UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name referring to a hall or manor in a wooded area.
In the 1881 census there were 22 people recorded with the Halwood surname, ranking it #30,464 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 10, ranked #37,599, down from #30,464 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, Wigan and St John Hackney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Halwood is 130 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 54.5%.
1881 census count
22
Ranked #30,464
Modern count
10
2016, ranked #37,599
Peak year
1861
130 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Halwood surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Halwood surname density by area, 1861 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 | 11 | #31,309 |
| 1861 | historical | 130 | #17,164 |
| 1881 | historical | 22 | #30,464 |
| 1891 | historical | 79 | #26,897 |
| 1901 | historical | 27 | #31,057 |
| 1911 | historical | 31 | #29,952 |
| 1997 | modern | 12 | #36,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 11 | #36,908 |
| 1999 | modern | 11 | #36,917 |
| 2000 | modern | 11 | #36,879 |
| 2001 | modern | 11 | #36,727 |
| 2002 | modern | 11 | #36,780 |
| 2003 | modern | 11 | #36,842 |
| 2004 | modern | 9 | #37,213 |
| 2005 | modern | 9 | #37,302 |
| 2006 | modern | 10 | #37,224 |
| 2007 | modern | 10 | #37,335 |
| 2008 | modern | 7 | #37,735 |
| 2009 | modern | 9 | #37,573 |
| 2010 | modern | 8 | #37,769 |
| 2011 | modern | 9 | #37,598 |
| 2012 | modern | 9 | #37,614 |
| 2013 | modern | 8 | #37,767 |
| 2014 | modern | 8 | #37,806 |
| 2015 | modern | 10 | #37,563 |
| 2016 | modern | 10 | #37,599 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, Wigan, St John Hackney, Liverpool and Sheffield. 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 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 3 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 5 | Sheffield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Halwood 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 Halwood, 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 Halwood surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Halwood 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, Halwood 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 Halwood is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Halwood, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Halwood is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the Old English words 'halu' meaning 'healthy' and 'wudu' meaning 'wood,' suggesting that the name may have been derived from a location known for its lush and thriving forests.
The earliest known record of the surname Halwood dates back to the 13th century, where it appears in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1273. This document mentions a certain John de Hallewode, indicating that the name was already in use at that time.
In the 14th century, the surname Halwood can be found in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, where a William de Halghwode is mentioned in 1314. This spelling variation, 'Halghwode,' highlights the fluid nature of surnames during this period and the influence of local dialects.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Halwood is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as 'Halewode.' This entry refers to a landowner or tenant in the county of Hertfordshire, suggesting that the name may have originated from a place name in that region.
In the 15th century, the name appears in various records across England, including the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk from 1524, where a John Halwode is listed. This spelling variation demonstrates the ongoing evolution of the surname over time.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Halwood, including:
1. Sir Thomas Halwood (c. 1480 - 1554), an English landowner and Member of Parliament for Hampshire. 2. William Halwood (c. 1520 - 1591), an English scholar and translator known for his work on ancient Greek texts. 3. Elizabeth Halwood (c. 1650 - 1718), a renowned herbalist and apothecary in the county of Kent. 4. Robert Halwood (1715 - 1789), a prominent merchant and philanthropist in the city of Bristol. 5. Alice Halwood (1835 - 1912), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's education in the 19th century.
The surname Halwood has evolved over the centuries, with various spellings such as Halghwode, Halewode, and Halwode appearing in historical records. Its origins are deeply rooted in the English language and landscape, reflecting the rich tapestry of surnames that have emerged from place names and descriptive titles throughout British history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Halwood 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. Lancashire leads with 7 Halwoods recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.88x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 7 | 2.88x |
| Warwickshire | 7 | 13.55x |
| Berkshire | 3 | 19.52x |
| Denbighshire | 1 | 12.92x |
| Herefordshire | 1 | 11.90x |
| Somerset | 1 | 3.03x |
| Surrey | 1 | 1.00x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kenilworth in Warwickshire leads with 7 Halwoods recorded in 1881 and an index of 2413.79x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kenilworth | 7 | 2413.79x |
| Liverpool | 5 | 33.88x |
| East West Hanney | 3 | 5000.00x |
| Bedminster | 1 | 32.26x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 1 | 51.81x |
| Ledbury | 1 | 344.83x |
| Ruthin | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Upholland | 1 | 322.58x |
| Wandsworth | 1 | 50.76x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Halwood surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Halwood 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 Halwood households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Mate | 2 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Brickmaker | 1 |
| Dom Cook | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Hair Dresser | 1 |
| Mate Flatman | 1 |
| Miller Journeyman | 1 |
| Nursery Gardener | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Visitor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 22 people were recorded with the Halwood surname. That placed it at #30,464 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 10 in 2016. That gives Halwood a modern rank of #37,599.
A locational surname derived from a place name referring to a hall or manor in a wooded area.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Halwood 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.