NameCensus.

UK surname

Gwynne

A Welsh habitational surname derived from the name of the town Gwynedd.

In the 1881 census there were 757 people recorded with the Gwynne surname, ranking it #4,879 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,510, ranked #4,096, up from #4,879 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Briton Ferry and Gelligaer. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Forest of Dean, Powys and Herefordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gwynne is 1,543 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 99.5%.

1881 census count

757

Ranked #4,879

Modern count

1,510

2016, ranked #4,096

Peak year

2014

1,543 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gwynne had 757 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,879 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,510 in 2016, ranked #4,096.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,112 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Gwynne surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gwynne surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gwynne 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 506 #4,943
1861 historical 488 #5,352
1881 historical 757 #4,879
1891 historical 839 #4,858
1901 historical 1,112 #4,348
1911 historical 1,048 #4,386
1997 modern 1,423 #4,087
1998 modern 1,492 #4,072
1999 modern 1,507 #4,062
2000 modern 1,506 #4,052
2001 modern 1,467 #4,064
2002 modern 1,487 #4,104
2003 modern 1,455 #4,097
2004 modern 1,448 #4,114
2005 modern 1,433 #4,117
2006 modern 1,432 #4,124
2007 modern 1,450 #4,112
2008 modern 1,472 #4,094
2009 modern 1,512 #4,090
2010 modern 1,534 #4,126
2011 modern 1,532 #4,078
2012 modern 1,493 #4,108
2013 modern 1,526 #4,095
2014 modern 1,543 #4,078
2015 modern 1,520 #4,089
2016 modern 1,510 #4,096

Geography

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Where Gwynnes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Briton Ferry, Gelligaer, Merthyr Tydfil and St Dogmells. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Forest of Dean, Powys, Herefordshire and Telford and Wrekin. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Briton Ferry Glamorganshire
3 Gelligaer Glamorganshire
4 Merthyr Tydfil Glamorganshire
5 St Dogmells Cardiganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Forest of Dean 008 Forest of Dean
2 Forest of Dean 007 Forest of Dean
3 Powys 015 Powys
4 Herefordshire 006 Herefordshire, County of
5 Telford and Wrekin 010 Telford and Wrekin

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gwynne

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gwynne

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Gwynne 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

Gwynne is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gwynne falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Gwynne

The surname Gwynne is of Welsh origin, derived from the personal name Gwynn, which means "fair" or "white" in Welsh. This name was likely given to individuals with fair hair or complexion.

The earliest recorded use of the name Gwynne dates back to the 13th century in Wales. It is believed to have originated in the counties of Denbighshire, Flintshire, and Montgomeryshire, where it was particularly prominent.

In the 16th century, the surname Gwynne appeared in various records, such as the Muster Rolls of Denbighshire in 1539, where it was spelled as "Gwyn." The name was also documented in the Visitation of Shropshire in 1623, where it was recorded as "Gwynne."

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Gwynne was John Gwynne (c. 1558-1626), a Welsh clergyman who served as the Bishop of Raphoe in Ireland. Another prominent figure was Matthew Gwynne (1628-1688), a Welsh lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for St. Albans.

In the 18th century, the Gwynne family established themselves as prominent landowners in Wales. One notable member was Walter Gwynne (1692-1772), a Welsh lawyer and judge who served as a Justice of the King's Bench.

The surname Gwynne has also been associated with several literary figures. One example is Nell Gwynne (1650-1687), an English actress and mistress of King Charles II, who was known for her wit and charm. Another notable bearer of the name was Edmund Gwynne (1609-1675), an English physician and author who wrote on various medical topics.

Throughout history, the surname Gwynne has been subject to various spellings, such as Gwynn, Gwyn, and Gwinn, reflecting the evolution of the Welsh language and regional variations. However, the spelling "Gwynne" has become the most widely accepted form.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gwynne families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gwynne 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. Glamorgan leads with 135 Gwynnes recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.58x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 135 10.58x
Pembrokeshire 79 33.93x
Brecknockshire 73 49.83x
Worcestershire 55 5.75x
Middlesex 52 0.71x
Carmarthenshire 49 15.87x
Shropshire 35 5.53x
Herefordshire 31 10.32x
Monmouthshire 31 5.85x
Gloucestershire 30 2.09x
Lancashire 28 0.32x
Surrey 28 0.78x
Staffordshire 25 1.01x
Warwickshire 21 1.14x
Montgomeryshire 16 9.53x
Radnorshire 16 27.07x
Berkshire 10 1.82x
Sussex 8 0.65x
Kent 6 0.24x
Essex 4 0.28x
Devon 3 0.20x
Hampshire 3 0.20x
Yorkshire 3 0.04x
Cheshire 2 0.12x
Cumberland 2 0.32x
Durham 2 0.09x
Midlothian 2 0.20x
Buteshire 1 2.25x
Isle of Man 1 0.74x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Merthyr Tydfil in Glamorgan leads with 32 Gwynnes recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.10x.

