NameCensus.

UK surname

Hackshaw

A name of Anglo-Norman origin, possibly derived from the Old French words "hac(ke)" meaning hatchet and "shaw" meaning small wood or thicket.

In the 1881 census there were 79 people recorded with the Hackshaw surname, ranking it #22,357 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 132, ranked #25,882, down from #22,357 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Newchurch, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wycombe, Hackney and Chichester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hackshaw is 145 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 67.1%.

1881 census count

79

Ranked #22,357

Modern count

132

2016, ranked #25,882

Peak year

2014

145 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hackshaw had 79 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,357 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 132 in 2016, ranked #25,882.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 116 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Hackshaw surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hackshaw surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hackshaw 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 53 #23,739
1861 historical 60 #26,313
1881 historical 79 #22,357
1891 historical 91 #25,239
1901 historical 97 #23,227
1911 historical 116 #20,850
1997 modern 115 #24,834
1998 modern 122 #24,556
1999 modern 124 #24,508
2000 modern 122 #24,698
2001 modern 116 #25,089
2002 modern 123 #24,735
2003 modern 125 #24,265
2004 modern 118 #25,317
2005 modern 112 #26,114
2006 modern 122 #25,010
2007 modern 118 #25,913
2008 modern 122 #25,638
2009 modern 138 #24,276
2010 modern 140 #24,569
2011 modern 132 #25,303
2012 modern 136 #24,830
2013 modern 143 #24,434
2014 modern 145 #24,395
2015 modern 138 #25,103
2016 modern 132 #25,882

Geography

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Where Hackshaws are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Newchurch, London parishes, St Pancras, Doncaster and St George the Martyr, St Andrew Holborn above the Bars, Furnival's Inn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wycombe, Hackney, Chichester, Newham and Croydon. 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 Newchurch Hampshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Doncaster Yorkshire, West Riding
5 St George the Martyr, St Andrew Holborn above the Bars, Furnival's Inn London (Central Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wycombe 008 Wycombe
2 Hackney 006 Hackney
3 Chichester 013 Chichester
4 Newham 001 Newham
5 Croydon 008 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hackshaw

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hackshaw

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hackshaw, 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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Hackshaw surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Hackshaw 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Hackshaw is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Hackshaw is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hackshaw falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hackshaw is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Hackshaw, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Hackshaw

The surname Hackshaw originates from England and can be traced back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "haecc" meaning a hatch or gate, and "sceaga" meaning a small wood or grove. The name likely referred to someone who lived near a gate or entrance to a small wooded area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Nottinghamshire, where a Thomas Hackshaw was listed as a resident in 1587. The name also appears in various tax and land records from the 17th century in counties such as Derbyshire and Yorkshire.

In the late 17th century, a John Hackshaw (1648-1718) was a prominent English philosopher and writer who published works on theology and natural philosophy. He was a fellow of the Royal Society and is considered one of the earliest advocates of empiricism and experimental philosophy.

Another notable bearer of the name was Sir John Hackshaw (1776-1854), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. He was present at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and later rose to the rank of Admiral.

In the 19th century, the Hackshaw family had a presence in the town of Hackshaw in Lancashire, which may have derived its name from the surname. A Samuel Hackshaw (1804-1876) was a prominent businessman and landowner in the area.

Other historical figures with the surname include:

- William Hackshaw (1610-1685), an English clergyman and author of religious works. - Robert Hackshaw (1792-1833), a British explorer and naturalist who travelled extensively in South America. - Elizabeth Hackshaw (1835-1911), a British philanthropist and social reformer who founded several charitable organizations. - James Hackshaw (1867-1934), a British architect known for designing several notable buildings in London.

While the name has roots in various parts of England, it remains relatively uncommon and has maintained a modest presence throughout its history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hackshaw families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hackshaw 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 27 Hackshaws recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.55x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 27 3.55x
Buckinghamshire 14 30.44x
Yorkshire 13 1.72x
Kent 11 4.24x
Surrey 6 1.62x
Berkshire 2 3.50x
Leicestershire 2 2.37x
Essex 1 0.67x
Lincolnshire 1 0.82x
Oxfordshire 1 2.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 15 Hackshaws recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.50x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 15 24.50x
Great Marlow 14 1129.03x
Preston Next Faversham 8 1311.48x
Camberwell 5 10.29x
Sheffield 5 20.83x
Doncaster 4 72.60x
St George Martyr London 4 259.74x
Holbeck 3 60.12x
Westminster St James 3 38.36x
Clewer 2 85.47x
Fulham London 2 18.13x
Bethnal Green London 1 3.03x
Carshalton 1 70.42x
Deptford St Paul 1 5.00x
Epworth 1 175.44x
Folkestone 1 19.88x
Leicester St Margaret 1 4.86x
North Kilworth 1 833.33x
Oxford St Mary Virgin 1 1250.00x
Routh 1 2500.00x
Sittingbourne 1 48.78x
St George Hanover Square 1 7.46x
Staines 1 83.33x
West Ham 1 3.02x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 4
Ann 3
Harriet 3
Jane 3
Sarah 3
Edith 2
Mary 2
Ada 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Christiana 1
Eliza 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Georgina 1
Hannah 1
Isabella 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Margaret 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Hackshaw surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hackshaw surname in 1881?

In 1881, 79 people were recorded with the Hackshaw surname. That placed it at #22,357 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hackshaw surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 132 in 2016. That gives Hackshaw a modern rank of #25,882.

What does the Hackshaw surname mean?

A name of Anglo-Norman origin, possibly derived from the Old French words "hac(ke)" meaning hatchet and "shaw" meaning small wood or thicket.

What does the Hackshaw map show?

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