NameCensus.

UK surname

Cowperthwaite

An English locational surname derived from a place meaning "wood or glade of the cow herder".

In the 1881 census there were 284 people recorded with the Cowperthwaite surname, ranking it #10,100 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 452, ranked #10,768, down from #10,100 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Orton, Lytham and Preston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Eden, Lancaster and Craven.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cowperthwaite is 500 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 59.2%.

1881 census count

284

Ranked #10,100

Modern count

452

2016, ranked #10,768

Peak year

1999

500 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cowperthwaite had 284 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,100 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 452 in 2016, ranked #10,768.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 433 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Cowperthwaite surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cowperthwaite surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cowperthwaite 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 165 #12,053
1861 historical 234 #10,463
1881 historical 284 #10,100
1891 historical 316 #10,639
1901 historical 433 #8,954
1911 historical 413 #9,082
1997 modern 455 #9,985
1998 modern 485 #9,825
1999 modern 500 #9,661
2000 modern 498 #9,667
2001 modern 494 #9,560
2002 modern 489 #9,789
2003 modern 473 #9,879
2004 modern 462 #10,092
2005 modern 451 #10,197
2006 modern 443 #10,369
2007 modern 460 #10,169
2008 modern 459 #10,265
2009 modern 480 #10,162
2010 modern 483 #10,301
2011 modern 482 #10,228
2012 modern 439 #10,873
2013 modern 456 #10,722
2014 modern 460 #10,713
2015 modern 452 #10,785
2016 modern 452 #10,768

Geography

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Where Cowperthwaites are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Orton, Lytham, Preston, Crosthwaite and Middlesborough. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Eden, Lancaster and Craven. 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 Orton Westmorland
2 Lytham Lancashire
3 Preston Lancashire
4 Crosthwaite Cumberland
5 Middlesborough Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Eden 004 Eden
2 Eden 003 Eden
3 Lancaster 002 Lancaster
4 Craven 003 Craven
5 Craven 001 Craven

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cowperthwaite

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cowperthwaite

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

Cowperthwaite is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Cowperthwaite falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Cowperthwaite

The surname Cowperthwaite originates from the county of Yorkshire in northern England. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "cu-porthwaite," meaning a cowshed or a small meadow where cows grazed. The name can be traced back to the 12th century.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, a record of landowners compiled for William the Conqueror, there are references to the village of Coperdesweit, which is thought to be the earliest known spelling of the place name that later evolved into Cowperthwaite. This suggests that the surname may have originated from this location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Cowperthwaite can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where a person named Willelmus de Couperthwait is mentioned. This is believed to be one of the earliest written records of the surname.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named John de Couperthwaite was recorded as holding lands in the village of Couperthwaite in Yorkshire. He was likely a member of the local gentry or a landowner in the area, which further solidifies the connection between the surname and the place name.

During the 14th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, such as Couperthwaite, Cowperthwayte, and Cowperthwaite, reflecting the evolution of the name over time. In the 16th century, a prominent individual named Thomas Cowperthwaite was born in 1543 and served as a Member of Parliament for Boroughbridge in Yorkshire.

Another notable figure with the surname Cowperthwaite was William Cowperthwaite, born in 1638, who was a renowned English clergyman and author. He published several works on religious subjects during his lifetime.

In the 18th century, John Cowperthwaite, born in 1720, was a notable merchant and ship owner based in the city of Hull, England. He played a significant role in the thriving maritime trade of the time.

As the centuries passed, the Cowperthwaite surname spread beyond its Yorkshire origins, with individuals bearing the name found in various parts of England and, later, other parts of the world due to immigration and exploration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cowperthwaite families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cowperthwaite 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. Lancashire leads with 112 Cowperthwaites recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.44x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 112 3.44x
Westmorland 61 101.26x
Cumberland 28 11.86x
Yorkshire 18 0.66x
Durham 16 1.96x
Northumberland 16 3.92x
Ayrshire 11 5.36x
Middlesex 8 0.29x
Cheshire 5 0.83x
Lanarkshire 3 0.34x
Fife 2 1.23x
Perthshire 1 0.81x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Orton in Westmorland leads with 31 Cowperthwaites recorded in 1881 and an index of 1722.22x.

Place Total Index
Orton 31 1722.22x
Keswick 17 562.91x
Pendleton In Clitheroe 12 975.61x
Ravenstonedale 12 1428.57x
Clitheroe 11 114.94x
Kirkoswald 11 658.68x
Preston 10 11.49x
Radcliffe 10 63.78x
Dalton In Furness 9 71.66x
Monkwearmouth 8 102.43x
Pegswood 8 869.57x
Bolton Le Sands 7 945.95x
Eldon 7 542.64x
Layton With Warbreck 7 58.63x
Skerton 7 262.17x
Bedlington 6 44.05x
Dent 6 526.32x
Hutton Soil 6 1666.67x
Blackburn 5 5.78x
Hulme 5 7.36x
Poulton Cum Seacombe 5 71.84x
Brigham 4 360.36x
Catterall 4 689.66x
Everton 4 3.86x
Grasmere 4 579.71x
Habergham Eaves 4 13.45x
St Pancras London 4 1.81x
Wiswell 4 579.71x
Appleby St Lawrence 3 218.98x
Applethwaite 3 166.67x
Ardwick 3 10.22x
Glasgow 3 1.91x
Guisbrough 3 50.51x
Kentmere 3 1875.00x
Middlesbrough 3 8.48x
Westminster St Margaret 3 22.69x
Billinge Chapel End 2 109.89x
Bradford 2 3.04x
Brough 2 338.98x
Chirton 2 21.67x
Ferry Port On Craig 2 74.91x
Leeds 2 1.30x
Strickland Roger 2 487.80x
Toxteth Park 2 1.82x
Above Derwent 1 113.64x
Cockerham 1 120.48x
Houghton Le Side 1 1000.00x
Mallerstang 1 400.00x
Marton 1 46.30x
Martons Both 1 454.55x
Perth West Church 1 17.12x
Poulton Barre 1 27.03x
Sedbergh 1 100.00x
Tatham 1 200.00x
Westminster St James 1 3.55x
Withington 1 9.54x
Woodplumpton 1 86.21x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 20
Elizabeth 17
Margaret 13
Sarah 10
Jane 7
Alice 6
Isabella 6
Agnes 4
Ann 3
Annie 3
Ellen 3
Hannah 3
Margt. 3
Martha 3
Charlotte 2
Eliz. 2
Eliza 2
Maria 2
Ruth 2
Abigail 1
Agness 1
Anne 1
Barbara 1
Betsey 1
Cassie 1
Clara 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth. 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Grace 1
Jeanie 1
Jessie 1
Joan 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Maggie 1
Marion 1
Marth 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1
Sophie 1
Thomasin 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 20
Thomas 14
William 14
Edward 10
George 10
Robert 9
James 8
Henry 7
Joseph 6
Anthony 5
Wm. 3
Edmund 2
Hugh 2
Alan 1
Alfred 1
Doctor 1
Earnest 1
Edmond 1
Edwd. 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Harold 1
Harrison 1
Hy. 1
Mathew 1
Richard 1
Robt. 1
Shepherd 1
Stephen 1
Sydney 1
Walter 1
Willicorn 1

FAQ

Cowperthwaite surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cowperthwaite surname in 1881?

In 1881, 284 people were recorded with the Cowperthwaite surname. That placed it at #10,100 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cowperthwaite surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 452 in 2016. That gives Cowperthwaite a modern rank of #10,768.

What does the Cowperthwaite surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from a place meaning "wood or glade of the cow herder".

What does the Cowperthwaite map show?

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