NameCensus.

UK surname

Cheshire

From the county of Cheshire, England, derived from Old English ceaster, meaning "fort," and scir, meaning "county."

In the 1881 census there were 2,304 people recorded with the Cheshire surname, ranking it #1,940 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,224, ranked #2,109, down from #1,940 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Dunstable and St Mary Islington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Warwickshire, Telford and Wrekin and Caerphilly.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cheshire is 3,549 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 39.9%.

1881 census count

2,304

Ranked #1,940

Modern count

3,224

2016, ranked #2,109

Peak year

1998

3,549 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cheshire had 2,304 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,940 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,224 in 2016, ranked #2,109.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,200 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Cheshire surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cheshire surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cheshire 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 1,373 #2,091
1861 historical 1,497 #1,888
1881 historical 2,304 #1,940
1891 historical 2,427 #1,937
1901 historical 2,858 #1,954
1911 historical 3,200 #1,624
1997 modern 3,419 #1,894
1998 modern 3,549 #1,901
1999 modern 3,513 #1,930
2000 modern 3,483 #1,941
2001 modern 3,408 #1,939
2002 modern 3,472 #1,952
2003 modern 3,390 #1,957
2004 modern 3,341 #1,983
2005 modern 3,236 #2,012
2006 modern 3,262 #2,007
2007 modern 3,262 #2,031
2008 modern 3,271 #2,039
2009 modern 3,353 #2,040
2010 modern 3,393 #2,055
2011 modern 3,308 #2,074
2012 modern 3,278 #2,054
2013 modern 3,329 #2,059
2014 modern 3,332 #2,071
2015 modern 3,283 #2,079
2016 modern 3,224 #2,109

Geography

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Where Cheshires are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Dunstable, St Mary Islington and Rugeley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Warwickshire, Telford and Wrekin, Caerphilly and Hinckley and Bosworth. 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 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Dunstable Bedfordshire
4 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)
5 Rugeley Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Warwickshire 003 North Warwickshire
2 Telford and Wrekin 017 Telford and Wrekin
3 Caerphilly 010 Caerphilly
4 Hinckley and Bosworth 011 Hinckley and Bosworth
5 Hinckley and Bosworth 012 Hinckley and Bosworth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cheshire

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cheshire

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

Cheshire 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

Cheshire falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Cheshire

The surname Cheshire originated in England, specifically in the county of Cheshire, which is located in the northwest region of the country. The name can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period, with its roots stemming from the Old English words "cēse" and "scir," which together translate to "cheese shire" or "the shire where cheese was produced."

The earliest known appearance of the name Cheshire can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landholdings and properties throughout England and parts of Wales. This document contained references to individuals residing in the county of Cheshire, indicating the surname's existence during the 11th century.

During the Middle Ages, the surname Cheshire gained prominence among families residing within the county and its surrounding areas. One notable figure was Sir John Cheshire, a Knight of the Garter who lived in the late 14th century and served under King Richard II. Another early bearer of the name was William Cheshire, a merchant and alderman in the city of Chester during the 15th century.

In the 16th century, the surname Cheshire was further solidified, with records showing its presence in various parts of England. One prominent individual was Sir John Cheshire (1545-1617), a Member of Parliament and landowner from Halton, Cheshire. Another notable figure was Richard Cheshire (1569-1632), a clergyman and author who served as the Archdeacon of Cheshire.

As time progressed, the surname Cheshire spread beyond its county of origin, with families bearing the name establishing roots in other parts of England and eventually migrating to other parts of the world. Notable individuals include John Cheshire (1613-1669), a merchant and colonist who settled in Virginia, and Sir Bevil Cheshire (1645-1703), a military officer and Member of Parliament from Devonshire.

