NameCensus.

UK surname

Awe

A surname potentially derived from the Middle English word "awe," meaning fear or dread.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Awe surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 175, ranked #21,383, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hackney, Greenwich and Haringey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Awe is 175 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17400.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

175

2016, ranked #21,383

Peak year

2016

175 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Awe had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 175 in 2016, ranked #21,383.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Awe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Awe surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Awe 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 4 #32,658
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1997 modern 37 #33,964
1998 modern 48 #33,111
1999 modern 43 #33,683
2000 modern 44 #33,602
2001 modern 43 #33,576
2002 modern 57 #32,661
2003 modern 64 #32,056
2004 modern 105 #27,181
2005 modern 118 #25,301
2006 modern 123 #24,873
2007 modern 140 #23,231
2008 modern 145 #22,929
2009 modern 152 #22,716
2010 modern 166 #21,941
2011 modern 152 #23,101
2012 modern 165 #21,782
2013 modern 156 #23,004
2014 modern 168 #22,075
2015 modern 171 #21,729
2016 modern 175 #21,383

Geography

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Where Awes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hackney, Greenwich, Haringey, Dover and Newham. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hackney 016 Hackney
2 Greenwich 034 Greenwich
3 Haringey 011 Haringey
4 Dover 012 Dover
5 Newham 021 Newham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Awe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Awe

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Awe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Awe 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Awe is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Awe is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Awe falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Awe is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Black - African

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

Meaning and origin of Awe

The surname Awe has its origins in Scotland, tracing back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "awed," meaning "fearful" or "inspiring awe." The name was likely given to someone who had an imposing presence or commanded respect.

The earliest recorded mention of the name Awe can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of homage rolls from Scottish nobles submitted to King Edward I of England. This indicates that the name was already well-established in Scotland by the late 13th century.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the Awe surname was closely associated with the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the regions of Argyll and Bute. The name may have originated from a place name, such as the Isle of Awe or the village of Awe, both located in Argyllshire.

One notable bearer of the name was Sir Robert Awe, a Scottish knight who fought alongside Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the early 14th century. Sir Robert was awarded lands in Argyllshire for his loyalty and bravery.

In the 16th century, the Awe family established themselves as landowners and lairds in the Highlands. John Awe of Lochgair, born around 1530, was a prominent figure in the clan conflicts of the time and is mentioned in several historical accounts.

Another significant individual with the Awe surname was Reverend William Awe, a Scottish minister and scholar who lived from 1628 to 1695. He was known for his theological writings and served as the minister of several parishes in Argyllshire.

During the 18th century, the Awe name spread beyond Scotland as some members of the family migrated to other parts of the British Isles and the Americas. Notable individuals from this period include Captain James Awe, an officer in the British Royal Navy, who was born in 1743 and served during the American Revolutionary War.

In the 19th century, the Awe surname gained further recognition with the achievements of Sir James Awe, a Scottish engineer and inventor born in 1810. He is credited with several important innovations in the field of steam power and played a crucial role in the industrial development of Scotland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Awe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Awe 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. Yorkshire leads with 1 Awes recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.47x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 1 10.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Askham Bryan in Yorkshire leads with 1 Awes recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Askham Bryan 1 0.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Winifred 1

FAQ

Awe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Awe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Awe surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Awe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 175 in 2016. That gives Awe a modern rank of #21,383.

What does the Awe surname mean?

A surname potentially derived from the Middle English word "awe," meaning fear or dread.

What does the Awe map show?

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