NameCensus.

UK surname

Caswell

A locational surname referring to someone from Caswell, a place in England, likely derived from Old English cærse and wella, meaning "watercress spring."

In the 1881 census there were 1,451 people recorded with the Caswell surname, ranking it #2,871 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,622, ranked #2,541, up from #2,871 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Sedgley, London parishes and Kidderminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Blaenau Gwent, Harlow and Welwyn Hatfield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Caswell is 2,795 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 80.7%.

1881 census count

1,451

Ranked #2,871

Modern count

2,622

2016, ranked #2,541

Peak year

2002

2,795 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Caswell had 1,451 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,871 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,622 in 2016, ranked #2,541.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,244 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Caswell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Caswell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Caswell 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 858 #3,173
1861 historical 704 #3,847
1881 historical 1,451 #2,871
1891 historical 1,522 #2,905
1901 historical 1,947 #2,714
1911 historical 2,244 #2,255
1997 modern 2,619 #2,430
1998 modern 2,720 #2,438
1999 modern 2,741 #2,437
2000 modern 2,713 #2,446
2001 modern 2,679 #2,424
2002 modern 2,795 #2,393
2003 modern 2,716 #2,399
2004 modern 2,665 #2,434
2005 modern 2,638 #2,432
2006 modern 2,631 #2,441
2007 modern 2,643 #2,447
2008 modern 2,620 #2,478
2009 modern 2,669 #2,492
2010 modern 2,739 #2,489
2011 modern 2,739 #2,464
2012 modern 2,650 #2,496
2013 modern 2,656 #2,530
2014 modern 2,667 #2,537
2015 modern 2,641 #2,538
2016 modern 2,622 #2,541

Geography

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Where Caswells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Sedgley, London parishes, Kidderminster and Bedwelty. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Blaenau Gwent, Harlow, Welwyn Hatfield, West Oxfordshire and Rhondda Cynon Taf. 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 Sedgley Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Kidderminster Worcestershire
5 Bedwelty Monmouthshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Blaenau Gwent 004 Blaenau Gwent
2 Harlow 008 Harlow
3 Welwyn Hatfield 013 Welwyn Hatfield
4 West Oxfordshire 001 West Oxfordshire
5 Rhondda Cynon Taf 013 Rhondda Cynon Taf

Forenames

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First names often paired with Caswell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Caswell

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Caswell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Caswell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Caswell 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

Caswell is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Caswell falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Caswell 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 Caswell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Caswell

The surname Caswell has its origins in England, and it is believed to have emerged in the 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "casce," meaning cheese, and "well," meaning a spring or stream, suggesting that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a stream where cheese was produced or sold.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Caswell can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, which listed a John de Cassewell in Oxfordshire. This document provides evidence that the name was already in use during the medieval period.

The Caswell surname is also found in various historical records from the 14th and 15th centuries, such as the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 and the Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, further solidifying its presence in England during this time.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in the form of "Caswall" in the Parish Registers of Northamptonshire, indicating a slight variation in spelling. This variation likely arose due to regional dialects and local pronunciation differences.

One notable individual with the surname Caswell was Sir George Caswell (1545-1628), an English politician and Member of Parliament who served during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He played a significant role in the governance of the county of Huntingdonshire.

Another prominent figure was Sir Richard Caswell (1729-1789), a military officer and statesman from North Carolina who played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War. He served as the first governor of the independent state of North Carolina from 1776 to 1780.

In the 18th century, the Caswell family established themselves in various parts of the United States, particularly in New England and the Southern states. Notable individuals from this period include Richard Caswell (1754-1833), a soldier and politician who served as a U.S. Representative from North Carolina.

The 19th century saw the Caswell surname spread further across the United States and other parts of the world. One notable figure was John Caswell (1798-1859), an American educator and author who served as the first president of Brown University in Rhode Island.

Lastly, in the 20th century, Hollie Caswill (1905-1998) was a British artist and illustrator known for her work in children's books and her collaborations with authors such as Enid Blyton.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Caswell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Caswell 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. Staffordshire leads with 154 Caswells recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.22x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 154 3.22x
Worcestershire 145 7.84x
Warwickshire 131 3.67x
Yorkshire 122 0.87x
Middlesex 109 0.77x
Shropshire 95 7.76x
Lancashire 78 0.46x
Somerset 77 3.38x
Wiltshire 72 5.75x
Northamptonshire 70 5.25x
Surrey 49 0.71x
Essex 39 1.39x
Lincolnshire 38 1.68x
Glamorgan 37 1.50x
Gloucestershire 32 1.15x
Kent 31 0.64x
Derbyshire 24 1.08x
Durham 18 0.43x
Monmouthshire 15 1.46x
Sussex 14 0.59x
Berkshire 11 1.03x
Brecknockshire 11 3.88x
Cheshire 11 0.35x
Nottinghamshire 10 0.52x
Hampshire 9 0.31x
Herefordshire 9 1.55x
Midlothian 7 0.37x
Rutland 6 5.77x
Angus 5 0.38x
Caernarfonshire 5 0.87x
Leicestershire 5 0.32x
Devon 3 0.10x
Northumberland 3 0.14x
Ayrshire 1 0.09x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.17x
Dorset 1 0.11x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.32x
Lanarkshire 1 0.02x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.31x
Oxfordshire 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 52 Caswells recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.29x.

