NameCensus.

UK surname

Bagshaw

English habitational surname from a place meaning "dweller by the outlying pasture or paddock".

In the 1881 census there were 2,391 people recorded with the Bagshaw surname, ranking it #1,867 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,699, ranked #2,489, down from #1,867 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Glossop, Manchester and Sheffield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Chesterfield, High Peak and Derbyshire Dales.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bagshaw is 3,249 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12.9%.

1881 census count

2,391

Ranked #1,867

Modern count

2,699

2016, ranked #2,489

Peak year

1911

3,249 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bagshaw had 2,391 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,867 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,699 in 2016, ranked #2,489.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,249 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bagshaw surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bagshaw surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bagshaw 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 1,838 #1,570
1861 historical 1,732 #1,667
1881 historical 2,391 #1,867
1891 historical 2,621 #1,818
1901 historical 3,006 #1,859
1911 historical 3,249 #1,601
1997 modern 2,833 #2,285
1998 modern 2,910 #2,315
1999 modern 2,936 #2,308
2000 modern 2,857 #2,356
2001 modern 2,774 #2,365
2002 modern 2,778 #2,399
2003 modern 2,710 #2,406
2004 modern 2,698 #2,411
2005 modern 2,697 #2,397
2006 modern 2,712 #2,381
2007 modern 2,715 #2,403
2008 modern 2,744 #2,400
2009 modern 2,800 #2,410
2010 modern 2,809 #2,442
2011 modern 2,771 #2,443
2012 modern 2,672 #2,479
2013 modern 2,712 #2,486
2014 modern 2,733 #2,486
2015 modern 2,672 #2,514
2016 modern 2,699 #2,489

Geography

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Where Bagshaws are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Chesterfield, High Peak and Derbyshire Dales. 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 Glossop Derbyshire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
4 London parishes London 2
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Chesterfield 005 Chesterfield
2 High Peak 010 High Peak
3 Derbyshire Dales 003 Derbyshire Dales
4 High Peak 011 High Peak
5 High Peak 006 High Peak

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bagshaw

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bagshaw

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bagshaw, 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 Bagshaw surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Bagshaw 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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bagshaw is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Bagshaw 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

Bagshaw 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 Bagshaw 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Bagshaw

The surname Bagshaw is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest known records dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to be a locational name derived from the village of Bagshaw in Derbyshire, which itself is believed to have been named after the Old English words "bagga," meaning "badger," and "sceaga," meaning "small wood or copse."

One of the earliest known references to the name Bagshaw can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which record a Richard de Baggeshagh in Derbyshire. This early spelling variation provides further evidence of the name's locational origins and its connection to the village of Bagshaw.

The name Bagshaw also appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire in 1327, where a John de Baggeshagh is listed as a taxpayer. This record suggests that the name had spread beyond its initial local area by the 14th century.

In the 15th century, the surname is recorded in various spellings, such as Bagshawe and Bagshaye, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common during that period.

One notable individual with the surname Bagshaw was William Bagshaw (1628-1702), an English nonconformist minister and theological writer. He was a prominent figure in the Presbyterian movement and authored several influential works, including "De Spiritualibus Pecci" and "De Monachatu."

Another significant figure was Henry Bagshaw (1778-1843), an English author and antiquarian. He published several works on local history and antiquities, including "The Life and Pontificate of St. Thomas of Canterbury" and "Memorials of the Antiquities and Architecture of the Cathedral Church of Lichfield."

In the 19th century, the surname Bagshaw was also associated with the English engineer and industrialist John Bagshaw (1821-1897). He played a significant role in the development of the coal mining industry in Yorkshire and was involved in the construction of several railways and waterways.

Another notable Bagshaw was Edward Bagshaw (1856-1921), an English historian and author. He wrote extensively on the history of Lancashire and Yorkshire, publishing works such as "The History of the Parish of Roche Abbey" and "The Annals of Wigan."

Lastly, John Bagshaw (1904-1983) was a British artist and printmaker known for his etchings and engravings. He was a member of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers and participated in numerous exhibitions throughout his career.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bagshaw families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bagshaw 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 518 Bagshaws recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.24x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 518 2.24x
Derbyshire 488 13.36x
Lancashire 367 1.33x
Warwickshire 151 2.57x
Staffordshire 141 1.79x
Nottinghamshire 118 3.75x
Cheshire 100 1.94x
Middlesex 92 0.39x
Flintshire 63 10.05x
Northamptonshire 60 2.74x
Kent 50 0.63x
Leicestershire 31 1.20x
Hampshire 21 0.44x
Norfolk 18 0.50x
Shropshire 18 0.89x
Surrey 18 0.16x
Hertfordshire 15 0.93x
Lincolnshire 12 0.32x
Essex 11 0.24x
Sussex 11 0.28x
Suffolk 10 0.35x
Worcestershire 10 0.33x
Buckinghamshire 8 0.57x
Dorset 7 0.46x
Huntingdonshire 6 1.30x
Durham 5 0.07x
Midlothian 5 0.16x
Wiltshire 5 0.24x
Devon 4 0.08x
Gloucestershire 4 0.09x
West Lothian 4 1.14x
Glamorgan 3 0.07x
Northumberland 3 0.09x
Royal Navy 3 1.08x
Denbighshire 2 0.23x
Anglesey 1 0.24x
Bedfordshire 1 0.08x
Berkshire 1 0.06x
Herefordshire 1 0.10x
Isle of Man 1 0.23x
Lanarkshire 1 0.01x
Rutland 1 0.58x
Somerset 1 0.03x
Westmorland 1 0.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sheffield in Yorkshire leads with 73 Bagshaws recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.92x.

