Potterton
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "farm by the potter's kiln".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 274 Americans carry the last name Potterton. That puts it at #78,567 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.08 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,250,928 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Potterton surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
274
1 in 1,250,928
Census rank
#78,567
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
243
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 243 bearers of the surname Potterton in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 78567th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Potterton, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.7%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Potterton
The surname Potterton has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from a place called Potterton or Potterton Towne, which was located in Yorkshire, England. The name is thought to be a combination of the Old English words "pott" meaning a pot or vessel, and "tun" meaning a town or settlement.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Potterton can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of land and property in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a place called "Pottertuna" in Yorkshire, which is likely the origin of the surname.
In the 13th century, records show a Roger de Potterton in Yorkshire, indicating that the name was already in use as a hereditary surname by this time. Another early bearer of the name was William de Potterton, who was mentioned in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1301.
During the 16th century, the name Potterton appeared in various spellings, such as Potterton, Pottertoun, and Pottertown. This was a common occurrence during this period, as spelling conventions were not standardized. One notable individual from this time was John Potterton, a merchant from York who was recorded in the city's guild rolls in 1568.
In the 17th century, the name Potterton continued to be found in Yorkshire, as well as in other parts of England. A notable bearer of the name was Richard Potterton (1598-1668), a clergyman who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Beverley, Yorkshire.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, several individuals with the surname Potterton achieved prominence in various fields. These include William Potterton (1720-1796), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London; and Mary Potterton (1786-1863), a philanthropist and social reformer who founded several charitable organizations in Yorkshire.
Other notable bearers of the name Potterton include John Potterton (1832-1905), a successful businessman and industrialist who founded the Potterton Boiler Company in Leeds, which became a leading manufacturer of heating equipment; and Sir Thomas Potterton (1868-1946), a politician and member of parliament who served as the Lord Mayor of Leeds in the early 20th century.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Potterton
Among Census respondents with the surname Potterton, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.7%.
The bar chart below shows how Potterton bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Potterton surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Potterton surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #78,567 | #78,567 | 0.0% |
| Count | 243 | 243 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Potterton bearers went from 243 to 243 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #78,567 to #78,567.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Potterton
FAQ
Potterton surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Potterton?
The surname Potterton holds position #78,567 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 274 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Potterton surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Potterton, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.7%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.