The name Cheshire has also been associated with various place names within the county, such as Cheshire Cheese Farm, Cheshire Cat Inn, and Cheshire Cheese Cave, reflecting the region's historical connection to cheese production and dairy farming.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cheshire families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cheshire 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. Middlesex leads with 291 Cheshires recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.29x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 291 1.29x
Lancashire 241 0.90x
Warwickshire 240 4.23x
Staffordshire 206 2.71x
Buckinghamshire 164 12.05x
Surrey 129 1.18x
Bedfordshire 112 9.61x
Shropshire 106 5.45x
Cheshire 98 1.97x
Leicestershire 88 3.53x
Worcestershire 77 2.62x
Hertfordshire 64 4.13x
Yorkshire 60 0.27x
Kent 54 0.70x
Hampshire 47 1.02x
Cambridgeshire 44 3.09x
Derbyshire 42 1.19x
Northamptonshire 36 1.70x
Essex 30 0.68x
Nottinghamshire 21 0.69x
Devon 19 0.41x
Herefordshire 19 2.06x
Lincolnshire 15 0.42x
Berkshire 13 0.77x
Denbighshire 13 1.53x
Gloucestershire 13 0.29x
Durham 9 0.13x
Northumberland 9 0.27x
Oxfordshire 8 0.58x
Montgomeryshire 7 1.36x
Sussex 7 0.18x
Midlothian 6 0.20x
Radnorshire 4 2.20x
Flintshire 3 0.50x
Somerset 3 0.08x
Royal Navy 2 0.75x
Wiltshire 2 0.10x
Dorset 1 0.07x
Glamorgan 1 0.03x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.22x
Monmouthshire 1 0.06x
Rutland 1 0.61x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 86 Cheshires recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.55x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 86 4.55x
Aston 71 4.54x
Dunstable 61 170.34x
Islington London 59 2.70x
Whittlesey St Mary St 44 88.37x
Aylesbury 38 63.03x
Rugeley 38 69.71x
Camberwell 33 2.30x
Atherstone 30 103.48x
Whitchurch 29 519.71x
West Derby 28 3.58x
Kings Norton 24 9.11x
Kirkdale 24 5.34x
Manchester 24 2.00x
Northampton Priory St 24 18.90x
St Pancras London 24 1.32x
Over 22 43.57x
Everton 20 2.35x
Toxteth Park 20 2.21x
Luton 18 8.92x
Battersea 17 2.05x
Great Gaddesden 17 234.16x
Handsworth 17 9.08x
Kensington London 17 1.36x
Liverpool 17 1.05x
North Marston 17 337.97x
St Marylebone London 17 1.41x
Stewkley 17 164.25x
Wolverhampton 17 2.91x
Edlesborough 16 129.14x
Harborne 16 6.57x
Houghton Regis 16 86.11x
Market Bosworth 16 177.58x
Richmond 16 10.41x
Habergham Eaves 14 5.74x
Hackney London 14 1.11x
Lambeth 14 0.71x
Leicester St Margaret 14 2.30x
West Bromwich 14 3.22x
Birkenhead 13 3.28x
Oswestry Town 13 20.88x
Sedgley 13 4.61x
Shrewsbury St Mary 13 16.94x
Stoke Upon Trent 13 1.61x
Sutton 13 16.39x
Walsall Foreign 13 3.31x
Hulme 12 2.15x
Princes Risborough 12 65.83x
St George Hanover Square 12 3.03x
Wortley In Bramley 12 6.79x
Great Stanmore 11 108.80x
Hemel Hempstead 11 15.74x
Mancetter 11 67.40x
Mile End Old Town London 11 2.30x
Newton 11 5.34x
Portsea 11 1.22x
Hendon 10 12.35x
Meppershall 10 166.94x
Shenton 10 591.72x
Stone 10 94.70x
Boston 9 8.24x
Burntwood Edial 9 18.55x
Chislehurst 9 21.86x
Croydon 9 1.48x
Hunsterson 9 596.03x
Isleworth 9 9.00x
Salford 9 1.15x
St John Winchester 9 92.88x
Tottenham 9 2.51x
Whitchurch Broughall 9 466.32x
Cheadle 8 8.43x
Cheltenham 8 2.35x
Clerkenwell London 8 1.51x
Ecclesall Bierlow 8 1.76x
Ellesmere 8 23.97x
Heston 8 10.70x
Hipperholme Cum 8 8.16x
Leamington Priors 8 5.73x
Nuneaton 8 12.17x
Stoke Damerel 8 2.44x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 115
Sarah 99
Elizabeth 94
Jane 55
Ann 49
Emma 44
Alice 42
Eliza 36
Annie 33
Emily 32
Ellen 30
Hannah 23
Ada 17
Maria 17
Clara 15
Anne 14
Florence 14
Agnes 13
Charlotte 13
Edith 13
Fanny 13
Harriet 13
Susan 13
Louisa 12
Margaret 12
Martha 12
Caroline 11
Harriett 11
Kate 11
Minnie 10
Rebecca 10
Rose 10
Catherine 9
Frances 8
Amy 7
Elizth. 7
Laura 7
Lucy 7
Matilda 7
Esther 6
Gertrude 6
Jessie 6
Julia 6
Rosa 6
Lizzie 5
Amelia 4
Eleanor 4
Helen 3
Henrietta 3
Katherine 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 132
John 125
Thomas 100
George 76
Charles 50
James 49
Edward 39
Joseph 39
Henry 35
Frederick 33
Alfred 30
Robert 28
Richard 24
Walter 24
Arthur 23
Harry 23
Samuel 19
Edwin 16
Frank 14
Albert 12
Ernest 11
Herbert 10
Wm. 9
Francis 8
David 7
Fredk. 6
Thos. 6
Fred 5
Benjamin 4
Edwd. 4
Frederic 4
Sidney 4
Amos 3
Chas. 3
Earnest 3
Fredrick 3
Geo. 3
H. 3
Harvey 3
J. 3
Leonard 3
Percy 3
Richd. 3
Tom 3
Daniel 2
Ebenezer 2
Edgar 2
Job 2
Mark 2
Reuben 2

FAQ

Cheshire surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cheshire surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,304 people were recorded with the Cheshire surname. That placed it at #1,940 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cheshire surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,224 in 2016. That gives Cheshire a modern rank of #2,109.

What does the Cheshire surname mean?

From the county of Cheshire, England, derived from Old English ceaster, meaning "fort," and scir, meaning "county."

What does the Cheshire map show?

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