SPROSON

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

In the 1881 Census

Top Locations

See the bottom of the page for an explanation of the numeric columns.

Counties

Census Districts

Demographics

Numbers in brackets are the total recorded in the census. Note that for less common surnames, some of these may well be typos or transcription errors. See below for some more information on occupational titles.

Top male names

  1. John (11)
  2. William (10)
  3. Thomas (6)
  4. Richard (6)
  5. Joseph (5)
  6. Henry (5)
  7. George (4)
  8. Charles (4)
  9. David (3)
  10. Harry (2)
  11. Herbert (2)
  12. James (2)
  13. Frederick (2)
  14. Frank (2)
  15. Ernest (2)
  16. Albert (2)
  17. Denis (2)
  18. Samuel (2)
  19. Arthur (2)
  20. Reginald (1)
  21. Oliver (1)
  22. Perry (1)
  23. W. (1)
  24. Peter (1)
  25. Robert (1)
  26. Ralph (1)
  27. Newton (1)
  28. Louis (1)
  29. Leonard (1)
  30. Auther (1)
  31. Clifford (1)
  32. Daniel (1)
  33. Elisha (1)
  34. Enock (1)
  35. Eustace (1)
  36. Harold (1)
  37. Isaac (1)
  38. Jim (1)
  39. Joshua (1)
  40. Absolam (1)

Top female names

  1. Mary (10)
  2. Emma (7)
  3. Sarah (6)
  4. Hannah (6)
  5. Elizabeth (5)
  6. Harriet (4)
  7. Fanny (4)
  8. Millicent (3)
  9. Ellen (2)
  10. Rebecca (2)
  11. Louisa (2)
  12. Annie (2)
  13. Jane (2)
  14. Maria (2)
  15. Margaret (1)
  16. Martha (1)
  17. Phoebe (1)
  18. Prudence (1)
  19. Sarahann (1)
  20. Selina (1)
  21. Lettia (1)
  22. Lenora (1)
  23. Anne (1)
  24. Catherine (1)
  25. Edith (1)
  26. Eliza (1)
  27. Emily (1)
  28. Ester (1)
  29. Ethel (1)
  30. Florence (1)
  31. Frances (1)
  32. Gertrude (1)
  33. Ann (1)
  34. Harriett (1)
  35. Susanna (1)

Top occupations

  1. Scholar (38)
  2. Schoolboy (3)
  3. Silk Worker (3)
  4. Fustian Cutter (3)
  5. House Painter (2)
  6. Housekeeper (2)
  7. Spinster (2)
  8. Carpenter & Joiner (2)
  9. Carpenter (2)
  10. Gamekeeper (2)
  11. Silk Winder (2)
  12. Hard Silkman (1)
  13. Hard Silk Worker (1)
  14. Governess Teacher (1)
  15. Governess (1)
  16. General Servant Domestic (1)
  17. Laborer In Iron Works (1)
  18. Machinest (1)
  19. Housemaid Domestic Servant (1)
  20. Rope Maker (1)
  21. Retired Farmer (1)
  22. Railway Lab (1)
  23. Railway Guard (1)
  24. Rail Inspector (1)
  25. Porter Town Hall (1)
  26. Porter Railway (1)
  27. None (1)
  28. Mil Pensioner Chelsea (1)
  29. General Labourer (1)
  30. General Laborer Wife (1)
  31. General Laborer (1)
  32. Dealer (1)
  33. Cowman Ag Lab (1)
  34. Cotton Spinner (1)
  35. Colliery Engine Driver (1)
  36. Coal Miner & Grocer (1)
  37. Coal Miner (1)
  38. Coach Maker (1)
  39. C Miller & Farmer (1)
  40. Wire Drawer Iron Works (1)
  41. Draper (1)
  42. Elementary Teacher Wesleyan School (1)
  43. Gas Retort Maker (1)
  44. Fustian Cutter & Dyer (1)
  45. Formerly Laundress (1)
  46. Formerly (Servant) (1)
  47. Farmer Over 210 Acres Employing 4 Men & 1 Boy (1)
  48. Farmer & Publican (1)
  49. Farm Laborer (1)
  50. Errand Boy (1)

Explanation of numeric columns in the county and district tables

The Total column shows the total number of people in that county or town with this surname. For example, there were 68 people with the surname Sproson in the county of Staffordshire in 1881.

The Frequency column shows the percentage of people in this county or town with this surname. For example, 0.01% of the people in Staffordshire were called Sproson.

The Index column shows how more or less common a surname is in a particular location compared to the population as a whole. If the index is higher than 1, then you more likely to find a person with this name here than you would in the country as a whole. And if it's less than 1, you are less likely to find someone with this surname here. For example, the Sproson surname has an index of 11.94 in Staffordshire, meaning that you are 11.94 times as likely to find a Sproson here than you would in the population as a whole.

The Total value is an absolute figure which takes no account of the size of the county or town, so it tends to be biased towards larger towns and counties. The Frequency and Index values are relative to the local population, so they give a better idea of where a surname is most concentrated.

A note on occupational titles

Occupational titles are presented exactly as recorded on the census and later transcribed, with no attempt made to unify names that are the same. So, for example, 'Ag Lab' and 'Agricultural Labourer' will apear as separate entries, and so will any misspellings of them.

'Scholar' was the census term for any child in education. Given that families tended to be large, this means that school children, or scholars, are almost always the largest recorded occupational group for any surname. A better idea of what the family breadwinners did for a living will be found in the other job titles.

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