NameCensus.

UK surname

Andow

Potentially an English locational surname derived from a place called "Andover".

In the 1881 census there were 104 people recorded with the Andow surname, ranking it #19,296 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 172, ranked #21,648, down from #19,296 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Glastonbury St Benedict and St John, Street and North Meols. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cheshire East, Shropshire and Melton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Andow is 219 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 65.4%.

1881 census count

104

Ranked #19,296

Modern count

172

2016, ranked #21,648

Peak year

1998

219 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Andow had 104 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,296 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 172 in 2016, ranked #21,648.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 191 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Andow surname distribution map

The map shows where the Andow surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Andow surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Andow over time

The 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 23 #29,205
1861 historical 78 #23,836
1881 historical 104 #19,296
1891 historical 152 #18,163
1901 historical 174 #16,520
1911 historical 191 #15,392
1997 modern 191 #18,150
1998 modern 219 #17,115
1999 modern 216 #17,364
2000 modern 203 #18,043
2001 modern 197 #18,108
2002 modern 203 #18,115
2003 modern 195 #18,411
2004 modern 196 #18,438
2005 modern 192 #18,640
2006 modern 205 #18,005
2007 modern 200 #18,485
2008 modern 198 #18,753
2009 modern 205 #18,722
2010 modern 208 #18,956
2011 modern 202 #19,154
2012 modern 189 #19,949
2013 modern 188 #20,352
2014 modern 192 #20,230
2015 modern 176 #21,291
2016 modern 172 #21,648

Geography

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Where Andows are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Glastonbury St Benedict and St John, Street, North Meols, Wells St Cuthbert In and Out and Cardiff St John and St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cheshire East, Shropshire, Melton and Bristol. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Glastonbury St Benedict and St John, Street Somerset
3 North Meols Lancashire
4 Wells St Cuthbert In and Out Somerset
5 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cheshire East 022 Cheshire East
2 Shropshire 036 Shropshire
3 Shropshire 038 Shropshire
4 Melton 004 Melton
5 Bristol 043 Bristol, City of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Andow

These lists show first names that appear often with the Andow surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Andow

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Andow, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Andow surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Andow household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Andow is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Andow is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Andow falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Andow is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Andow, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Andow

The surname Andow is of English origin, with roots that can be traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the village of Andover in Hampshire, England. The name is derived from the Old English words "ande" and "ofer," which together mean "at the end of the ridge."

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Andow can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Andefera." This reference suggests that the surname was already in use by the late 11th century.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name was often spelled as "Andewyr" or "Andewere," reflecting the evolving pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time. These variations were likely influenced by the local dialects and accents of the areas where the surname was prevalent.

In the 15th century, records show individuals named John Andow (born around 1420) and William Andow (born around 1460) residing in the county of Wiltshire. These early instances provide insight into the geographical spread of the surname beyond its original location.

One notable figure in history bearing the surname Andow was Sir Thomas Andow (1525-1589), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for the borough of Wiltshire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another prominent individual was Richard Andow (1670-1742), a renowned English clergyman and scholar who served as the Rector of Litchfield and was renowned for his contributions to theological studies.

In the 18th century, the surname gained recognition through the work of Samuel Andow (1720-1795), a celebrated architect and designer credited with the construction of several notable buildings in London, including the iconic Somerset House.

During the 19th century, the name Andow was associated with the literary world through the works of the poet and playwright, Emily Andow (1845-1921), whose writings explored themes of love, nature, and societal issues.

One of the most recent notable figures with the surname Andow was Sir Robert Andow (1890-1976), a highly decorated British military officer who served with distinction during World War I and later became a respected diplomat and statesman.

While the surname Andow has undergone various spelling variations throughout its history, it has maintained a strong connection to its English roots, with a rich tapestry of individuals who have contributed to various fields and left their mark on the annals of history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Andow families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Andow surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Somerset leads with 75 Andows recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.83x.

County Total Index
Somerset 75 40.83x
Gloucestershire 20 8.94x
Channel Islands 12 35.49x
Warwickshire 3 1.04x
Lancashire 2 0.15x
Surrey 2 0.36x
Devon 1 0.42x
Hampshire 1 0.43x
Royal Navy 1 7.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wells St Cuthbert in Somerset leads with 23 Andows recorded in 1881 and an index of 1840.00x.

Place Total Index
Wells St Cuthbert 23 1840.00x
St Helier 12 108.99x
Yatton 12 1690.14x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 10 47.46x
Glastonbury 9 600.00x
Bristol St James St Paul 8 107.24x
Burnham 8 571.43x
Street 6 606.06x
Bishops Lydeard 5 1063.83x
Westonsuper Mare 5 1351.35x
Wellesbourne Hastings 3 1111.11x
Wrington 3 483.87x
Kirkdale 2 8.78x
Walton 2 952.38x
Bermondsey 1 2.94x
Bristol St Michael 1 52.08x
Bristol St Nicholas 1 250.00x
Croydon 1 3.24x
Hound 1 62.89x
Kilmington 1 500.00x
Mark 1 232.56x
Royal Navy 1 8.61x
Wells St Cuthbert In 1 357.14x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Andow surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 9
Sarah 5
Elizabeth 4
Alice 3
Julia 3
Dina 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Sophia 2
Agnes 1
Annie 1
Beatrice 1
Catherine 1
Charlotte 1
Constance 1
Elizth. 1
Ema 1
Emely 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Florence 1
Harriett 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
Johannah 1
Joshua 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Matilda 1
Pamel 1
Phoebe 1
S. 1
Sabina 1
Selina 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Andow surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

FAQ

Andow surname: questions and answers

How common was the Andow surname in 1881?

In 1881, 104 people were recorded with the Andow surname. That placed it at #19,296 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Andow surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 172 in 2016. That gives Andow a modern rank of #21,648.

What does the Andow surname mean?

Potentially an English locational surname derived from a place called "Andover".

What does the Andow map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Andow bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.