorded with the Unsted surname. That placed it at #21,573 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Unsted surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016. That gives Unsted a modern rank of #30,317.

What does the Unsted map show?

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