Place Total Index
Sheffield 73 9.92x
Birmingham 70 3.57x
Ecclesall Bierlow 65 13.83x
Nether Hallam 46 14.71x
Hartington Upper 45 258.32x
Ardwick 43 17.22x
Nottingham St Mary 43 5.29x
Matlock 38 77.50x
Brightside Bierlow 37 8.16x
Aston 36 2.22x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 36 16.72x
Holywell 33 41.92x
Hathersage 27 263.67x
Newton 26 12.19x
Fernilee 25 294.46x
Laxton 25 647.67x
Manchester 25 2.01x
Chapel En Le Frith 24 71.99x
Beard Ollerset Whitle 23 95.75x
Heeley 23 32.75x
Leeds 21 1.61x
Salford 21 2.58x
Glossop Dale 20 11.70x
Grindlow 19 4130.43x
Darfield 18 85.55x
Doncaster 18 10.66x
Ecclesfield 17 10.03x
Hampstead London 17 4.68x
Madeley 17 23.01x
Marchington 17 469.61x
Beard 16 134.68x
Tideswell 16 100.95x
Uttoxeter 16 39.70x
Batley 15 6.83x
Brimington 15 54.09x
Foolow 15 842.70x
Handsworth 15 24.55x
Hartington Middle 15 561.80x
Kirkham 15 40.99x
Oldham 15 1.68x
Pendleton In Salford 15 4.55x
Shoreditch London 15 1.48x
Abney 14 2295.08x
Burslem 14 6.21x
Hulme 14 2.42x
Newton In Ashton Under 14 27.56x
Risley 14 777.78x
Leicester St Mary 13 6.22x
Norbury 13 108.42x
Derby St Alkmund 12 10.96x
Whitford 12 36.93x
Bolsover 11 60.08x
Gorton 11 4.23x
Great Bolton 11 3.00x
Huddersfield 11 3.27x
Stretford 11 7.22x
West Ham 11 1.08x
Worsbrough 11 16.24x
Chorlton On Medlock 10 2.27x
Derby St Werburgh 10 4.74x
Freckleton 10 110.01x
Great Hucklow 10 719.42x
Heathylee 10 298.51x
Kettering 10 11.27x
Litton 10 172.41x
Preston 10 1.35x
Ryton On Dunsmore 10 275.48x
Bakewell 9 45.05x
Buxton 9 29.12x
Deptford St Nicholas 9 14.25x
Doveridge 9 161.87x
Great Oakley 9 517.24x
Hyde 9 5.92x
Minster In Sheppey 9 6.83x
Shenstone 9 44.96x
Southampton St Mary 9 2.99x
Stockport 9 3.40x
Walton Le Dale 9 12.10x
Warkton 9 432.69x
Woodnewton 9 235.60x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 167
Sarah 99
Elizabeth 97
Ann 65
Annie 43
Emily 37
Eliza 36
Alice 35
Ellen 35
Hannah 35
Jane 34
Emma 32
Martha 23
Florence 19
Margaret 19
Fanny 17
Maria 17
Edith 16
Harriet 16
Anne 14
Clara 13
Ada 12
Charlotte 12
Lucy 11
Louisa 10
Rose 10
Amy 9
Caroline 8
Catherine 8
Frances 8
Kate 8
Beatrice 7
Harriett 7
Bertha 6
Helen 6
Julia 6
Matilda 6
Rebecca 6
Esther 5
Gertrude 5
Lydia 5
Ruth 5
Amelia 4
Millicent 4
Nancy 4
Rachel 4
Henrietta 3
Isabella 3
Lily 3
Margt. 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 157
William 138
Thomas 82
George 81
Joseph 69
James 47
Robert 46
Henry 42
Edward 34
Samuel 34
Charles 31
Alfred 21
Arthur 21
Benjamin 14
Frederick 14
Richard 14
Walter 14
Francis 13
Frank 13
Harry 11
Herbert 11
Albert 9
Geo. 9
David 7
Edwin 7
Fred 7
Ralph 7
Thos. 7
Daniel 6
Matthew 6
Wm. 6
Mark 5
Allen 4
Ernest 4
Fredrick 4
Nathaniel 4
Tom 4
Chas. 3
Edmund 3
Fredk. 3
Harold 3
Isaac 3
Jno. 3
Leonard 3
Robt. 3
Stephen 3
Anthony 2
Christopher 2
Lenard 2
Levi 2

FAQ

Bagshaw surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bagshaw surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,391 people were recorded with the Bagshaw surname. That placed it at #1,867 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bagshaw surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,699 in 2016. That gives Bagshaw a modern rank of #2,489.

What does the Bagshaw surname mean?

English habitational surname from a place meaning "dweller by the outlying pasture or paddock".

What does the Bagshaw map show?

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