NameCensus.

UK surname

Arrowsmith

A surname referring to someone skilled at making arrows.

In the 1881 census there were 2,306 people recorded with the Arrowsmith surname, ranking it #1,938 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,652, ranked #1,865, up from #1,938 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Wigan and Walsall. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shropshire, Cheshire East and Walsall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Arrowsmith is 3,992 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 58.4%.

1881 census count

2,306

Ranked #1,938

Modern count

3,652

2016, ranked #1,865

Peak year

1999

3,992 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Arrowsmith had 2,306 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,938 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,652 in 2016, ranked #1,865.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,538 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Arrowsmith surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Arrowsmith surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Arrowsmith 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 1,305 #2,197
1861 historical 1,388 #2,066
1881 historical 2,306 #1,938
1891 historical 2,731 #1,732
1901 historical 3,160 #1,774
1911 historical 3,538 #1,478
1997 modern 3,713 #1,746
1998 modern 3,980 #1,698
1999 modern 3,992 #1,708
2000 modern 3,960 #1,714
2001 modern 3,895 #1,700
2002 modern 3,957 #1,712
2003 modern 3,863 #1,716
2004 modern 3,767 #1,759
2005 modern 3,677 #1,776
2006 modern 3,608 #1,805
2007 modern 3,620 #1,816
2008 modern 3,656 #1,813
2009 modern 3,759 #1,814
2010 modern 3,881 #1,789
2011 modern 3,780 #1,819
2012 modern 3,641 #1,853
2013 modern 3,714 #1,847
2014 modern 3,730 #1,854
2015 modern 3,677 #1,861
2016 modern 3,652 #1,865

Geography

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Where Arrowsmiths are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Wigan, Walsall and Birmingham Town: Aston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Shropshire, Cheshire East, Walsall, Flintshire and South Northamptonshire. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Wigan Lancashire
3 Walsall Staffordshire
4 London parishes London 2
5 Birmingham Town: Aston Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Shropshire 008 Shropshire
2 Cheshire East 037 Cheshire East
3 Walsall 021 Walsall
4 Flintshire 012 Flintshire
5 South Northamptonshire 002 South Northamptonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Arrowsmith

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Arrowsmith

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Arrowsmith is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Arrowsmith is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Arrowsmith falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Arrowsmith is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Arrowsmith

The surname Arrowsmith is of English origin, deriving from the occupational name for a maker or seller of arrows. It emerged in the medieval period, likely between the 12th and 14th centuries, when the longbow and arrows were essential weapons of warfare and hunting.

Arrowsmith is a compound word formed by combining the elements "arrow" and "smith." The Old English word "arwe" or "arowe" referred to an arrow, while "smið" meant a skilled worker or craftsman. Together, these words formed the occupational title "arrowsmith" for those who crafted or dealt in arrows.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Arrowsmith can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, dated 1273, which mentions a Robert le Arrowesmyth. This early spelling variation reflects the evolving nature of surnames during their establishment.

In 1379, the Poll Tax Returns for Yorkshire listed a John Arousmyth, further demonstrating the name's presence in different regions of England. Other early variations included Arrowesmyth, Arwesmyth, and Arresmyth.

Many Arrowsmiths likely resided near areas known for their arrow production or archery traditions. For instance, the Arrowsmith family was historically associated with the region of Cheshire, where several villages and townships bear names derived from "arrow," such as Arrowcroft and Arrowgreave.

Notable individuals with the surname Arrowsmith throughout history include:

1. John Arrowsmith (1585-1659), a renowned English Protestant minister and theologian known for his published sermons and theological works.

2. Aaron Arrowsmith (1750-1823), a renowned English cartographer and engraver who produced several influential atlases and maps, including a map of North America in 1802.

3. Edmund Arrowsmith (1585-1628), an English Roman Catholic martyr who was hanged, drawn, and quartered for his religious beliefs during the reign of King Charles I.

4. George Arrowsmith (1847-1905), a British trade unionist and prominent figure in the early labor movement, serving as the first president of the National Union of Gasworkers and General Labourers.

5. Patricia Arrowsmith (born 1937), a British actress known for her roles in television series like The Avengers, Upstairs, Downstairs, and Inspector Morse.

While the surname Arrowsmith originated as an occupational name, it has since become a hereditary family name passed down through generations, reflecting the rich history and diversity of English surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Arrowsmith families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Arrowsmith 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. Lancashire leads with 736 Arrowsmiths recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.74x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 736 2.74x
Cheshire 287 5.74x
Staffordshire 261 3.41x
Middlesex 174 0.77x
Durham 164 2.43x
Warwickshire 94 1.65x
Shropshire 92 4.70x
Yorkshire 88 0.39x
Herefordshire 79 8.51x
Northumberland 66 1.96x
Surrey 35 0.32x
Flintshire 28 4.60x
Kent 26 0.34x
Essex 25 0.56x
Worcestershire 21 0.71x
Channel Islands 20 2.98x
Gloucestershire 15 0.34x
Derbyshire 13 0.37x
Leicestershire 11 0.44x
Monmouthshire 10 0.61x
Wiltshire 8 0.40x
Rutland 7 4.21x
Suffolk 7 0.25x
Glamorgan 5 0.13x
Oxfordshire 5 0.36x
Radnorshire 5 2.74x
Hertfordshire 4 0.26x
Somerset 4 0.11x
Sussex 4 0.10x
Berkshire 3 0.18x
Brecknockshire 3 0.66x
Devon 3 0.06x
Hampshire 3 0.06x
Lincolnshire 3 0.08x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.10x
Pembrokeshire 3 0.42x
Isle of Man 2 0.48x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.07x
Denbighshire 1 0.12x
Dorset 1 0.07x
Lanarkshire 1 0.01x
Midlothian 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wigan in Lancashire leads with 81 Arrowsmiths recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.57x.