Place Total Index
Merthyr Tydfil 32 26.10x
St Dogmells 27 436.19x
Ystradyfodwg 27 24.13x
Briton Ferry 25 164.26x
Aston 20 3.93x
Battersea 15 5.56x
Cwmdu 12 500.00x
Glasbury 12 606.06x
Llanfynydd 12 468.75x
Swansea Town 12 11.47x
Westminster St James 12 15.93x
Wistanstow 12 588.24x
Worcester St Martin 12 92.95x
Alvechurch 11 270.27x
Builth 11 301.37x
Bilston 10 20.87x
Dursley 10 169.20x
Gelligaer 9 30.90x
Bredwardine 8 941.18x
Llangathen 8 366.97x
Mathon 8 284.70x
Worthen 8 119.05x
Kensington London 7 1.72x
Leek Lowe 7 21.28x
Llanboidy 7 180.41x
Llanelly 7 39.93x
Llanfihangel Cilfargen 7 5833.33x
Llansamlet Lower 7 60.61x
Monmouth 7 49.86x
Castle Caereinion 6 400.00x
Clifton 6 8.26x
Folkington 6 1818.18x
Islington London 6 0.85x
Kidderminster Borough 6 10.72x
Lambourn 6 110.09x
Liverpool 6 1.14x
Llangattock 6 50.29x
Llanstephan 6 1395.35x
Rhoscrowther 6 1132.08x
Welland 6 273.97x
Aberdare 5 5.71x
Abergavenny 5 25.21x
Berriew 5 107.99x
Camberwell 5 1.07x
Chorlton On Medlock 5 3.62x
Clase 5 10.54x
Hanwell 5 38.49x
Harborne 5 6.31x
Harrow 5 44.64x
Hay 5 91.91x
Lambeth 5 0.78x
Llangenny 5 393.70x
Llowes 5 657.89x
Moelgrove 5 471.70x
Mynyddyslwyn 5 23.93x
Rosemarket 5 588.24x
Talley 5 236.97x
Upper Llanvrechva 5 60.75x
West Dean 5 21.42x
Worcester St John 5 43.74x
Cardiff St Mary 4 5.69x
Carmarthen St Peter 4 15.16x
Dale 4 476.19x
Dinas 4 203.05x
Fishguard 4 79.21x
Llanywern 4 1333.33x
Loughor 4 59.08x
Pendleton In Salford 4 3.86x
St Anne Soho London 4 9.56x
Toxteth Park 4 1.36x
Wellington 4 11.25x
Bridgnorth St Leonard 3 41.78x
Cannock 3 6.95x
Cirencester 3 15.42x
Claines 3 11.42x
Dawley 3 13.03x
Hereford St Peter 3 37.41x
Llanbedr Paincastle 3 483.87x
Moccas 3 681.82x
Talgarth 3 82.64x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 68
Elizabeth 32
Sarah 27
Jane 16
Ann 12
Emily 12
Margaret 12
Anne 11
Ellen 10
Eliza 9
Emma 9
Alice 8
Edith 8
Hannah 8
Martha 7
Fanny 6
Annie 5
Caroline 5
Catherine 5
Rachel 5
Agnes 4
Clara 4
Isabella 4
Charlotte 3
Florence 3
Laura 3
Maria 3
Allice 2
Ethel 2
Frances 2
Francess 2
Gertrude 2
Harriet 2
Leah 2
Lizzie 2
Lucy 2
Nellie 2
Selina 2
Violet 2
Alicia 1
Cathrine 1
Edth.Adl. 1
Eleanor 1
Elenor 1
Elinor 1
Elizth. 1
George 1
Georgiana 1
Glenarvon 1
Grace 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 59
John 56
Thomas 28
David 25
James 21
George 19
Henry 12
Frederick 10
Charles 9
Daniel 9
Edward 9
Richard 8
Benjamin 6
Joseph 6
Robert 6
Samuel 5
Albert 4
Arthur 4
Alfred 3
Harry 3
Walter 3
Clement 2
Evan 2
Francis 2
J. 2
Patrick 2
Thos. 2
Allen 1
Andrew 1
Austin 1
Chas. 1
Edgar 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Fk.Jno. 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Geo.Wm. 1
Ghares 1
Hannah 1
Howell 1
Isaac 1
Ivor 1
Jabez 1
Jno. 1
Leonard 1
Llewelyn 1
Morgan 1
Wyndham 1

FAQ

Gwynne surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gwynne surname in 1881?

In 1881, 757 people were recorded with the Gwynne surname. That placed it at #4,879 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gwynne surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,510 in 2016. That gives Gwynne a modern rank of #4,096.

What does the Gwynne surname mean?

A Welsh habitational surname derived from the name of the town Gwynedd.

What does the Gwynne map show?

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