Massachusetts foreclosure petitions, the first step in the foreclosure process rose in October, but foreclosure deeds fell to the lowest monthly total so far this year, the Warren Group reported Monday.

A total of 371 foreclosure deeds were recorded in October, down 52 percent from the same month a year ago and the fewest number of deeds recorded in any month since February 2007, said the Warren Group, a Boston firm that tracks local real estate activity.