UK surname
A surname derived from the medieval Norman-French form of the name "Walter".
In the 1881 census there were 19 people recorded with the Waston surname, ranking it #30,872 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 25, ranked #36,324, down from #30,872 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Paulerspury, Wigan and St Giles-in-the-Fields. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Waston is 289 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 31.6%.
1881 census count
19
Ranked #30,872
Modern count
25
2016, ranked #36,324
Peak year
1861
289 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Waston surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Waston surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 60 | #22,584 |
| 1861 | historical | 289 | #8,711 |
| 1881 | historical | 19 | #30,872 |
| 1891 | historical | 163 | #17,300 |
| 1901 | historical | 73 | #26,069 |
| 1911 | historical | 72 | #25,642 |
| 1997 | modern | 25 | #35,261 |
| 1998 | modern | 25 | #35,365 |
| 1999 | modern | 19 | #36,041 |
| 2000 | modern | 13 | #36,635 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 8 | #37,248 |
| 2004 | modern | 10 | #37,096 |
| 2005 | modern | 9 | #37,302 |
| 2006 | modern | 10 | #37,224 |
| 2007 | modern | 12 | #37,095 |
| 2008 | modern | 11 | #37,270 |
| 2009 | modern | 10 | #37,446 |
| 2010 | modern | 13 | #37,215 |
| 2011 | modern | 16 | #36,932 |
| 2012 | modern | 16 | #36,897 |
| 2013 | modern | 18 | #36,787 |
| 2014 | modern | 20 | #36,654 |
| 2015 | modern | 24 | #36,364 |
| 2016 | modern | 25 | #36,324 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Paulerspury, Wigan, St Giles-in-the-Fields, St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paulerspury | Northamptonshire |
| 2 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 3 | St Giles-in-the-Fields | London (Central Districts) |
| 4 | St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace | London (West Districts) |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Waston surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Waston, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Waston surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Waston household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Waston is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Waston is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Waston, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname WASTON is of English origin, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "watsun," which means "son of Wat," a diminutive form of the name Walter. This patronymic naming practice was common during that era, with surnames often reflecting the father's name.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the WASTON surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where a William Watstun is mentioned. This document served as a census of landowners and their holdings during the reign of King Edward I.
The name WASTON has also been linked to various place names in England, such as Watston Green in Northamptonshire and Watston Farm in Warwickshire. These locations likely served as the residences of early bearers of the surname, who may have adopted the place name as their family name.
In the 14th century, the WASTON surname appeared in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, which recorded tax payments made to the Crown. John Waston was listed as a taxpayer in 1379, indicating the presence of the family in the region during that period.
Notable individuals with the surname WASTON include:
1. Thomas Waston (c. 1555-1592), an English Catholic priest and martyr who was executed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I for his religious beliefs.
2. William Waston (1559-1616), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Taunton, Somerset.
3. John Waston (1616-1683), an English mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the development of calculus and the study of planetary motion.
4. Mary Waston (1719-1793), a British botanist and naturalist known for her extensive collections of plant specimens and her contributions to the study of flora in the British Isles.
5. Robert Waston (1837-1911), a Scottish engineer and inventor credited with developing the first successful pneumatic tire for bicycles and automobiles.
Throughout its history, the WASTON surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Watston, Watsun, and Watsone, reflecting the fluidity of surname spellings in earlier times. However, the name has maintained its distinct origins and continues to be a part of the rich tapestry of English surnames.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Waston surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Warwickshire leads with 5 Wastons recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.29x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Warwickshire | 5 | 11.29x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 1.71x |
| Kent | 2 | 3.34x |
| West Lothian | 2 | 75.76x |
| Channel Islands | 1 | 19.23x |
| Kincardineshire | 1 | 46.73x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 4.22x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 7.35x |
| Somerset | 1 | 3.54x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 1.69x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 5 Wastons recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.88x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 5 | 33.88x |
| Kirkliston | 2 | 1333.33x |
| St Giles In Fields | 2 | 327.87x |
| Darenth | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 21.65x |
| Marykirk | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Middle Greenock | 1 | 270.27x |
| St Peter Port | 1 | 104.17x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 1 | 15.92x |
| Walcot | 1 | 66.23x |
| Westminster St | 1 | 153.85x |
| Worksop | 1 | 142.86x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Waston surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Waston surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Waston households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Bakers Assistant | 1 |
| Butchers Assistant | 1 |
| Drapers Asst | 1 |
| Gun Smith | 1 |
| Independent | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Unable To Work | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 19 people were recorded with the Waston surname. That placed it at #30,872 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 25 in 2016. That gives Waston a modern rank of #36,324.
A surname derived from the medieval Norman-French form of the name "Walter".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Waston bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.