UK surname
A habitational surname derived from Coxwell, Berkshire, meaning "cock's well or spring".
In the 1881 census there were 85 people recorded with the Coxwell surname, ranking it #21,573 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 87, ranked #32,476, down from #21,573 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Hillingdon (Hillingdon), Ickenham, Cowley, Eling and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Coxwell is 116 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.4%.
1881 census count
85
Ranked #21,573
Modern count
87
2016, ranked #32,476
Peak year
1891
116 bearers
Map years
3
1891 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Coxwell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Coxwell surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 42 | #25,706 |
| 1861 | historical | 46 | #28,170 |
| 1881 | historical | 85 | #21,573 |
| 1891 | historical | 116 | #21,766 |
| 1901 | historical | 102 | #22,596 |
| 1911 | historical | 108 | #21,736 |
| 1997 | modern | 88 | #28,611 |
| 1998 | modern | 84 | #29,537 |
| 1999 | modern | 78 | #30,327 |
| 2000 | modern | 87 | #29,377 |
| 2001 | modern | 81 | #29,828 |
| 2002 | modern | 76 | #30,830 |
| 2003 | modern | 74 | #31,091 |
| 2004 | modern | 79 | #30,799 |
| 2005 | modern | 78 | #31,058 |
| 2006 | modern | 79 | #31,263 |
| 2007 | modern | 74 | #32,190 |
| 2008 | modern | 74 | #32,460 |
| 2009 | modern | 79 | #32,372 |
| 2010 | modern | 81 | #32,582 |
| 2011 | modern | 86 | #32,006 |
| 2012 | modern | 79 | #32,966 |
| 2013 | modern | 87 | #32,472 |
| 2014 | modern | 86 | #32,663 |
| 2015 | modern | 86 | #32,604 |
| 2016 | modern | 87 | #32,476 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Hillingdon (Hillingdon), Ickenham, Cowley, Eling, London parishes and Lee. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillingdon (Hillingdon), Ickenham, Cowley | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | Eling | Hampshire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Lee | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | London parishes | London 2 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Coxwell surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Coxwell, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Coxwell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Coxwell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Coxwell is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Coxwell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Coxwell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Coxwell has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "cox" meaning a small boat or vessel, and "well" meaning a spring or stream, suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who lived near a stream or body of water where small boats were kept.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it is spelled "Cokeswell." This document mentions a William de Cokeswell, indicating that the name was already in use at that time.
The Coxwell family is believed to have originated in the village of Coxwell, located in the county of Berkshire, England. This place name, which is likely the source of the surname, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Cocheswelle."
In the 14th century, the name appears in various records with different spellings, including "Coxwelle" and "Coxwelle." One notable individual from this time was John Coxwell, a member of the English Parliament who represented Berkshire in 1335.
During the 16th century, the name Coxwell gained prominence with the birth of Henry Coxwell (1519-1592), a renowned English Catholic priest and martyr who was executed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I for his religious beliefs.
Another notable figure was Thomas Coxwell (1591-1662), an English military officer who served as a Colonel in the Royalist army during the English Civil War.
In the 18th century, the name Coxwell is associated with the birth of Henry Overton Walmsley Coxwell (1819-1900), an English aeronaut and balloonist who made several significant contributions to the field of aviation.
The 19th century saw the emergence of William Earle Coxwell (1857-1935), a British historian and author who wrote extensively about the history of the county of Berkshire and its notable families.
Throughout its history, the surname Coxwell has been associated with various occupations and professions, from clergymen and military officers to scientists and authors, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who have carried this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Coxwell surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 26 Coxwells recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.14x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 26 | 3.14x |
| Hampshire | 14 | 8.24x |
| Devon | 8 | 4.64x |
| Kent | 8 | 2.83x |
| Sussex | 8 | 5.72x |
| Surrey | 7 | 1.73x |
| Buckinghamshire | 3 | 5.99x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 1.39x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.20x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 0.96x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.62x |
| Merionethshire | 1 | 6.59x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.36x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 1.36x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.92x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hillingdon in Middlesex leads with 11 Coxwells recorded in 1881 and an index of 416.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hillingdon | 11 | 416.67x |
| Lee | 8 | 194.65x |
| Millbrook | 8 | 186.92x |
| Uxbridge | 8 | 842.11x |
| Hove | 7 | 114.19x |
| Newington | 6 | 19.59x |
| Kings Nympton | 4 | 2222.22x |
| Ealing | 3 | 40.49x |
| Lymington | 3 | 240.00x |
| Aston | 2 | 3.47x |
| Exeter St Edmund | 2 | 540.54x |
| Fawley | 2 | 370.37x |
| Langley Marish | 2 | 322.58x |
| Newchurch | 2 | 24.84x |
| Bristol St James St Paul | 1 | 18.45x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 1 | 12.58x |
| Croydon | 1 | 4.46x |
| Dolgelley | 1 | 88.50x |
| Eling | 1 | 58.14x |
| Great Malvern | 1 | 44.25x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 7.75x |
| Hanwell | 1 | 68.03x |
| Ilfracombe | 1 | 56.18x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 2.17x |
| Oystermouth | 1 | 89.29x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 3.28x |
| Roborough | 1 | 909.09x |
| Seaford | 1 | 208.33x |
| Trowbridge | 1 | 30.86x |
| Wolverhampton | 1 | 4.65x |
| Wycombe | 1 | 26.74x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Coxwell surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 4 |
| Annie | 3 |
| Elizabeth | 3 |
| Alice | 2 |
| Ann | 2 |
| Caroline | 2 |
| Emma | 2 |
| Louisa | 2 |
| Adeline | 1 |
| Amelia | 1 |
| Anna | 1 |
| C.E. | 1 |
| Cecily | 1 |
| E.C.Drayton | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Eliza | 1 |
| Emily | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Gertrude | 1 |
| Hannah | 1 |
| Isabella | 1 |
| J.Grinfeld | 1 |
| Jessie | 1 |
| Julia | 1 |
| Kathleen | 1 |
| Louie | 1 |
| Maria | 1 |
| Maud | 1 |
| Minnie | 1 |
| Phebe | 1 |
| Rhoda | 1 |
| Rosina | 1 |
| Selina | 1 |
| Susan | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Coxwell surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Coxwell households.
FAQ
In 1881, 85 people were recorded with the Coxwell surname. That placed it at #21,573 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 87 in 2016. That gives Coxwell a modern rank of #32,476.
A habitational surname derived from Coxwell, Berkshire, meaning "cock's well or spring".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Coxwell bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.