A STUDY into the most common surnames in Britain has revealed that Bolton has more people called Kay than any other place in Britain.

Coming in at 333rd in the list of common names published in yesterday's Observer newspaper, the research also reveals that Bolton had more Kays than anywhere else back in 1881.

Originally an old Norse name, its definition is key-maker or key-bearer, or it can be used to describe someone living by a wharf or quay.

The Observer said: "Kay has also been adopted by immigrants to English-speaking countries who originally had non-English surnames beginning with the letter K."

The most famous people listed with the name are Peter and Vernon - both, of course, from Bolton.

Smith is the most common name, with Jones second and Williams in third.

  • Peter Kay's most recent stint as a chart-topper ended yesterday when his Comic Relief single - a version of The Proclaimers' I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) was knocked off the top spot after four weeks.

Timbaland's song Give it To Me took over the number one slot, with Kay falling to number four.