Place Total Index
Aston 52 5.29x
Sedgley 51 28.72x
Birmingham 47 3.95x
Kidderminster Borough 32 29.56x
Middlesbrough 28 15.32x
Great Malvern 27 69.97x
Ogbourne St Andrew 20 934.58x
Hoyland Nether 18 52.30x
Bilston 17 18.35x
Ince In Makerfield 15 19.18x
Bedwellty 14 7.74x
Chelsea London 13 3.05x
St Andrew Holborn London 13 21.20x
Bedminster 12 5.60x
Chatham 12 9.03x
Islington London 12 0.87x
Kensington London 12 1.52x
Streatham 12 11.42x
Bermondsey 11 2.61x
Kingswinford 11 6.34x
Llangunider 11 62.36x
Maidford 11 839.69x
Mildenhall 11 500.00x
Shrewsbury St Chad 11 25.61x
Warrington 11 5.52x
West Derby 11 2.24x
West Ham 11 1.78x
Dudley 10 4.45x
Hawkesbury 10 105.82x
Ilkeston 10 16.08x
Madeley 10 22.29x
Powick 10 78.06x
Tettenhall 10 34.21x
Burnham 9 51.78x
Garston 9 18.15x
Harborne 9 5.87x
Llanwonno 9 10.16x
Milton 9 255.68x
Ogbourne St George 9 382.98x
Shrewsbury St Julian 9 29.73x
Thorpe 9 297.03x
Caerau 8 1481.48x
Edgbaston 8 7.22x
Greenwich 8 3.55x
Hasland 8 35.45x
Leamington Priors 8 9.10x
Long Buckby 8 64.94x
Marske In Guisbrough 8 32.09x
Pendlebury 8 22.54x
Rotherham 8 10.11x
St Pancras London 8 0.70x
Toxteth Park 8 1.41x
Walsall Foreign 8 3.24x
Wolverley 8 49.26x
Atcham 7 350.00x
Barcombe 7 122.16x
Barking 7 8.56x
Bradford 7 2.06x
Church Stretton 7 85.26x
Darlaston 7 10.59x
Gloucester St Nicholas 7 54.43x
Heston 7 14.88x
Leyton Low 7 12.32x
Lydeard St Lawrence 7 273.44x
Lyncombe Widcombe 7 11.73x
Martley 7 132.08x
Meole Brace 7 110.41x
Paddington London 7 1.34x
Prees 7 46.98x
Reading St Mary 7 8.22x
Romford 7 15.84x
St Maryle Wigford 7 39.80x
Yarm 7 97.22x
Avebury 6 170.45x
Nottingham St Mary 6 1.22x
Rushden 6 33.67x
Stretton On Foss 6 319.15x
Taunton St Mary 6 14.34x
Tipton 6 4.10x
Tythegston Higher 6 80.11x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 103
John 100
Thomas 54
George 44
James 42
Joseph 35
Charles 34
Henry 32
Edward 20
Samuel 17
Alfred 14
Frederick 14
Arthur 13
Robert 13
Richard 12
Wm. 11
Walter 10
Harry 9
Albert 8
Benjamin 7
Thos. 6
Edwin 5
Ernest 5
David 4
Frank 4
Isaac 4
Clement 3
Edmund 3
Francis 3
Jeremiah 3
Sydney 3
Timothy 3
Abraham 2
Emanuel 2
Fred 2
Herbert 2
Phillip 2
Rowland 2
Stephen 2
Tom 2
Wm.E. 2
Berner 1
Chas. 1
Claude 1
Emil 1
Emmanuel 1
Enoch 1
Jacob 1
Jesse 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Caswell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Caswell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,451 people were recorded with the Caswell surname. That placed it at #2,871 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Caswell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,622 in 2016. That gives Caswell a modern rank of #2,541.

What does the Caswell surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from Caswell, a place in England, likely derived from Old English cærse and wella, meaning "watercress spring."

What does the Caswell map show?

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