Place Total Index
Wigan 81 21.57x
Stoke Upon Trent 70 8.63x
Haughton 53 135.17x
Denton 44 73.88x
Aston 39 2.48x
Bethnal Green London 32 3.25x
Sutton In Macclesfield 29 55.89x
Pemberton 25 23.33x
Birmingham 23 1.21x
Salford 23 2.91x
Blackrod 22 65.87x
Newton 22 10.62x
Walsall Borough 22 37.07x
West Derby 22 2.80x
Edgmond 21 97.49x
Toxteth Park 21 2.31x
Chorlton On Medlock 20 4.68x
Sandbach 20 46.90x
St Helier 20 9.15x
Coventry St Michael 19 10.35x
Paddington London 19 2.28x
Stafford St Mary 19 17.56x
St Pancras London 18 0.99x
Burslem 17 7.76x
Darlington 17 6.53x
Kirkdale 17 3.76x
Manchester 17 1.41x
Sedgefield 17 70.77x
Tynemouth 17 9.42x
East Thickley 16 117.13x
Leominster 16 41.62x
Westgate 16 7.67x
Burton Extra 15 34.22x
Farnworth 15 9.31x
Liverpool 15 0.92x
Pennington In Leigh 15 29.09x
Walsall Foreign 15 3.80x
Adlington 14 55.62x
Astley 14 67.54x
Atherton 14 14.31x
Brewood 14 63.52x
Gateshead 14 2.77x
Hawarden 14 29.27x
Oldham 14 1.61x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 14 31.45x
Worsley 14 8.45x
Barnard Castle 13 39.03x
Handsworth 13 6.90x
Hulme 13 2.32x
Limehouse London 13 5.23x
Monks Coppenhall 13 6.89x
West Ham 13 1.32x
Whitchurch 13 34.23x
Bedford 12 21.34x
Golborne 12 34.26x
Lower Bebington 12 40.40x
Wellington 12 10.91x
Wolverhampton 12 2.04x
Bromley London 11 2.21x
Dorstone 11 317.00x
Hoole 11 58.20x
Norton 11 44.41x
Reddish 11 29.71x
Bredbury 10 34.55x
Bredwardine 10 383.14x
Chirton 10 13.11x
Goosnargh 10 114.94x
Hampstead London 10 2.83x
Islington London 10 0.46x
Preston 10 1.39x
Aldwark 9 520.23x
Cannock 9 6.75x
Cheetham 9 4.49x
Helmington Row 9 28.67x
Lambeth 9 0.46x
Prescot 9 18.51x
Stockton On Tees 9 2.77x
Trentham 9 13.84x
Accrington 8 3.27x
Wallsend 8 7.49x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 192
Elizabeth 91
Sarah 81
Ann 51
Jane 50
Hannah 44
Eliza 42
Annie 38
Alice 36
Margaret 31
Martha 31
Emma 30
Ellen 20
Emily 15
Frances 14
Harriet 14
Catherine 13
Fanny 13
Ada 12
Anne 10
Florence 10
Louisa 10
Caroline 9
Agnes 8
Charlotte 8
Clara 8
Edith 8
Maria 8
Elizth. 7
Esther 7
Harriett 7
Isabella 7
Lucy 7
Rebecca 7
Gertrude 6
Kate 6
Selina 6
Ethel 5
Rose 5
Susan 5
Amelia 4
Beatrice 4
Laura 4
Lillian 4
Lizzie 4
Margt. 4
Maud 4
Minnie 4
Susannah 4
Jemima 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 159
William 132
James 83
Thomas 83
George 71
Joseph 53
Henry 48
Samuel 45
Alfred 38
Robert 37
Charles 34
Edward 23
Richard 20
Frederick 19
Arthur 18
Wm. 15
Albert 14
Edwin 14
Harry 12
Walter 12
Frank 10
Peter 10
Thos. 10
Herbert 9
Ernest 6
David 5
Francis 5
Geo. 5
Ralph 5
Saml. 5
Abraham 4
Elijah 4
Isaac 4
Christopher 3
Ellis 3
Hodgson 3
Jonathan 3
Josiah 3
Matthew 3
Robt. 3
Sidney 3
Willm. 3
Alexander 2
Charley 2
Lionel 2
Michael 2
Moses 2
Nathanial 2
Obadiah 2
Sam 2

FAQ

Arrowsmith surname: questions and answers

How common was the Arrowsmith surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,306 people were recorded with the Arrowsmith surname. That placed it at #1,938 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Arrowsmith surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,652 in 2016. That gives Arrowsmith a modern rank of #1,865.

What does the Arrowsmith surname mean?

A surname referring to someone skilled at making arrows.

What does the Arrowsmith map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Arrowsmith 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.