NameCensus.

UK surname

Chenoweth

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "new dwelling" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 130 people recorded with the Chenoweth surname, ranking it #16,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 127, ranked #26,566, down from #16,911 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Veryan and Wendron. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall and Bristol.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chenoweth is 162 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.3%.

1881 census count

130

Ranked #16,911

Modern count

127

2016, ranked #26,566

Peak year

1891

162 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Chenoweth had 130 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,911 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 127 in 2016, ranked #26,566.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 162 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Chenoweth surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Chenoweth surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Chenoweth 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 130 #14,314
1861 historical 129 #17,271
1881 historical 130 #16,911
1891 historical 162 #17,390
1901 historical 161 #17,324
1911 historical 162 #17,003
1997 modern 121 #24,019
1998 modern 127 #23,940
1999 modern 130 #23,805
2000 modern 121 #24,824
2001 modern 124 #24,114
2002 modern 131 #23,793
2003 modern 125 #24,265
2004 modern 120 #25,078
2005 modern 114 #25,837
2006 modern 112 #26,415
2007 modern 113 #26,641
2008 modern 110 #27,391
2009 modern 116 #27,062
2010 modern 119 #27,250
2011 modern 120 #26,930
2012 modern 118 #27,250
2013 modern 123 #26,974
2014 modern 124 #27,049
2015 modern 126 #26,654
2016 modern 127 #26,566

Geography

Back to top

Where Chenoweths are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Veryan, Wendron, Camborne and Lanteglos with Camelford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall 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 Veryan Cornwall
3 Wendron Cornwall
4 Camborne Cornwall
5 Lanteglos with Camelford Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 048 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 014 Cornwall
3 Bristol 053 Bristol, City of
4 Cornwall 016 Cornwall
5 Bristol 045 Bristol, City of

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Chenoweth

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Chenoweth

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Chenoweth is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Chenoweth 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

Chenoweth falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Chenoweth

The surname Chenoweth is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "cyne" meaning royal or kingly, and "wath" meaning a path or road, suggesting it may have referred to a royal road or path.

One of the earliest known records of the name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Chenewath" in reference to a landowner in Warwickshire. This indicates that the name was already established in parts of England by the late 11th century.

In the 13th century, variations of the name such as "Chenewode" and "Chenewith" can be found in various historical documents from counties like Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. These spellings likely reflect the local dialects and pronunciations at the time.

A notable early bearer of the name was Sir John Chenoweth, a knight who fought in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 during the Hundred Years' War. He was born in Worcestershire around 1380 and served under King Henry V.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name appeared to have spread to other parts of England, with records showing Chenoweths residing in counties like Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall. One notable figure from this period was Edward Chenoweth, a merchant and member of the East India Company, who was born in Bristol in 1620.

In the 18th century, the name gained further prominence with individuals like Arthur Chenoweth, a renowned architect born in London in 1712, who designed several notable buildings in the city. Another notable figure was Mary Chenoweth, a writer and activist born in Dorset in 1765, who championed women's rights and education.

As the Chenoweth family dispersed across England and beyond, the name underwent various spelling variations such as Chenowith, Chenworth, and Chinnworth. Despite these variations, the name has maintained its distinct identity and can be traced back to its medieval English origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Chenoweth families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Chenoweth 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. Cornwall leads with 109 Chenoweths recorded in 1881 and an index of 75.35x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 109 75.35x
Devon 7 2.63x
Angus 3 2.53x
Lanarkshire 3 0.73x
Hampshire 2 0.76x
Kent 2 0.46x
Lancashire 2 0.13x
Middlesex 2 0.16x
Royal Navy 1 6.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camborne in Cornwall leads with 17 Chenoweths recorded in 1881 and an index of 285.23x.

Place Total Index
Camborne 17 285.23x
Sithney 12 821.92x
Veryan 11 1964.29x
Gorran 10 2439.02x
Cubert 8 5000.00x
Helston 8 533.33x
Gerrans 7 1794.87x
St Just In Roseland 7 1111.11x
Blisland 6 2500.00x
Redruth 6 146.70x
St Agnes 5 246.31x
Barony 3 2.87x
Kenwyn 3 79.37x
Lanteglos 3 447.76x
St Vigeans 3 46.95x
Tormoham 3 26.67x
Tregoney St James 3 1111.11x
Calstock 2 70.42x
Paddington London 2 4.26x
Plymouth Charles The 2 17.06x
Rochester St Margaret 2 43.48x
Southampton St Mary 2 12.14x
Toxteth Park 2 3.90x
Dartmouth St Saviour 1 131.58x
Perranzabuloe 1 80.00x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 4.88x
Royal Navy 1 7.68x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Elizabeth 8
Jane 4
Grace 3
Sarah 3
Annie 2
Christian 2
Ellen 2
Emma 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Minnie 2
Rebecca 2
Agness 1
Ann 1
Bessie 1
Charlott 1
Clara 1
Eliza 1
Elizabth. 1
Emily 1
Fanny 1
Florance 1
Florence 1
Jannie 1
Josepha 1
Julia 1
Lettie 1
Lillia 1
Louisa 1
Mabel 1
Percilla 1
Persccilla 1
Rachel 1
Rose 1
Susan 1
Susanna 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 7
Charles 5
William 5
Francis 3
Frederick 3
Richard 3
Samuel 3
Albert 2
Arther 2
Arthur 2
Edwin 2
George 2
James 2
Stephen 2
Thomas 2
Benj'n. 1
Francs 1
Herbert 1
Jas. 1
Joseph 1
Ralph 1
Saml. 1
Simon 1
Tom 1
Walter 1
Wilfred 1

FAQ

Chenoweth surname: questions and answers

How common was the Chenoweth surname in 1881?

In 1881, 130 people were recorded with the Chenoweth surname. That placed it at #16,911 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Chenoweth surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 127 in 2016. That gives Chenoweth a modern rank of #26,566.

What does the Chenoweth surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "new dwelling" in Old English.

What does the Chenoweth map show?

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